Twee brieven [...] aan Everhardus vander Hooght

of the Synod, appeared after being summoned. It was after their previously given judgment, that they went back from my second Declaration to the 13 Articles; and now presented the same in the name of the Classis, just as previously from the Consistory, to me: in order to have my answer upon it, which I had already offered ready on the 30th of the Harvest month August, when they took over that declaration in its place. Following that unexpected demand, I immediately handed over what I had, written at that time for the Consistory; otherwise than I would have drafted it, or also further revised it, in case I had been prepared to have it serve for the Classis. This answer was entirely my own work, consisting of two sheets of paper: which I however do not hold for a Declaration or Act of satisfaction; as I therein gave reason, why I could not sign those Articles with my conscience. The Classis then, also not satisfied in that answer, took time until the 5th of November, and appointed four deputies, who should seek to convince me, and thus with reason bring me to the signing of those articles; to which I declared myself ready in case of conviction. And the Classis wished to practice no coercion of conscience forcing someone to act against their beliefs, to push me to recant without that necessary preparation. But the deputies, along with me, finding the time of 5 weeks too short for that, however much they, as well as I, did their best to come to an end; they could bring in no conclusive report on the appointed day. And nonetheless the time set by the Synod having then expired, I came, to also obtain the end for myself once, to a third Act of satisfaction, which you, Brother, have possibly never yet seen. In the same was hardly a word placed by myself. But having come to the Deputies from elsewhere, revised by the same, and here and there still somewhat aggravated: and then presented to me, to be written out by myself, signed, and in my name as my own, to be brought into the meeting by them. There could then be no deceit nor double-mindedness ambiguity or duplicity from my hand in it, which was not placed by myself, nor known to this one, by whom it might be placed. But the only thing that I could do for that and also truly did, was, in the fear of God with my own