GOOD Hope there was , & not a little , that through the pacification of Gaunt , and the vnitye of the Prouinces there adioyning , this great and long turmoyle , or rather miserable calamitie of these Low-Countries should haue bene ceased , and so consequently publique peace and tranquility , aswell in Religion as otherwise , should haue bene established in the same indifferently , especially in Antwerpe , for the full restoring thereof to her olde florishing estate in trafique , marchandise , handicraftes , nauigation , martial feates and all other good , and vertuous practise or pollicy , wherein sometime she farre exceeded any other of the Prouinces whichsoeuer .

But sith it falleth out so , that the aforesayd Pacification of Gaunt , ( what with the intermedling of Spaniards and their adherentes , being professed enemies to the country , and what with other occasions therhence procéeding ) hath bene at the first plunge , and is at this present violated and infringed in diuers poyntes : and sith that newe suspicions , and hartburninges kindle againe a fresh betweene them of the Romishe Catholique Religion , and them of the Reformed , and so farre foorth that some townes and places of the Prouinces , so pacified , doe inflame and burne againe , as it is most manifest , with such great rancor , grudging , and dissention as herafter without great slaughter and bloudshed can not bee extinguished : Therefore to preuent all such dissention , discord , diuisions , and effusi on of bloud , his HIGHNES and his EXCELLENCY by the aduice of the councell of the Estates assisting him , hath deuised , and made certayne Ordinances , contaytayning diuerse poyntes , seruing to the peace of the Religions , and maintenance of publicke pollicy .

All which poyntes so aduised & concluded were by his Highnes letters dated the 14. of Iuly last past sent to all vnited Prouinces , crauing vpon the sight and receit therof their assent , and consent therein .

After the same manner also were the sayd Articles of this Religious peace sent to the Iustices of the town of Antwerpe , who labouring in the same , as to such a waighty matter appertayneth , haue to that end assembled the whole body of the sayd City then and there opening and communicating vnto them the intent of the foresayd letters , as also reading and examining the sayd Articles deuised for the Religious peace . Where , after long and good deliberation had , together with the aduise of the Colo nels , Deacons of the Companies and Captaines of the towne , it was fully resolued and concluded , that the sayd Accord for the Religions should be presently proclaymed in the towne , and wel , and straightly executed , and on the Iustices and Magistrates of the sayd townes part from them commanded and ordayned , that all and euery inhabitant thereof should hence forth frame hymselfe to this rule onely , and keepe the sayd Accord of Religion in such order and maner as followeth .

FIrst , sith that Religion neyther oght nor can be vpheld ▪ or beaten into mens hartes , by force or violence , but is a speciall gift of God , and at hys handes to be sought for , and receued : and for that it becommeth all Christian people of what Religion soeuer , to liue mutually in peace , & quietnes , ruling themselues according to the lowable and politique ordinaunces of their Gouernours : it is thought good that they of the aforesayd Romish Catholique Religion , and they of the Reformed , as also they of the Confession of Ausbourg , shall frely euery one remain at their own choyce and libertie as they will , and are minded , according to their vnderstanding , to aunswere before God for the saluation of their owne soules , at the latter day .

Item , because there is such diuersitie of Religions , none shall be suffered to disturbe or hinder , or any way be a let to the other in their Ceremonies , Sermons , Readings , or other Exercises whatsoeuer : or otherwise attempt any other thing the one agaynst the other , whither it be within or without the accustomed or assigned places of their Religion , in any kind of maner , but suffer one another to vse their Religion freely in peace and quietnes : And likewise to let them possesse , holde , and inioy all their goodes so long , and til such time as by the aduice of the Generall Estates , or at least by a prouinciall or nationall Assembly ( echone beyng fréely heard ) it be otherwise determined and concluded : vppon payne of punishment of body and goods , without delay , as disturbers of the common peace , and tranquillitie .

And in the meane while to set good politique order , after some méet and reasonable manner , for the securitie , and quietnes of ech part , it is ordayned that each of the aforesayd Religions shall holde them content with the Churches whiche they presently possesse : except the the Churches of two of them , to weet , of the Reformed Religion , and of the Aus bourgs Confession beyng to little for their vse , that then by the Magistrates of this Citie there shal be assigned , and appoynted vnto them any other church or place for their commoditie , there openly and freely to exercise their religion . And as touching Burialles , the professors , or maintainers of ech Religion shall vse thereto the Churches and Churchyardes where they do exercise their Religion , eache one following their owne Ceremonies : except that for want of room , distance , or other necessitye , any one of the aforesayd Religions require to vse ech others Churchyarded , whiche then they shall be suffered to do , prouided that no Sermon be there made or any singing , or other Ceremonye there vsed .

