63 - A short instruction by one who has at heart the prosperity of these Netherlands, in which it is clearly shown that it is lawful to resist a king or lord of the country, 1586

Summary

This pamphlet gives a brief summary of the ideas of Junius Brutus' Vindiciae contra tyrannos of 1579. The author Francis Coornhert (born 1519) is Derick Volckertsz' brother. He was at the time town-clerk of Amsterdam to whose burgomasters he dedicated the pamphlet on 28 March 1586. It was published with the permission of the earl of Leicester, who had assumed the government of the Netherlands.

[Having studied the limitations of the king's power in matters concerning religion] we must now consider the question whether there are also secular rights and reasons which make it permissible to oppose and resist a king, prince or lord of the country if, contrary to the oath he has sworn to the provinces and subjects, he wants to rob them of all their possessions and deprive them of their rights and privileges and reduce them to everlasting servitude, slavery and bondage. The vital point here is that before taking possession of his power a king, prince or lord swears to allow the provinces and their inhabitants to preserve their privileges and rights. And after a king, prince or lord has taken possession of his power, he does not govern these provinces or subjects absolutely or alone; he has co-rulers and coregents, who have also taken the oath, and govern with him. These are, for instance, the States of the provinces, the provincial courts and councils, the magistrates, judges etc.