He was confident that any recognition of the Reformed religion was as much out of the question now as ever.

He doubted not that there were many Catholic magnates, wavering politicians, aspirants for royal favor, who would soon be ready to desert the cause which had so recently been made a general cause, and who would soon be undermining the work of their own hands.

The Pacification of Ghent would never be maintained in letter and spirit by the vicegerent of Philip; for however its sense might be commented upon or perverted, the treaty, while it recognized Catholicism as the state religion, conceded, to a certain extent, liberty of conscience.

An immense stride had been taken, by abolishing the edicts, and prohibiting persecution.

If that step were now retraced, the new religion was doomed, and the liberties of Holland and Zealand destroyed.