212 DEFECTION OF T-H-E NETHERLANDS 



Their firfi conquefis went on with the moil afionim-* 

 mg ragiditYj the number of thofe who, in afhort time?, 

 efpecially in the northern provinces, attached them- 

 felves to the new feci:, is almoft incredible ; herein, 

 however, the number of the foreigners by far exceeded 

 that of the natives. Charles the fifth, who in this 

 grand fchifm had declared for the party which a defpot 

 muft necefTarily chufe, employed the moft forcible 

 means for oppofing the torrent of innovation. To the 

 misfortune of the improved religion, the civil judicature 

 was on the fide of its perfecutor.. The mound whick 

 had for fo many centuries turned the human intellect 

 from the courfe of truth, was too fuddenly broke down 

 to prevent the gufliing fiream from overfwelling its ap- 

 pointed channel. The reviving fpirit of freedom anc\ 

 inquiry, which ought to have confined itfelf to quef- 

 tions of religion, now made attempts on the rights of 

 kings. — They began by cafting off their iron bonds ? 

 but they proceeded at length to tear afunder the moft 

 legitimate and neceffary ties. The books of fcripture 

 become more common, were now made to fanclion 

 the poifon of the moft monftrous fanaticifm, as well as 

 cited for light and nourifhment to the honeft love 

 of truth. The good caufe had no alternative but the 

 bad way of rebellion, and now enfued, what ever will 

 enfue fo long as men are men : even the bad caufe, 

 which had nothing in common with the other but ille- 

 gitimate means, emboldened by this affinity, appeared 

 in its company, and was confounded with it. Luther 

 had Hood up againfi the adoration of the faints — every 

 infolent fellow who broke into the churches and 



, monafteries, 



