The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 17: 1570-72Motley, John Lothrop
History
The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 17: 1570-72
Motley, John Lothrop
Netherlands -- Church history; Netherlands -- History -- Eighty Years' War, 1568-1648
Similar instructions were given to other agents, and a paper called the
Harangue, drawn up according to his suggestions, was also extensively
circulated. This document is important to all who are interested in his
history and character. He had not before issued a missive so stamped
with the warm, religious impress of the reforming party. Sadly, but
without despondency, the Harangue recalled the misfortunes of the past;
and depicted the gloom of the present. Earnestly, but not fanatically,
it stimulated hope and solicited aid for the future. "Although the
appeals made to the Prince," so ran a part of the document, "be of
diverse natures, and various in their recommendations, yet do they all
tend to the advancement of God's glory, and to the liberation of the
fatherland. This it is which enables him and those who think with him to
endure hunger; thirst, cold, heat, and all the misfortunes which Heaven
may send. . . . . . Our enemies spare neither their money nor their
labor; will ye be colder and duller than your foes? Let, then, each
church congregation set an example to the others. We read that King
Saul, when he would liberate the men of Jabez from the hands of Nahad,
the Ammonite, hewed a yoke of oxen in pieces, and sent them as tokens
over all Israel, saying, 'Ye who will not follow Saul and Samuel, with
them shall be dealt even as with these oxen. And the fear of the Lord
came upon the people, they came forth, and the men of Jabez were
delivered.' Ye have here the same warning, look to it, watch well ye
that despise it, lest the wrath of God, which the men of Israel by their
speedy obedience escaped, descend upon your heads. Ye may say that ye
are banished men. 'Tis true: but thereby are ye not stripped of all
faculty of rendering service; moreover, your assistance is asked for one
who will restore ye to your homes. Ye may say that ye have been robbed of
all your goods; yet many of you have still something remaining, and of
that little ye should contribute, each his mite. Ye say that you have
given much already. 'Tis true, but the enemy is again in the field;
fierce for your subjugation, sustained by the largess of his supporters.
Will ye be less courageous, less generous, than your foes."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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