THE WONDERS OF THE MOST HIGH (A 125 YEAR HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS 1550-1675)

CONTENTS
                                                                                       
Translator's Indroduction                                               
Esteemed Reader by Rev. de Lind van Wijngaarden      
Foreword by Rev. J.W. Felix                                        
To the Reader by the Author Rev. A. v.d. Velde            

Chapter
1       Remarkable Situation In Holland                       
2       Holland After The Armistice (1609-1621)         
3       The Rise Of The Republic                                 
4       The Union Of The Provinces                             
5       God's Glory Advanced In All This                     
6       Iconoclasm I                                                    
7       A Righteous War                                              
8       Oppressed                                                       
9       The Time Of Our Rejection                              
10      A Covenant With The Potentate Of Potentates 
11      The Situation Of The Fathers And Of Us Their Children    
12      Comparing The Republic With Switzerland       
13      Our Hearts Encouraged I                                 
14       II (Admiral Pete Hein)                                     
15       III (Leyden)                                                   
16      About Frivolous Living And Pagan Feastdays   
17      Our Hearts Encouraged IV (The Zuiderzee. The Armada)  
18      V (Don Pedro. Nieuwpoort)                            
19      VI (Maestricht. Den Briel)                                
20      Ungrateful                                                      
21      The Death Of William The Silent                      
22      The Leicester Faction                                      
23      The Wealth Of Spain                                      
24      The True Cause Of Our Prosperity                 
25      Iconoclasm II                                                 
26      The Horrible Death Of King Philip II               
27      Hypocracy, Treason And Perjury                   
28      The War Waged For True Religion                 
29      "This Is The Lord's Doing"                              
30      Comparing The Republic With Israel              
31      A Call To Be Grateful                                     
32      Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice                 
33      The Union And Its Leaders                             
34      Holy Scripture And Satan's Deceptions           
35      Conventicles (Field Preaching)                        
36      Know The Scriptures!                                    
37      Formularies                                                   
38      The Organ In The Worshipservice. The Singing Of Hymns     
39      Beware Of False Teaching                             
40      The Sabbath                                                 
41      In Defence Of Sound Doctrine                       
42      The Three Forms Of Unity                            
43      No False Unity                                              
44      Church And State                                          
45      The Christian And The Law Of The Lord       
46      The Civil Magistrate                                       
47      The Christian Home                                       
48      The Law Of The Lord In Our Life                  
49      Turning The Hearts Of The Fathers To The Children     
50      1672. The Year Of Disasters                         



 

Translator's Introduction


        History is said to be His Story. If this is true of any nation it 
is certainly true of the Netherlands. In particular of the times this 
book was written. The following pages deal with the period (appr.) 
1550-1675. It was written during the latter years of that period. The 
original book appeared under the title, "De Wonderen des 
Allerhoogsten". 
        The author, Rev. Abraham van de Velde was born in 1614 and died 
in 1677, and was a witness of many of the things that happened during 
this period.
        It follows that the book was written well over three hundred 
years ago about a period that began more than 400 years ago. It 
deals with the time of the Reformation and 125 years following that 
great event. The times were different, the people were different, but 
the God they served is still the same. He is the One Who never 
changes. 
        By reading and translating the book it was my privilege to 
become aquainted with a period directly after the Reformation, before 
the rationalism of the 'Enlightenment', and the Nadere Reformatie 
(second or revised reformation) had influenced the landscape. About 
the latter, we may not deny that initially the 'Nadere Reformatie' was 
a true revival and a blessing for the nation. On the other hand it 
cannot be denied that the pietistic movement it turned out to be was 
no match for the spirit of the French Revolution which came over 
Holland shortly after that time. The Church of that period could not 
resist that godless movement. It was not until Bilderdijk and Groen 
van Prinsterer, by the grace of God, led the Dutch people back to the 
faith of the Reformation, that the people of Holland revived from 
their slumber (see the Introduction by J.W. Felix on page 11. 
        The faith of our fathers was a biblical faith. It did not waver. 
They had learned to appreciate the Word as it came to them in the 
conventicles, from which places they came with great rejoicing as the 
book tells us (see page 141). From the bondage of Roman Catholicism 
they came to understand the liberty of the children of God. 
        As was the faith of the people so was the faith of its great 
leaders. First of all Prince William (the Silent), who, when everything 
failed, and no other state or prince would take the government of 
this country upon them, made, as he said, "A firm Covenant with the 
Potentate of potentates". He put his trust in that great Potentate, 
until in 1584 when he died by the hand of an assassin. He was 
succeeded by his sons Maurice 1585- 1625 and Frederick Hendrick 
(Henry) 1625-1647. 
        
        To describe the difference between the spirit of the Reformation 
and the Church of today is not as difficult as it is astounding. Most 
Evangelical Churches of the present, Reformed and Presbyterian 
included, have lost that spirit. Present day Christianity is 
predominantly a religion of Sunday and of the soul. In preaching, the 
emphasis is mainly on Christ as Priest and Prophet of His people, 
seldom on Christ as King. That former emphasis is absolutely 
necessary, for Christ cannot be King of His people without being 
Prophet and Priest first. It is nevertheless also true that He cannot 
be the former without being the latter. This was well understood by 
the Fathers.

        Dr. W. Aalders in an interview with the Dutch "Reformed Daily" of 
September 28, 1996, gives his opinion about what happened in the 
Netherlands that brought about the change.
        In the interview Dr. Aalders states, "In 1796, two hundred years 
ago, the National Assembly accepted the official separation of Church 
and State. That is when it came to a head. At that time, the two, 
Church and State, faith and politics, confession and life were 
separated. Each went its own way. It was no improvement for either. 
The State suffered, so did the Church. At that time public morality 
began to go its downward way. It was a way without God and without 
religion. We have seen the results: anarchy. In Russia: the Goelag 
Archipelago. Concentration camps in Germany. In Holland a permissive 
society."
        Dr. Abraham Kuyper summed it up as follows: "There is no inch in 
all of human endeavour of which Christ does not say 'It is Mine'." 
This, in a nutshell, is what the fathers believed.

        What we lack is their view on Church and State. According to the 
book, "We cannot say how close the well-being of Church and State are 
joined together; they can be seen as body and soul; the health of the 
person is subject to the well-being of body and soul. When the body 
is sick, the soul is often oppressed also. Confusion in the State is 
harmful to the Church, for when politicians quarrel, they are not 
alert as to what is happening in the Church and lack the power to 
protect religion." Again, "When there are troubles in the Church and 
false teachings, the State is disturbed, yes, even corrupted, for 
religion is the soul of the State. As a rule, religion is the first to 
be lost, and as a result the State is lost also. The Church is first, 
after that the nation. There are no greater revolutions than those 
that start with religion" (pages 182-183).
        This does not mean that Church and State should not be 
separated, they must, for they are different entities. It does mean 
that as God cannot be separated from the Church, so God cannot be 
separated from the State. "He is the Governor between the nations" 
(Ps. 22: 28). "He shall judge between the nations" (Is. 2: 4). He is King 
of kings and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19: 16). When the laws of the Lord 
are not obeyed, nations are in trouble. When a people honours the 
Lord by keeping His statutes that nation is blessed. 
        This is what the fathers experienced in their great struggle 
against Spain, which lasted for eighty years. They saw in these great 
occurrences the hand of Almighty God. That is why the book was 
written, that is why it was translated. It was written, that we, the 
children, should remember the things "We have heard and known, and 
our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from our children, 
shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his 
strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done" (Ps. 78: 3 and 4). 
All this for the purpose, "That they might set their hope in God, and 
not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments" (verse 7). 
Keep His commandments, at home, at Church, and in the nation.

        In translating the book, again and again, I was struck by the 
faith of these people. Theirs was a faith strong enough to face 
death. As it was with William of Orange who made a "firm Covenant with 
the Potentate of potentates", so it was with those who faced the 
scaffold. The Word of the Lord was enough for them. It was so with 
those that made war, whether on land or on the seas. They did not 
waver. Not for a moment they doubted; they were fighting the Lord's 
battles. That is why they were fearless. When, with a few ships, they 
were confronted by a great fleet, they attacked, for they were 
fighting the Lord's battles. There was no reason whatsoever to waver. 
It had to be done, they went and did it. Not for a moment did they 
think of what was in it for them, it was their duty. 
        Our religion is different in that we have withdrawn within the 
walls of the Church. In Canada over one hundred thousand little 
children are aborted annually, and we are absolutely silent about it. 
Just recently (June 30, 1997), on the Lord's day, thousands of gays 
paraded through the streets of Toronto, in open defiance of Almighty 
God. To my knowledge there was no reaction by any of the Churches. 
These things that bring God's well-deserved wrath upon the nations, 
were absolutely unthinkable during the days of the Dutch Republic.

        The book in the original contains no chapter headings or 
divisions of any kind. In order to make the whole somewhat better 
accessible chapter headings were added. Since the fathers made sure 
their writings were well understood they tended to repeat themselves. 
In translating, I have attempted to omit this as much as possible, 
therefore not everything in the book is translated. The organization 
of the material is not always clear, but be assured that in reading 
the book you will find rich gems hidden in many places. All italics are 
mine and added for emphasis. 
        Last, but not least a word of thanks to my good friend Jake 
Schaap of Bowmanville, who, when overwhelmed with the intricacies of 
the computer and its accompanying hardware and software, extricated 
me many a time. Without his help The Wonders of the Most High would 
not have been translated. 

Newcastle, July 1997                                                               
Tr.
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Esteemed Reader!

        The Publisher Mr. H. ten Hoove asked me to write a few words as 
introduction for this well-known work of Van De Velde! This was 
already done in a previous edition by the Reverend Felix, and his 
name on the title page is guarantee that the contents are priceless. 
I had never seen the book, safe in a real old edition and will 
honestly say that I did not know of a fore-word by Rev. Felix. Had I 
known, I would not have conceded to the request of the publisher, for 
it would have the appearance that I would improve on the work of an 
old well-known Teacher; I, who freely admit that he is a far better 
Teacher than I am. However, I promised the publisher, and therefore 
will proceed, and ask your attention for a few matters concerning this 
work.
        Rev. Felix has in particular shown the circumstances why this is 
such an eminent work. He showed the readers the frame surrounding 
the painting. Concerning the painting he says that it is known well 
enough to stand closer scrutiny. He is right. Yet, there are readers 
who before they begin reading the book look at the fore-word, to see 
about the contents. It is for them I write this. 
        Van de Velde's work deals with some memorable facts from the 
war with Spain. Of the Spanish Inquisition, and of the cruelties by the 
Church of Rome done to the Reformed several examples are given. 
        But what is so remarkable about this little book? That it deals 
with all these matters in the light of God's Word! When for instance 
the book deals with the mournful dying and death of Philip II, it 
points thereby to God's finger. When it deals with the siege and relief 
of Leyden, in this too the disposing hand of the Lord is seen. That is 
why it is so good that in the present time when a modern spirit does 
not reckon with God's finger anymore, this little book is read. 
        We live in a time that men look for many causes, but the highest 
Cause is not seen. 
        But the book does more than this. When describing the liberation 
>from the Spanish yoke, it asks the question, "Why was the Lord so 
good to our country?" Here the author proves the truth of the word, 
"I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy 
name's sake" (Ezek. 36: 22). The author makes clear that God's goodness 
was altogether forfeited! We were a small and contemptible people, but 
the Lord made His name great in the history of our country. It was 
His free and sovereign love that made us great! He stopped the 
mouths of those who mocked the God of the Reformed. The book also 
points to the fact that we must be humble for so much good the Lord 
gave us; let it stimulate to search God's Word! It warns us not to 
know anything outside of the Word. In particular it warns for the 
novelties of those days. It is certain that the book has been a 
blessing for many.
        Are there no shortcomings in this work? Certainly! nothing here 
on earth is perfect. There are too many references in Latin, which do 
no harm because they are translated, but would have been better left 
in a footnote on the bottom of the page, and not in the text. Let it 
not be a hindrance for the inquiring mind. 
        The book does not contain meditations for the soul, but history! 
Beside the prophets and psalms we find in the Bible the books of 
Samuel and Kings. Well on, like the choice meditations of a C.H. 
Spurgeon, also published by H. ten Hoove speak of the life of the 
soul, and are therefore at a place where David liked to move, that is 
how van de Velde in his book moves in the area of History. The one 
complements the other.
        Worthy Reader, that the Lord by reading about the wonders of 
His ways, grant you a spiritual blessing is the prayer of 

Yours truly,

DE LIND VAN WIJNGAARDEN, Minister
Utrecht, August, 1897
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FOREWORD

        The subsequent words of Asaph in Psalm 78, are worthy of our 
consideration: "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark 
sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have 
told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the 
generations to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and 
his wonderful works that He hath done. That the generations to come 
might know them, even the children which should be born; who should 
arise and declare them to their children. That they might set their 
hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his 
commandments."