And for to auoyde such inconuenices as are most commonly occurrent through the wilfull wantonnesse of seditious and quarreling mates , which hunt after nothyng but the ouerthrow of all good ordinaunces : It is ordained that echone shal for beare and refrayne themselues to come or to be found in place , whereas other Religion is exercised than that they professe themselues , except that they so guyde , and rule themselues , according to the vse and exercise of that church or Temple , wherin they shal so happen to be found , vppon payne as is aforesayd .

Likewise to auoyd al iarring , rancor , and debate , and to represse the inordinate libertie of some , spurning agaynst diuers commaundementes , and orders oftentimes taken , and published by vs , we enioyne , and pro hibite any song to be made , printed , sould , or to bring to light anye difdaynefull or iniurious song , ballade , rymes , inuectiues , writinges , Pictures , or Payntinges whereby one or other of the religions , or any of them in particular , or generall should be disgraced , or defamed thereby , on the paine or punishment aforesayd .

Moreouer they of the aforesayd Religions shal be bound to present their Preachers and Ministers personally before the Gouernors , and Iustices of this Citie , that their seueral names beyng regestred , they may with great deliberation by the foresayd Gouernours , and Iustices be admitted , and receiued , and before them take an othe of their loyaltie and obedience in these politique cases , without doyng any further act of iurisdiction , or medling with the aucthoritie of the Magistrate directly or indirectly , in what manner soeuer the same might be .

The sayd Preachers , and Ministers so presented , and admitted , and sworne ; shall also be bound , as also al other persons , not to speake or preach or otherwise to vse speaches , or wordes , eyther publiquely , or secretly , tending to discord , tumult , and sedition , but to teach , and exhort the commons to peace , loue , and quietnesse .

Item none shal be suffered to carry any marke or token , through which occasion might be geuen to another of offence , discord , and contention .

Item , the maintayners of each of the aforesayd Religions ( till that otherwise it be prouided by them , or the vnited Prouinces ) may contract mariages each according to the vse of hys Religion , and the Children so borne , and begot shal lawfully succéed , yea & inioy the goods fallen vnto them by the death of any Person of a contrary Religion .

And to kéep indifferencie ouer al , so it is , that because of the foresayd Religions , there shal be had good regard , and discretion in the receiuing of any Schollers , sick Parsons , or Poore men , into Schooles , Hospitalles , or Almes houses . Also all the the Almes , and deuotions of good people shal be gathered collected , and distributed according to the order already therein taken , and as it is vsed at this present .

Item , that echone shal be bound to keepe the accustomed Holy dayes , hereafter specified , namely , the Sonday , Christmas-day , Thapostelsdayes , The Annūciation of our Lady Ascention day , and Candelmas , and not be suffered vppon the same dayes to open their shoppes , or to worke , or sell openly .

Item , vpon such dayes as of auncient time serued for the fast , no man shall sell or eate fleshe : and all fleshe markets , or shambles shal be shut vp , and each one shall behaue himselfe modestly , according to the ordinance or vse of the towne .

Item , in election of any Officer , or Magistrate , and other politique callyng there shal be no speciall regard of any mans religion , but such a one to be nominated , and chosen , as shal be thought and found meetest for the same , and likeliest to execute such an office , with this condition , that such a one so nominated , & chosen shal be bound to fulfill the othe , which of olde tyme appertayned to his office : and shall moreouer faythfully and solemnely sweare this Accord of Religion , without vsing , or ioyning any other Ceremonies . And if so be that in taking of any the sayd othes , whether it be of Magistrates , or any other publique seruice , any clause be comprised therin repugnant to the obseruation , or conseruation of any the sayd Religions , that then the same clause in taking & geuing the oth shal be omitted .

Furthermore ech one shal be bound to beare dutifull obedience , and reuerence to the heads , & Magistrates of this Citie , and to assist the same in all places to apprehend , and punish all manner of mutinies and seditions , especially of the transgressors of these ordinances now enacted .

And if so be it happen ( which god defend ) that any man doe contrarye to these ordinances , or do oppose him selfe agaynst the same , in all or in part , or do disturbe , offend , or abuse any manner of person by any iniurous meane , it is ordayned as aforesayd , that imediately they shall proceed to the apprehending of the offendor , according to the auncient custome . And because that the examination , and information shall be done without suspition , or misdoubt , it shall be lawfull for them of the Religions a bouesaid ioyntly to chuse and assigne two worthy discreet men , louers of the common peace and tranquility , that in their presence the aforesayd information may be taken by the gouernor , & suche as by the law are appoynted to that purpose , to the intent that what is done may proceede and be ordayned as it ought to be .