any then existing, it was Barneveld.  Courageously, steadily, but most patiently, he stood upon that position so vital and daily so madly assailed; the defence of the civil authority against the priesthood.  He felt instinctively and keenly that where any portion of the subjects or citizens of a country can escape from the control of government and obey other head than the lawful sovereignty, whether monarchical or republican, social disorder and anarchy must be ever impending.

“We are still tortured by ecclesiastical disputes,” he wrote a few weeks later to Caron.  “Besides many libels which have appeared in print, the letters of his Majesty and the harangues of Winwood have been published; to what end you who know these things by experience can judge.  The truth of the matter of Vorstius is that he was legally called in July 1610, that he was heard last May before My Lords the States with six preachers to oppose him, and in the same month duly accepted and placed in office.  He has given no public lectures as yet.  You will cause this to be known on fitting opportunity.  Believe and cause to be believed that his Majesty’s letters and Sir R. Winwood’s propositions have been and shall be well considered, and that I am working with all my strength to that end.  You know the constitution of our country, and can explain everything for the best.  Many pious and intelligent people in this State hold themselves assured that his Majesty according to his royal exceeding great wisdom, foresight, and affection for the welfare of this land will not approve that his letters and Winwood’s propositions should be scattered by the press among the common people.  Believe and cause to be believed, to your best ability, that My Lords the States of Holland desire to maintain the true Christian, Reformed religion as well in the University of Leyden as in all their cities and villages.  The only dispute is on the high points of predestination and its adjuncts, concerning which moderation and a more temperate teaching is furthered by some amongst us.  Many think that such is the edifying practice in England.  Pray have the kindness to send me the English Confession of the year 1572, with the corrections and alterations up to this year.”

But the fires were growing hotter, fanned especially by Flemish ministers, a brotherhood of whom Barneveld had an especial distrust, and who certainly felt great animosity to him.  His moderate counsels were but oil to the flames.  He was already depicted by zealots and calumniators as false to the Reformed creed.

“Be assured and assure others,” he wrote again to Caron, “that in the matter of religion I am, and by God’s grace shall remain, what I ever have been.  Make the same assurances as to my son-in-law and brother.  We are not a little amazed that a few extraordinary Puritans, mostly Flemings and Frisians, who but a short time ago had neither property nor kindred in the country, and have now