While William of Orange tried to separate religious interests from political interests, militant Protestants had other ideas making William fear that militant Protestants would interfere with the nation's political interests. He foresaw a united Netherlands where Protestants, Catholics, and everyone in between could work together for national emancipation from Spain. He wanted to keep church and state separate.  Thanks in large part to the mutinies of unpaid Spanish soldiers militant Protestants were able to take over the large Dutch towns and cities, most notably Antwerp.