President Viglius, with all the bishops and doctors of divinity, including the prelates of St.Omer, Namur and Ypres, and four theological professors from Louvain, stoutly maintained the contrary opinion.

The President especially, declared himself vehemently in favor of the death punishment, and expressed much anger against those who were in favor of its abolition.

The Duchess, upon the second day of the assembly, propounded formally the question, whether any change was to be made in the chastisement of heretics.

The Prince of Orange, with Counts Horn and Egmont, had, however, declined to take part in the discussions, on the ground that it was not his Majesty's intention that state councillors should deliver their opinions before strangers, but that persons from outside had been summoned to communicate their advice to the Council.

The seigniors having thus washed their hands of the matter, the doctors came to a conclusion with great alacrity.