The copie of an epistle sent by Iohn Knox one of the ministers of the Englishe Church at Geneua vnto the inhabitants of Newcastle, & Barwike. In the end wherof is added a briefe exhortation to England for the spedie imbrasing of Christes gospel hertofore suppressed & banished.

The copie of an epistle sent by Iohn Knox one of the ministers of the Englishe Church at Geneua vnto the inhabitants of Newcastle, & Barwike. In the end wherof is added a briefe exhortation to England for the spedie imbrasing of Christes gospel hertofore suppressed & banished.

Table of contents

Title page

§

[1]

••hn Knox to the inhabitantes of N•wcas•le ād Barwike and vnto ••her who ſometyme in the Realme •nglande prof•ſſed Chriſt Ieſus, ād 〈◊〉 be returned to the bondage of 〈◊〉, wiſheth true, and earneſtre •ancely the powre and operation •at ſame ſpirite, who called from •he Ieſus the onely paſtour of our 〈◊〉.

[2]

Title page

TO THE REALME OF ENGLAND and to all •state within the ſame Iohn Knox 〈◊〉 true repētance to be 〈…〉 God the father of our Lord I 〈◊〉 Chriſt with the Spirit of wiſdom, d••r•tion and true vnderstanding.

A PRAYER.

[3]

THE NAMES OF SOME PART OF THOSE most faithful ſeruantes and deare childrē of God, which lately in thee and by thee (o England) haue bene most cruelly murthered by fyer & impriſonment for the testimonie of Chriſt Ieſus and his eternal veritie, whoſe blood from vnder the aulter crieth lowde to be auenged on them, that dwel vpō the earth, as before is mencioned, beſides a great nombre of Gods children who vnder the pretence of treaſon ſuffred for Christ Religion.

THE YERE M.D.LIIII.

Yeare 1555.

Yeare 1556.

Yeare. 1557.

TO THE READER.

§

[Page]

[Page]

THE COPIE OF AN EPISTLE SENT BY IOHN KNOX ONE OF the Miniſters of the Engliſhe Church at Geneua vnto the inhabitants of Newcaſtle, & Barwike.

In [...]e end wherof is added a briefe exhortation to England for the ſpedie imbraſing of Chriſtes Goſpel hertofore ſuppreſſed & baniſhed.

MATTH. CHAP. VII.

[...]uerie tree, which bringethe not fourthe good frute, is hewne downe, and caſt into the fyer.

AT GENEVA. M.D.LIX.

§

[Page]

MATH. x.

Ʋ Ʋho ſo euer ſhal confeſſe me before men, him wil I confeſſe alſo before my father whiche is in heauen: but who ſoeuer ſhal denie me before men, him wil I alſo denye before my father whiche is in heauen.

§

[...]hn Knox to the inhabitantes of N [...]wcas [...]le ād Barwike and vnto [...]her who ſometyme in the Realme [...]nglande prof [...]ſſed Chriſt Ieſus, ād [...] be returned to the bondage of [...], wiſheth true, and earneſtre [...]ancely the powre and operation [...]at ſame ſpirite, who called from [...]he Ieſus the onely paſtour of our [...].

[Page]

IF the reaſon of man ſhalbe called to iudg what frute enſuethe the payneful trauail of Gods moſt faith [...]ll ſeruantes, who at his com [...]andement ſtudie to repayre his [...]itie, and to purge his temple, [...]t onely ſhal their labours be [...]ſtemed for a tyme to be vainly [...]pent,The reaſon of man is not able to iudge of the wonderful workes of God towardes his Church. but ſkarſely ſhal the wiſdome of God throughe mans [...]aſhe iudgement eſcape condemnation, nether ſhal the veritie of [Page] his promeſſes be free frome ſuſpition of falſehod and vanitie. For to mans reaſon nothing appeareth more abſurde, foliſhe nor vnreaſonable, then yt God (whoſe powre no creature is able to reſiſt) ſhal ſend fourth his meſſingers to performe his worke and wil,The preaching of the worde ſemeth foliſhnes to the worlde. and that the ſame ſhalbe ſo impugned, that their building in their owne eyes ſhalbe ouerthrowne, and deſtroyed, and that the natural man can not ſe how the promeſſes of Chriſt Ieſus, made to his Apoſtles, and vnder their names to all true preachers of his holy Goſpel, in theſe wordes can be prouen conſtant, and true. I haue (ſaith he) appointed you to go and to bring fourthe frute,Iohn. 15. & that your frute ſhal abyde. The ſtabilitie and truth (I ſay) of this promeſſe dothe not ſodenly appeare, but rather the playne contrary. For if the frute of the Goſpel [Page] and glad tydinges preached be firſt in this lyfe the glorye of God (I meane ſuch good workes as may declare the ſpirite of regeneration) ſhining in man after that he be planted in Chriſt Ieſus, and after this battel the ioy prepared for Gods children: if theſe (I ſay) be the frutes of Chriſt Ieſus preached, then appeare the moſt parte of trees to be deſtroyed before the tyme of frute dothe approche. For ſome by tyrannie and violence are rooted out frome the ſocietie of earthely creatures before they beginne to floriſh, & ſo is their frute to mās iudgement impeaded and hindered, ſome are blaſted and wythered withe ſtormy windes and ſome are corrupted ether by vermine, or by venemous humors proceding frome a corrupt fountayne, ſo that the frute of none almoſt dothe appere to our eyes. [Page] To ſpeake the matter ſimply and without figure, the men that appeared to the faithfull laborers to haue bene planted in Chriſt, who callethe him ſelf the verie vyne, and thoſe, that profeſſe his truthe, the vine branches, are ſubiect to ſo many tentacions, that ſkarſely emongſt a thowſand dothe one take roote and bring forthe frute with paciēce. Notwithſtanding ſuche, as by ty [...]annye & violent perſecution are ſuddaynly reſt from this lyfe, do neuertheles produce and bring forthe frute delectable, and pleaſing in the ſight of him, who hathe appointed an ende to the trauayl & miſeries of his deare children,The deathe of the martyrs [...] [...]reaſeth the age and mal [...]ce of the reprobat aga [...]ſt Chriſt Ieſus▪ and for tyme tro [...]bleth the hartes of the cle [...]. albeyt this frute to the natural mā is ſo ſow [...]e and vnſauery, ſo hard and vnpleaſant, that the onely ſight of it, not onely gyuethe occaſion to the reprobat to vtter their venome and malice againſt Chriſt Ieſus: but alſo for a ſeaſon [Page] it vexeth and tormenteth Gods moſt deare children. For as the one doeth inſolently reioyce as thoghe God dyd fauor & maī tein their tyrānye, ſo dothe the other vndiſcretely lament ād pronounce wrong iudgement, eſteminge, that more it ſhulde ſtande with Gods glorie and honour, and more alſo with the profet of his Churche, yt ſuche, as to whome he hathe of mercie graunted notable graces, ſhulde rather be preſerued in lyfe, then permitted and giuen ouer to the wicked appetites of cruel perſecutors Howbeit as ye frute of theſe trees is beſt knowne to God alone, ſo is it iuſtified and approued by him whatſoeuer the foliſhe wiſdome of the natural man ſhal iudge in the contrary.Eſai. 57. For the prophet Eſai pronounceth that the iuſt periſheth (ſo dothe it appere to mās iudgement) and yet that no [Page] man putteth it in harte, that is dothe earneſtly conſider it, that the men of mercie are taken awaye and the worlde neuertheles dothe reioyce and tryumphe. But the holy ghoſt aſſigneth an other cawſe,The frute and benifite of deathe vnto the iuſt. that the iuſt is taken away before that his eyes behold greater miſeries, that he entreth into his peace before that Gods vengeance beginne to be powred forthe vpon the prowde and diſobedient,Eſai. 57. and ſo doth their frute abyde and continew, not onely to their perpetual ioye, but alſo to the comforte and conſolation of the afflicted yt ſuffer for rightuouſnes ſake euen to thēde. For ye ſame God yt of mercie had reſpect to their infirmitie, and ſo dyd preuent the daungers that might haue apprehended them, prouiding alſo for his Churche aboue the expectation of mortal man, wil not diſpiſe the ſobbes of his [Page] [...]fflicted now in theſe moſt wret [...]hed, and moſt wicked dayes. But of theſe trees and of their frute I ceaſe at this tyme farther [...]o ſpeake, becauſe that the dolo [...]ous. eſtate of many that be alyue [...]awſethe me ſome tymes to giue thankes vnto God for the happie deliuerance of ſuche as conſtantly departed in the Lorde, whether it was by perſecution of tyrantes, or by natural deathe.