        History is the cord that connects us with our ancestors - the 
beacon that points to the rock where at one time we ran aground and 
suffered shipwreck - the light house that illuminates the safe 
harbour to which we have directed all our hope. She is the teacher, 
who declares the Word of God, and applies the first principles of His 
ways. That is how it was understood by Asaph, that is how the 
Fathers perceived it.

        Our modern age, after kindling its so called new light, was aware 
that it had to cut the cords of history prior to making a beginning with 
the reformation of history. They were well aware that the deep 
impression of God's name and image in history could not be removed from 
the nations, unless God was deposed from history. That is why an 
attempt was made to separate the school from the Church, for history is 
the soul of the school; the Church wages in the school (which is its 
vanguard), its first and often deciding battles. For a long time the 
nation was not aware of this. The most precious was taken from us, and 
we did not defend the truth.

        It was not until excellent men, in the first place Mr. Groen van 
Prinsterer, blew the trumpet with no uncertain sound and gradually 
those who loved to sleep, awoke, and prepared for battle. His 
excellent, concise, rich in content manual of the History of the 
Fatherland, caused a certain blessed Reformation. Many authors, 
mostly teachers, did their utmost to show from history how the Lord, 
with His own hand, wrote the pages. Gradually our people began to 
appreciate the long forgotten writings of our Fathers. Again, the honor of 
the Synod of Dordt was maintained. "ZION'S WRESTLINGS" by 
Rev. Fruitier was read anew, and especially "THE WONDERS OF THE MOST 
HIGH" by A Van de Velde received again the place it had with our 
people two-hundred years previously. A new printing attended to by 
"Jonkheer" Mr. A.C. van Ash van Wijck, was readily received, even 
though it was subject to several changes. In general, our people do 
not appreciate changes, and we praise them for it. That is why I 
rejoiced when publisher A. Fissher told me he was planning to reprint 
the book in its original form without any changes in the text, but 
only translate the foreign (French or Latin) words into the Dutch, and 
the spelling in agreement with the now existing.

        For those who have read the WONDERS OF THE MOST HIGH, I don't 
have to write words of commendation. The things which in these days, 
in connection with its tri-centennial, draw the special attention of 
the Netherland public: the history of the Beggars, the capture of De 
Briel, the naval battle on the Zuiderzee with Bossu, the siege of 
Alkmaar, the relief of Leyden, etc., is here written by the hand of a 
faithful witness. From the time that the Reformation penetrated the 
Fatherland and the conventicles, to the memorable year of 1672, "the 
praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works are 
here told to "generations to come.":
        May this work receive a favorable reception, and many a home be 
the recipient of the sanctified fruit which Asaph describes, "that they 
(the children) may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of 
God, but keep His commandments.
UTRECHT,  J.W. FELIX
 

TO THE READER

        Our God is glorious and marvelous above all we think, in all His 
works which He shows in nature, and it gives us cause to cry out 
with the psalmist, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast 
thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches" (Ps.104: 24). It is 
nevertheless, not without reason that the Prophet says, "His name is 
great in Israel" (Ps. 76: 1). For if the Lord's doing is majestic and 
glorious, it is in and about His people, His congregation, His 
inheritance, to which He shows Himself in all His glorious attributes; 
over which He soars like an eagle over its young, to which He shows, 
His love and goodness, whom He leads and wonderfully rules.
        Although it seems that the Lord forsakes them at times, 
nevertheless, His bowels are troubled concerning them; wherefore in 
their greatest need, the Lord renders them the most of His Fatherly 
help and assistance. Their enemies to the contrary experience His 
wrath and awful power, as we read in 1 Sam. 11: 2; 2 Kings 7, and Is. 
37; also by what happened in the days of Queen Esther, as in so many 
other instances, of which we read in Scripture. But when "The earth 
mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is 
like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits" (Is. 
33: 9), then the Lord is wont to rise up and glorify Himself in 
delivering His people through marvelous deeds.
        Did any nation or country ever experience such gracious 
wonderful works of the Lord; was any people ever taken through water 
and through fire, by a high hand, above all expectation into an 
abundant refreshing, as was our dear fatherland? We become aware of 
this when we consider the deep misery, the physical and spiritual 
slavery in which our Fathers were under Antichrist, and under Spanish 
tyranny, to which they were subject; how they set the knife on our 
throat, and we were esteemed as sheep for the slaughter, how 
graciously, and marvelously, the Lord led us, and how He delivered us. 
        How He made our enemies the tail, and us the head, and how He 
went before us, and His glory was our rear-guard. Never may we 
forget what He did for us. For now, yes, at this time we have cause 
to sing the hymn, and the praises of God's people:


Now Israel may say and that in truth,
If that the Lord had not our right maintained,
If that the Lord had not with us remained,
When cruel man against us rose to strive,
We surely had been swallowed up alive.

Yea, when their wrath against us fiercely rose,
The swelling tide had o'er us spread its wave;
The raging stream had then become our grave;
The surging flood, in proudly swelling roll,
Most surely then had overwhelmed our soul.

Psalm 124 st.1 and 2 from the Psalter Hymnal (No. 266).

        Yes, our God has dealt with our fatherland in such a way, that 
it seems He has chosen it among many nations to be an object of His 
favor and marvelous deeds. And taking note of this, we cry out with 
Moses the man of God, "O United Netherlands! Who is like unto Thee! O 
people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the 
sword of thy excellency" (Deut. 33: 29).
        Again with King David, "And what one nation, is like the United 
Netherlands, whom God went to redeem for a people unto Himself, and 
to make Him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for 
thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst from the most 
horrible slavery, driving out from before them idolatrous popery, and 
their gods" (2 Sam. 7: 23). 
        The Lord gave us such great and deciding victories, delivering 
us from the power of the enemy by giving their armies, cities, 
strongholds, fleets and ships into our hands, that the nations of the 
world wondered greatly when it was told them. When there is any place 
where the right hand of the Lord is highly exalted, or did great 
deeds, it is in the delivery, rise and prosperity of our dear 
Fatherland.
        That is what we want to show you in this Treatise, in order to 
exalt the name of our God, that all of Zions children, and could it be, 
even the coming generations would see the wonders of our God, and 
awaken them to their beholden duty.
        It is to that end we have shown the wonders of our God to the 
Fatherland, composed by several historians, gathered, and briefly put 
into writing. The reader has here, if not all, but at least the most 
important flowers from the garden of Netherland history, and will be 
able to find them without great difficulty.
        Those who desire further instruction in these matters, can find 
them in the works of historians to which we made reference. The 
historian in the foreword to his "Apophteg, Christian", says, and 
rightly so, "Many a student spends half a day with his nose in the 
books; and when, sooner or later, he finds a few fair proverbs or 
lessons from history, he is of the opinion to have made good use of 
his time." He thinks to have done a profitable work, by gathering many 
important proverbs and lessons from history.
        That is how it is with Netherland history; not everywhere 
sensational matters are found, but one must often read long and much 
to find the sweetest and best, especially when the historian gave his 
subject ample treatment. Added to this we make the observation that 
when the most important matters and stories are gathered in one 
work, they make a deeper impression, just like the best flowers and 
herbs spread finer fragrance, when they are found in a small area. I 
judge that especially those who in public office must divulge these 
things to others, will find here much relief. For the things they 
already know are here brought together to aid the memory; and 
depending on the occasion of time and affairs, they may be better 
enabled to impart the right impression to the student.
        This also applies to the father in the home, who would teach his 
household about the wonderful works of the Lord (for that is his 
duty, Deut. 4: 9), shown to the Netherlands, and will find this very 
convenient, allowing him to do so in an orderly fashion.
        While in this treatise, dealing with the marvelous rise of the 
United Netherlands, it is in order that we answer a question or 
objection. Some think, that this is no time to write of our successes, 
for it seems that we are on our way to ruin, seeing we are subject 
to many trials sent by the Lord. Someone could say, at this time it 
would be better to deal with God's oppressing hand upon this nation, 
and its causes.
        Are we not aware that we have lost the more than royal 
possessions in Brazil; yes, have lost almost the whole of the West-
Indies, and also that the East Indies Company is under pressure? It 
is apparent that water and fire, together with other plagues, sent 
immediately from the Lord a few years back, caused much destruction, 
of which several Teachers (ministers), have dealt in their discourses.
        Furthermore, many calamities made the State tremble. Beside 
this, the Lord has begun to attack us on water and land, and has put 
us to the fire, whereby thousands have been destroyed by the sword, 
and perished in prison. Yea, the one fire is not quenched and another 
is started; there is a general impoverishment of the nation, and 
commerce also has clearly diminished. It would be better, some say, to 
write of our undoing, instead of our rise to prosperity.
        We would answer that we like to admit, that as the Lord has 
blessed us in the past, and made us great, He has again from great, 
made us small, and chastened us for our transgressions, sins and 
atrocities, and by so many plagues and as many grievous signs, His 
righteous wrath against the Fatherland has been discovered. It is 
therefore not untimely but very needful, to make the inhabitants of 
this nation aware of this, and warn them to repent and seek His 
forgiveness.
        But to say that it is untimely to speak of the mercies 
wherewith the Lord has favored us, is to deceive ourselves. For as 
holy men of God, and the holy prophets, in times of prosperity 
remembered to complain about earlier miseries and sins by which the 
Church was especially punished as we have seen from 2 Sam. 22; Ps. 
30, 66, 78, 124 and others, so they used to remember earlier 
prosperity, see Ps. 44 and 89; Neh. 9; Lam. 1: 7. How can it be 
untimely to deal with that which is the cause of our pressing misery? 
For truly, if there is a sin that is hateful to the Lord, it is that 
we fail to remember His mercies. That we like courageous Judah, and 
beautiful Jerusalem, do not remember the days of our youth; see Ps. 
78: 42 and Ezek.16: 43. 
        Besides this, like when two contrasting matters are compared 
with each other and again opposed to each other, are better known (as 
darkness and light are better seen in each other's company), so must 
we remember past mercies in order to be desirous to return unto the 
Lord. Yes, we are hereby driven to accurately search the ways, 
causes and means, whereby the Lord made us great; and how the 
Fathers lived, who inherited these blessings. That in this way the 
heart of the Fathers may be turned unto the children, and we 
(remembering from which we fell away), would return unto the Lord, and 
do the first works. 
        Furthermore, we would like to admit, that as we have for many 
years by the word that was preached, and public writings not 
overlooked to warn the nation; we have also, nearly a second volume 
ready, which speaks of the decline of the Fatherland and its causes; 
and also the means of foregoing a total ruination. In the meantime we 
hope it may bear fruit.
        It may seem strange to some that this treatise which deals with 
the history of the Fatherland, and the marvelous deeds of the Lord, 
shown in the rise of the United Netherlands, we deal with matters 
regarding religion. Let the same such know that this is exactly the 
reason why it was written, that it may be known that the true 
Reformed religion is the foundation of this nation, and also a cause 
of its rise and growth. For it cannot be doubted with any reason that 
what is said by the Lords States General, in their pious foreword to 
the Synod of Dordt, "that as the Union is the foundation of our 
Republic, so the foundation and steadfastness of this Union is the 
true religion; and the Lord our God, after dwelling among the same, 
blessed us with great and incomprehensible benefits which He did not 
give to other nations." When books that deal with nature or such like 
subjects treat of religion, how much more when we deal with matters 
in which religion cannot be avoided without failing to do justice to 
the matter.
        It was Paulus Colonius, Teacher of Theology, in his "Contrasting 
Report Concerning the Sabbath" page 136, who wrote that the times are 
changing, religion is undermined, and godliness is wounded and 
frustrated. Professor Nicolas Arnoldus writes that because of this we 
must fear difficulties, even more profound than those with which the 
Arminians oppressed the Churches of the Fatherland. From their 
writings it is apparent how great a bitterness those, who are for 
innovations, have in their heart toward the orthodox. Although we are 
certain that some of them are displeased with this bitterness. It is 
certain when religion, and therefore the State, which is based and 
established on religion, is undermined, it cannot be judged untimely 
that we hasten to discover dissent, and oppose dissenters when we 
deal with the rise of the Republic, and make an attempt to promote 
its prosperity.

