It already claimed boldly the natural right of mankind to be governed according to the laws of reason and of divine justice.

If a prince were a shepherd, it was at least lawful to deprive him of his crook when he butchered the flock which he had been appointed to protect.
"What reason is there," said the states-general, "why the provinces should suffer themselves to be continually oppressed by their sovereign, with robbings, burnings, stranglings, and murderings?
Why, being thus oppressed, should they still give their sovereign--exactly as if he were well conducting himself--the honor and title of lord of the land ?" On the other hand, if hereditary rule were an established fact, so also were ancient charters.

To maintain, not to overthrow, the political compact, was the purpose of the states.

"Je maintiendrai" was the motto of Orange's escutcheon.

That a compact existed between prince and people, and that the sovereign held office only on condition of doing his duty, were startling truths which men were beginning, not to whisper to each other in secret, but to proclaim in the market-place.