Conſider with me deare brethern (I ſpeake to you of New-caſtle and Barwicke) your miſerable eſtate and moſt dolorous condition. Your profeſſion dyd once declare before men,The outwarde profeſsion of Newcaſtle ād Barwike in the tyme of the Goſpel. that ye were branches planted and ingrafted in Chriſt Ieſus, whoſe holy goſpel (whiche is the powre of God to the ſaluation of all yt beleue it) ye appeared to haue receaued with all reuerence and gladnes.Rom. 1. The diſpleaſure of your [Page] natural and carnal frendes, who then were ennemies to Chriſt Ieſus ād to his eternal veritie, ſome of you dyd paciently beare. Ye feared not to go before ſtatutes and lawes, yea openly and ſolemnedly you dyd profeſſe by receiuing the ſacramentes not as mā had appointed, but as Chriſt Ieſus the wiſdome of God the father had inſtitute to be ſubiect in al thinges concerning religiō to his yoke alone, to acknowledg and auouche him before ye world to be your onely lawe gyuer, ſoueraigne prince and onely ſauiour. Thus I ſay ye appeared at that tyme, to haue bene the delicate plantes of the Eternal, the workemanſhip of his owne handes, and the trees that in ſeaſon and tyme ſhulde haue produced good frute in abundance. But o alaſſe howe are ye changed? how are ye corrupted: whi [...]ervnto [Page] are ye fallen? and how [...]aue ye deceiued the expectation [...]f thoſe that then dyd labour in [...]lā [...]inge and watering you, and [...]ow do ſobbe vnto God for your [...]gratitude, callinge withe teares [...]nto his mercie for your cōuerſiō [...]nd that vnfayned repentance [...]ay ſodēly appeare in you. O miſerable change, that ye who were once feruēt profeſſors of Chriſt Ieſus ād of his goſpel, ſhulde now [...]e ſubiectes to Antichriſt, geuīge obediēce to his falſe, and deceuable doctrine. O greuous fall and more thē greuous, yt from ye dignitie of the ſōnes of God (which prerogatiue ye had by grace and not by nature) ye are become ſlaues to Satan, iuſtifiing by your preſence moſt abominable Idolatrye. Yf ye ſe not the daunger whiche hereupon dependeth, ye are more then blynd, and if ye ſe it, ād ſtudye not wt al diligēce to auoyd it, ye are not onely foliſhe, [Page] but altogether bewitched and enraged. God dyd not call you frome darkenes to light, he dyd not ſend his ſonne Chriſt Ieſus vnto you, contemning and refuſinge many thowſandes, more noble, more wiſe, more ancient, and more puiſſant then ye are or euer were: God (I ſay) dyd not ſo familiarely cōmunicate hym ſelf with you in his onely beloued ſōne Chriſt Ieſus, to the end that ye at your pleaſure and appetite or for the feare of wordly men, for loſing of goods, or corporal lyfe ſhuld returne to darkenes, that ye ſhulde refuſe to ſerue that ſoueraing prince in the day of his battayle,Philip. 2. before whome all knees ſhal bowe. But contrarywiſe that according as ye were called to ye participation of light, that ſo cō ſtantly ye ſhuld walke in ye ſame that as ye were appointed ſouldyers to fight againſt Sathan the [Page] [...]rince of this worlde, and againſt [...]is progenye, ennemies to Chriſt Ieſus, ſo ſhulde ye boldly abyde [...]n the rancke, in whiche God had placed you, being farther moſte [...]ertenly perſuaded, yt he that [...]lieth the battail and denieth Chriſt Ieſus before men, ſhalbe denyed before his heuenly father,Matt. 10. yea alſo yt ſuche as refuſe not father, mother, ſiſter and brother, are not worthy of hym: and moreouer yt ſuche as do not boldly confeſſe him before this wicked generation, ſhal neuer be confeſſed to appertayne to him, nor to the glorie of his kingdome, when he ſhalbe accōpaned wt his angels. Which thinges I thoght once had bene ſo depely grafted in your hartes, that albeit angels frome heauen ſhulde haue perſuaded you to the contrary, yt ye ſhuld haue holden them accu [...]ſed, and ſo in that behalfe haue reiected their perſuaſion [Page] & doctrine, as a poiſon moſt peſtilent, which is death & damnation to all that receiue it. For ſo dyd ye once profeſſe and ſuche was my hope of you, yt ſo in hart you had determined: for Chriſt Ieſus was not preached amongſt you without his croſſe.The Goſpel of Chriſt hath euer the croſſe folloing.

Howe oft hath it bene bett in your eares that the ſeruāt can not be aboue the Lord:Matth. 10. Iohn 13. Act. 14. that the membres muſt be conformed to the head, that by many tribulations we muſt enter into the kīgdome of God: that all yt will lyue godly in Chriſt Ieſus muſt ſuffer perſecution,2. Timo. 3. and that pa [...]tly becauſe Sathan the prince of this worlde can neuer be ſo brydeled during this battayle, but that he will ſtriue to recouer ſtrength, and partly becauſe that ſynne remayneth in vs he is permitted to ſting with his venomous tayle, whē his head is bruſed. Was not this doctrine [Page] [...]ommon vnto you? Yea haue ye [...]ot hard ofter thē once, that your [...]yes ſhuld ſe Chriſt Ieſus perſe [...]uted in his pore membres? that [...]is veritie ſhulde be oppugned? [...]hat ſuperſtition, lyes and Idola [...]rie ſhuld preuayle and haue the [...]pper hand? that the kindome of heauen, the true preaching of his Euangil ſhuld be taken from you [...]or the ingratitude and ſtubbur [...]es of men, who more delyted in [...]arkenes then in light? None of [...]heſe things at that tyme dyd [...]ppeare ſtrange vnto you, nether [...]yd they diſcorage you, but ye [...]emed (being admoniſhed what [...]aunger it was to refuſe Chriſt Ieſus) moſt ſtedfaſtly to cleaue to [...]he veritie, notwithſtanding that [...]he whole world ſhuld haue refu [...]ed the ſame.

How oft haue ye aſsiſted to Ba [...]tiſme? how oft haue ye bene par [...]akers of ye Lords table prepared, [Page] vſed & miniſtred in all ſimplicitie, not as mā had deuiſed, nethe [...] as the kinges procedinges dyd a [...] lowe, but as Chriſt Ieſus dyd inſtitute, and as it is euident, tha [...] Sainct Paule dyd practiſe. The [...] two ſacramētes▪ ſeales of Chriſte Euangil, ye commonly vſed, baptiſme for your children, and the table of the Lorde to your own [...] comforte, and for the open confeſſion of your religion. And ſo oft I ſay deare brethern dyd y [...] witneſſe before mē, & ſweare b [...] fore God, that ye woulde dye [...] Chriſt Ieſus, to the end that y [...] might lyue by him: that ye would refuſ [...] the doctrine of men, and the participation of all Idolatry▪ and woulde conſtantly ſtand, and ſtickfaſt to that religion, which then ye p [...]ofeſſed, and approued But ô alaſſe what miſerable ru [...] ne hathe this ſuddayne and ſho [...] ſtorme made of that building [...] [Page] [...] was beg on amongſt you? The windes haue blowne and the flodes are come, and the walles are fallen in one heape (God graunt that the fundatiō abyde) the fyer is come, but in you alaſſe is nether founde golde, ſiluer, nor precious ſtone, but all is brent, and all is conſumed, ſo that if I ſhal iudge the frute of my pore lobors amongſt you by myne owne iudgment reaſon or apprehenſion, I ſhulde iudge my ſelfe, and my labors accurſed of God, for that that I ſe no better ſucceſſe. O conſider deare brethren, what grief it is, that in ſuche a multitude none ſhalbe found faithful,In the tyme of perſecution and tryal not one was foūd faithful and conſtant. none conſtant, none bolde in the cawſe of the Lorde Ieſus, whome ſo boldlye before they had profeſſed.

