This then was the laudable and good work of our high authorities in this land of the States General, as well as of the authorities in particular cities; far different from the disposition of those who instituted the aforementioned oppressions and persecutions; wherefore we sincerely wish and pray that God the Almighty Lord, would therefore be pleased to be their shield and exceeding great reward.
Verily every one shall receive reward according to his works. The martyrs who suffered for the truth of God, for their faithfulness and steadfastness unto the end; the persecutors who afflicted the pious, for their cruelty and tyranny, if they died unconverted and without repentance; the saviors and deliverers (that is the good authorities), who sought to defend the oppressed and persecuted, to help them, and to rescue them from the claws and teeth of rapacious, blood-thirsty, unreasonable men, falsely so called, for the salvation and deliverance which they with regard to this effected for the harmless and innocent.
In the meantime we wish every one the best, even our enemies; for by the means of their cruelty the pious are tried, made martyrs, and brought to that state which makes truly and infinitely happy, namely, to the eternal and blessed life. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 1 Pet. 2:19.
O, thou God and Lord of hosts, who hast appointed governments in all countries, forgive those authorities who have laid their hands on Thy saints, and touched the apple of thine eye; let the blood of those whom they have killed not cry vengeance upon them, lest thy wrath be kindled against them; let it not be laid to their charge in thy great day of judgment, which shall be hereafter.
Let those who do not yet cease to rage against thy sheep, and to scatter thy dearly purchased church, be brought to the right, so that they may be converted before their death, and, from persecutors, become true followers of thy church.
On the other hand, the authorities whom thou hast set in our fatherland, the blessed Netherlands, that are at present free from the constraint of conscience, free from domineering over the most holy faith, and above all, free from the blood of thy servants and saints, be pleased to bless them, out of thy heavenly habitation, with the abundance of thy wisdom and grace, a foretaste of which thou hast permitted them to have already, many years ago.
Let thy church, which is without external armor shield, sword, or arms, rest under their protection, as under a shady vine or fig tree, in honesty and godliness; so that thy people may be multiplied, and many that are still in error, be guided into the true, right, and only way that leads to life.
Guide us so into thy ways, that we may not in any wise be a stumbling-block or offense for them; so that the liberty which they grant us in the practice of our religion, which we owe to thee, may not be taken from us because of an improper walk on our part.
Be pleased to let our children and descendants (if it be best for their salvation), enjoy this pleasant peace which we receive under their protection.
O, Lord God, grant that none of these authorities, or of those that are ruled by them, perish; but that they may all be kept and eternally saved, through Jesus Christ thy beloved Son, to whom be praise, now and forever. Amen.
Remember me, O my God, for good. Neh. 13:31.
Into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Ps. 31:5.