        Moreover, I did not intend to do the work of an historian, but in 
the first place fulfill and accomplish the duty required of a Teacher. 
That is why in these unhappy times in which we live, we are required 
to deal with religious matters and disputes. In our day, under the 
name of theology and philosophy, the Socinians, Papists, Remonstrants, 
and others filled with the same leaven, have taught our people many 
things, of which we make mention in this Treatise.
        Many receive these errors with desire, or will find an excuse, 
after the measure that knowledge and love to religion is less, 
prejudice and affection are greater, and also the extent to which the 
mind is muddled. What are Teachers to do in this situation? If they 
are faithful and watch over the flock, they must in speaking, in 
writing, or in both these manners, discover and refute these errors 
and as much as is possible deliver the Congregation from these 
pernicious errors, that as Chrysostomus says, we shall not betray 
the truth by remaining silent. Especially, when some, and often those 
of which least expected (as experience teaches), do not perceive the 
errors. We will attempt to do our part. I will not repeat what special 
reasons moved me; for while by the resolution made August 18, 1668 by 
the venerable consistory of Middelburg, the source of our complaint 
was taken away after the first printing of the Treatise, such is not 
needed.
        I have learned not only to stand up for the truth, but also for 
peace and charity which are dear to me; and that whenever I must 
defend the truth, I rather keep silent; mainly in order that the 
defense of God's truth will not be seen as private quarreling. It 
follows then that it shall suffice us, in addition to relating the 
Wonders of the Most High, to point out and refute some serious 
errors. 
        And, O, if all sprouting and growing weeds were eradicated from 
God's Acre! But alas, we see them multiplying. And that which threatens 
the Congregation mostly is that the errors find their patrons, where 
least becoming. It seems that some are working hard to weaken the 
authority of Holy Scripture, and having turned the foundation upside 
down, that which is built thereon must fall too, and all the articles 
of our faith must be doubted; yes, and in as far as they are not in 
tune with human reason, rejected. 
        According to Cartesian philosophy, which teaches to doubt 
everything, this is what they aim for. This philosophy is promoted, 
that it also may dominate in matters concerning Holy Scripture; that 
is why Franciscus Ridderus in the foreword to the second volume of 
his "Apollos" writes, and rightly so, "The dignity of Holy Scripture is 
not attacked by public enemies only, but also by those who pretend to 
be friends."
        But praise God, there are still learned and godly men, who are 
willing to discover offenses in order to refute them, as the afore 
mentioned F. Ridderus in the foreword to which we alluded; but also in 
his learned book, "Scriptural Light", in which these strange, foolish 
objectionable, yes, slanderous teachings, are by him refuted.
        We hope that the eyes shall be opened for this, and that the 
Congregation may refute these religious novelties with a holy zeal, 
according to the Decree of the National Synod of Dordt alluded to by 
us in this Treatise. For "if it be not in the interest of State and 
country to make the least changes in our religion", as was rightly 
stated by the Lords Regents of Amsterdam in 1616, according to 
Professor Trigland in his Church History, page 754, it is much more a 
disservice to the Church and its members. That we, to refute these 
teachers, make use of the words of Reformed teachers, the Belgic 
Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism, is not to convince the 
sectarians, (for with them these citations are no proof), but to 
contradict them, who with us have the same confession and the same 
religion, nevertheless teach and write things which we deny.
         As much as possible we do spare every one's name; we do not 
begrudge anyone the honor which is his due, but errors may not be 
excused, and in as far as they join the deceiving spirit, they, and 
that spirit should be rejected; for the doctrine is not for the 
person, but the person with the doctrine is to be received or 
rejected. Love for truth must conquer love for the person, according 
to an old proverb, "Amicus Plato, Amicus Aristotelis, sed magis amica 
veritas", that is, "The truth must be dear above Plato and Aristotle 
although they are worthy of our respect and honor." What is more, 
even though in these days of luxury and frivolity, many are 
indifferent as to what is said or written, we attempt to show our 
people the great and soul destroying evil, caused by these heresies 
and errors, in order that they should esteem Divine truth much more 
and higher, and their faith and godliness will not suffer shipwreck. 
For as godliness cannot be separated from the true faith, so they 
contradict one and the other; and those who rebel in the matter of 
faith, will neither dread to speak lightly of things that pertain to 
the faith, or make them suspect as being legalistic.

        One thing is marvelous, it is this: that some time ago, in the 
academies and in other places much has been said against the Sabbath, 
or Christian Day of Rest - which for the Christian must be a feast 
day and a spiritual market day - so they would not continue by what 
was decided at the Synod of Dordt.
        The teaching of the Apostle in 1 Cor. 16:1,2, is not believed by 
some, and in order to weaken the same teaching, they have the 
apostle speak against himself, and they allude to Gal. 4: 10, 11; Rom.14: 
5, 6: Col. 2: 16, 17; as if the Christian Day of Rest, which the apostle 
commanded to be kept in 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2, and ordained and commended to 
the Galatians, was one of the days which he opposes with great zeal 
in Gal. 4: 10, 11, or as one of the days by which some Christians were 
offended, Rom.14: 5, 6; or as one of the ceremonies, which, now the body of 
Christ has come, must cease; and may be easily seen by those 
who are impartial, to be a mistake. 

(In short, some were mistaken in the idea that the first day of the 
week of which Paul spoke in 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2, and ceremonial feast days 
(Gal. 4: 10 and 11), also called sabbaths in the Old Testament, are one 
and the same). Tr.

        This way of teaching and writing is well liked by those who would 
shake off the light yoke of the Lord, which to them is burdensome, 
under the pretext of Christian Liberty. It is difficult to believe that 
among those who were so zealous to begin the dispute about the 
Sabbath, are those who make a mockery of punishing sin in small and 
great. Also of those who would exactly examine the causes of God's 
judgments over nations and cities; just as if the commandments of the 
Lord, which we find in Is. 58: 1; Ezek. 16: 2; 1 Tim. 5: 20, are no more 
valid, and as if it were a sign of a faithful teacher, to be a 
respecter of persons, which of course is another lie, Mat. 22: 16. To 
have an idea how careful men of God were to search out the causes 
of God's judgments, just read, Jos. 7: 2; Sam. 21: 1; Job 10: 2 and 13: 
23.
        Professor Johannes Hoornbeek wrote against the Jews, "As health 
cannot be restored as long as the evil cause is not taken away, so 
the Lord does not take away His rod before sin is acknowledged and 
repented of." And he advised the Jews to look for the cause of the 
judgments that the Lord laid upon them. We cannot be any less careful 
than was godless King Saul, yeah, the blind heathen and Philistines, 
who were careful in searching out the causes of God's judgments, as 
we read in 1 Sam. 5, 6, and 14.
        From this we can see of what kind were the spirits that started 
the dispute about the Sabbath, which moved the Churches and 
Academies to such great extent.
        We will not accuse all those who agree with the above, to have 
had a part in the afore mentioned mockeries. In no way. We have no 
doubt that many have a great aversion to such behaviour. 
        Furthermore, among those, who wrote so keenly against the 
Lord's Day of rest, are some who spoke with contempt against family 
visiting, discipline, catechizing, and other duties which have been 
seriously recommended by Teachers, Synodical decisions and Church 
Orders. There are others who show that they cannot endure that some 
walk uprightly, speak sound words, and do not follow a multitude, Ex. 
23: 2; whose sinful behaviour is seriously derided by a certain 
learned man. Vide, Notas Isaaci Hermanni in postremam thesin A. H. de 
origine errorum.
        It is to be feared in our day that more of these pernicious 
documents will be published. Let everyone, who holds his salvation 
dear, be warned.
        You my dear reader! let go of all prejudice and one-sidedness, 
and attempt to profit of our scant labour, and so work out your own 
salvation with fear and trembling, unto which we wish you the Lord's 
blessing.
----------------------------------
 


THE WONDERS OF THE MOST HIGH

SHOWN IN THE MEMORABLE RISE OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS


1       Remarkable Situation In Holland

        The learned historian Hooft, speaking of the Netherlands has 
witnessed, (see his book in the year 1655), that for many Centuries no 
history was written, richer in instruction concerning worldly matters, 
or more wonderful and dignified to serve the teachings of princes and 
nations. That is how it came about that a great multitude, by writing 
Dutch history, have attempted to leave their name to be remembered 
by posterity. Yes, like Alexander the Great by the wars he fought, and 
his uncommon heroism has fascinated eminent minds, that (as is said) 
above fifty have worked diligently to describe his acts and life; that 
as many authors, friend and foe, as also impartial, in high and low 
Dutch, French, English, Italian, and Spanish may be found, who spent 
days and nights, to write of the disturbances and affairs in Holland. 
        But whatever was, or is written, the events and wonders that 
took place, cannot by pen nor intellect be enveloped, conceived or 
expressed. That is why in our day new accounts of Netherland history 
are written. Each of them is of the opinion to add to what was 
written, or give a better account of what others have written. We will 
no one begrudge the praise due to him. But one thing is to be 
lamented, and that is that the devil knows how to use the marvels of 
history to direct his hellish feet and poison the emotions. There are 
some writing of the beginning of the Reformation, who seek to make 
the doctrine of the Reformation or its teachers suspect, defend the 
sects, promote Popish religion, even the free expression of their 
idolatrous religion. That is to say it in one word, to speak of the 
disturbances in Holland in order to disturb the United Netherlands, 
the Reformation, the Reformed religion and destroy the same. For when 
these indicate (what in this Treatise shall be refuted), that the war 
was not fought for religious reasons, they fight religion; for they 
open the road to a mixture of sects in the nation, yes, and attempt 
to bring us under the dominion of the Pope again.
        We deem it necessary to tell you, and warn all good patriots and 
lovers of the truth to be careful when reading and researching the 
history of the fatherland, not to harm your souls but avoid such 
books and pamphlets. More so because in these histories and 
pamphlets, the most important matters are darkened, yes, taken out. 
That is why we must read our Netherland history. For we must not 
only read our history for curiosity's sake just to know what 
happened; but in the first place we must learn to know the grace, 
faithfulness and mercy of the Lord shown to the fathers, and in them 
to us. Also His great might, the manifold wonders, which our God 
wrought on our behalf, that we may use it to our advantage. For, as 
we said before: as in previous ages no more dignified or wonderful 
matters expired, than what happened to our nation, so we may say in 
truth that the God of heaven in many ages has not shown His terrible 
might and stretched out arm, in ready assistance and wonders, to make 
a "drowning nation into a remnant, and those who were despised into a 
mighty nation", as His Majesty did to this country and to this 
Republic.

        Among several eminent historians who wrote about this, highest 
praise must be given to Mr. van Sande, whom I rather praise, because 
his History of the Republic is short, concise and generally his work 
may be had for little money; also because his history of the 
fatherland is completed until very recent times.
        Which things show clearly how our great God led our Fathers as 
through a Red Sea of long and bloody wars, but in which the Lord 
fought for them, and brought them in a blessed Canaan, where He 
blessed them with all material and spiritual blessings, yes 'loaded' 
them as we read of the Psalmist in Psalm 68: 19; and of which we the 
children enjoy the fruits.

        It is not our intention to relate what happened in these wars, 
for that can be read from other historians who wrote about the 
Netherlands. We shall not attempt, but briefly, to justify our right to 
go to war, for that has been done by several eminent men, even in 
special treatises expressly published to that end. It is a known fact 
that our Fathers were pressed by unbearable oppression, to which the 
King of Spain, as a tyrant, against his oath and promises and 
legitimate rights of the country, subjected them; especially through 
his cruel placards and still more cruel execution of the same.
        In his "Frightened Lion", D.P. Pers relates that the King of Spain 
asked Mr. Montingnij on his departure what was the chief cause that 
made the people complain; he answered that he doubted not that the 
King was fully aware of this. He was convinced it was the secret 
inception of the inquisition, and that this was also the chief cause 
of "the Alliance of the Nobles." That is how Pers speaks in his 
"Frightened Lion" in the years 1562 and 1566.
        This also appears from the introduction to the Religious Peace, 
which was made July 22, 1578, where our Fathers spoke thus: 
        "Every one knows that the bloody placards which were made in 
the matter of religion, by dictation, counsel and help of strangers 
and especially of the Spanish nation, without hearing the States 
General (government) of the Republic about the same; and since that 
time were maintained in rigid and unbearable severity, are the sources 
of all our present difficulties; that at this occasion the rights, 
privileges, and praiseworthy customs of this people were broken and 
trodden under foot, which finally caused this wretched war." 
        The bloody placards, and their execution are justly seen as the 
cause of the war in the Netherlands. For from the placards sprouted 
the inquisition, from the inquisition the new bishops, and from the new 
bishops the bloody Council, and from the bloody Council a general 
breach of the nation's privileges, which the King of Spain under dire 
oath had promised to maintain.

        In his "Happy Entrance", article 58, the King "relieves his 
subjects from obedience when he would do the least against the nation's 
privileges, or permitted others to do so." It is also important to 
remark that the Prince in his "Apology" page 59 and 60 testifies, 
"that the States had not sworn an oath, before the King had promised 
such."
        The historian Hooft, writing in his first book, page 3, remarks 
that those of Holland swore their oath only after the King made his 
promises and swore to keep them.
        It is thus that the King passes judgment upon himself, and his 
oath makes the war of these lands against him a righteous war. 
Moreover, the arbitrary oppression of privileges, persons and States, 
tends to plead for us.

