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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2012
Henry Geldorp (1522–85), the author of this rare pamphlet, written in rather complicated Latin, had been headmaster of schools at Sneek, Leeuwarden and Delft, but as an evangelical he emigrated in 1558 and became headmaster at Duisburg. The manuscript of this booklet was submitted to the prince of Orange through the intermediary of Wesenbeke in April 1571, but was not printed until October 1574. See R. Fruin, Verspreide Geschriften, II (The Hague, 1900), pp. 17off.
Away with this caution and the paralysing hesitations which impede and even kill the bravery, heedless of danger, that is needed now. The gods help the brave, and people who trust them only if (to put it that way) they guarantee success in a duly signed contract, annoy, offend and estrange them. Our affair itself bids fair to succeed, because it is in accordance with the divine will, proceeds from the Word of Almighty God and is approved of by everyone for its justice, reasonableness and devotion except by people who, having once offended the gods, religion, heaven and hell, have been ruled ever after by pernicious stubbornness and execrable blasphemy. Not every hesitation signifies caution; often it is mere cowardice; and not every gentleness is a virtue, for often it represents a willingness to tolerate faults, and a refusal to inflict upon the godless the extreme punishment they deserve.
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