The tone of the royal despatch was very affectionate, the substance such as entirely to justify the whole policy of Orange.

It was obvious that the penetrating and steadfast statesman had been correct in refusing to be moved to the right or the left by the specious language of Philip's former letters, or by the apparent frankness of Don John.

No doubt the Governor had been sincere in his desire for peace, but the Prince knew very well his incapacity to confer that blessing.

The Prince knew--what no man else appeared fully to comprehend at that epoch--that the mortal combat between the Inquisition and the Reformation was already fully engaged.
The great battle between divine reason and right divine, on which the interests of unborn generations were hanging, was to be fought out, before the eyes of all Christendom, on the plain of the Netherlands.
Orange was willing to lay down his arms if he could receive security for the Reformed worship.

He had no desire to exterminate the ancient religion, but he meant also to protect the new against extermination.
Such security, he felt, would never be granted, and he had therefore resolutely refused to hearken to Don John, for he was sure that peace with him was impossible.