Public preaching was of daily occurrence everywhere.

On a single Sunday; fifteen different ministers of the Reformed religion preached in different places in Antwerp.

"Do you think this can be put down ?" said Orange to the remonstrating burgomaster of that city.

"'Tis for you to repress it," said the functionary, "I grant your Highness full power to do so." "And do you think," replied the Prince, "that I can do at this late moment, what the Duke of Alva was unable to accomplish in the very plenitude of his power ?" At the same time, the Prince of Orange was more than ever disposed to rebuke his own Church for practising persecution in her turn.

Again he lifted his commanding voice in behalf of the Anabaptists of Middelburg.