And now was seen a curious object lesson in the many-headed character of the government of the United Netherlands.

A majority of the provinces in the States-General favoured the Contra-Remonstrants.

The Estates of Holland, however, under the influence of Oldenbarneveldt by a small majority refused the Contra-Remonstrant demand and resolved to take drastic action against the Gomarists.

But a number of the representative towns in Holland, and among them Amsterdam, declined to enforce the resolution.

At Rotterdam, on the other hand, and in the other town-councils, where the Arminians had the majority, the Gomarist preachers were expelled from their pulpits; and the Advocate was determined by coercion, if necessary, to enforce the authority of the Estates throughout the province.