Innumerable were the appeals made in subsequent years, upon this subject, to the patriotism and the conservative sentiments of the Netherlanders.

Repeatedly they were summoned to maintain the inquisition, on the ground that it had been submitted to by their ancestors, and that no change had been made by Philip, who desired only to maintain church and crown in the authority which they had enjoyed in the days of his father of very laudable memory.
Nevertheless, the King's military plans seemed to interfere for the moment with this cherished object.

He seemed to swerve, at starting, from pursuing the goal which he was only to abandon with life.

The edict of 1550 was re-enacted and confirmed, and all office-holders were commanded faithfully to enforce it upon pain of immediate dismissal.

Nevertheless, it was not vigorously carried into effect any where.