God is witneſſe, and I refuſe not your owne iudgmentes, [Page] how ſimplye & vprightly I conuerſed and walked amongſt you, thogh in his preſence I was and am nothing, but a maſſe of corruption, rebellion and hypocriſie: yet as cōcerning you and the doctrine taght amongſt you, as then I walked, ſo nowe do I write in the preſence of him, who onely knoweth & ſhal reueale ye ſecretes of all hartes,This rule oght of all preachers to be obſerued. yt nether for feare dyd I ſpare to ſpeake the ſimple truthe vnto you, nether for hope of worldly promotion, dignitie or honour dyd I willingly adulterate any parte of Gods ſcriptures whether it were in expoſitiō, in preaching, contention or writing: but that ſimply & plainly, as it pleaſed the merciful goodnes of my God to giue vnto me the vtterāce, vnderſtanding & ſpirite, I dyd diſtribute the bread of lyfe (I meane Gods moſt holy worde) as of [Page] Chriſt Ieſus I had receiued it. I ſoght nether preheminence,Beholde wherein the preachers of Chriſt ſhulde reioyce. glorie, nor riches: my honour was, that Chriſt Ieſus ſhuld reigne: my glorie, that the light of his truthe ſhuld ſhyne in you: and my greateſt riches, that in the ſame ye ſhuld be conſtant. Let him amongſt you that is fartheſt declined, conuict me if he can, if that euer he dyd perceyue me by craftie or vnlawfull meanes to ſeke the ſubſtance or riches of any, yea if I haue not refuſed that, which by diuers hathe bene offred, and that alſo by the commone opinion might lawfully haue bene receyued. But to what purpoſe is this recited? Is it to brag of mine owne iuſtice? or yet to defende mine owne innocencie? not ſo deare bretherne, not ſo (for what I acknowledge my ſelf to be before God, I haue already confeſſed) [Page] but to let you vnderſtand, that if I haue this teſtimonie of cōſcience as concerning my office, miniſterie and doctrine, & am notwithſtanding wounded almoſt to the deathe for that that my labors haue not better ſucceded,If he that is innocent hath this feare, howe oght the offenders, to tremble? what oght to be your feare, lamē tacion, & trembling? I feare that God hathe curſed me becauſe he hathe not better bleſſed my labors amongſt you, and yet in that behalf haue I the lot, and ſort cōmune withe the moſt parte of Gods true Prophetes, and the conditiō like with ſainct Paul to cōfort me in my greateſt deſperation.3. Reg. 19. For Helias dyd thinke that he alone amongſt the Iſraelites was left a lyue truly to worſhip God. And Paul dyd complayne that all that were in Aſia had left him. [...] Timo. 3. He dyd ſe in his owne dayes his beloued Churche of Gallacia bewitched by falſe [...]a [...]hers, [Page] and alſo that moſt notable Cōgregatiō of Corinthus, ſhort [...]y after his departure frome the ſame, he ſawe deuided in ſectes, corrupted in lyfe, giuen to deba [...]e, contencion and ſtrife, yea, to be infected withe moſt peſtilent hereſye, I meane withe ye deniall of the reſurrection of the deade. Theſe and other like exemples [...]eache vs howe Gods moſt true and paynefull ſeruantes haue be [...]e fruſtrate of their expectation & ſo humbled before God, whoſe frutes I haue to pull, and as it were by violence to drawe me frome the bothome of hell, to the whiche ſome tymes I ſinke for remembrance of your fall, & for my other offences againſt God committed. But theſe exemples can not ſo remedy my wounde, [...]ut that frome tyme to tyme I [...]ele the pricke of Gods heuy diſpleaſure. And oght you thē to lyue [Page] voyde of all feare, as men that had nothing offended? My conſcience dothe nether accuſe me, that amongſt you was I a falſe prophet, mercenary nor idle perſon, and yet I quake, I feare & trē ble, remembring your horrible fall, & oght you to reſt, be quyet, & reioyce, againſt whome Gods vengeance is ſo plainly pronounced? For if no Realme, no Natiō, Citie, nor particular perſon trayterouſly declinyng from God, & obſtinatly remaining in rebelliō after the truthe knowne and profeſſed, hathe eſcaped Gods vengeance, flatter not your ſelfes, as that your treaſon and rebellion ſhulde or can be ouerſene by his iuſtice, which from the beginning ys one, and to the ende ſhal remayne inuiolable.

Repentance is the [...] to finde mercie.Many haue offended, and vpon repentance haue obteyned mercie & grace: but I demāde & [Page] [...]ſke, who cōtēning mercie offred, [...] as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, diſpi [...]ing the lenitie, and long ſuffering of God, hath in the ende eſcaped vengeance. Your treaſonable fall is manifeſt, but the ſignes of your repentāce do not yet appere, and therfore I ſaye flatter not your ſelues, as that ye had made pactiō with death, with hell & deſtructiō, as the Prophet Eſai accuſeth thoſe of his tyme,Eſai. 28. who diſdainfully dyd anſwer, when he called them to ſackcloth and aſſhes, that is to ſhewe forth the tokens of true repentāce & conuerſion vnto God. In deſpit (I ſaye) they anſwered,Eſai. 5. Let the coūſel of the holy one of Iſrael cōme: in the meane tyme, let vs eate & drinke, & make mery dayes, for to morrowe we ſhal dye, if the wordes of theſe bablers (ſo were Gods ſeruantes termed) be true, and take effect.Eſai. 22. [Page] But we are out of dāger: deſtruction nor deathe ſhal not apprehende vs. The accompliſhement of their viſions are far of: Ieruſalē is the pott, & we are the fleſh, meaning therby, that they wolde dye & lyue in their natiue country. But the prophets boldely againſt ſuche prowde contempt dyd affirme, that their leage and couenāt made (as they ſuppoſed) with deathe and vaſtacion ſhulde be diſſolued and broken. For the floods of vengeance ſhulde cary them to perdition:Eſai. 28. ſtraungers ſhulde inherite their lande, and they ſhuld dye in miſerable bondage, in a lande polluted with all Idolatrie, becauſe they refuſed to ſerue the Lord their God in the land, which he had giuen to them in poſſeſsion, and becauſe they would nether gyue reuerence nor credit to his ſeruantes the prophetes, whome frome [Page] tyme to tyme he ſent vnto them.Ezech. 11. And farther the prophetes dyd affirme that thoſe po [...]e afflicted ſeruantes of God, who c [...]uelly were murthe [...]ed ī their preſēce by thoſe cruel perſecutors, that thē bare dominiō in tyrannie, were onely they amongſt the Iſ [...]aelites, that ſhulde dye with honour in their owne contrie. As for the reſt, they ſhuld ether be led captiues, or els dye by hunger, peſtilence or ſwoord & ſo leaue their names in ex [...]ecration and contempt to the poſterities foloinge.

Beware deare bretherne that ye be not like to theſe mē in ſtub [...]urnnes in contynuance of ſin & in cōtempt of grace. Ye haue declined, yea, and trayterouſly fallen backe frome God, and frome his veritie once profeſſed, as they dyd: but beware (I ſaye) that ye defend not your impietie, that ye contemne not the threatninges of [Page] God, promiſing to your ſelues felicitie & life, when he by his worde, & holy prophetes pronoūcethe againſt you woe, deathe & ſeuere iudgement. For then be you moſt aſſured, that ye ſhal not eſcape yt irreuocable ſentēce of God, once pronounced by the mouthe of Ieremie in theſe wordes: Euery natiō like vnto this ſhal I iudge ſaithe the eternal.Iere. 5. Then ſhal you fele in the ende, howe horrible and feareful it is to fall in the handes of the omnipotent. Then ſhal ye grope and wander to and fro ſeking remedy, but ſhal finde none: ye ſhalbe like blinde mē in extreme darkenes, ye ſhal ſtūble, ye ſhal fal, ye ſhal crye and rore for anguiſhe, but none ſhalbe able to releaue your miſeries, all creatures ſhalbe ennemies vnto you becauſe you haue deſpiſed ye goodnes and mercie of him, who ſo louīglye hathe intreated you: [Page] firſt in openinge vnto you ye true knowledge of him ſelf, and nowe after your horrible defection ſo mercifully callinge you to repē tance agayne. O call to mynde, deare bretherne, that fearefull ſē tence pronounced againſt that fig tree,Luk. 13. which dyd occupie the groūde, but was vnfrutefull. The requeſt and earneſt ſupplication of the gardiner coulde obteyne no more, but that he might dig abowte her, and laye donge to the [...]ootes therof the ſpace of one yere, but thē, if it produced no frute, he was compelled to giue place by his owne ſentence to the wiſdome and iuſtice of his lorde, who would not ſuffer ſuche an vnprofitable tree to occupie place in his choſen and delectable garden or vineyarde. This was not ſpoken by Chriſt, nor ment (deare bretherne) of deade & inſenſible trees, but vnder yt ſimilitude [Page] moſt liuely is painted & ſet forthe, what ſhalbe ye end of thoſe, that by vocation and external profeſſion are planted in the Churche of God,Iohn. 15. and ſo made members of Chriſt Ieſus? who is the verie vvneſtocke, & ſuch as do profeſſe him, are called branches grafted in him. This ſimilitude (I ſay) do the expreſſe what ſhalbe the end of ſuch, as bring not forth frute in him, to wit, they ſhalbe cut of ye ſtocke, whome by baronnes they diſhonor, they ſhal wither and drye, & ſo be caſt on the fyer to burne for euer.