        However, it is our intention to point out the results of this 
war, how and why the Lord helped us, and His help was as wonderful 
as it was merciful. For it seemed at the beginning of the war, and 
certain times after, that the ship of the Republic was running 
aground, unable to weather the storm and the waves of the Spanish 
Ocean. But the Lord, in spite of that, during the first part of the 
war, which was fought with the utmost violence, helped us in such a 
way, that we were only not destroyed, but exhausted the riches of 
the mightiest potentate of Christendom, the King of Spain, Philip III. 
Exhausted him in such a way that his banks (financial establishments), 
were insolvent up to three times, not able to pay the interest, until 
finally he was pressed into requesting and promoting all means to 
establish an armistice, which was granted after much difficulty and 
the help of others, for the duration of twelve years (1609-1621). The 
war which began in 1568, had lasted forty years.

        Writing his 'Netherland History', van Sande in his fourth book in 
the year 1609, remarks that the duration of wars mentioned by Greek 
and Roman historians, are: the Peloponesian war, which lasted 27 
years; and the Punisean wars which lasted respectively 23, 17, and 3 
years.
        During the years of the armistice (1609-1621) the land was filled 
with quarrels and confusion, whereby Spinola had his hands free to 
take de Paltz, Gulik, Wezel, Rijnberk, Aken etc, and Spanish arms were 
brought again close to our borders. The founding of the West-Indies 
Company was also hindered by the armistice. At the time it was said 
that the King was much afraid of the Company, and that because of 
its threat he was pressed into requesting the armistice.
        It is undoubtedly true that he was sore afraid of the Company, 
for it threatened to hurt him in his silver mines, and that while his 
finances were exhausted as we mentioned before.
        But how did we fare after the armistice, in our second war, 
which lasted from 1621-1648?
        Again the Lord was on our side. But before we say more of this, 
we cannot refrain from saying a few words about what took place just 
after the armistice, of which the enemy took great advantage.



2       Holland After The Armistice

        When the armistice came to an end (1621), the King of Spain after 
his manner attired with a fox-skin, sent Peter Peckius, chancellor of 
Brabant to the Hague, that with sweet flowing rhetoric he would move 
the States to acknowledge and receive him (the King) as their natural 
Lord; pretending that it would be the right means to enjoy desired 
prosperity.
        The Netherlands would be united into one body under their King; 
he would make fair conditions. This sweet tune of the King of Spain 
was not unknown to Their Highnesses, and they not only rejected, but 
charged their ambassador to emphasize, "that all those who by any 
suggestions, or other ways attempt to doubt the sovereign rights of 
these lands, contest them in any way, or attempt to play into the 
hands of other princes, or something pointing in that direction, should 
be seen as unqualified to receive a hearing from their Highnesses."
        The King, observed that there was not the least hope that his 
plume-striking words, which did not cost him much, made the least 
impact. In order to deceive the United Provinces, he again showed his 
old nature in forcing these lands into subjection by exercising the 
use of arms. In spite of the fact that during these days the Spanish 
government was subject to considerable change due to the death of 
Philip II, the lust for power, and hate of Spain against our country 
was so great that they sent Spinola against us with an army of 
40,000. In following years the Spanish attempted anything to amass 
great armies and great fleets, sparing no people or money to bring 
against us the best of their forces on land and on sea.
        In spite of all this, the Netherland Republic stood like a rock in 
the midst of the waves of the Spanish Ocean. Moreover, everything in 
this war, all the ravings of Spain seemed to lead to nothing but its 
own shame and destruction; the reputation, fame and increase of the 
Republic, whose army after 1590, at the wish of William of Orange, did 
not only defend, but also attack; the Prince declaring that hereby 
more than half was gained. 
        The Republic increased by taking strongholds, cities and lands of 
the enemy which made the whole world marvel. Goch, Lingen, Oldenzaal, 
the capital city of Twente, Grol, 's Hertogenbosch, by the enemy named 
the "Invictissimum adversus haereticos propugnaculum", "the most 
invincible bulwark against heretics". There was Wezel the lock to our 
land, and key to West-Phalia; Maastricht, Rijnberk, Breda, 't Huis te 
Gennip, Dalen, s'Hertogenbosch-Raden, Valkenburg, Gemert, Sas van Gent; 
Hulst, the door to Flanders with all its forts, almost 30; besides 
them, several other places and strongholds became pearls on the 
triumphal crown of this Republic. Besides all this what we took from 
the enemy in East and West, as: Guinea, Malacca, Columbo, Olinda Elmina 
etc. Above that, many victories at sea whereby numerous ships were 
taken or destroyed, yes, mighty fleets and invaluable treasures fell 
into the hands of the Republic. Think only of the capture of the 
Spanish silver fleet by the brave Peter Hein in 1629. How ten years 
later an awe- inspiring Spanish fleet was destroyed near Duins by the 
famous Admiral Tromp, when in few days such a multitude of ships 
sailed from these shores to fight the enemy, it seemed to rain ships, 
by which fact surrounding countries and kingdoms were greatly 
disturbed.
        Commelin in his book "Frederick Hendrick", volume 2, 1639, relates, 
"how at the marvel of everyone, in the time of 36 or 37 days the 
fleet grew from 13 ships to 90 warships, 13 burners and 6 supply 
ships, well armed and manned with crews and soldiers." In short, for 
some years they organized thanksgiving days, rang bells, fired cannon 
and expressed their joy by other signs, because of enemy armies 
defeated, or captured fleets, cities and strongholds.
        It may be truly said of these two warring parties what at one 
time was said of the houses of David and Saul, "Now there was long 
war between the house of Saul and the house of David, but David 
waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and 
weaker" (2 Sam. 3: 1). The wars between Spain and the United Republic 
lasted a long time, but the latter increased and waxed great. The 
mighty Spanish monarchy on the other hand, which boasted that at no 
time the sun set within its boundaries, marvelously weakened. Yes, her 
pride and haughtiness so diminished, that our arch enemy, who would 
never listen to our pleadings, whose commander (Alva), with a grand 
statue made us know that he had his foot on Satan's neck, became so 
mild that finally he fell down at our feet, calling and pleading for 
peace, for no longer was he a match for the Republic. The Spanish 
(southern) Netherlands to the contrary, were generally of the opinion 
that peace must be made at any price, that otherwise they were lost.
        The King, whose servants had called us beggars, rascals and 
traitors, as Bor relates in his 24th book (page 73), had sworn and 
said, rather to rule only the earth, trees, animals, woods, water and 
fishes, than to endure one person in his realm contaminated with 
heresy. The King also told Count Charles, Maximillian's brother, sent 
to soften the King's bitter mind, that he rather lost the land, than 
to allow the least harm to come to the Roman Catholic religion. The 
same Spain, that declared we forfeited life and goods was pressed 
into beseeching our ambassadors who met at Munster to deal there 
about the peace, was told to address ours with the title of Your 
Excellencies and to declare us a free Republic. They also requested 
us to mediate in their differences with other princes, and so to be 
assisted by us. 

(Somewhat surprised to see these people deal with omens, I have 
omitted the next chapter (3 pages), except the last part which follows 
here. Tr.). 

        In these and other such like matters which in themselves are of 
no great importance, the Lord made the pride of our enemies into a 
mockery to the beholder and gave to many an impression of great 
consequence.
        That the matter was feared by the enemy, but turned out 
according the hope of the oppressed is seen by what happened. From 
these matters our Fathers were able to predict what would happen in 
subsequent times. For what they hardly dared hope, the Lord made into 
reality. For He called our oppressed people to be conquerors of the 
conqueror, and to place our feet on the neck of the mightiest King of 
Europe, as Israel once was charged concerning the Kings of Canaan. 
Josh. 10: 24.
        Moreover, the arms of the Republic spread from East to 
West, to South and North unto the ends of the earth, and the 
gentiles brought us their riches and treasures, as being the 
mart of nations, (Is.23: 3). In riches they are very much the 
superior of all of Christendom. Our merchants are like princes, 
and our traders like unto the most glorious in the land. Yes, 
anyone who wants to see gold mines above ground, just come to 
Holland; we have become great in riches and our 
 name is known in far-away lands. Even our enemies testified to this.
Lipsius, in a letter, counsels the King of Spain to confuse us by an
armistice, adding: 'they are all at their best and especially those who
govern, are all rich and mighty, like little kings'." See Bor in his 32d
book of the year 1595.



3       The Rise Of The Republic

        What is the origin of all these wonders? How and why did we
become so great? Who must we give the honor? Is it because of our
might and wisdom? In no way! It would be detestable, thinking what
took place in the country to kiss one's own hands, or even give our
princes the honor, for it too would be a crime before the Lord.
        It is only flattery when in the year 1629, in a certain book,
entitled "Mardochai", page 68, Prince Frederick Hendrick is pictured on
an altar, with the cities s'Hertogenbosch and Wezel under his feet, as
if we had turned into papists, who place their saints upon altars, and
give them divine honor. And it is especially an abomination that they
wrote in the poem: "for the Prince's divinity the Meuse river inclines
its horns." Away with such idolatry, flatterers who set flesh to their
arm! The gentiles shall at one time rise up against such, for they
gave honor, not to man, but their gods. A Christian must be certain
that the horse is made ready for battle, but the (victory) is of the
Lord.
        The ambassadors of the States General said it so well to the
Queen of England in the year 1598, "The God of hosts is so named, for
He does not give victory to the mightiest party, but to those who
are well pleasing in His sight."
        That is why we will give all the honor, fame, and the future of
this Republic into the hands of His Divine Majesty and no one else. To
Him Who from our beginning, in the most difficult times, with many
wonders, a stretched out arm and His divine might was on our side.
Who above all understanding dealt graciously with us, that when all
other nations were by war consumed, this nation - as was noted by
the Jesuit Strada Lib. I de Bello Belg - was so hard contested, as if
all of Europe was part of it in the midst of a burning war, but like
the burning bush of Moses' day was not consumed, and indeed has
increased like a grand and growing tree. Yes, in riches, commerce,
multitudes of people, greatness and might, increased unto the
uttermost parts of the earth, and fear fell on all peoples, the
mightiest potentates sought to unite their power with ours. This is a
matter of which even our enemies, and among them the Jesuits could
not but marvel. All this, and we must confess it, is from the Lord;
"Who", as van Reyd wrote (1570), "in the rise of these lands, against
and above all expectation, even of the wisest, has dealt thus with us
in His Divine Providence, in order to keep all honor to Himself and
will not share with others."
        We do not say this, to keep praise from the wise, pious and
brave rulers, regents, the military, especially the Princes of Orange,
or be ungrateful in forgetting their deeds. We know that beside God,
we must thank them for our prosperity, for nothing is more despicable
for a people than ingratitude towards its pious regents. It is true
what Rev. N. Bijfield testified from Col. 1:12: "that as it is a great
sin not to give honor to the Lord, so it is a great sin not to
acknowledge the instruments, of whom we received any good thing."
That is why the States of Holland and Zeeland in a letter to
Friesland in 1597, made notion of the praiseworthy resolutions,
glorious expeditions, done by the Prince of Orange and his children,
without sparing life, goods and blood; adding that ingratitude in these
matters is displeasing to God and all honest men (see Bor. lib. 34, fol.
17). This is true especially of the Prince of Orange, who by his
continuing care, loyalty and courage has earned the title of Father
of the Fatherland. As was the time when Prince William went through
Holland (1577), and the multitude called out, 'Prince William has come',
with such warmth as Hooft wrote (1577), and Bor in his 18th book
(1584), "it could be seen from the faces of the people that they could
not look enough at him, who beside God, was the one who delivered
them from Spanish slavery." Even the States, in their great confusion,
put their trust beside God in the Prince and his wisdom, understanding
and carefulness; entrusting to him the care of everything. Bor writes
of this in his 7th book, page 40. As the States General also honor
him on his epitaph: "That as a Father of the Fatherland he judged the
welfare of this nation above his own and his familyâs welfare and
prosperity, and how from his own means he raised, and put (two times),
an army in the field and that therewith, and the help and order of
the Lords of State, conquered the tyrant from Spain." Anyone who
looks for more information about the services rendered by the Prince,
can read of them in a letter written by the States of Holland to
those of Utrecht in 1580; see also Peter Bor in his 15th book of the
same year.
        The Prince did not only serve the country with his means, but
that he also gave life and blood with three of his brothers may not
be forgotten, but must always be recognized with gratitude by all
patriots. Van Reyd in his 3d book compares the Nassau brothers with
the five Maccabees, and rightly so!
        The heathen have a true proverb, it says, "the earth can bring
forth nothing more loathsome than an ungrateful man." It is also not
enough to be grateful, but as it was understood by Aristotle, "A
benefit must at all times be in such esteem and remembrance by the
receiver, as it was at the time he first received it."
        Those who know but little about the history of these lands, are
not aware how miserable and helpless the nation was, how we were in
a pit of misery, when gallows, wheels, racks, stakes and trees were
loaded with beheaded, hanged, scorched and burned corpses; when the
earth was swollen as it were with those buried alive; when water and
fire were tired of tormenting the innocent, and the air was
contaminated by their corpses. When it was esteemed a blessing to be
able to leave the Fatherland and to flee; as Prince William says in
his 'Considerations' concerning the State of the Netherlands, published
in 1566, "It was so difficult for the common man, that he would rather
leave life."

