It was most distinctly laid down that all forms of religion except the Roman Catholic were forbidden; that no public or secret conventicles were to be allowed; that all heretical writings were to be suppressed; that all curious inquiries into the Scriptures were to be prohibited.

Persons who infringed these regulations were divided into two classes--the misleaders and the misled.

There was an affectation of granting mercy to persons in the second category, while death was denounced upon those composing the first.

It was merely an affectation; for the rambling statute was so open in all its clauses, that the Juggernaut car of persecution could be driven through the whole of them, whenever such a course should seem expedient.

Every man or woman in the Netherlands might be placed in the list of the misleaders, at the discretion of the officials.