The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1566 part 2 | Page 2

little, but he listened attentively to the long discourses in council,
and he took an incredible quantity of notes. It was the general opinion
that this last demand on the part of the Netherlanders was the fourth
link in the chain of treason. The first had been the cabal by which
Granvelle had been expelled; the second, the mission of Egmont, the
main object of which had been to procure a modification of the state
council, in order to bring that body under the control of a few haughty
and rebellious nobles; the third had been the presentation of the
insolent and seditious Request; and now, to crown the whole, came a
proposition embodying the three points--abolition of the inquisition,
revocation of the edicts, and a pardon to criminals, for whom death was
the only sufficient punishment.
With regard to these three points, it was, after much wrangling, decided
to grant them under certain restrictions. To abolish the inquisition
would be to remove the only instrument by which the Church had been
accustomed to regulate the consciences and the doctrines of its subjects.
It would be equivalent to a concession of religious freedom, at least to
individuals within their own domiciles, than which no concession could
be more pernicious. Nevertheless, it might be advisable to permit the
temporary cessation of the papal inquisition, now that the episcopal
inquisition had been so much enlarged and strengthened in the
Netherlands, on the condition that this branch of the institution should
be maintained in energetic condition. With regard to the Moderation, it
was thought better to defer that matter till, the proposed visit of his
Majesty to the provinces. If, however, the Regent should think it
absolutely necessary to make a change, she must cause a new draft to
be made, as that which had been sent was not found admissible.
Touching the pardon general, it would be necessary to make many
conditions and restrictions before it could be granted. Provided these
were sufficiently minute to exclude all persons whom it might be found
desirable to chastise, the amnesty was possible. Otherwise it was quite
out of the question.
Meantime, Margaret of Parma had been urging her brother to come to a
decision, painting the distracted condition of the country in the liveliest

colors, and insisting, although perfectly aware of Philip's private
sentiments, upon a favorable decision as to the three points demanded
by the envoys. Especially she urged her incapacity to resist any
rebellion, and demanded succor of men and money in case the
"Moderation" were not accepted by his Majesty.
It was the last day of July before the King wrote at all, to communicate
his decisions upon the crisis which had occurred in the first week of
April. The disorder for which he had finally prepared a prescription had,
before his letter arrived, already passed through its subsequent stages of
the field-preaching and the image-breaking. Of course these fresh
symptoms would require much consultation, pondering, and note-
taking before they could be dealt with. In the mean time they would be
considered as not yet having happened. This was the masterly
procrastination of the sovereign, when his provinces were in a blaze.
His masterly dissimulation was employed in the direction suggested by
his councillors. Philip never originated a thought, nor laid down a plan,
but he was ever true to the falsehood of his nature, and was
indefatigable in following out the suggestions of others. No greater
mistake can be made than to ascribe talent to this plodding and pedantic
monarch. The man's intellect was contemptible, but malignity and
duplicity, almost superhuman; have effectually lifted his character out
of the regions of the common-place. He wrote accordingly to say that
the pardon, under certain conditions, might be granted, and that the
papal inquisition might cease--the bishops now being present in such
numbers, "to take care of their flocks," and the episcopal inquisition
being, therefore established upon so secure a basis. He added, that if a
moderation of the edicts were still desired, a new project might be sent
to Madrid, as the one brought by Berghen and Montigny was not
satisfactory. In arranging this wonderful scheme for composing the
tumults of the country, which had grown out of a determined rebellion
to the inquisition in any form, he followed not only the advice, but
adopted the exact language of his councillors.
Certainly, here was not much encouragement for patriotic hearts in the
Netherlands. A pardon, so restricted that none were likely to be
forgiven save those who had done no wrong; an episcopal inquisition
stimulated to renewed exertions, on the ground that the papal
functionaries were to be discharged; and a promise that, although the

proposed Moderation of the edicts seemed too mild for the monarch's
acceptance, yet at some future period