The diplomacy of his reign so far as the Republic was concerned is often a mere mass of controversial divinity, and gloomy enough of its kind.

Exactly at this moment Conrad Vorstius had been called by the University of Leyden to the professorship vacant by the death of Arminius, and the wrath of Peter Plancius and the whole orthodox party knew no bounds.

Born in Cologne, Vorstius had been a lecturer in Geneva, and beloved by Beza.

He had written a book against the Jesuit Belarmino, which he had dedicated to the States-General.

But he was now accused of Arminianism, Socianism, Pelagianism, Atheism--one knew not what.