That which the people said in the Netherlands touching the inquisition, he pronounced extremely distasteful to him.

That institution, which had existed under his predecessors, he declared more necessary than ever; nor would he suffer it to be discredited.

He desired his sister to put no faith in idle talk, as to the inconveniences likely to flow from the rigor of the inquisition.

Much greater inconveniences would be the result if the inquisitors did not proceed with their labors, and the Duchess was commanded to write to the secular judges, enjoining upon them to place no obstacles in the path, but to afford all the assistance which might be required.
To Egmont, the King wrote with his own hand, applauding much that was contained in the recent decisions of the assembly of bishops and doctors of divinity, and commanding the Count to assist in the execution of the royal determination.

In affairs of religion, Philip expressed the opinion that dissimulation and weakness were entirely out of place.
When these decisive letters came before the state council, the consternation was extreme.