But if the Holy Ghost, through the assembled clergy, were to dictate an iron formulary to which all must conform, to make laws for church government which every citizen must obey, and to appoint preachers and school-masters from whom alone old and young could receive illumination and instruction religious or lay, a theocracy would be established which no enlightened statesman could tolerate.
The States-General agreed to the synod, but imposed a condition that there should be a revision of Creed and Catechism.

This was thundered down with one blast.

The condition implied a possibility that the vile heresy of Arminius might be correct.

An unconditional synod was demanded.
The Heidelberg Creed and Netherland Catechism were sacred, infallible, not to be touched.

The answer of the government, through the mouth of Barneveld, was that "to My Lords the States-General as the foster-fathers and protectors of the churches every right belonged." Thus far the States-General under the leadership of the Advocate were unanimous.