Egmont having expressed his willingness to go, instructions were drawn up for him by Viglius.

When these were read at a meeting of the council convened for the purpose, Orange in a long and eloquent speech boldly expressed his dissent from much that Viglius had written, and wished that Philip should be plainly told that it was impossible to enforce the decrees and that the severity of religious persecution must be moderated.

The council determined to revise the instructions on the lines suggested by Orange, whose words had such an effect upon the aged Viglius, that he had that very night a stroke of apoplexy, which proved fatal.
Egmont set out for Spain, January 15, 1565, and on his arrival was received by Philip with extreme courtesy and graciousness.

He was entertained splendidly; presents were made to him, which, being considerably in debt, he gladly accepted; but as regards his mission he was put off with evasions and blandishments, and he returned home with a reply from the king containing some vague promises of reform in financial and other matters, but an absolute refusal to modify the decrees against heresy.

Rather would he sacrifice a hundred thousand lives, if he had them, than concede liberty of worship in any form.