Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/108

 In a moment this remarkable Protestant preacher and the greatest prince of his times were face to face. It was their first meeting. William, always courteous, always hospitable and generous, stretched out his hand and said graciously: “I bid you welcome. Seigneur Junius. But are you not courting death to venture into Brussels, the paradise of the Catholics?”

"It is a paradise guarded by many flaming swords," was the quick reply. “As to my safety, noble Prince, I give little heed to that. Martyrdom will sooner or later be my portion. I only ask that my life may prove to have been a stone in the great temple of freedom which, if God will, shall be built in the Netherlands.”

“You have just returned from Germany, I believe,” said William. “What success did you have with those in authority?”

“None at all!” returned Junius gloomily. “The Lutheran princes are narrow and bigoted. They will not help the Calvinists or any one who differs in the least from them. They fight not against anti-Christ, but against the brother who praises God in a different form of words. This faith is like a stagnant pool, which gives life to none.”

“Why is it, Seigneur, that in times like these, when the Protestants ought to hold together, they are divided into sects? Those of the same faith ought to be united.”