ABSTRACT
The liberal regents of the States of Holland and their supporters were driven into the paradoxical position of having to take police measures to prevent the majority of the calvinist population from worshipping in the manner they considered to be right. The ways of toleration are often inadequate for dealing with intolerance. In August 1617, the States of Holland decided to take drastic action for the preservation of unity in the church, and the suppression of opposition and rioting. The determined nature of this action shows that the States of Holland had a very clear notion of the issues that were at stake and of their gravity, and more than anyone else their chief officer, John van Oldenbarnevelt, was responsible for making them understand the true position. A few of the remonstrant regents, like Oetgens, who at one time had been known as an ardent arminian, and Cromhout, changed their allegiance.
