\ 



FROM THE SVANISH MONARCHY. 213 



nionafleries* and pillaged their altars, was called a 

 Lutheran. Faction, rapacity, fanaticism, and lewd- 

 nefs, put on his colours ; the moll atrocious criminals 

 ■confeiTed before the judge, that they belonged to his 

 feci:. The reformation reduced the roman pontif to 

 the condition of frail humanity — a furious band, in- 

 fpired by hunger, will immediately deftroy all dis- 

 tinctions of rank. It was natural to imagine, that a 

 doctrine which was only exhibited to the government 

 on its corrupted iide, could never conciliate the 'affec- 

 tion of a monarch, who had already fo many induce ? 

 rnents to its extermination — and therefore no wonder, 

 that he ufed thofe arms againft it, which itfelf put into 

 his hands. 



Charles muft have confidered himfelf as an abfolute 

 prince in the Netherlands, as he would not permit in 

 thofe countries the Spread of that religious liberty which 

 he allowed to take root in Germany. While, compel- 

 led by the ftxenuous oppolition of the german princes, 

 he there fecured to the new religion a quiet exercife, 

 in the Netherlands he perSecuted it by the moft cruel 

 edicts. The reading of the evangelifts and the apofties, 

 all public or private affemblies that had their name from 

 religion, all difcourSes on that Subject at home and at 

 table, were Sorbid in theSe edicts under the Severer! pe- 

 nalties. In all the provinces of the country, peculiar 

 courts were erected to provide for the execution of 

 thefe proclamations. Whoever held erroneous opini- 

 ons, whatever his rank or his merit, was irretrievably 

 loft. Whoever was convicted of Spreading heretical 

 doctrines, or onlv of having; attended the Secret meet- 

 iijgs of the reformers, was Sentenced to death, if a'm'arf 



, p 3 he 



