The States of Holland were declared sovereign and supreme.

The National Synod was peremptorily rejected.

Any decision of the supreme courts of the Union in regard to the subject of this resolution was nullified in advance.
Thenceforth this measure of the 4th August was called the "Sharp Resolve." It might prove perhaps to be double-edged.
It was a stroke of grim sarcasm on the part of the Advocate thus solemnly to invite the Stadholder's aid in carrying out a law which was aimed directly at his head; to request his help for those who meant to defeat with the armed hand that National Synod which he had pledged himself to bring about.
The question now arose what sort of men-at-arms it would be well for the city governments to enlist.

The officers of the regular garrisons had received distinct orders from Prince Maurice as their military superior to refuse any summons to act in matters proceeding from the religious question.

The Prince, who had chief authority over all the regular troops, had given notice that he would permit nothing to be done against "those of the Reformed religion," by which he meant the Contra-Remonstrants and them only.
In some cities there were no garrisons, but only train-bands.