I haue no pleaſure (God is witneſſe) to threaten you, muche leſſe to pronoūce plages and Gods ſeuere iudgmentes againſt you, but ſeing and conſidering your horrible defection frome God and frome his veritie knowne and profeſſed, [Page] [...] dar not ceaſe to exhort you to [...]epentance. For althogh I ſhulde [...]epe ſilence, yet ſhulde ſtones [...]ccuſe your vnthankefulnes. Yf [...] ſhulde flatter you and ſpeake ac [...]ordīg to your appetites,No vayne excuſes or flatterie of the preachers can turne awaye Gods vengeance. ſaiyng [...]as we can not redres the in [...]quitie of theſe tymes, we haue [...] pleaſure in Idolatrie, we are [...]orye, that the blood of innocēts [...]s ſhed in our lande, we woulde [...]e content that true religion [...]hulde be vſed, but wicked men [...]ow bere dominion, and therfore we muſt ſerue and obey the [...]yme: when God ſhal pleaſe to [...]eſtore his truth we wilbe gladd of it, but in the meane tyme we muſt obey the lawes ſet forth by [...]ur ſuperiours: God knoweth [...]ur hartes, and we truſt he wil [...]e merciful vnto vs. Yf on this [...]aner (I ſay) I ſhulde flatter you [...]aying pillowes vnder your hea [...]es, who alredy do ſleape in a [Page] deadely ſecuritie, ſhulde ye therfore eſcape Gods vengeance? No no deare brethern, but by ſuche meanes be you aſſured that Gods indignation is more kindeled, both againſt the people, and the prophet. For when al are coniured againſt his truthe, then muſt his iuſte iudgementes reuenge his owne cauſe, and therfore brethern ſuffer the worde of exhortation, ſuffer it I ſay withe trembling & feare, not eſteming the threatninges pronounced againſt the diſobedient forthe of the boke of God to be voice [...] ſparſed in the ay [...]e,The threatninges of Gods prophets are effectual. which ſodenly ſhal euaniſhe and take no effect. God forbyd, that ſuche cogitatiōs remayne ād preuaile in your hartes, for then haue ye refuſed God, with whome ye can haue no ſocietie, except ye imbrace, and receiue his worde, whiche threatneth no leſſe damnation; deathe▪ [Page] ſhame and deſtruction to prowd [...]ōtemners and obſtinat refuſers of grace and mercy offered,The worde of God hathe two offices. then [...]hat it dothe promeſſe ſaluation, [...], honor and immortalitie to [...]he penitēt ſynner, and vnto ſuch [...] vnfaynedly mourne for their [...]aynous offences againſt God cōmitted. It behoueth you therfore, deare brethern, to giue this honour to your God, that the viritie of his worde be not meaſured by the weakenes, frailtie or infirmitie of the inſtrumentes, whiche moſt commonly he vſeth in publicatiō of the ſame. For his miniſters are men ſubiect to infirmities, but the worde, whiche they preache, is the powre of God to ſaluation of al that beleue and obediētly imbrace the ſame. His miniſters, as they be the ſonnes of men, of nature are they lyers, inſtable and vayne, but his eternal worde, whiche he putteth [Page] in their mowthes, and whereof they are made imbaſſadors, is of ſuche truthe, ſtabilitie and aſſurance, that albeit heauen ād earth ſhulde euaniſhe and periſhe, yet ſhal it abyde and remayne for euer,Matt. 24. and that in ſuch ſorte, that the ſame men, who blynded by proſperitie ād carnal affections, coulde not beleue God ſpeaking by his miniſters, are oft compelled in their owne bodyes and in their poſterities folowinge to fele the ſtripes and ſuſteyne the plages,Suche as wil not acknowledge God by his worde ſhall knowe him by his iudgementes. whiche they contemned, when they were firſt pronoūced. The prophet Zacharie, accuſing the Iewes of his tyme of negligēce, in reedifiing the temple after they were delyuered frome ye captiuitie and bondage of Babilon, ſayethe, where be your fathers, to whome the prophete [...] ſpake? and where be the prophete that ſpake to your fathers? are not [Page] the one and the other deade? But my wordes and ſtatutes (ſaithe the Eternal) which I haue commā ded to my ſeruantes the prophetes, haue not they apprehended your fathers? inſomoche that they conuerted and ſaid,Zach. 1. As the Lord of [...]ostes hath determined to do vnto vs accordyng to our waies and according to our imaginations, ſo hath he done. By which queſtion and wordes the Prophet euidently affirmeth that, which before I haue ſaid to witt, that nether the mercie of God promiſed to the penitent, nether the ſeuere puniſhementes pronounced againſt the ſtubborne and [...] oght to be meaſured by the weakenes and condition of the m [...]ſ [...]nger, whome God ſendeth:The worde is not to be meaſured by the m [...]s [...]ng [...]r, but by the powre of God that ſendeth it. but that whatſoeuer they bring fo [...]the of Gods boke againſt iniquitie and ſyn, & chiefly againſt Idolatrie (which ſeperateth man [Page] altogether frome God) ſhalbe holden ſo conſtant and ſo true, as thogh God frome the heauē had giuen witneſſe to the ſame by the preſence of his owne maieſtie. The mē to whome Zacharie d [...]d ſpeake, had neuer ſene Eſai ye prophet, yea, Eſai him ſelf was dead long before his prophetie toke full effect: notwtſtanding as their fathers felt the plagues, which he pronounced againſt them and againſt that famous Citie Ieruſalem for the bloodſhede and Idolatrie in the ſame committed: ſo were the eies of their children, to whome Zacharie ſpeaketh, witneſſes, yt Gods wrath was in perfection powred forthe vpō their fathers, which alſo dyd abide vpon them, euē vnto that day, that the Prophet dyd admoniſhe thē. For they ſawe Ieruſalem lie [...] and waſte, as the Caldeies had left it, they ſawe the ruines & [Page] miſerable ſtones ouercouered wt powder of that bewtifull & holy temple of God, which by Salomon was builded. They farther felt them ſelues in pouertie & bō dage of ſtrāgers. For albeyt they had obteyned libertie to returne to their countrie: yet perceyued they their condition [...] litle amēded. Their ēnemies were more ſtrong then they,1. Eſd. 3. 1. Eſd. 4. 2. Nehe. 4. euen in their owne lande. Their worke was imp [...]aded, & they dyd lyue in greater feare, then thoſe which ſtil remayned in diſpertion▪ & thus I ſaie were bothe their fathers & they compelled to confeſſe in the ende, that the wordes of the prophetes were no vayne threatnīgs. For the fathers dyd fele in a ſtraunge countrie the heauie yoke of bondage the ſpace of 70. yeres, after that the bodies of many thow ſandes had fallen vpon the edge of the ſworde, and the eies [Page] of the children dyd ſee the force and vehemencie of Gods wrathe once kyndled. Of one thing be aſſured,The ſame God that ſpake in tymes paſt by his prophetes, ſpeaketh as effectually now by his meſſingers. deare brethern, that the ſelf ſame God, who then ſpake by his prophets, dothe now ſpeake to you by his meſsingers, how contemptible ſoeuer they be in your eies. and fa [...]ther be aſſured, that in all his proprieties he remayneth immutable for euer & euer, & therfore perſuade your ſelues, that what he hated in thē, he can not loue in you, and what he puniſhed in them, he can not ſpare nor pa [...]do in you. In them he hated murther, deceite, oppreſsion, licencious lyfe, declyning frome the true religion and manifeſt Idolatry committed and ſuffred in all their lande. In them he puniſhed (and that moſt extremely) defence of their ſynnes, cōtempt of mercie and perſecution of his prophetes. Yf theſe things be cō mon [Page] amongſt you, as alas they are to manifeſt, flatter not your ſelues, as that your proſperitie ſhulde longe contynue, no bretherne but rather let the ſharpe iudgementes of God, all ready executed agaīſt the like offenders, put you in minde, that ye plagues and vengeances, which are conteined in his holy Lawe, & which your eares haue often harde, do preſently hāge ouer your heades: that the bloode of Gods innocēt childrē, which cruelly is ſhed in your lande (wherof ye are all giltie by reaſon of your permiſſion and ſilence) dothe continually crye in the eares of our moſt iuſte God,None can excuſe thē ſelues of the innocēt blood, that kepe ſilence in ſuch cruel murthers. Howe longe ſhall it be, ô Lord,A [...]o. 6. that thowe wilt not reuenge our bloode vpon thoſe that dwel in the earth? that the teares of the widowes oppreſſed, of the orphelines left comfortles, of priſoners wrongefully tormē ted, [Page] and of the baniſhed, who ſuſteyne hunger and other calamities in ſtrange contries, onely becauſe they woulde auoyde ſuche abhominations, as amongſt you are cōmitted. Ye oght, I ſay, to be moſt aſſuredly perſuaded, yt ye lamētable voices of al theſe haue ſo beaten the eares of our God, and that the teares, which in anguiſhe they powred forthe, haue ſo repleniſhed ād fylde the bottel, which hangethe continually in the eies of the almightie, that he hath ſworne by his owne holynes, that he wil ariſe in his hote fury, that he wil reuenge their cauſe (and that ſpedely) and that he wil alſo confounde his ennemies the perſecuters of his Churche, as fyer cōſumeth ſtubble and ſtrawe.