The inhabitants of these lands left in so great numbers, that by an
express edict, the Princess of Parma prohibited the people to leave
the country. According to Hooft lib. 5, page 100, more than 100,000
families had fled the country. Every day the dead clocks, by their
sound, announced the death of relative or friend, while there was no
end to confiscating of goods and possessions.

        We all know how the cry of the Netherlands rose to heaven, and
everything was colored with blood, there was no hope of relief. We
will not forget how the Princes of Nassau, and among them especially
Prince William, made our cause his own. We cannot forget that he lived
in rest and quiet at his estate in Germany, where he dwelt in honor
and state, nevertheless he entered the ship of our Republic when it
was shaken by the tempest and storms of the Spanish fury.
        It is well known what a joy it was for the complaining, miserable
Netherlanders when such an illustrious Prince came to their rescue.
The earlier consternation caused by his leaving for Germany teaches
this. When the cry went up among us, as Hooft writes in the year
1567: "Woe you Netherlands". The Prince had risen to such high esteem,
that they were of the opinion there was no counsel if he did not know
of any, his presence was like a safe harbour, and no sea of adversity
went too high while he was in our midst. The cry of Northern Holland,
mentioned above, expresses sufficiently how great esteem our fathers
had for him, end what joy his presence caused among us. When his
presence was required in Braband, all the Churches in Holland were
required to pray for his safekeeping and welfare. According to Bor, in
the year 1573, the States covenanted to make no alliance with the
King (of Spain), or decide and decree anything concerning the State,
without making the Prince confederate to their plans.
        We would be degrading our forefathers, when we esteem little,
what they esteemed great, of which we now enjoy the fruits. By so
doing we would justify the Jesuit Strada when he attempts to blame
the Netherlanders for appreciating benefits as long as they are
fresh, the way flowers are appreciated. We must admit that it would
be the basest kind of ingratitude not to acknowledge those, from
whom, beside God, we have all our dignity, power and authority.
Erasmus speaks very justly concerning this when he relates how
Pompejus accuses Marcellinus of speaking sordidly of Pompejus, in
spite of the fact that all he had was given him by Pompejus (see
Eresmi Apoph. in Pompejo Magno).
        We must beware lest we give these prominent people occasion to
accuse us, since the Lord used them as instruments to lift us from
this great oppression to such might and respect, as to which Prince
William and his sons have exalted us.
        Hooft, when dealing with this in the preface to his HISTORY
writes, "Prince William not only laid the first stone of this State,
but he also built this great building up to the roof, and above this
left his two sons to cover the same, and establish it with courts and
metal walls."
        We have much to thank William for, but we cannot deny that his
sons completed what their father began, and they must deserve well of
us. The States of Zealand testified of this, "Not only William executed
praiseworthy resolutions, glorious expeditions, and heroic deeds, but
his children also gave living, good and blood, to ward off Spanish
tyranny, and promote Holland's liberty and well-being. "In all this they
counted no difficulties and dangers, but bore all these with the
utmost bravery and valour, faithfulness and courage and so they
conquered. "Let us not forget that on these the foundations of this
State are built, and that during the eighty years of war they
remained immovable by God's grace against all attempts of bribery"
(see Deductions of the State, 22 June 1654).
        Van Reyd, in his HISTORY (1600) writes, "These Princes of Nassau
did more for the well being of the country, which was not theirs, than
the King (of Spain) and his brother for their inherited lands." In
short, they merited so much, that Pastor Jacobus Lydius testified, "I
am certain that our dignity and glory began under Prince William,
increased under Maurice, and expanded under Frederick Hendrick;" and
he adds the words, "it would be better to keep silent about them,
than not to say enough and decrease the praise due to them by lack
of understanding; unless, he says, God Himself would not be pleased to
be glorified by the stammering tongue" (see Glories Belg. 117).
Therefore, those who show they are ungrateful to these Princes, may
also show ingratitude to God. For it is true of them what is written
in I John 4: 20, "for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath
seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen"; yes, Who made the
arm of His power go on their right hand, to make unto Himself an
everlasting name.





4       The Union Of The Provinces

        We must therefore admit that the eminent deeds of these princes
are among the principal causes of the original rise of the Republic.
Above this there are several matters which we can point to, and must
be given as additional causes.
        Among these Van Sande numbers the following:
1. The several causes with which the King had to deal at one and the
same time; Spain was among others involved in different wars at this
period.
2. The good order in which the States executed the war and their
finances.
3. The willingness with which the people paid their taxes.
4. The excellence of the Nassau war heroes, their mutual trust and
unity.
        Others would add, the lay of the land, its fortifications, the
experienced soldiers and sailors, alliances, trade and shipping etc.; we
cannot deny that al these were important.

         However, the mutual Union of the Provinces was as it were the
soul, the vital power of the State, whereby they saw each other not
as strangers, but as brothers and members of one body, and also
clung together. It was in this way that each province was not first
of all interested in its own well-being, but looked for the well-being
of the others as well. Satisfied with the provisions, which were sent
to each by the Council of the States General, as the stomach is
satisfied; to each of them according to the counsel and words of
Prince William (see Hooft in the year 1587, and the Apology of the
Prince, page 108). They agreed with the deputies of the States of
Utrecht, who said in the meeting of the States of Holland in 1587
that, "hate, harm, honor and shame concerned the salvation and
destruction of one as well as the other." They knew that Leicester,
however instigator of many divisions, had said, "On the salvation and
ruin of one Province, depends also the undoing and preservation of
the others."
        The importance of mutual unity and union is emphasized by the
States of Holland in their address to Leicester, where their lordships
spoke as follows, "We can say in truth that the States of Holland and
of Zealand have not been conquered by foreign powers for at least
800 years, we do not know whether this can be said of any other
power, unless it is true of Venice. The only reason that can be given
for this, is that steady and good co-operation, love and mutual
understanding were maintained between Princes and States." That is
why the present enemy has no greater aversion, but against the
mutual Union, established in Utrecht in 1579, from which first article
it becomes clear that all Provinces have covenanted, in all forms and
manner, to remain forever together as if they were one Province.
        Prince William refers to this in his Apology (page 45), where
addressing the States he says, "This it is that keeps them my Lords!
it is the abscess and the discharge that hurts the Spaniard so much."
That is why he says a little before this, admonishing the States, "We
acknowledge that we started first with the union, and after that
ordained that it must be kept under all circumstances. We want to add
to this, yea, say it loudly that not only the Spaniard, but all the
world may hear: 'Preserve your Union, keep your Union well'." "But
consider my lords, not only in word and writing, but enact with the
deed what is signified by the little bundle of arrows bound together
in your seal." So the Prince, in his Apology urged them to be serious
in maintaining the union. The States have followed his advise, and the
richest of the Provinces did not lord it over the smallest and most
insignificant; much less would the one rule over the other, neither
exercise authority according to their size. Only the desire to do so
was judged to be very objectionable.
        Reason taught us that all these things were important, and were
rightly judged to be basic to the rise of the Republic. But we may
never forget to see all these things as second causes, for we know
that God is the first Cause, the great God, Who, when lands and
nations are ruined, "His anger will divide them" (Lam. 4: 16); "divide
their hearts and they shall be found faulty: he shall break down their
altars and spoil their images" (Hosea 10: 2).


5       God's Glory Advanced In All This

        In His grace God kept the Provinces together by a wholesome
Union. He granted them wisdom, tact and prudence; the subjects were
willing to sacrifice money and possessions, made by their flourishing
trade and shipping, that were needed for the war. The Lord never
allowed that they lacked wise men and illustrious Princes. These are
all benefits from the Almighty, Who gives strength to gather wealth,
and can give at all times strong men to redeem His people, see Deut.
8: 18.
        Moses, the man of God wanted God's people to remember this.

        We have just experienced the little value of fortifications and
other means on which we built our hope. Let us also remember the
loss of Schenkeneschans, yes, the whole of Brazil, where we had
strong fortifications, better than in this country, but where all help
of soldiers and sailors disappeared in smoke and fear. Let us
therefore speak of God's hand when our army did something that was
beneficial to our freedom. We are of the opinion that if ever the hand
of the Lord was revealed, it was here.
        We know how the Lord rules over the great waters and rivers,
which can be turned into bulwarks in this country as we have seen in
Stavoren and Arnemuiden; also what happened on the 29th of October
1657, when the waters were so low before Rotterdam, that people
walked through the river the Meuse without getting wet feet at a
place where normally stood at least four to five feet of water.
        Concerning our alliances with foreign powers. It is known that
England and France helped us most. And yet, England's demeanor was
most unbecoming when at some occasions they looked for borrowed
money at the most inconvenient times, and placed the State in
difficult situations, as van Reyd reveals in his HISTORY OF THE
NETHERLANDS, where he wrote, he doubted if mention could be made of
help from England. All know how much harm was done by the Leicester
faction, when the country lived through the period of its greatest
danger.
        As for France, it is true what was said by the States of
Zealand in 1648, "France did much for us, which will hardly be believed
by posterity, while nevertheless, Jan Velij has truthfully written
about the same, "We all know how France assisted us when the bishop
of Munster attacked us in that same year." Although van Reyd in 1598
wrote that when France kept on breaking its word with us; we first of
all should have paid attention to the covenant that Prince William
made with the Potentate of potentates.

        The Lord led matters with us in such a way that we had the
most help of men, as at the time when together with France we had
50,000 men and 10,000 horses in the field in the battle of Thienen.
For it was at that time we could have suffered our greatest defeat,
had not the Lord in His grace given us the generalship and conduct of
Prince Frederick Hendrick, by whose hand the Lord, at that time,
spared the fatherland great loss and injury.
        There are those, who, when searching for the cause of our good
fortune in the war, think of how the King of Spain perjured himself by
breaking one promise after another, as was brought to the attention
of the Polish Ambassador in 1579, and was related by van Reyd who
ascribes all our help to God, Who is an avenger of all perjury and
willful falsehood; Who, as someone said, "keeps two things for Himself,
i.e., avenging the evil, and the honor of what is good." The Lord says,
"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence" (Deut. 32: 35); and, "I am
the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another"
(Is. 42: 8).

        There is no denial of the fact that the nation was greatly
enriched by commerce and shipping. This is also one of the wonders of
the Lord Who made our Republic into a green and fruitful tree. The
Lord can also most suddenly make an end to all trade, as we
witnessed during the last two wars with England, (1652-1654 and 1665-
1667).

        Van Sande, in his second book (1588) wrote most aptly, "All this
must be ascribed to Almighty God, Who orders rulers after His own
good pleasure, and changes them from one to another. It has pleased
God in these last days to bless this free Dutch government with such
men, after small despicable beginnings. And by this little nation to
humble the great King of Spain and the house of Habsburg." Again in
his 4th book, "We must acknowledge that the hand of Almighty God has
wrought visibly and marvelously and that after His habit He did break
the great might of Spain by little means, so His glory does shine that
much better." Truly, it is when the Lord by small means does great
things, which are much greater than the power of the means, that the
works of the Lord are most visible and clear. That is why the States
of Holland in their missive to those of Utrecht wrote they had seen
that it was clear the Almighty had been on their side, as Hooft had
also said. In his Apology, Prince William testified, "The Spaniards must
acknowledge, whether they will or not, that we (himself) and my Lords
of Holland and Zealand have slain more than 60,000 with very small
means, yes, with only 4 or 5,000 men," which he acknowledged to be the
work of the Lord, more than a work of men.
        Certainly and visibly this was a work of the Lord, and friend
and foe have here seen the arm of the Lord at work. When Hooft
wrote about the siege and relief of Leyden in 1574, he burst out with
the words, "God's providence was at no place and time insufficient, but
both parties were convinced by themselves that the Lord of Hosts
made His glory appear on earth with a miraculous hand."

