Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (First volume)

AN APOLOGIE, 1598
55 .
wch when his Matie and Councell saw and considered if he shold
further his purpose, of necessitie there would interuene, and
ensue a most dangerous commotion and Cruell warre in his
countrie. Moreouer seeing the Queene of England readie to
assist the aduersarie, and their present forces farre superior to
the Catholiques: it was thought more expedient by those of
the Councell that fauoured the good cause, the peace of the
countrie, and saftie of their Princes persone, that he shold stay
his conuention at S1 Johnstone, and in policie dissemble his
secret intention, till it pleased God to graunt a better oppor-
tunitie. And these are the true causes mouing and staying
this conuention ; as to the accident that ensued as the parlia¬
ment, the banishment of the Earles, the confiscation of their
goods, they belong nothing at all vnto this matter, as M. C.
most malicious wold signifie, but came to passe for the causes
aboue mentioned.
Here may all men behold that the K. of Scotland is no
persecute1, but a most indifferent and louing Prince to all
his subjects, desirous to be resolued of the truth and to
knowe the true religion, that he might reforme his countrie
and frame his gouernment according to the same. But
such is the malice of his enemies that they continually crosse
all his good intentions, and do misconstrue all his actions
vnto ther owne aduantage, and most iniuriously goe about to
depriue him of the fauor of his forreyne frends and robbe him
of the loue and dewe obedience of his owne subiectes, both at
home and abroad, indeavring by most deuelish inuentions to
make him hatfull both to god and man. And to make him
hatfull to man, M. C. proceadeth, saying that a certeyne Irish
nobleman named O’Rorck, being oppressed in Ireland, not long O’Rourke,
agoe, sought ayde of the K. of Scotland, and vpon his worde
and assurance came into his Courte, whom notwlistanding he
sould to the Queene of England for a some of money. This is
a most pernicious calumnie, and an odious action of meere
malice attributed to the K. of Scotland, as his proper deede,
who did not so much as hear of this noble man his oppression,
not knowing of his coming into Scotland, of his taking, of his
deliuerance into England, or anie imminent danger vnto him,
till he was past all recouerie amongst the English mens hands.