ANTWERP'S Unity. An Accord or Peace in Religion, and Government, concluded by his Highness, and the members of the City, to the common weal and quietness thereof there lately proclaimed the 12. of june Anno. 1579. Printed in French, and Dutch, by the kings Printer, and Englished by the Printer hereof.  
AT LONDON. Printed by Richard day, dwelling at Aldersgate. An. 1579. Cum Privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.   

GOOD Hope there was, & not a little, that through the pacification of Gaunt, and the unity of the Provinces there adjoining, this great and long turmoil, or rather miserable calamity of these Low-countrieses should have been ceased, and so consequently public peace and tranquillity, aswell in Religion as otherwise, should have been established in the same indifferently, especially in Antwerp, for the full restoring thereof to her old flourishing estate in traffic, merchandise, handicrafts, navigation, martial feats and all other good, and virtuous practice or policy, wherein sometime she far exceeded any other of the Provinces whichsoever.  
But sith it falleth out so, that the aforesaid Pacification of Gaunt, (what with the intermeddling of Spaniards and their adherentes, being professed enemies to the country, and what with other occasions therehence proceeding) hath been at the first plunge, and is at this present violated and infringed in divers points: and sith that new suspicions, and heartburnings kindle again a fresh between them of the romish Catholic Religion, and them of the Reform, and so far forth that some towns and places of the Provinces, so pacified, do inflame and burn again, as it is most manifest, with such great rancour, grudging, and dissension as hereafter without great slaughter and bloodshed can not be extinguished: Therefore to prevent all such dissension, discord, divisions, and effusi on of blood, his HIGHNESS and his EXCELLENCY by the advice of the council of the Estates assisting him, hath devised, and made certain Ordinances, contaytayning diverse points, serving to the peace of the Religions, and maintenance of public policy.  
All which points so advised & concluded were by his highness letters dated the 14. of july last passed sent to all united Provinces, craving upon the sight and receipt thereof their assent, and consent therein.  
After the same manner also were the said Articles of this Religious peace sent to the justices of the town of Antwerp, who labouring in the same, as to such a weighty matter appertaineth, have to that end assembled the whole body of the said City then and there opening and communicating unto them the intent of the foresaid letters, as also reading and examining the said Articles devised for the Religious peace. Where, after long and good deliberation had, together with the advise of the Colo nels, Deacons of the Companies and Captains of the town, it was fully resolved and concluded, that the said Accord for the Religions should be presently proclaimed in the town, and well, and straightly executed, and on the justices and Magistrates of the said towns part from them commanded and ordained, that all and every inhabitant thereof should hence forth frame himself to this rule only, and keep the said Accord of Religion in such order and manner as followeth.  
FIrst, sith that Religion neither ought nor can be upheld▪ or beaten into men's hearts, by force or violence, but is a special gift of God, and at his hands to be sought for, and received: and for that it becometh all Christian people of what Religion soever, to live mutually in peace, & quietness, ruling themselves according to the lowable and politic ordinances of their Governors: it is thought good that they of the aforesaid Romish Catholic Religion, and they of the Reform, as also they of the Confession of Ausbourg, shall freely every one remain at their own choice and liberty as they will, and are minded, according to their understanding, to answer before God for the salvation of their own souls, at the latter day.  
Item, because there is such diversity of Religions, none shall be suffered to disturb or hinder, or any way be a let to the other in their Ceremonies, Sermons, Readings, or other Exercises whatsoever: or otherwise attempt any other thing the one against the other, whither it be within or without the accustomed or assigned places of their Religion, in any kind of manner, but suffer one another to use their Religion freely in peace and quietness: And likewise to let them possess, hold, and enjoy all their goods so long, and till such time as by the advice of the General Estates, or at lest by a provincial or national Assembly (eachone being freely heard) it be otherwise determined and concluded: upon pain of punishment of body and goods, without delay, as disturbers of the common peace, and tranquillity.  
And in the mean while to set good politic order, after some meet and reasonable manner, for the security, and quietness of each part, it is ordained that each of the aforesaid Religions shall hold them content with the Churches which they presently possess: except the the Churches of two of them, to weet, of the Reform Religion, and of the Aus bourgs Confession being to little for their use, that then by the Magistrates of this City there shallbe assigned, and appointed unto them any other church or place for their commodity, there openly and freely to exercise their religion. And as touching Burials, the professors, or maintainers of each Religion shall use thereto the Churches and Churchyards where they do exercise their Religion, each one following their own Ceremonies: except that for want of room, distance, or other necessity, any one of the aforesaid Religions require to use each others Churchyarded, which then they shall be suffered to do, provided that no Sermon be there made or any singing, or other ceremony there used.  