No tyme wil I appoīt to theſe the iudgmentes of our moſt iuſt God, but this I feare not to affirme [Page] in the aſſurance of his ſpirite, who of mercie hath called me to be a miniſter of his worde and veritie, that as ye haue harde the [...]ayes of theſe preſēt dolors foreſpoken, when ye could feare no ſuche daūgers to come. For Barwike and Newcaſtle be you both witneſſes,Barwike Newcaſtel how oft and how plainly ye haue hard affirmed, that ye light, which the moſt part hated (or at leaſt dyd not followe) ſhulde be taken from you, and that ye for your vnthankefulnes ſhulde be left in uttermoſt darkenes to your deſtruction: yt ſtrā gers ſhulde beare rule ouer you, and that ye ſhulde of al nations be moſt miſerable and accurſed of God, becauſe ye dyd not know the tyme of your merciful viſitatiō. Howe oft haue ye hard proclamed in your eares, O Englād if yu dydeſt knowe the honour, wherū to this day thowe art called: yf [Page] thou dydeſt conſider the graces & benefites of God this day offred vnto the, thou ſhuldeſt be moſt happie & moſt bleſſed of all realmes. For within thy lād hath God erected his ſanctuarie, builded his temple and choſen his habitation & dwelling place.England was once made the ſanctuary of God▪ which is a title moſt honorable and bleſſed. From amongſt you hathe God by the power of his worde driuen out deuilles, ſuperſtition and Idolatrie: but alas for thy vnthankfulnes thy God wil departe from the: he wil giue the ouer agayne to the bondage of Sathan. In lyes thou deliteſt and therfore ſhal the veritie be taken from the. Which ſentences and threatnings albeyt then yee feared not, yet dare ye not denie in Gods preſence, howſoeuer ye diſſemble in the face of the wicked world, but that amongſt you ſpake the Spirit of truthe, how weake that euer the inſtrumēt was, whome it pleaſed [Page] his wiſdome to vſe for your aduertiſement, as your eies do this day beholde the accōpliſhement and execution of one part of Gods moſt iuſte iudgementes. For the veritie,Becauſe the multitude deliteth rather in lies, then in truthe therfore fall they ſuddainly to errors. in which a ſmal nombre dyd delyte, is taken from you, and Idolatrie, which many gaped for, is erected to your confuſion and ſhame. God hath remoued the preſence of his glorie from you, and the deuil hath take his full poſſeſsion. As this part (I ſaye) of Gods iudgements, w before were pronoūced, is executed in your eies, ſo ſhal ſome of you, that this day beholde the tyrannie that is vſed, mainteyned & permitted amongſt you, likewiſe beholde the terrible plagues & ſeuere iudgemēts of God powred forthe in full perfectiō,The plagues of God ſhal apprehend euen ſuch as by ſilence & flattery con [...]ent to the murther of his [...] not onely vpon the cruel murtherers, but alſo vpō ſuche as by ſilēce, & flattery cōſent to their impietie. Yf [Page] ye be not more then blynde, ye may euidētly ſe ye potēt hande of God diſplayde & ſtretched owt againſt you. Dothe not the ſuddayne & miſerable fall of Calice,Calice, called the key of England. ſometymes called the keye of Englāde, yea, & ye open dore into forrayne countreys, moue you to cōſider, what is Gods powere, & how eaſie it is to him to ouerthrow all the pryde of mā in one moment? Yf it moue not others, yet let it moue the,Barwike let the ſuddayne fall of thy ſiſter moue the to repentance. ô Barwike▪ ſhe was thy ſyſter, and your conditiō was one, except yt as in ſtrength, order and ciuil pollicie thow waſt nothinge comparable: ſo in theft, debate, hatred & all iniquitie thou dideſt farr ſurmount her & yet ſhe hathe dronkē the cuppe of Gods vengeance,Note becauſe yt being admoniſhed, ſhe dyd not repēt: & ſhal or canſt thou eſcape the ſame, if thou continue, as thou haſt begun? No, albeyt man and angell woulde promeſſe the [Page] aſſurance, thy pryde ſhalbe beatē doune to hell, thy treaſonable defection from God ſhalbe puniſhed, as before hathe bene pronounced in thyne eares, except yt by ſpedy repētāce thou preuent Gods iudgemētes. And therfore, deare bretherne, if yt ye intende or thinke to eſcape Gods vē geance, his heauy hande and hote diſpleaſure, delaye no tyme to retu [...]ne vnto him,Pſal. 32. call vpon him whyle he is nie, ſeke him vnfeynedly, whyle he is to be founde, hardē not your hartes, whē he rebukethe your vnthākfulnes. Now he offerethe him ſelf vnto you, now he is neare, now he is to be ſounde, whyle he callethe you to repentaunce by his meſſingers & worde. Which occaſiō & opportunitie if ye omit, as Gods iuſtice ſhall ſhine in your puniſhemēt & iuſt condemnation,Iere. 11. ſo ſhall it be, yt you howle & crye for anguiſhe and payne, and yet ſhal [Page] fynde nether counſel nor cōfort. for ſo dothe God often reuenge the cōtempt of his graces offred.

Prowde Eſau, after he had ſold his birth right and had confirmed the ba [...]gan with a ſolemned othe, dyd eate & drinke regardyng nothing his owne foliſhenes, nether rightly dyd he eſteme (for the tyme) the honor & dignitie which he had loſt. But after, when he perceyued that his father (euen againſt his promeſſe and determined purpoſe) wolde ſtil bleſſe Iacob,Gene. 27. he [...]ett, he fumed, he accuſed Iacob, he reaſoned with his father, he begged but one bleſsing and that with teares, with roringe and lamentable cries: but all was in vayne, he founde no place of repentāce: the dore of mercie was ſhit vp by his former contempt, he bowled and cryed, but not for his ſyn & former vnthankefulnes, he begged [Page] bleſsīg, but his eie being fixed vpō this preſent world, he remayned accurſed before God, burnīg in hatred & imagining murther and the death of his brother, whome God had honored with his ſpiritual benedictiō. This hiſtorie (as by ye Apoſtle we are taght) is not written for Eſau onely, but for enſample and admonition to a [...]l thoſe that prefer the prophane and contemptible pleaſures of this earthe to the benediction & inheritāce promiſed to Abrahám and vnto his ſeale.All are Eſau children that prefer earthly pleaſures to ſpiritual bleſsings.

Enter in iudgement with your ſelues, deare bretherne, & cōſider earneſtly, what exchange ye haue made. Ye haue refuſed & [...]enied God the father & his deare ſonne Chriſt Ieſus, & ſo ye whole ioye & cōfort of his kingdome: ye haue quit ye portion of your inheritāce & haue deſpiſed ye benedictiō promiſed to ſuche, as ſhulde abyde [Page] in the truethe to the ende. And what reward haue ye receyued? a meaſſe of pottage, yea, muche leſſe, if the matter ſhalbe wel cō ſidered. For the fauour of your Quene accurſed by God, ye frēdſhipe of the counſel deſtitute of wiſdome, and your wretched and miſerable lyues, compared wt ye thīges, wc ye haue loſt, are muche inferiour to the pottage, for ye wt Eſau ſolde his birthright. For his appetites and luſtes were ſacia [...] for a tyme, but I am aſſured that your bellies, for the whiche ye haue refuſed God, are more ēptie, thē they were before. Now are ye cōpelled to fede ye proude Spanyard bothe within and wtout your cōtry. Taxe followeth taxe and one exaction calleth for an other. The lādes ād inheritances muſt pay at pleaſure of ye parlament▪ ye mouable goodes can not eſcape valuation and cenſure,The frutes of [...] reign where oppreſſion and extorſion [Page] beare rule & dominiō. Theſe are ye great benifites, wc of Ieſabel ye haue receyued for refuſinge of God & bowing at her cōmandement to Baal. But let it be yt you had receyued ſinſe your reuolt & falling from God ye greateſt riches, ye greateſt honor, ye greateſt victorie, & the moſt eſtabliſhed reſt, yt euer natiō had ſinſe the begynning: yet had ye chāged your former glorie for a meaſe of pottage. For do ye not know yt al theſe things ſhal cuaniſh as a dreame in the night ceaſō? And as cōcernyng ye preſeruatiō & ſafetie of your lyues, for yt wc ye haue refuſed God, who onely is ye auctor of life, ye day ſhal ſhortly come, whē ye ſhal proue this ſentence of Chriſt Ieſus to be true in experience,Math. 10. To take away life is onely in the pow [...] of God that gaue it. that whoſoeuer to kepe or find his life denyeth Chriſt Ieſus before mē, ſhal loſe his life bothe corporal & eternal. For as your Ieſabel can nothinge without the [Page] wil & permiſsion of him, who is omnipotēt: ſo can nether ſhe nor you reteine nor holde the breath in her nor your moſte frayle bodies, when that moſt potent Lord ſhal ſaye, Returne to duſt ô ye vnthankful ſonnes of mo [...]tal men.

