Twee brieven [...] aan Everhardus vander Hooght

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happened: Therefore I do not think it was necessary to repeat such a thing.

It is good, however, that those who showed the greatest affection for my person, for the preservation of the same; wishing still to know me as their Collega Colleague longer; according to Your Honor's own account, had a godly purpose, and that this was for the peace of the Church. Thus they understood, quite differently from the Letter-writers and Petition-signers, that my preservation in the service of the Church would serve for the peace of the Church. And how gladly would such men then see that they would rather be cut off who trouble us! original: "afgesneden wierden die ons onrustig maken," referencing Galatians 5:12.

But it grieved them, you say, that those well-disposed Brothers, as much for the peace of the Church as for my person, saw me being obstinate original: "opiniatreeren" in my error. I do not know whom among them I should trust most to speak of me so: since those who could best judge, namely the Gecommitteerden Commissioners/Delegates who have dealt with me so long and so much, consistently gave quite a different testimony; especially when they said (as stands in the Act of the Classis of November 5) that I, as long ago as that, had become mellow original: "murver," implying he was softening his stance or becoming ready to yield (as they understood it).

That the Consistory at that time decided to lay the aforementioned letters, along with the Petition of the Members, on the table of the Honorable Classis on April 8; and that one would, in the name of the Consistory, request a continuation of my suspension until the upcoming Synod: all such things I hold to be true, as it is clearly recorded in the same way in the classical book. But that this was done for reasons that the offense both within and without had not yet been taken away, that I do not understand: for in that way, all offenses shall last forever. May every Member, may ministers from outside the district or abroad, or Consistories, rise up from all sides against what has been once and for all judged by their own Overseers, or elsewhere where they have nothing to say, regarding someone who is legally on trial before them: where and when shall an end ever come? The Consistory of Amsterdam or others shall write circular letters against those of Rotterdam, concerning staying in the service of Ministers