And for to avoid such inconuenices as are most commonly occurrent through the wilful wantonness of seditious and quarrelling mates, which hunt after nothing but the overthrow of all good ordinances: It is ordained that eachone shall for bear and refrain themselves to come or to be found in place, whereas other Religion is exercised than that they profess themselves, except that they so guide, and rule themselves, according to the use and exercise of that church or Temple, wherein they shall so happen to be found, upon pain as is aforesaid.  
Likewise to avoid all jarring, rancour, and debate, and to repress the inordinate liberty of some, spurning against divers commandments, and orders oftentimes taken, and published by us, we enjoin, and pro hibite any song to be made, printed, sold, or to bring to light any difdaynefull or injurious song, ballad, rhymes, invectives, writings, Pictures, or paintings whereby one or other of the religions, or any of them in particular, or general should be disgraced, or defamed thereby, on the pain or punishment aforesaid.  
Moreover they of the aforesaid Religions shallbe bound to present their Preachers and Ministers personally before the Governors, and justices of this City, that their several names being registered, they may with great deliberation by the foresaid Governors, and justices be admitted, and received, and before them take an oath of their loyalty and obedience in these politic cases, without doing any further act of jurisdiction, or meddling with the authority of the Magistrate directly or indirectly, in what manner soever the same might be.  
The said Preachers, and Ministers so presented, and admitted, and sworn; shall also be bound, as also all other persons, not to speak or preach or otherwise to use speeches, or words, either publicly, or secretly, tending to discord, tumult, and sedition, but to teach, and exhort the commons to peace, love, and quietness.  
Item none shallbe suffered to carry any mark or token, through which occasion might be given to another of offence, discord, and contention.  
Item, the maintainers of each of the aforesaid Religions (till that otherwise it be provided by them, or the united Provinces) may contract marriages each according to the use of his Religion, and the Children so borne, and begot shall lawfully succeed, yea & enjoy the goods fallen unto them by the death of any Person of a contrary Religion.  
And to keep indifferency over all, so it is, that because of the foresaid Religions, there shallbe had good regard, and discretion in the receiving of any Scholars, sick Parsons, or Poor men, into Schools, Hospitals, or Alms houses. Also all the the Alms, and devotions of good people shallbe gathered collected, and distributed according to the order already therein taken, and as it is used at this present.  
Item, that eachone shallbe bound to keep the accustomed Holy days, hereafter specified, namely, the Sunday, Christmas-day, Thapostelsdayes, The Annunciation of our Lady ascension day, and Candelmas, and not be suffered upon the same days to open their shops, or to work, or cell openly.  
Item, upon such days as of ancient time served for the fast, no man shall cell or eat flesh: and all flesh markets, or shambles shallbe shut up, and each one shall behave himself modestly, according to the ordinance or use of the town.  
Item, in election of any Officer, or Magistrate, and other politic calling there shallbe no special regard of any man's religion, but such a one to be nominated, and choose, as shallbe thought and found meetest for the same, and likeliest to execute such an office, with this condition, that such a one so nominated, & chosen shallbe bound to fulfil the oath, which of old time appertained to his office: and shall moreover faithfully and solemnly swear this Accord of Religion, without using, or joining any other Ceremonies. And if so be that in taking of any the said oaths, whether it be of Magistrates, or any other public service, any clause be comprised therein repugnant to the observation, or conservation of any the said Religions, that then the same clause in taking & giving the oath shallbe omitted.  
Furthermore each one shallbe bound to bear dutiful obedience, and reverence to the heads, & Magistrates of this City, and to assist the same in all places to apprehended, and punish all manner of mutinies and seditions, especially of the transgressors of these ordinances now enacted.  
And if so be it happen (which god defend) that any man do contrary to these ordinances, or do oppose himself against the same, in all or in part, or do disturb, offend, or abuse any manner of person by any injurious mean, it is ordained as aforesaid, that immediately they shall proceed to the apprehending of the offendor, according to the ancient custom. And because that the examination, and information shall be done without suspicion, or misdoubt, it shall be lawful for them of the Religions a bovesaid jointly to choose and assign two worthy discreet men, lovers of the common peace and tranquillity, that in their presence the aforesaid information may be taken by the governor, & such as by the law are appointed to that purpose, to the intent that what is done may proceed and be ordained as it aught to be.  
Under was written:  
This ordinance being read in the Counsel Chamber of the justices of Antwerp, was by them ordained to be proclaimed, and published, dated the 12. of june. Anno. 1579.  
Me present, Martiny.   

