The Estates of Holland[5] impelled by Oldenbarneveldt now took a very strong step, a step which could not be retrieved.  They resolved also to despatch commissioners to Utrecht to urge the town-council to stand firm.  De Groot, Hoogerbeets and two others were nominated, and they at once set out for Utrecht.  Maurice, with the deputation from the States-General and a large suite, left the Hague only a little later than De Groot and his companions, and reached Utrecht on the evening of the 25th.  This strange situation lasted for several days, and much parleying and several angry discussions took place.  Matters were further complicated by the news that the dissentient towns of Holland were also sending a deputation.  This news had a considerable effect upon Colonel Ogle, the commander of the Waardgelders in Utrecht, and his officers.  They were already wavering; they now saw that resistance to the orders of the States-General would be useless.  The Prince, who had been collecting a body of troops, now determined on action.  His force entered the city on the evening of the 31st, and on the following morning he commanded the local levies to lay down their arms.  They at once obeyed, and Maurice took possession of the city.  The Holland commissioners and the members of the town-council fled.  Maurice appointed a new town-council entirely Contra-Remonstrant; and changes were made in both branches of the Estates, so as to secure a Contra-Remonstrant majority and with it the vote of the province in the States-General for the National Synod.  Holland now stood alone, and its opposition had to be dealt with in a fashion even sterner than that of Utrecht.

The Remonstrant cities of Holland were still for resistance, and attempts were made to influence the stadholder not to resort to extreme measures.  Maurice had, however, made up his mind.  On August 18 the States-General passed a resolution demanding the dismissal of the Waardgelders in Holland within twenty-four hours.  The placard was published on the 20th and was immediately obeyed.  The Estates of Holland had been summoned to meet on the 21st, and were at once called upon to deal with the question of the National Synod.  A few days later (August 28) a secret resolution was adopted by the majority in the States-General, without the knowledge of the Holland deputies, to arrest Oldenbarneveldt, De Groot, Hoogerbeets and Ledenburg, the secretary of the Estates of Utrecht, on the ground that their action in the troubles at Utrecht had been dangerous to the State.  On the following day the Advocate, on his way to attend the meeting of the Estates, was arrested and placed in confinement.  De Groot, Hoogerbeets and Ledenburg met with similar treatment.  After protesting the Estates adjourned on the 30th until September 12, the deputies alleging that it was necessary to consult their principals in this emergency, but in reality because the suddenness of the blow had stricken them with terror.  It was a prudent