PRINCE OF ORANGE; OR, THE KING AND HIS HOSTAGE BY REV. T. M. MERRIMAN, A. M. BOSTON: No. 9 CORNHILL. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. PREFACE. IN order fully to appreciate the "times that have stirred men's souls," and live over the scenes whose influence has grown up through the centuries, very much is gained by knowing the exact position of any great character in the course of the world's events. By this means we gain a clearer idea of the relation of his labors to what was before him, and the influence of his particular acts upon the world after him. Judging of the Prince of Orange by this rule, his important career has never been fully appreciated. The names of Martin Luther, the Pilgrim Fathers, and Roger Williams, have become historic, in connection with their great struggles for Religious Liberty; while that of William of Orange, fully their compeer, has been overlooked in this connection. It will be the object of the following pages, to call attention to the glorious career of this eminently deserving statesman, hero, and martyr, for liberty of conscience, and so make a humble beginning in restoring to the ranks of the benefactors of mankind, the immortal services and name of William of Orange. It will be sufficient in this place, to state that his exact position in the Reformation of the sixteenth century, was next to Martin Luther in importance. Luther made a bold exposure of the corruptions of the Church of Rome, in faith and manners; revived the doctrine of Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ, and declared that "thoughts on religion should go toll free." William of Orange took up the work where Luther left it, and spent his active life in combatting the Spanish Inquisition; he was the David who slew that most terrible Hydra-Monster, which ever afflicted and cursed mankind. Under the wounds of William, it began to reel and stagger to its fall. No sooner had the "Dragon of the Apocalypse received his deadly wound," than the Pilgrim Fathers began to venture forth into the light, and to assert the maxim of Luther, "the thoughts of conscience are toll free." But this venture they would hardly been safe in making, had not Orange already destroyed the "toll-gate" of the Inquisition; and even then, they felt more out of harm's way, to remove to Plymouth, New England, where they planted a colony, based upon the hope of Freedom to worship God. |