¶ Articles concluded by his Excellency and the town of Antwerp for the quietness, and peace thereof: the 12. of june. 1579.  
BEcause that the 28. of May last past certain ill motions, and with no small inconvenience did begin to rage, whereby more heaviness, and greater mischief might have risen too the great hindrance or hurt of the City, and the whole Countries, and to the advantage and encouraging of the common enemy: So it is, that after divers communications had for to make and maintain peace and unity among the burgesses, and inhabitants of the said City, and to remedy the aforesaid mischiefs, as much as is possible at this present, his Highness with the advice of his Excellency, and the Counsel of the Estates, but not without the conference, and agreement of the Bourgmasters, Sheriffs, Deputies, and Deacons of their mysteries, and the adherentes, or confederates of the said Sheriffs, Colonels, Deacons, and Captains of the said town, not only in form and manner of a general counsel called (Bréeden-Raedt, or bread Counsel) but also with the particular members of every College, hath concluded and ratified these Articles following.  

1 
First his Highness doth forget and forgive all that which is or hath been done before the date of these presents, without searching, or apprehending any one for the same matter: and every one shall likewise forget, and employ himself to unity, love, and concord, living together without reproach or choking each the other, without all malice, and suspicion. For by this means the common wealth, & good estate of this town may be the better furthered, and our common enemy jointly resisted.  2. 
Item, this Union shallbe published in such order and form as it was at Vtrecht, reserving the moderation of the Points different between the Counsel of his Excellency, the Estates, and the said Union, for to be decided by the general Estates of the Provinces associated and united, and the rest which are to be associated and united, and the other Towns, in their first assembly.  3 
Item, a religious peace, irrevocable shallbe proclaimed, as by the members of this City was found expedient and approved: reserving the moderation and restraint of such things, as the articles of this ordinance doth contain.  4 
Item, the Romish catholics shall return again to their possessions, & the use of their churches of our Lady of S. james, and of Borcht, where they shall freely do their exercise, observing the articles of this Accord, or Religious peace: and in this consederation shall the secular Priests, and those that have benefices come into the town again: those only excepted, which are specified in a certain bill signed these presents, and exhibited, the which for certain reasonable causes, especially for the more quietness of the town shall as yet remain without.  5 
Provided that the spiritual persons shall not have any jurisdiction over the temporal: nor also shall meddle with civil or politic affairs: but as touching the same they shallbe subject to the Magistrate: & further shall pay toll, impostes, tenths, and the hundred penny, and bear other Citizen's charges, losing their privileges, immunites, and liberties of their Cells, and Cloisters, and other such places.  6 
And to avoid all uproars and sedition, none shall henceforth be received to the office of preaching, of what religion soever they be, before they be first presented to the magistrate, & the nine men, who shall be chosen for the execution of this ordinance, and before them also take their oath.  7 
Item, to shun all inconveniences and offences, they of the said Romish Religion shall do their exercises only in their churches, neither shall they be suffered to keep processions openly.  8 
Item, they shall carry their Sacra meant without pomp, or other sound and covertly.  9 
As touching the order of Mendians (that is to say, the Carmelites, Augustine's, & jacubines, & the Minories) they shall as yet stay without the City, with the others called Bogardes. They of S. Michael, and Peterpots shall re-enter, and they that will may tarry out with reasonable maintenance: none shall receive in any other without information first given to him who hath the charge of this ordinance.  10 
Item, Cloister woomen shall tarry in their old possessions, and enjoy their cloisters, goods, and Religion.  11 
Item, all Ecclesiastical persons shall renounce all aliens with whom they have had secret dealings or conferences, whether it be among themselves, or with other of other provinces or strangers, under what colour, or pretence so ever it be: and shall promise' never to contract with any such again, nor to contrary, or resist this ordinance.  12 
And to the assurance of every one (above the oath which is to be taken of each party) the Magistrates, and other members of the Town, likewise the Colonels, Deacons, Headmen, Captains, or Officers shall swear before his Highness, and Excellency to maintain the decrees aforesaid, and to take to their protection and safeguard, against all oppression, and outrage, the whole body of the City, and all the inhabitants thereof, as well the Catholics, Reform, and they of the Confession of Augsburg. And for the more firm assurance, likewise to take away all mistrust, and to keep friendship, there shall out of each of the aforesaid three Religions twenty of the worthiest men be nominated, and sworn to take serious care, and diligence to observe, and cause to be observed (as much as in them lieth) these Ordinances, and General rest for the City.  13 
And for better accomplishing of that which is said, they of the Reform religion shall choose three men out of the Catholics, and the Catholics shall choose three out of the Reform who afterward shall together choose like wise three of the Confess sion: which nine persons shall have charge of the execution and maintenance of these ordinances. And if in case disagreement rise among them they shall, if they can, pacify the same, if not, then to certify the Magistrates, Colonels, and Deacons of the Companies of the Town, for them to determine of the same, as the case requireth, whom his Highness by these presents thereto authorizeth.   
yeven the 11. of june 1579. Signed. 

MATHIAS.  
Guillaume de Nassau.    
¶ Proclaimed by Cornelius de Mansdale under Bailiff of Antwerp the 12. of june. 1579.   
WHereas by the second Article of this ordinance, it is ordered by his Highness and Excellency to publish this Union, or peace in the same form as it was done at Utrecht, reserving the moderation of the points being different, between the concept of the Estates present, and the aforesaid Union, to be decided by the Estates general of the united Provinces, and by the rest of the Provinces and Towns which are to be united, in their first assembly: So it is that we give to understand to every one, that the Burgmaisters and Sheriffs according to the resolution of the Members of this City do conform themselves to the said union had, made, and concluded at Utrecht, on the 23. of january last passed.   

AT LONDON.  
Printed by Richard day dwelling at Aldersgate. 1579.  
Cum Privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.