9 - A true narrative and apology of what has happened in the Netherlands in the matter of religion in the year 1566. By those who profess the reformed religion in that country, 1567

Summary

This was written by Philip Marnix of St Aldegonde, the younger brother of John Marnix of Tholouse. He moved from the outset in the circles of the confederate nobles and the Calvinist consistories. In this work, published anonymously in 1567, he looks back on the events of 1566.

The final point to be considered is the image-breaking, for which the adherents of the new religion are more severely reproached than for anything else. This is interpreted as an act of public violence and as a seditious act clearly intended to disrupt all political order. In short, some think this fact alone is of such a nature that only the ruin and extermination of the greater part of the subjects can represent sufficient satisfaction for His Majesty. But if those who pass such a judgment and give this advice to His Majesty, were inspired by the desire to see justice prevail and wished to further the public weal rather than their own profit and career, they would give closer attention to how this action came about and who gave the advice and counsel to do it, by whom it was executed, and where the fault that was committed chiefly lies. And then finally they would weigh the evil they think so great, against the difficulties which might arise if their advice were acted upon.

For even if breaking and cutting images is the most enormous and capital crime to be committed or imagined, yet they do not know whom to blame for it.