But coercion without the use of the military force was impossible in face of the growing uprising of popular passion; and the military forces could not be employed without the consent of the stadholder.

Thus in 1617, with the question of civil war in Holland trembling in the balance, the ultimate decision lay with the stadholder; and Maurice after long hesitation determined to throw the sword of the soldier into the scale against the influence of the statesman.
Maurice had not as yet openly broken with his father's old friend, whose immense services to the republic during the greater part of four decades he fully recognised.

As to the questions now in dispute the stadholder was to an even less degree than the Advocate a zealous theologian.

It is reported that he declared that he did not know whether predestination was blue or green.

His court-chaplain, Uyttenbogaert, was a leading Arminian; and both his step-mother, Louise (see p.