It was a most unqualified declaration of provincial sovereignty, and yet it was only passed in the teeth of a strong minority by the exertion of the Advocate's personal influence.

By this resolution Holland declined to assent to the summoning of any Synod, National or Provincial, and asserted the supremacy of the Estates in matters of religion.

The municipal authorities were ordered to raise levies of _Waardgelders_ to keep the peace; and all officials, civil or military, were required to take an oath of obedience to the Estates on pain of dismissal.

A strong protest was made by the representatives of the dissenting cities headed by Reinier Pauw, burgomaster of Amsterdam.
On the plea of ill-health Oldenbarneveldt now left the Hague, and took up his residence at Utrecht.

His object was to keep this province firm in its alliance with Holland.