Seing it is ſo (deare bretherne) that Gods iudgemētes ye can not eſcape humble your ſelues be tymes before that his vengeance be armed to your deſtruction. Yf ye cōtinue in this deadlie ſecuritie, regarding nothing what honour ye haue loſt, it ſhalbe to late for you to howle and crye, when youre bleſsing [...] in your owne cares be giuen to others. Repent therfore betymes, and as ye haue opēly declined from God by refuſal of his v [...]itie ſo let your cō uerſiō be manifeſt by remouynge from amōg [...] you all kīde of Idolatrie. This I knowe appeareth to you ſo vnpoſsible to be ꝑformed, [Page] [...] ye iudge me rather to mock you [...]nē to exhort you to repentāce by this meāes. But, deare bretherne,God eaſely bring thē to paſſe that, which to mā [...] reaſon is impoſſible. cōſider with me, that the thinges, which to man ſeme moſt impoſſible, are eaſie to our God to [...] to paſſe, if we wil refuſe our ſelues, and onely giue obedience to his commandemētes. Impoſſible it appeared to the afiliated children of Iſrael, that they [...]oulde be deliuered from the tyrannie of Phorao and from the bondage of the Egyptians. And [...]n verie dede their yoke was augmēted and their burthens made more greuous, many dayes after they had at Moſes commandement aſked libertie to make ſacrifice to the liuing God [...]. But were they diſpiſed or fruſtrate of their expectation in the end? or dyd ſuche as ſuppreſſed them or aſſiſted their king in perſecution of Gods people, eſcape vēgeāce?Gods powre is not diminiſhed. [Page] we knowe the contrarie.Beholde the meanes to atteyne Gods fauor and mercie. The hād of our God is no more feble now▪ then it was then▪ his good wil ād loue remayneth one at al tyme [...] towarde ſuch as depēd vpō him. Acknowledge then your ſynnes, mourne for your vnthākefulnes, abſteyne frō Idolatrie, call boldely that the libertie of Chriſt Ieſus, of his holy goſpel preached may be reſtored vnto you, conſent not by your ſilence to the ſheding of the blood of innocē tes, whiche for the teſtimonie of Chriſtes trueth is ſhed amongſt you in great abundāce, but boldly beare witnes, that iniurie is done vnto them, and ſo ſhal you knowe ſhortly in experiēce, that God is no vayne promiſer of ſupport to ſuch, as ſhalbe iniuſtly oppreſſed, eſpecially for the cauſe of his Euangil. But alas deare brethern (I ſpeak to you, of whoſe boldenes I once reioyſed, & for whoſe fall, God knoweth, I [Page] now mourne) if ye ſhal continue in rebelliō againſt God, becauſe ye dare not diſpleaſe men, as ye ſhal not eſcape damnation eternal, ſo ſhal ye fele in your owne bodies, yea, the bodies of your poſteritie after you ſhal feele, that his prophetes haue not vaynely threatned bondage and thraldō againſt the inobedient. And be you aſſured that by mainteyning of Idolatrie you ſhal neuer attein to that quietnes, which ye ſeke in this earthe, but contrarywiſe God ſhal plage you,God many tymes plageth euen by ſuch as men ſeke to pleaſe. euē by thoſe whome ye ſtudie to pleaſe. Therfore in few wordes to cōclude yf ye intende to eſcape Gods ſeuere iudgementes, & if ye loke to find [...]ō fauorable, other to you or yet to your poſteritie, ſleape no longer in your ſyn, cōſider frō what honour you are fallē, what daunger hangeth ouer your heades, remember how feareful and horrible [Page] it is to haue God your ennemie, & in depe conſideratiō therof, call for mercie, ſtudie vnfaynedly to riſe agayne, profeſſe the trueth, whiche ye haue denyed, remoue to your powre iniquitie f [...]ome amongſte you, ād abſtayne in your bodies from Idolatrie committed, and maynteyned by your wicked rulers. And in ſo doing, as ye ſhal dayly increaſe in knowledge, and ſtrength: ſo ſhal ye finde grace, whiche ye haue not deſerued, ād that by the meanes of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, whoſe omnipotent ſpirit ſo illuminate your ſenſes and vnderſtandinge that clearly ye may ſe, what is the riches of yt glorie, which God hath prepared for ſuch as vnfaynedly loue him, and how horrible are the tormentes, whiche the ſlaues of Satan (I meane Idolaters, ād ſuch as for feare refuſe the knowne [Page] veritie) ſhal ſuffer with the deuil and with his angels without end.

Farther of my mynde concernīg your dueties in theſe moſt [...]olorous dayes, ye may vnderſtande by my appellation and by myne admonition to the nobilitie and communaltie of Scotlande. God graunt you his holy ſpirit rightly to cōſider and boldly to folowe the waye, which leadeth to lyfe euerlaſting. Amē. From Geneua the .x. of Nouembre M.D.LVIII.

The dayes are ſo wicked, that I dare make ſpecial commendations to no man.

Your brother with troubled hart Iohn K [...]ox.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

A BRIEF EXHORTATION TO ENGLAND FOR THE SPEDIE IMbraſing of Chriſts Goſpel heretofore by the tyrannie of Marie ſuppreſſed & baniſhed.

HEBR. CHAP. VI.

The earth, which drinkethin the raine, that oft cometh vpō it, & bringeth forthe herbes meet for thē that dreſſe it, receaueth bleſſing of God: but that ground, which beareth thornes and briers, is reproued & is nie vnto curſing, whoſe end is to be burned.

AT GENEVA.

M.D.LIX.

TO THE REALME OF ENGLAND and to all [...]state within the ſame Iohn Knox [...] true repētance to be [...] God the father of our Lord I [...] Chriſt with the Spirit of wiſdom, d [...]r [...]tion and true vnderstanding.

[Page]

[Page]

AFTER that I had ſomewhat conſidered what from the beginning haue bene the great mercies of God towardes his afflicted people,In deliuering them out of the bōdage of Egypt & captiuitie of Babilon Ieroboam and Rehoboam Kings of Iſraél & Iuda with their poſterities. and what alſo haue bene his ſeuere iudgementes executed againſt ſuche,A [...]lo [...] & M [...]naſses. 2. Par. 24. 4. King. 2 [...] as ether preferring darknes to light dyd followe the deuiſes and inuentions of men, ether that enraged by the malice of Satan, haue declared them ſelues open ennemies to God & to his veritie reueled: I thoght it my [Page] duetie in fewe wordes to require of thee, & yt in Gods name ô Englād in general ye ſame repētāce & true cōuerſiō vnto God, yt I haue required of thoſe, to whome before particularely I wrote. For ī verie dede whē in dolour of hart I wrote this former lettre,Apoc. 3. I nether looked nor cold beleue, yt ye Lord Ieſus wolde ſo ſuddainly knocke at thy gate,Prou. 1. or call vpon thee in thy opē ſtretes,Iohn. 14. offring him ſelf to pardon thy iniquitie, yea to enter into thy houſe▪ and ſo to abyde & make his habitation wt thee, who ſo inobediently had reiected his yoke,Hebr. 10. Luk 11.20. ſo diſ [...]ainfully had troden vnder fore the bloode of his teſtament, and ſo cruelly had murthered thoſe, that were ſent to call the to repentance. This thy horrible ingratitude cōſidered, I dyd rather loke for puniſh [...]mentes & plagues vniuerſally to haue bene powred forthe, then for mercie by the ſounde of his trumpet, ſo [Page] ſuddainly to haue bene offred to any withī that miſerable yle. But when I dyd more depely waye, that ſuche is the infinite goodnes of God, and that ſuche be alſo the bright beames of his moſt iuſte iudgements, that when ſoeuer he taketh into his protection by the conuenant of his worde any Realme, Nation, Prouince or Citie,As he dyd the ſead of Abrahám. ſo that of mercie he becommethe to them cōducter, teacher, protector and father, that he neuer caſtethe of the ſame care and fatherly affection, which in his worde he dothe once pronounce, vntil they do vtterly declare thē ſelues vnworthy of his preſence▪ whē this (I ſay) I dyd conſider & waye, I was in iudgement ſomewhat reformed. For I finde yt ſuche was his care & cōſtant loue to ye whole ſede of Abrahā (I meane of thoſe yt deſcēded of Iacob) yt albeit in manie thīgs they prouoked him to anger, yet dyd his infinite [Page] goodnes euer finde & make a waye, by y• wt his mercie was ſēſibly felt of yt people, euē in their greateſt extremities. For not onely dyd he ofte pardō their offences,In caſting out 7. nations be [...]or them and deliueryng them from their oppreſſors. lōge kepe them in the lande, wc he had promiſed, & geuen to the ſede of Abrahám, but alſo he was with them in fyer & in water: yea when they were as rotton ca [...]ions buryed as it had bene in their graues in Babilon,Gen. 12.13. Pſal. 66. Eſai. 43. yet dyd he laye in pledge the glorie of his owne name for their deliuerance,Ezech. 20. Eſai. 42.43 yea and faithfully aboue mans expectaciō dyd he performe it.Eſ [...]r. 1. N [...]he. 2. for he brake downe the pride of Babilon, & ſo dyd open the pryſon,Eſai. 14.43. & brake vp the gates of yron, which helde them in thraldome.Eſai. 48. Eſai. 42. And why ſo? he him ſelfe dothe anſwer, ſayīg, For mine owne names ſake wil I do this, and my glorie wil I gyue to none other, &c. And ſo this his loue and fatherly care was ſo [Page] conſtant and vnmoueable, that nothing coulde vtterly chaunge it from the people,Matth. 1. vntil his deare Sonne Chriſt Ieſus dyd come of them and amōgſt them to notifie and declare that ſouerayne felicitie promiſed to Abrahám,Gen. 12. I meane that all natiōs ſhulde be bleſſed in his ſede, wt was Chriſt Ieſus, who comyng amongſt his owne was of thē reiected, denied, refuſed & ſhamefully put to deathe vpō a croſſe betwixt two theues.Iohn. 1. Luk 13. And yet ſo tender was Gods care ouer them, that before their polluted and wicked handes were externally almoſt waſhen frō his blood he ſent vnto them the meſſage of reconſiliation,Act. 1. not onely to thoſe that were at Ieruſalē, but euen to ſuche as were diſpe [...]ſed amongſt the Gentiles,Paul the Apoſtle of the Gentiles preached firſt to the Iewes. as in the Actes of the Apoſtles is plainly witneſſed.Act. 13.14.17.18.19.21.22.28. For this prerogatiue had euer the Iewes, that firſt to [Page] them were offred the glad tydinges of the kingdome, vnto ſuche tyme as they declared thē ſelues by open blaſphemies, continual reſiſtance, and cruel perſecution, moſt worthy to be depriued of that honour. This long ſufferance & carefull calling of that vnthankeful people proceded from the ſame fountaine, frō the which their firſt vocation dyd procede & flowe, that is, from his eternal goodnes, which dyd ſo long fight againſt their malice, that all creatures muſt iuſtifie God in his fearful,Gods fearful iudgements vpon the Iewes euen to this day. but yet moſt iuſte iudgementes once executed and yet remainīg vpon that rebellious people.

