In the meanwhile, the confederation gained ground every day.  Its measures had totally changed the face of affairs in all parts of the nation.  The general discontent now acquired stability, and consequent importance.  The chief merchants of many of the towns enrolled themselves in the patriot band.  Many active and ardent minds, hitherto withheld by the doubtful construction of the association, now freely entered into it when it took the form of union and respectability.  Energy, if not excess, seemed legitimatized.  The vanity of the leaders was flattered by the consequence they acquired; and weak minds gladly embraced an occasion of mixing with those whose importance gave both protection and concealment to their insignificance.

An occasion so favorable for the rapid promulgation of the new doctrines was promptly taken advantage of by the French Huguenots and their Protestant brethren of Germany.  The disciples of reform poured from all quarters into the Low Countries, and made prodigious progress, with all the energy of proselytes, and too often with the fury of fanatics.  The three principal sects into which the reformers were divided, were those of the Anabaptists, the Calvinists, and the Lutherans.  The first and least numerous were chiefly established in Friesland.  The second were spread over the eastern provinces.  Their doctrines being already admitted into some kingdoms of the north, they were protected by the most powerful princes of the empire.  The third, and by far the most numerous and wealthy, abounded in the southern provinces, and particularly in Flanders.  They were supported by the zealous efforts of French, Swiss, and German ministers; and their dogmas were nearly the same with those of the established religion of England.  The city of Antwerp was the central point of union for the three sects; but the only principle they held in common was their hatred against popery, the Inquisition, and Spain.

The stadtholderess had now issued orders to the chief magistrates to proceed with moderation against the heretics; orders which were obeyed in their most ample latitude by those to whose sympathies they were so congenial.  Until then, the Protestants were satisfied to meet by stealth at night; but under this negative protection of the authorities they now boldly assembled in public.  Field-preachings commenced in Flanders; and the minister who first set this example was Herman Stricker, a converted monk, a native of Overyssel, a powerful speaker, and a bold enthusiast.  He soon drew together an audience of seven thousand persons.  A furious magistrate rushed among this crowd, and hoped to disperse them sword in hand; but he was soon struck down, mortally wounded, with a shower of stones.  Irritated and emboldened by this rash attempt, the Protestants assembled in still greater numbers near Alost; but on this occasion they appeared with poniards, guns, and halberds.  They intrenched themselves under the protection of wagons and all sorts of obstacles