These circumstances and sentiments had their influence among the causes which produced the great revolt now impending.

Care should be taken, however, not to exaggerate that influence.

It is a prodigious mistake to refer this great historical event to sources so insufficient as the ambition of a few great nobles, and the embarrassments of a larger number of needy gentlemen.

The Netherlands revolt was not an aristocratic, but a popular, although certainly not a democratic movement.

It was a great episode--the longest, the darkest, the bloodiest, the most important episode in the history of the religious reformation in Europe.