Pungent lampoons, impassioned invectives, and earnest remonstrances, were thrust into the hands of the Duchess.

The publications, as they appeared; were greedily devoured by the people.

"We are willing," it was said, in a remarkable letter to the King, "to die for the Gospel, but we read therein 'Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's.' We thank God that our enemies themselves are compelled to bear witness to our piety and patience; so that it is a common saying--'He swears not; he is a Protestant; he is neither a fornicator nor a drunkard; he is of the new sect.' Yet, notwithstanding these testimonials to our character, no manner of punishment has been forgotten by which we can possibly be Chastised." This statement of the morality of the Puritans of the Netherlands was the justification of martyrs--not the self-glorification of Pharisees.

The fact was incontrovertible.

Their tenets were rigid, but their lives were pure.