 In order that the true cause of the rise and greatness of
these lands may be better seen and understood, the present
generation, as well as those to come may show forth "the praises of
the Lord, his strength and his wonderful works that he hath done" (Ps.
78), we must pay attention to two things. First, how the situation in
these lands was at the beginning; in the second place, how, and why it
rose to such hight and prosperity. And truly, when we come to
appreciate this with an understanding mind, we will acknowledge that
the Lord is our Praise, Who did these great and terrible things
before our eyes.
        This glorious Republic was in greatness terrible to the kings of
the earth; whose arms spread out into East and West, South and
North; where gold-and-silver-mines, not as in Peru are found under
the earth, but above the earth; and whose friendship was sought by
all nations. This Republic was according to the Apology of Prince
William (page 53), dumbfounded, oppressed, powerless, despised, rejected
and desperate. Philip II, King of Spain who lived in incest, and above
that killed his own wife and son; provoked, tormented and aggravated
the Republic, looked for nothing else than that by resisting him we
would give him cause to continue his wretched regime, so he could
take our liberty from us and continue to rule us indefinitely.
According to the witness of Hooft and van Reyd (1567), Alva, in his
letter concerning the business in Holland, made clear that to this end
he was sent here. And as became evident from letters of the Spanish
ambassador to France, this was the purpose of the Spanish
government. The King did every thing in his power to make his
intention to stand. Among these were the bloody and terrible cruelties
of the Inquisition, the continuous shedding of blood what moved the
nobles to plead with the King to relax the laws against the Reformed
religion.


6       Iconoclasm 1

        It was the 24th of July, 1566, that the gospel was openly
preached. The power of the discovered truth had great effect, and the
Ark of the Covenant which was now established did so much harm in
Dagon's temple, that the images all through Holland - in which the
finger of God was clearly seen - were speedily cast down as if struck
by lightning, broken in pieces by the iconoclasm that started in
Yperen and continued in almost all towns and cities. It was February
16, 1568 that King Philip declared this nation guilty of lese-majesty,
and again confirmed the inquisition's edict, as can be found in Bor's
fourth book (1568).
        Holland was now a convicted criminal, and could expect nothing
but death. The sentence also declared that possessions and life were
forfeited. Very few were seen as still innocent, for not only those
who had taken part in the iconoclasm, but also those who had not
hindered the devastations were declared guilty by this cruel tyrant.
        Vargas, the president of the Blood Council, who spoke only Latin
was wont to say, "Haeretici fraxerunt templa, boni nil fecerunt contra,
ergo debent omnes partibulare", i.e., "The heretics destroyed the
Churches, the Roman Catholics did not stop them, so all of them shall
hang." Concerning the sentenced Catholics, they were said to pretend
to be Roman Catholics, but they came much short of the reverence
they owed the King and their religion, and should therefore partake of
the same punishment as the heretics. In short, all had sinned, and it
was the oppressor's purpose to exterminate the inhabitants, or to
make them into slaves, as Prince William wrote in his Apology (page
72). He also testified that the Spanish commanders clearly said that
this was decreed in the Spanish Council long before this. In executing
that cruel command, they decided to send Alva with a strong army into
the Netherlands. Alva was a man of whom it was alleged he was so
cruel, that his evil intent not only surpassed the human, but also the
demonic. He was therefore a fit person to oppress these lands. He
also advised the King to destroy all evidences, as seals, alliances,
covenants, and cast them into the fire; make new laws, establish a new
order, and by so doing put these realms a bridle in the mouth, and in
that way subject them once and for all time.


7       A Righteous War

        Alva was a man who agreed with the King's plans, and had the
character to accomplish the King's aspirations. After entering these
lands he left nothing undone that could feed his cruelty, please the
bloodthirsty Inquisition and rob the Netherlanders from their riches
and liberties. Establishing the Inquisition was the first thing he did,
he renewed the edicts against freedom of religion, established a new
Blood Council to which everything had to submit. As said before, Jan
de Vargas was president of the latter, (see Hooft, book 4, 1567),
after the testimony of his own countrymen he was cruel, wrathful and
irate more than all people. He was therefore fired from that office in
his own country. He declared that the Nobles, who had presented the
petition, and all who had been in its favor; all those who had been in
favor of the conventicles (open air preaching), officers, managers, and
subordinates had forfeited life and goods. He carried out the edict of
the Inquisition of 26 February, 1568, and the warrant that
Netherlanders without respect of persons, young and old, men and
women, without any hope of acquittal were to be punished. And so they
were hanged, burned, buried, drowned, beheaded; rich, poor, nobles and
counts not excluded. The Counts Egmond and Hoorne too, had to ascend
the scaffold.
        It was as Prince William testifies in his Apology (page 72), "that
all over, blood was shed in such abundance that it could be seen to
flow in the streets of cities and towns. And who could without
sadness and heartache tell of the pain and sorrows endured by these
poor inhabitants who were tortured by the tyrants of the nation"? No
"granted rights and privileges", could stop the Spanish fury. Prince
William continues, "They have trodden under foot our rights and
privileges, and all that still remained of our glory and greatness
>from the past in such an audacious and haughty way, as if we were no
humans anymore; yes, they spoke of us as animals." According to Bor
(1573), the States of Holland, speaking of this in a certain letter,
sent a petition to King Philip, telling him that Alva without heeding
rights and privileges, which the King had sworn that he would keep,
killed the majority of landlords and administrators, or banned them
>from the country. Declaring that all rights and privileges were
forfeited, and that the nation was seen as a nation newly conquered
by force, which fell to him and his friends to do with as they would
please.

        In the letter they let the king know that he was still bound to
his oath, that he was no unrestricted ruler of the country, and was in
no position to deal with these people as he saw fit. It was also a
crime that Alva's Blood Council went to work without paying any
attention to the by the King granted privileges and rights.

        We will note here, that in this letter, the States of Holland
made the comment that the cruelties and abuses were perpetrated to
commit the utmost in oppression, that the Spaniards repeatedly
boasted that they would torture and provoke this nation until its
inhabitants would be pressed into rebellion, and so have sufficient
reason to subject the country and rob it of its possessions. They
showed from some letters which proved that this was their intention.
The States, in a short and dignified manner, wrote about the cruelties
that took place in the country at that time.

        In order to know what happened, and how terrible were the times,
it is necessary to read these letters. There was nobody who could
save his goods from the tyrant's avarice, wife or daughter from their
lewdness, or his life from the blood-thirstiness of the Spaniards.
        Many a time it happened that a man would attempt to save his
wife from their violations, that they howled like dogs, calling: Spain,
Spain, and so killed several people. Many pregnant women were ripped
open, and the fruit of the womb they killed; yes, some men were
skinned alive, their skins they put on their drums; others were burnt.
        Some were burned with red hot fire-tongs until they died, and
others were tortured in many ways unto death. Parents lost their
children, children lost their parents. Many bodies were exhumed and
hanged in spite of God and nature.
        Married woman were taken from their husbands under the guise of
saying they were heretics; and against all divine and human
institutions some of the richest and most beautiful of them were
given to the soldiers for loot.
        In short, we are told, all love and reverence that we owe one to
another was brought to nought, or openly defied by killing children
who helped parents in their great need with some money, or had
written them a letter for their comfort. How could a people be more
oppressed, and suppressed then in this manner?

         Dutch historians, and among them in the first place, Emanuel
van Meteren, relates that in Maestricht a father was killed because
he lodged a son who had been away for a long time; another because
he gave some grain to a widow whose husband had been killed for his
faith; still another, because he had sent a little money to a relative
in England.
        Hooft, in his fifth book (1567), remarks that listening to a
sermon was considered to be a great crime. Yes, Prince William says in
his Apology (page 48), if one looked at an image with less than a
reverent look, it was enough to burn at the stake.
        As the Jewish midwives in Pharaoh's day had to drown the male
children, so the midwives in Holland were committed by oath to take
newborn children to the R.C. priest to be baptized before the children
were 24 hours old.
        In the midst of this, the Blood Council found much cause to
condemn the innocent to death, and torture them in many ways. Many
inhabitants became insane and desperate, they fled into woods and
other out of the way places.
        Hooft also relates, that there were many who "steadfastly and
firmly faced the fire, and spoke with boldness of the faith and the
hope that was in them."
        However, the enemy invented a frightful tool to stop them from
speaking. The tongue was pinched in between two red hot irons, until
it swelled and no more sound could be made. This caused the most
excruciating pain. Hooft continues, "the chained wretches writhed like
worms, and lowed like cattle."
        The tyrant, Alva, after he ruled these lands for six years
(1567-1573), boasted that he killed 18,600 people by the executioner,
except those who died by the siege and capture of the following
cities: Antwerp, Mechlin, Maastricht, Doornik, Valenciennes, Yperen,
Oudenaarden, Aalst, Dendermonde, Heerlen, Rotterdam, Oudewater,
Zutphen and Deventer. Yet, Spanish cruelty was not satisfied, for
Vargas, president of the Bloody Council was of the opinion, "that the
Netherlands were lost (for Spain) by 'charitable folly'."

        "The wretched inhabitants were given over into the hands of
these ferocious brutes, and cast in the fiery and iron oven of
oppression", according to Hooft (1573). According to Prince William in
his Apology (page 54) "this is how this poor country lay languishing
and pining away in the abyss of misery and contempt, and the waves
of sorrow went over their heads." If ever, then a voice was heard as
of a woman in travail; the voice of the daughter of Zion in these
lands saying, "Woe is me, for my soul is weary of the slayer".
        Not only were they taxed out of measure, and their possessions
confiscated, but their life and soul was in the hands of these roaring
lions, in the power of these cruel people. This was the time that they
beat upon their breasts with fear; the time that strangers had their
feet on the necks of Holland's Mighty Ones.
        

8       Oppressed

        There was no power, nor counsel to redeem; and Alva, the
scourge of the Netherlands, after the description of Bor (4th. book),
in order to make a mockery of this nation, established a grand iron
statue of himself, with the nobles and the States under foot. He
wanted to say that he had all power, the privileges and the rights of
the nation under foot in such a way that it would never rise again.
        The Prince writing of this in his Apology states, "Could there be
a clearer and more certain proof of how our rights and privileges
were trodden under foot, and of intolerable contempt for these lands,
in view of the whole of Christendom, than this ambitious, godless,
pagan, and also foolish show of his own image, which was in the castle
at Antwerp? Without shame treading under foot the lords of this
State, and all the people of this nation, as a memorial to his
tyranny, a testimony to his pride."
        And truly, humanly speaking, it was so with the wretched and
ruined state of this nation, that its inhabitants ware slaves of the
tyrant, because the strongholds (castles) of the country were in his
hands, and he kept the cities in their place from these powerful
castles. Our Gideon, Prince William, said of this in his Apology (page
54), "In spite of all this we did not see any thing that could relieve
the land from its misery." There were no means to liberate the
country, there was no help to relieve the country in any way.
        
        That is why the Prince left Holland, and went to Germany. But
what was impossible with men, was possible with the great God, Who
would show His might and power, and by our little strength made us
mindful of His all-sufficiency, His wonderful ways and abundance of
blessings. For when the Prince had given everything he had, how little
was our strength. It is said that money is the strength of war, and
Prince William called it the "most important buckle of the harness,"
but we had nothing of all this. Bor relates in his 6th book (1572),
that he saw a letter from the Prince, in which he wrote among others,
"Had we money, we could with God's help hope for something positive,
for according to what we hear from many places, now is the time that
we can do something with less money, than with much at other times."
He also spoke of a proposal he made through Sonoy to some nobles
and other persons, and could not execute because not only had he no
ready cash, but had used all his goods for the good of the nation
before this, and had nothing left to give than life and blood to
promote the good cause.

        The siege and capture of Middelburg is seen as one of the
greatest and most important military acts of Prince William; for
Maurice it was the battle of Nieuwpoort, for Frederick Hendrick when
he captured Maastricht. But exactly at the place where our rise
began, did the Lord bring our impotence to light, for no one could
bring the needed money together to continue Middelburg's siege. They
had to promise to repay double the money after the city was taken.
That is how some people gave what was necessary to bring the siege
to a desired end, after they intercepted some letters from the
besieged city, telling of the situation within its walls.

        In earlier days, Prince William required only 6,000 guilders for
the relief of Bergen (in Belgium), but according to van Reid's
testimony (book one), these cities, nor the merchants were able to
bring this sum together.

        Hooft, in his eight book, writing of the siege of Haarlem, states,
that 10 or 12 Spaniards disguised as merchants approached the Prince
and offered him the city for 14,000 guilders. But the Prince saw no
way to bring up that little sum; he thanked them, and let them go.

