Genealogie of the Hayes of Tweeddale

GENEALOGIE OF THE HAYES. 91
or not proveine, guiltie or not guiltie, and for mercie, no quaestione bot
our Majestie and dread Soveraigne knowes well how and when to give
it : if ye shall against so clear a sentance of the Justice, and so evident
probatione as is produced, conclud other wyse, I protest heare against
you of ane assyse of error.
Then Balmerino had a most pithie and materiall speach unto the
Lords and Barrones upon his assyse, wherin he first handled shortlie
and compendiuslie the mater of his innocent accession to that project
now declared seditious, efter he had proved by thre pregnant rea-
sones, that he wes not Author. (1.) Haig, his confessione by his
lettres, himselfe to be the Author therof. (2.) Rothes, his disposi-
tione. (3.) His oune dispositione, with the sole motives inducing, being
the honor of his prince, the guid of the church, and the welth and peace
of the cuntrie, as also it being intended to be ane humble petitioune or
suplicatione to be presented to his Majestie, in most humble and submis-
sive maner: protesting his simplicitie in the presence of his supreme judge,
if he had imagened or understoode it ought ether prejuditiall or dislegall
to his Majestie, it should never have rested with him on houre. Nixt, he
was not divulger, because in all the dispositiones it was cleare, and pro-
mises war taken for not divulging. (3.) Not revealler, since first reveal-
ler to Rothus, Sheriffe, and be him presented to the King, and though
concealled, yea, not revealled ; how could he be (not revealling) formallie
guiltie in law, since he knew it not, nor understood it to be seditious, as
is now declaired, neither knew he then what was in it disloyall, being
intended to be presented to the King in name of a supplicatione, with
confidence to be heard. 4. For not apprehending, he answered thus : —
Haig wes then the King's frie leige, neither knew he who wes the author
then, as the saids dispositiones bears : Further, I doe appeall to your
Lordships' 1 owne consciences, if, in my character and generall calling, I
have not so walked, as not to dishonor that confession, I allow : If in my
particular calling as a nobleman, in that station God hes placed me, I
have not endevored, to my weak power to advance, at least, to wishe the