The ſame order I ſe dothe God kepe with thee ô yu happie and moſt vnhappie Englād. happie, not onely becauſe thy God by his own hād hath oft deliuerd thee from corporal bondage of diuers and ſtrange nations, as of [Page] Saxons, Romains, Gothes & Danes,Gods vnſpeakeable mercies beſtowed vpon England. but eſpecially for yt that by ye power of his eternal veritie (& that of his fre grace with out [...]y deſeruyng) he dyd of late yeares breake & deſtroy the intollerable yoke of thy ſpiritual captiuitie, and broght the forthe as it had bene from the bothome of hel & from the thraldome of Sathan, in which thou waſt holden blynded by Idolatrie and ſuperſticion, to the feloſhip of his Angels and to the poſſeſsion of that riche inheritance prepared to his deareſt childrē with Chriſt Ieſus his ſonne.Matt. 25. But ô vnhappie and more then vnhappie, that haſt declared thy ſelf ſo vnthankful and rebellious to ſo louing and ſo mercifull a father, who fy [...]ſt gaue thee life, when thou dideſt lye polluted in blood, and dead in thy ſynne and nowe dothe offer him ſelf to be thy God,Ezech. 16. gouernour and [Page] father,The ſhameful defection of England. after that thou moſt trayterouſly conſpiring with Sathan by ſolemned othe haſte renounced his veritie. O vnhappie and more then vnhappie art thou (I ſay) if that this thy treaſonable defectiō, and Gods louing kindnes, yet callig the to his fauours, dothe not pearce thy hart with vnfayned repentance. For as this mercie and loue of th [...] God far ſurmoū [...]eth the [...] eache of all mē [...] vnderſtanding▪ ſo can not his iuſte iudgementes longe delaye to power forthe thoſe horrible vengeances, which thy monſt [...]ous vnthankfulnes hathe long deſerued, if thou [...]as God forbyd) nowe ſhutt vpp thine eares, blynde thine eies, & ſo harden thy ha [...]t, that nether thou wilt heare, ſe nor vnderſtād the grauitie of thy fall, & that vneſtimable goodnes of thy God thus louingly calling the to thy ancient honours & dignitie [Page] againe, I nether dar nor wil ceaſe nowe by my penne (be it neuer ſo rude) to crie vnto the that, which ſometymes from the mouthe of my Maſter Chriſt Ieſus I haue pronounced in the hearing of many: that if thou ſhalt not knowe this merciful viſitacion of the Lord thy God,Gods mercies once agayne offred to England. and ſo prepare thy ſelf with a penitent & thākful hart to receyue, yet while tyme is, his large graces offred, that then thy habitatiō ſhalbe left deſolate,Ezech. 12. Zach. 7. and where thowe haſt of lōg tyme bene the delectable garden planted by the Lords hande, thou ſhalt become a barren wildernes, apt for nothing but to be brent and conſumed by fier.

The warrant of this my proclamation and ſentence (howe foliſhe & vayne ſo euer it appere to mās reaſon) I haue not by cōiecture nor opiniō of mā, but frō ye mouthe of my God thus ſpeakīg [Page] by Moiſes: Beware (ſaith he) that amōgſt you be not a roote yt buddeth forthe gall & wormewood,Deut. 29. ſo that whē he ſhal heare the wordes of this execratiō, ſhal yet promeſſe to him ſelf felicitie in his hart, ſaying, peace ſhalbe to me althogh I walke after the luſt of myne owne hart, &c. The Lord wil not be merciful ſaith Moiſes to ſuche a one, but the furie of the eternal, and his hote diſpleaſure ſhal bruſt forthe againſt ſuche a man, and vpon him ſhal lye (that is continually abyde) all the execrations, that be written in this boke, and the Lord ſhall blot out his name frō vnder ye heauē, &c. Thus far ſpeaketh he againſt particular men, and againſt the whole multitude he proceadethe in this maner: The generation foloinge your ſonnes, which ſhal aryſe after you, and the ſtranger, that ſhal come from a far countrie, when they ſhal ſe the plagues [Page] of this lande and the incurable diſeaſes, by ye which it ſhal languiſh and conſume as it were by brimſtone and ſalt burnyng the whole lande, ſo that it can not be ſowne, nether yet in it dothe any herbe ſpringe vp nor ryſe, &c. then ſhal all nations ſaye▪ why hathe the Lord done thus to this lande? ô what is the wrathe of Gods great fury? and they ſhal āſwer, For becauſe they haue lefte the conuenant of the Lord the God of their fathers, which he dyd make with them, when he broght them fo [...]the of Egypt.Idolatrie was the cauſe of thoſe horrible plagues. For they haue gone and ſerued other Gods (I ſay) whome they knew not, and therfore was the furie of the Lord kyndled againſt this land, ſo that he broght vpon it all the execratiōs & curſes writtē in this boke. And the Lord in his wrathe, furie and great indignatiō hathe wrooted [Page] thē out of their owne lāde, & hathe diſperſed thē in an other lāde, as this day dothe witnes &c. This ſame is written with greater circumſtances in the boke of Leuiticus,Leu 1.26. which place if ye cōſider wt this, and conſidering Gods eternal veritie to haue his effect in euery age & natiō, which ſo dothe offende, then ſhalt thou ſee, ô England,Iere. 7. that this is the iudgement which thou ſhalt not, nor cāſt not eſcape, if ſpedily thou repent not thy ſhameful defectiō & with all humilitie returne to the Lord, whome ſo traiterouſly and ſo publikely of late dayes thou haſt refuſed. For theſe ſeuere iudgemē tes once executed againſt Iſrael and Iuda may be to thee,4. Kin. 25. who once haſt profeſſed thy ſelf ſubiect to God, and haſt vnthankfully departed from his ſeruice,Let the iuſte puniſhements of other nations [...] the, o England, to repen [...]ces & yet of mercie is called againe: to the (I ſay) may thoſe ſeuere iudgemē tes [Page] be a mirror & glaſſe, in which thou maiſt beholde what ſhalbe thy final & miſerable deſtructiō, if by vnfayned and ſpedie repentāce thou remoue not the vengeance, wc hangethe ouer thy head. And to the ende that better thou mayeſt trye & examine thy ſelf, I wil ſhortly touch the ſtubburne inobedience of that people, the long pacience and gentle dealing of God with their moſt miſerable and lamentable deſtruction.