        Truly, the Lord showed us that the gold and silver are His, that
He makes dry land into water pools, the thirsty land into springs of
water, and that whomsoever He blesses, is blessed. For what country
is there in all the world that can be compared with this Republic?
(appr. 1670). Remarkable things are written, in which we learn why the
Spaniards wanted an armistice with the Republic (1609-1621). It was in
these early days difficult to raise 60,000 guilders, but now we spent
sixty times 100,000 guilders for one fleet, as happened in 1656. Those
who calculated the cost of the war effort for the year 1621, came to
the sum of 794,910 monthly, or an annual sum of 9.509,666 Karolus
guilders, which sum increased significantly, since that time. And who is
able to calculate the sum we spent in 1629, when, according to the
Political and Military Manual we had 120,877 man in military service
who ware paid by the State? It is a marvel to think where all this
money came from. According to van Sande in his tenth book, there were
not only the men to be paid, but also the transports, the long-lasting
sieges, excavations, fortifications and artillery, all of which took
great sums of money. All these were paid for by the States General
without any help from outside.
        O marvelous increase of such a helpless people. In this we see,
how our great God, filled us - who were like castaways in a field,
destitute of everything - with riches, made our wilderness into Eden.
Remembering our impotence and poverty, we can so much better see how
the Lord has poured out over us His abundant blessings.
        That is why the Lord humbled us. He humiliated us exceedingly,
to show the fame of our increase and the glory of His name so much
better. For according to the testimony of Samuel's mother, "He raiseth
up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the
dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the
throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's and he
hath set the world upon them" (l Sam. 2: 8).

        But what was our glory and esteem? Truly, if a nation ever was
despised in the eyes of its enemy, and esteemed lightly by its
friends, it was this nation.
        In his first book, van Sande relates how Suring, a Spanish
historian mocked the Dutch about their great presumption and
recklessness in that they dared to resist such a great Potentate,
and wrote, "What can the Dutch do against the King of Spain"? Nothing,
but what Sanballath, the enemy of God's people against the Jews, said,
"What do these feeble Jews?"
        To Alva, nothing seemed more likely than to conquer this
country, and to force its inhabitants with his army. In a speech to
the King's Council in Spain he said, "when the King would send an army
to the Netherlands, everything there would collapse. They were nothing
but a handful of farmers and grocers, picked up from farm and store,
wild, without brains, having eyes nor ears to stand against the
thunder of cannon, and the entering of a company of spearmen."

        The Princess of Parma, advised him against coming to the
Netherlands, for she wrote that for the most part these lands were
now submissive, and that his arrival would likely raise more tumult.
Alva haughtily answered, "I have tamed a people of iron before this,
would I not be able to tame a people of butter"? The inhabitants of
the low lands were so despised in his eyes, that he did not think it
necessary to put troops in the cities. He was of the opinion that
these people had as much experience of fighting a war, as a cow of
dancing. In the eyes of that tyrant we were what Hezekiah was in the
eyes of Sennecharib, who called out to God's people, "Now therefore
give pledges, I pray thee to my master the king of Assyria, and I will
give thee two-thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set
riders upon them. How then wilt thou turn away the face of one of my
captains." (Is. 36: 8, 9). What was more, we were reckoned by our
enemies as beasts for the slaughter.


9       The Time of Our Rejection

        We cannot ascribe all this low esteem to Spanish pride or
enmity, for let us see what reputation and esteem we had with our
friends who envied Spain for its prosperity, but favored us. Van Reyd
in his 12th book gives proof of this when he writes (1573), that the
Queen of England did not dare to receive the envoys of the States,
but in secret and only at night. Again in 1585, our ambassadors were
sent to France to offer their King the rule over these lands. The
King did not grant them a hearing, did not let them come to Paris, but
answered them through Brulart, his secretary. How can a people be
more despised than in such a manner! Even the Lapland and Finnish
peoples, the lowest and smallest, find an open ear with Kings and
Emperors when they send them their delegates.
        This was seen by the States, and justly so, as an intolerable
outrage. A nation cannot be offended and insulted more severely than
by refusing its ambassadors a hearing. A councilor of Cartage
formerly reprimanded Hannibal when he would not receive the
ambassadors that were sent to him by allies and friends, for, "thereby
he took away and destroyed the rights of nations." We sent no
ambassadors to France to speak only for others, but to cast
ourselves into their arms and submit to their rule. Not to grant a
hearing to a nation in a case like this is disdainful, and more so,
since there existed a continuing and natural jealousy between France
and Spain.
        But all this was only play in comparison to Spanish pride and
the barbaric unreasonableness and cruel manner in which they behaved
against our people in torturing and despising its envoys. When
Markgrave van Bergen, and Baron van Montigny left for Spain (1566),
they were at first received under the pretension of to be
appreciated; but later they beheaded one, and poisoned the other. This
was much worse than the Ammonites did to David's servants; they were
insulted, but their lives were spared, 2 Samuel 10. This Tyrant, the
King of Spain, violated the utmost rights of nations and of the lands
over which he was the ruler, after the testimony of D.P. Pers, in his
FRIGHTENED LION (1584).
        According to Cicero's testimony, the right of embassies is holy
and divine even among pagans; and to show in what esteem they were
held, were kept from offending, even those envoys that were sent to
their enemies. When Alexander the Great conquered the city of Tyre,
he found in the city ambassadors from Cartage to encourage the city
against him; but did not suffer them to be hurt, even though he
threatened Cartage with war. More than this, when the ambassadors
>from Tarquinius had committed treason in Rome, they were not dealt
with as enemies; although according to Livius they merited to be dealt
with as enemies, nevertheless, the right of nations was maintained.
This right of embassies was therefore so important for ours, because
there is among humanity nothing more expedient than the use of
ambassadors to promote mutual trade and commerce. But all this was
by this Tyrant not kept in honor, as the States General according to
van Reyd in his 14th book declared to the Polish ambassador in 1597.

        This Republic was first brought down to hell and thereafter
exalted to the heavens. It may justly be said of us, what the Lord
said to the prophet, "And I will gather her that was driven out; and I
will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put
to shame" (Zeph. 3: 19).
        The Lord not only gave us a name and praise, but made us so
great that our ambassadors were not just highly regarded by the
mightiest potentates, but were esteemed above the envoys of kings.
Mighty nations and kingdoms honored this nation with their
ambassadors. It was in 1642 that in the Hague there were ambassadors
>from several different nations at one and the same time. They were
among others, Francisco d'Andrado, ambassador of Portugal, Cressy of
France, Thomas Roo of Germany, and Strickley, from England. It is
especially remarkable that from 1609-1630, more than 200 ambassadors
representing Kings, Grand Dukes, Electors, Dukes, Princes, Counts,
Lords and Republics honored the Republic with their presence.
        What is more, courageous Spain, that formerly ill-treated and
killed our envoys, later sent ambassadors to request an armistice;
thereafter they sent envoys to pray for peace. Spain then requested
>from us to send some ambassadors to Munster, where they were
received with reverence, and with much flattery were requested to
mediate between them and their parties. Baudart writes of this in his
"Memoirs" (book 4, 1612); Montenue in his, "Life and Works of Frederick
Hendrick", of the same year; and Ernestus Brink in his introduction to
the "Atlas".
        These wonders and marvelous acts of the Lord must be judged
with a sound mind. For what is it to make light from darkness, glory
>from oppression, if it should not be such? We were servants of those
who ruled over us. But at the present see us exalted, yes, greatly
exalted; even kings take care when speaking, and princes bow down to
us.
        Let us not forget that many were upset by looking at us, for so
hopeless was our plight, more than that of any other. Others are now
astonished seeing our might and glory, and respect us highly. For our
name went out throughout the world because of its beauty which was
perfected by the glory which the Lord laid upon us. This may be read
in the "Dedication or Introduction of Vossius" by Eduard van Reyd.
        Truly, these things are of such a nature, that a learned man
has said that our descendants, seeing the greatness of this Republic,
will hardly believe what has been written by historians about the
small beginnings of this nation.

        We have seen how this nation was despised in its ambassadors.
When we look at succeeding times, it seems unbelievable that the
kingdoms of England and France refused to accept the rule over this
country, which we, when we were oppressed by Spain's great might, by
stately embassies at several times presented to them. According to
Hooft the rule of the nation was offered to England in 1575, 1585, and
1587; and to France in 1585. We all know how desirous monarchs are to
enlarge their domain; and how often they do this at the cost of the
blood and goods of their own subjects. The emblem of Emperor Charles
V was, "Plus Ultra." Others had the symbol of a waxing moon with the
added words, "Donec totum compleat orbem." The King of Spain, in his
pride, established an emblem of a painted globe in the sea, out of
which ascends a horse, above which the inscription, "Unis non sufficit
orbis", (One world is not sufficient for me). This can be found in van
Meeteren's 25th book (1602). All this to feed the King of Spain's
arrogance and pride.

        But see, here Kings refused the rule that was extended to them,
even though they were humbly asked to accept this rule. Prince William
used to say, "The Netherland Virgin would never be without a suitor,"
however, it is clear from these instances that the Netherland Virgin
was disdainfully rejected, as was done by the Queen of England in
1587. Van Reyd in his book (1587), writing of contempt and scorn that
were heaped upon us by Denmark states, "Such were the circumstances,
that they had to endure this treatment with much patience."
        The cause why our request was refused, was on the one hand our
miserable and wretched state; on the other hand the great and
terrible might of the King of Spain. Had the King of kings dealt with
us in that way, we would have long since perished. But here was
repeated what the Lord at one time spoke to the Jewish nation, "None
eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion
upon thee, but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing
of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. And when I passed by
thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when
thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee, when thou wast in
thy blood, Live" (Ezek. 15: 5 and 6).

        It is the way of our God to help when there is no help of men,
and the gathering of straw is added to the number of bricks made (Ex.
5: 7), to send deliverance. Or as it was said by the ancients, "In the
mount of the Lord it shall be seen (Gen. 22: 14), meaning that the Lord
waits until the utmost before helping out, and the Lord is seen to
work in marvelous ways for the escape of His people at times when
there is no more hope. All this has been the experience of the
Netherlands during the rise of this Republic. The miserable state of
this nation can without doubt be seen by what we have related thus
far.
        However, we draw your attention to something to which we have
not touched upon as yet.

        We will now deal with one remaining cause we have not touched
upon as yet. It is that these lands descended in such deplorable
state, in such a miserable and wretched condition, with the
impossibility to save themselves, that the most desperate proposals
were made by the most prominent and stouthearted among us. If in our
Netherland history someone was ever praised for wisdom, extraordinary
bravery and valour, and unswerving loyalty, it was Prince William,
whose cheerful countenance encouraged the States General during
these most trying and difficult times. His motto was, "Saevis
tranquillus in undis" (calm in the midst of the tempest). But so fierce
were the winds, so brutally high the waves that beat against the ship
of the Republic, that this pious Prince, and Father of the Fatherland
became so discouraged that seeing the ship was sinking, he advised to
forsake the country, and give the land back to the sea.
        According to Hooft in his 10th book, the Prince advised that men,
women and children who loved liberty, board ship with whatever they
could take with them, burn the wind mills, break dikes and dams, spoil
the country by flooding, and like other peoples had done before them,
go to another place in the world where they could live in freedom.

        O sorry situation of the nation! This must, by us, their
descendants, never be forgotten! The Prince suggested this when
North- and South Holland, by the fall of Haarlem were separated from
Zealand by the fall of Zierikzee. It is important to know this, and
therefore we will look into it.

        Bor, in his eight book (1576), writes, "We cannot deny that
Holland and Zealand have been attacked, and are in danger as never
before. And although Prince William was one of the wisest, bravest and
most careful princes of his time, and full of courage, he was in spite
of this so greatly concerned, that he hardly knew what would be the
best thing to do. I heard from a trustworthy nobleman, who was in the
government at that time, but who died 38 years ago, that when
Zierikzee was lost, the Prince seeing that the Queen of England did
not want the offered sovereignty over Holland and Zealand, in order
not to have continuing war with Spain, that the Prince was afraid to
take on the same. Also that the other States did not know how to pay
for the cost of the war anymore, because the flat lands of Holland
lay unused. They had proposed, that as last resource, in order not to
remain under the Spanish yoke forever, and to maintain their religion,
that all ships would be seized, that all those who wanted to leave go
on board with whatever they could take; break dikes and dams, burn
the wind mills, flood the land, and take another land by force and
settle there, as others had done before this." Thus far Bor.


