The Fourth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES.
* 1.1AT the beginning of the Year, Ernestus called a Council at Bruxels, wherein he discoursed be∣fore hand of the great Things he was wont to undertake; which, at a glance, were excellent Matters, as if he had inten∣ded to confirm their Antient Laws and Customs: But power was not given to the States, according to the Old Custom, of judging concerning the Weal-publike: Onely the Bishops and Nobles were summon'd to meet, because the Nobility are an Ornament, and Authority to Soveraignty, and the Clergy are bound to be faithful by the Tye of Religion: The Commons are staggering and unconstant, being greedy of any kind of Peace; and therefore, except in the case of Tributes, are not to be hearkned to. As soon as he had gravely declared the great pains he had taken for the making Peace, in all other Things he desired their Counsel: Whereupon Areschot, a Noble-man of the first Rank in the Netherlands, is Report∣ed to have made a Speech in these words:
Our Fore-Fathers, in precedent times, not in any manner byas∣sed with Hatred, but onely because they were commanded, took up Arms against most valiant Nations, but chiefly the French; nor were they ever frighted at the Dangers, or started at the Evils