Don John, being thus seated in the saddle, had a moment’s leisure to look around him.  It was but a moment, for he had small confidence in the aspect of affairs, but one of his first acts after assuming the government afforded a proof of the interpretation which he had adopted of the Ghent Pacification.  An edict was issued, addressed to all bishops, “heretic-masters,” and provincial councils, commanding the strict enforcement of the Canons of Trent, and other ecclesiastical decrees.  These authorities were summoned instantly to take increased heed, of the flocks under their charge, “and to protect them from the ravening wolves which were seeking to devour them.”

The measure bore instant fruit.  A wretched tailor of Mechlin, Peter Penis by name, an honest man, but a heretic, was arrested upon the charge of having preached or exhorted at a meeting in that city.  He confessed that he had been present at the meeting, but denied that he had preached.  He was then required to denounce the others who had been present, and the men who had actually officiated.  He refused, and was condemned to death.  The Prince of Orange, while the process was pending, wrote an earnest letter to the Council of Mechlin, imploring them not now to rekindle the fires of religious persecution.  His appeal was in vain.  The poor tailor was beheaded at Mechlin on the 15th of June, the Conqueror of Lepanto being present at the execution, and adding dignity to the scene.  Thus, at the moment when William of Orange was protecting the Anabaptists of Middelburg in their rights of citizenship, even while they refused its obligations, the son of the Emperor was dipping his hands in the blood of a poor wretch who had done no harm but to listen to a prayer without denouncing the preacher.  The most intimate friends of the Prince were offended with his liberality.  The imperial shade of Don John’s father might have risen to approve the son who had so dutifully revived his bloody edicts and his ruthless policy.

Three parties were now fairly in existence:  the nobles, who hated the Spaniards, but who were disposed to hold themselves aloof from the people; the adherents of Don John, commonly called “Johanists;” and the partisans of the Prince of Orange—­for William the Silent had always felt the necessity of leaning for support on something more substantial than the court party, a reed shaken by the wind, and failing always when most relied upon.  His efforts were constant to elevate the middle class, to build up a strong third party which should unite much of the substantial wealth and intelligence of the land, drawing constantly from the people, and deriving strength from national enthusiasm—­a party which should include nearly all the political capacity of the country; and his efforts were successful.  No doubt the Governor and his Secretary were right when they said the people of the Netherlands were inclined to brook the Turk as easily as the Spaniard for their master, and that their hearts were in reality devoted to the Prince of Orange.