10      A Covenant with the Potentate of potentates

        But how! Prince William! The Lord's Hero! Father of the
Fatherland! Be not discouraged, for this is the Lord's time to show
His great power and His outstretched arm. Your clever brain may not
know of help or counsel, our God has plenty of both! nothing is too
great and marvelous for His infinite wisdom and incomprehensible might!
        You are depressed that England's Queen refuses to be the
nation's sovereign, but do you not remember that the Potentate of
potentates took our government upon Himself? Did you forget you made
such a sure covenant. Were you not assured that you and all that
trust in Him would be relieved by His mighty hand, in spite of all His,
and your enemies? You want to leave the country, but note, before
long the enemy shall leave the same, and "the desolate land shall be
tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by"
(Ezek. 36: 34).
        You want to make the good land into a salty sea, but our God
shall yet make it a garden of Eden, "for the Lord shall comfort Zion,
He shall comfort its desolate places." You intend to look for another
country, but this land shall yet be a haven for other nations, in
particular those who are persecuted for the faith; "thou shalt surely
clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee
as a bride doeth" (Is. 49: 18). You would take of the best of the
country and take it unto other lands. Not so; for as from now on,
>from the ends of the earth shall come the finest merchandise to
enrich these lands. "Thus saith the Lord, the labour of Egypt, and
merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall
come over unto thee"; yes, even the treasures of thine enemies; "and
the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together,
gold and silver, and apparel, in great abundance" (Zech.14: 14). That
decree is the counsel of the Holy One, the Lord has such intended, He
shall execute it, and nothing shall hinder His decree.
        You acknowledge that the change of religion is much more a work
of the Lord than of men? Do you think the Lord will not prosper the
sake of His Son, that His adversary, the anti-christ, may rule? No!
No! but they all shall be ashamed that are bitter against the Lord.

        The Lord saw that Israel's misery was very bitter, that Israel
had no helper, and He never said that He would take our name away
>from under heaven. The measure of shed blood was full, the affliction
of God's people was accomplished. "Awake, awake, stand up, 0 Jerusalem,
which has drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou
hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out"
(Is. 5I: 17). God has afflicted you in His anger, but in His good
pleasure He has been merciful to you.
        Thus says the Lord your God Who pleads the cause of His
people, "Behold I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling,
even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it
again. But I will put it in the hands of them that afflict thee; which
have said to thy soul: Bow down that we may go over: and thou hast
laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went
over" (Is. 51: 22, 23). Now, your eyes shall see the salvation of the
Lord, and the arm of His power. For as the Lord has pulled up, and
broken down, so shall He now plant you and build you, and the Lord's
servants shall dwell in Zion. "So shall they fear the name of the Lord
>from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the
enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up
a standard against him" (Is. 59: 19).
        This nation shall devour its enemies, "Therefore, all they that
devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, everyone of
them shall go into captivity, and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil
and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey" (Jer. 30: 16). All
the earth shall know there is a God in Israel, and the Lord does not
redeem by spear and sword, for the battle is the Lord's. "And I will
feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be
drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall
know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One
of Jacob" (Is. 49: 26).
        He is an everlasting Rock, He can be trusted. Rejoice you
heavens, for the Lord has done it. Shout for joy, you nether parts of
the earth, you mountains and forests make a great noise with singing,
for the Lord redeemed Jacob, made for Himself a name in Israel and
made His wonders known to the Provinces, yes, the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God.

        Let us see what the historian Bor adds here, for it is
remarkable. "Consider the great need of the nation during that time. I
say this for those who come after us, for they must know that we had
nothing of which to boast, that it was not by our, or the father's
wisdom that we resisted and endured that greet and mighty Potentate
(Spain). We have come to this prosperity only by the grace of God;
Honor and praise is due to Almighty God, and to Him alone. He helped
and stood by us, protected and redeemed us while we were devoid of
all human aid and there was no hope of relief. It will be made clear
by the following and other books that will be written after this, that
it was God Who redeemed and helped this nation in its great and
extreme need. It was clearly seen that when we built our hope on
people and mighty armies, we achieved but little. Let us therefore
never forget, that to God alone belongs the honor and the praise for
our deliverance, our prosperity and our blessings."
        Thus far the historian Bor. We quoted him here because they
were truly remarkable matters that came to pass in the Netherlands.
They are so great that they still fill us with gratitude and wonder
for God's love.
        We refer to this, because Bor made it his work to give God the
glory, and his precious books cannot be bought by the common man.
        The nation realized what David testified of himself, "Though I
walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch
forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand
shall save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" (Psalm
138: 7 and 8b), and "They compassed me about like bees; they are
quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will
destroy them" (Psalm 118: 12). And 2 Chron. 20: 12, "0 our God wilt thou
not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that
cometh against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon
thee". And, "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may
Israel say, . . .they had swallowed us up quick,  . . .then the waters
had overwhelmed us; Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a
prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare
of the fowlers; the snare is broken and we are escaped" (Ps. 124).
        Our Fathers who were so greatly oppressed, could they only see
our present blessings, how amazed and filled with wonder would they
be for all that the Lord did for us; they would cry out with the
Psalmist:

Exultantly they ask: "Who Lord, within Thy dwelling,
Who of the kings of earth, in carnal strength excelling,
Can be compared with thee, Jehovah great and glorious,
In all Thy wise designs triumphant and victorious?"

Psalm 89 st. 3b. No 172 of the Psalter Hymnal.

And:
"He remembered all our woes,
Snatched us from the clutch of foes.
For His mercy will endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure."

(idem; Psalm 136; st. 9b. No 283.

        This, of course is written for us now living, who are witnesses
of what the arm of the Lord has wrought. With David, we sing:

"The wondrous works that God has wrought,
His people ever keep in mind,
His works with grace and mercy fraught,
Revealing that the Lord is kind."

(idem; Psalm 111; st. 3. No. 222).

The following is left in the Dutch for those who can read the
language, for you to enjoy the beauty and simplicity of this
poem in the original:


Heere God! Uwe werken zijn wonderlijk;
Gij denkt op ons, Heer goedertier,
Soo dat niemand in 't leven hier
Uwe gaven kan melden sonderlijk.
Uit den slijk seer onreine
En den afgrond niet kleine,
Met kracht Hij ons uittoog.
Hij heeft ons voeten vast
Tot Sijn wegen gepast,
Op een' steenrots seer hoog.

Which in the English reads as follows:

Lord God Thy works are marvelous and great,
Thou thinkest on us in Thy grace,
For no one from this very place,
Can e'er Thy precious gifts appreciate.
>From deep, foul and filthy mire,
And that great abyss entire,
His great power drew us out.
He established falt'ring feet
Now on His way they meet,
Upon a Rock, great and stout.


11      The Situation Of The Fathers And Of Us Their Children

        Comparing the situation of the Fathers with succeeding times,
differs not less from comparing an abyss with protruding rocks, cliffs,
and high mountains. Those were the days that the heat of persecution
fell on the fathers, while we are permitted to sail in the calm of a
summer breeze. Their cities were under siege, conquered, plundered and
burned. The walls cast down, the land ruined, the inhabitants tortured
and killed; the nation perishing in smoke, fire and blood.
        We see the cities relieved, delivered from force, many enlarged.
The cast down walls, towers and bulwarks rebuilt, the inhabitants
blessed, the nation living in peace, commerce and prosperity.
        The fathers experienced times when all human reason and modesty
were absent, blood was running down the streets; true religion was
not allowed, privileges and rights were trodden under foot, the States
were muzzled, and all the country was nothing but a prison, a
scaffold, and a scene of murder.
        We live in times that the police protects the citizens, laws are
in force, the government esteemed, the State is free, the Church in
honor, and true religion is adhered to. We live in times that people
are free to go wherever they will; and all Provinces are like a garden
of Eden, filled with all spiritual and material blessings.
        These are often the ways of the Lord, our great God; those He
will bless are brought into great distress and misery, those He exalts
to heaven are first humiliated to hell. "Thou hast caused men to ride
over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou
broughtest us out into a wealthy place" (Psalm 66: 12).

        When the time was there that God would lead His people in
the blessed country of Canaan, the ornament of all lands, He
made Egypt into an iron oven for them. Before giving them their
own government, and making them a free people, he made them
submit to unheard of servitude. When He would revenge Himself
on His enemies, and fill His people with blessing upon blessing,
they first were subjected to affliction upon affliction, the aged among them 
succumbed under heavy 
labour, the children were drowned like cats and dogs.
        The Lord dealt similarly with His people during the reign of the 
Roman Emperors, when He brought them through a sea of suffering to a 
desired haven of rest and liberty. We know from Church-history that 
when Emperor Diocletianus raged against Christianity, it seemed they 
all had perished. That evil Emperor had money coined with the 
inscription, "I have destroyed the name of Christians who overturned 
the Republic." This persecution continued in the East under Galarius, 
under Maximus in Africa, and Maxantius in Rome, in the West. After 
their miserable deaths (Galerus was eaten by worms and Maxentius 
drowned in the Tiber), the time of persecutions came to an end. Now, 
the Christian Emperor Constantine the Great delivered the Christian 
Church from bondage into liberty; banished idolatry, and Christ 
subjected the kingdom of Satan under His feet, as we can read this in 
the summary of CHURCH-HISTORY by Hornius (page 104).
        In Germany, before the Lord our God, under Emperor Ferdinand in 
the alliance of Passau, ordered freedom of religion and the 
Protestant nations came to live in peace, Maagdenburg had to come 
under the brute force of Charles V. The Lord also gave the Count of 
Hessen and the Elector of Saksen into his hands, and made them into 
showpieces wherever they went; this can be read in Sleydanus, 
Cluverus, Laetus, and others.
        Before the blessed times began under Queen Elizabeth, England 
underwent the terrible persecutions of cruel Queen Mary. Many burnt 
at the stake. There is, according to the book of Martyrs, from the 
time of the Apostles, nowhere so much blood shed as there was in 
this kingdom. A great multitude of people: Nobles, Teachers, Doctors, 
Bishops and Preachers died for their faith. At times there were 10, at 
other times 12 who burned in the same fire. Some died of hunger, 
others perished in prison. Thus far, the Book of Martyrs which was 
recently improved by placing each matter at its right time and place, 
by our colleague Joshua Sanderus.
        During this persecution the following persons were burnt for 
their testimony: Roeland Taylor, John Bradfort, John Hopperus, bishop 
of Glouchester; D. Nicolas Ridley, bishop of London; Hugo Latimer, 
bishop of Worchester; Thomas Crammer, bishop of Canterbury. King 
James in his Apology testifies that they tortured a pregnant woman 
until she lost her child, and then burned her with the child. But when 
it seemed that the sun of true religion was sinking, God made it rise, 
to the joy of all those who loved Zion. Here is established what 
certain martyr, Midas Busseay, who was glorified by suffering for the 
truth said in 1557, "God is known to help His people when the barbaric 
persecutions are at their height; to show thereby, that such 
deliverance and aid, is from nowhere, but from Him alone", (Hoornbeek 
OF SPIRITUAL FORSAKINGS, page 173).


12      Comparing the Republic with Switzerland

        While writing of these things we are reminded of the Swiss 
Cantons, or Republic; the sad situation and unbearable oppression 
under which they lived before they came to their long desired 
freedom. More so, because this was done to them by the House of 
Austria, from which dynasty the Kings of Spain descend. The Swiss 
came to gain their liberty in much the same manner as we gained ours. 
After Albertus, successor to Adolf van Nassau, had established a new 
rule and principality, he began this rule by wretchedly oppressing the 
Swiss, without respect of person or class. 
        The complaints were many, but without success; they were more 
oppressed all the time. One of the rulers, Landenberg, without reason, 
forced the people to give him their possessions. Those who resisted 
were heavily punished. He put out the eyes of a rich man because the 
man's son prevented him from driving away his father's cattle. The son 
fled. He had farmers pull the plow, as we have horses to work the 
land. There was a men by the name of Gessler, who was so arrogant 
and proud that he had his hat placed on a stake at the side of the 
road to Altorf (others say it was at the Altorf marketplace), and 
commanded that all who passed by must pay homage to the hat as one 
is used to give to a prince, thus making himself a prince. Some are of 
the opinion he did this to find out those who would revolt against 
him; others, that he wanted to try those who were not sufficiently 
submissive to his rule. According to Bzozius, Gessler placed some 
guards near the hat to see who dared to neglect his orders. 
        But what happened? William Tell, a stouthearted and steadfast 
men, being sad about such ridiculous servitude, passed the hat 
without greeting. He was accused and sentenced "to shoot an apple off 
the head of his youngest and most beloved son." Tell, who was greatly 
skilled in handling the bow, accomplished this without mishap. But since 
he had one more arrow with him, Gessler asked him for what purpose 
he kept that second arrow with him. He promised that when he spoke 
the truth, he would not be persecuted. William Tell answered, "Had I 
hurt my son, I would have given you the other arrow, I would not have 
missed and thereby delivered my people from your tyranny." At this 
Gessler became so angry that he forgot his promise and sentenced 
William Tell to everlasting imprisonment. But Tell on the way to 
prison, cast away his bands by killing the tyrant.
        This happened in November of 1307, from this act and the time of 
the tyrant's death originated their liberty. An alliance made in secret 
between three persons increased in power in such a way, that the 
Swiss were free in short order, drove away the enemy, ruined the 
castles of the usurpers, and cast off the yoke of the House of 
Austria, (Habsburg).
        Since that time Switzerland has been a free country, and the 
Swiss are still a free people.

        The parallel which exists between the liberation of Holland and 
Switzerland reminds me of what was said by a great Historian 
(Rohan