Thre hundreth yeres and mo from the departure of the ten tribes from the houſe & royal ſeate of Dauid dyd Iuda prouoke God to diſpleaſure, nowe by Idolatrie,In this tyme reigned Rehoboam, Abiah, Ioram & 10 others, all Idolatrous kinges. nowe by hill aulters, nowe by cō federacie and ioyning of handes with wicked princes & vngodly nations,4. King. 14 15. 3. King. 16. 4. King. 8 by whome they were euer drawne from depending and truſting vpon God to the vayne truſt and confidence of men. Againſt [Page] theſe and other vices from tyme to tyme dyd God ſend his prophetes to call them to repentance and did alſo rayſe vp ſome tymes good and godly Kings to make publique reformation as towching the religion.2. Para. 19. But what reformation was found in lyfe,2. Para. 17. maners and conuerſation, what reuerence dyd the multitude beare vnto God, how was the religiō imbraſed in their hartes, and how long was it reteined in ſuche perfectiō as was cōmanded, the prophetes do teache, & hiſtories beare witneſſe and plainly affirme, that euen in the dayes of the moſt godly Kinges (of Ezechias & Ioſias I meane) the Scribes & Lawiers dyd write deceytfully to thruſt out the weakeons frō their cauſe,La [...]iers. Eſai. 10. Iudge [...] & Prince. Eſai 1. Eſai. 5. to ſpoyle the wydow, & to oppreſſe the orphelin. Their Iudges were bribers, and their princes were partakers with theues. [Page] They ſaid that euil was good, and good euil,Eſai. 57. they wolde haue pleaſing things ſpokē vnto them▪ and commanded, that no mention ſhulde be made of the holy one of Iſrael. for his word was a burthen vnto them.Iere. 23. Nobles. Of the Nobilitie ſome were traytours, ſome auaricious, ſome vnconſtant as wauerīg reedes, ſome gredy dogges and vnſatiable wolues,Eſai. 56. deuoring the praye wherſoeuer they might catche it. The people of the lande were deceitful,Commons. all handy crafts, marchandiſe and vittayles were corrupt by their couetous practiſes. They were ready but to ſclander and oppreſſe the pore, the nedy and the ſtrāger. The coniuration of prophetes was in the midſt of them, euen as a roring lyon, &c. They healed the ſores & botches of the people, princes & gouerners with [Page] vnprofitable plaſters & laid ſoft pillowes vnder the heades of ſuche,Prophetes & prestes. as ſecurely ſlept in all iniquitie. The preſtes had violently rent in ſunder the Lawe of God, they had prophaned his ſanctuary by their owne inuentions, and by reteining ſuche a myxed and inuenomed religiō, as from olde Idolators they had receiued,The corruptiō & mixture of Religion. and that becauſe it pleaſed their kinges,Ezech. 8.9. chiefe rulers, and gouerners, it muſt nedes be good and pleaſe them.Ezech. 22. They made no difference betwixt that which was holy and cleane (becauſe it proceaded frō God) & that which was prophane & filthye, which wicked Idolaters had inuented and deuiſed. The paſtors finally were become dumme dogges,Paſtors. their watchemen were blīde giuē to exceſſe, ſlowth fulnes and ſleape, & to be ſhort; they came to that corruptiō, that the Lord dyd ſeke a man to repaire [Page] the hedge agayne, & to ſtād in the gappe before him,Ezech. 22. that the land ſhulde not be waſted, but yet he founde none. for all were declined, all ſoght their own aduā tage, no man called for iuſtice & equitie, no mā was iudged of faithe and veritie. They broght forthe coccatriſe egges,Eſai. 59. their fete rā to miſchief, thei made haſt to ſhed innocēt blood,Beholde, ó England, this vniuerſal defection, compare it with thy former & yet preſent ſtate, & be warned. they nether knewe, nether yet would knowe the way of peace, but to ſuche horrible confuſiō came all things, that the veritie was baniſhed, and whoſoeuer departed from iniquitie, was made as a praye to all men. Which thīgs, when the Lord dyd conſider, and dyd ſee, that none wolde ſet them ſelues, no man (I ſaye) that opponed him ſelf to ſo horrible iniquitie: his owne arme gaue him ſaluation, and his owne iuſtice dyd holde him vp, &c. he powred forthe (after dyuers plagues) [Page] his furie vpon that nation at once, and in the hote fyer of his anger dyd he conſume them, and ſo dyd rewarde their wicked wayes vpon their owne heades, as before was threatened by the mouthe of Moiſes.Deut. 18.

Theſe teſtimonies and many mo (which to auoyde prolixitie I omit) we haue of the prophetes, how corrupt was the whole body euē in the dayes of the moſt godly Kinges, yea, euen in the dayes, when the plagues were vpō them. And the hiſtories do witnes, that no ſoner dyd euer any Idolater riſe, but that ſo ſone from the higheſt degre to the loweſt, from the prince to the Prophet (a meane nombre except) were all redy to obey,Such as th [...] price is, ſuch commonly are the people. what ſoeuer was commanded by ſuche as were placed in honors and auctoritie. The hiſtorie dothe farther witnes, that the princes of Iuda after [Page] the deathe of Iehoiada, by whoſe wyfe Ioas was preſerued in that moſt cruel murther of all the kingly ſeade made by Athalia, and by whoſe moſt faithful diligence the ſame Ioas was in the ſeuenthe yeare of his age made king ouer Iuda:2. Para. 24. the conuenant and leage, before broken by Idolatrie, was renued agayne betwixt God and the people,4. King. 11. and betwixt the people and the king: to witt, that the one and the other ſhulde be the people of the Lord, by renuing of which cōuenant vnhappie and cruel Athalia was killed,This had bene thy bounden dutie ó England in the dayes of that moſt execrable Idolatre [...] Marie. the people dyd enter into the houſe of Baal, brake it downe with his altars and images, euen to powder, and finally before ye altars of Baal dyd moſt iuſtely kyl Mathā Baals great preſte: after ye deathe (I ſay) of Iehoiada, by whoſe godly prouidence [Page] all theſe thīges were broght to pa [...] ſe ye prīces of Iuda came & bowed thē ſelues vnto the King, making no doute this petition vnto him, that they might haue the religion,Note this practiſe & the ſucceſſe therof which lōg had bene reteined amongſt the Kings of Iuda, euen from the dayes of Salomon, & yt they ſhulde not be ſo ſtraytly bonde, as the conuenant made by Iehoiada commanded▪ ſo they wolde not returne (as may appeare they did alledge) to Baal, but ſtande content with their hylaltars, their thickets of wood and ancient Idols. And that this was their petition the hiſtorie giueth playne light. For it ſaith, And the King hard them: & they leauyng the houſe of the Lord the God of their fathers, ſerued thickets, and Idols, which thing albeyt it dyd ſo diſpleaſe the Lord, that he ſent his prophetes ſharply to reb [...]ke their vnthankful defection, yet [Page] was there no redreſſe. For the King, princes and people were conſpired againſt God, and ſo from Idolatrie proceded to cruel murther, as the hiſtories doth witnes in the dayes of Achas. The ſame abominations remayned in all eſtates. For Vrias the highe preſte him ſelf at the commaundement of the King buylded an altar as the King had ſent him a paterne from Damaſcus,4. King. 16. & ſo left the altar of the Lord, and brent ſacrifice vpon that great altar, &c.

In the dayes of Ezechias (that zelous and Godly King) what were the hartes of the nobilitie and people towardes Gods true religiō, it may appeare by the ſequel. For ſtreght after his death dothe the whole multitude returne with Manaſſes vnto Idolatrie, abhominations and cruel murther, yea euen while the King [Page] dyd lyue, that treaſonable traytor Sobna;Sobna Treaſorer. ēnemie to God, to his true whorſhip and to his prophetes, was treaſorer and in higheſt auctoritie.

Ieremie & Ezechiel do witnes that the p [...]inces, prophetes & people were ſo corrupt euen to the verie day of the deſtruction, yea, and after the ſame, that Zedechias (of nature by all apparāce not verie cruel, but yet faint harted for lacke of faith was cō pelled at their commandement to put Ieremie in priſon and to gyue them permiſsion to put him to death at their pleaſures, whoſe lyfe by Gods mightie prouidence yet preſerued, and being called to the preſence of the kinge, to whome he gaue in Gods name moſt holſome counſel, yet durſt not the Kīg for feare of his princes nether follow the ſame,Iere. 36. [Page] nether yet let them vnderſtande what cōmunication was betwixt the Prophet and him.

Ezechiel in his viſion ſaw the people and princes declined from God, and dyd alſo heare theſe wordes ſpokē by God: The iniquitie of the houſe of Iſraél, and Iuda is great aboue meaſure, the earthe is ful of blood, and the Citie ful of defection.Ezech. 8.91 For they haue ſaid, The Lord hathe left the earthe, and the Lord ſeethe vs not.

After that moſt miſerable deſtruction of Ieruſalem, when a remnant of the poore people and Nobilitie (who had eſcaped the edge of the ſword) were left in the lande with the prophet Ieremie and with Godolias the ſonne of Ahikam,Iere. 40. their olde venome of rebelliō againſt God & his reueled wil was nothing purged. For albeyt that the princes, [Page] Iohannan the ſonne of Carea; & Iezanias the ſōne of Hoſeas with the whole people had promiſed vnto Ieremie by a ſolemned othe to do whatſoeuer the Lord ſhulde commaunde vnto them by his mouthe: yet when he commaunded thē in the name of the Lord to abyde in the lande and not to carie the people to Egypt, they nether feared, nor aſhamed to ſay vnto him, thou ſpeakeſt a lye, the Lord hath not ſent the to vs, commaūding that we ſhulde not go to Egypt,Iere. 43. &c. to Egypt wil we go,Iere. 44. and we wil ſerue the quene of heauen, &c. euen as our ancient kinges, and fathers dyd before vs: and ſo in deſpite of God, of his prophet, and of his worde reueled vnto them departed from the lande, which the Lord had giuen to the ſeade of Abraham, vnto Egypt infected withe all Idolatrie. And thus [Page] from their original they continued in rebelliō euē to the ende, when they dyd vtterly forſake God. for what ſoeuer they pretē ded, it was nothing els, but a playne denial of God, of his leage & of his conuenant, to contract familiaritie, alliance or peace agaynſt his playne precept with that nation, from whoſe tyrānie God had before deliuerd their fathers. And therfore he gaue them: moſt ſtrait commandement, that they ſhulde neuer returne to that bondage agayne.

How long and how paciētly dyd God fight againſt this their rebelliō, is eaſie to be vnderſtād by the hiſtories and prophets: but how ſeuere in the ende were the plagues and iuſte vengeance powred vpon the kinges, princes & people,Behold ye frutes of Idolatrie. dyd verie Ethnickes thē ſelues giue teſtimonie & record. Their land & cities were ſpoyled, [Page] burnt and left deſolate: womē for hungre cōpelled to eate their owne children. Oft were they broght in thraldome & ſubiection of ſtrangers, and finally the glorie of the Lord was remoued from his ſanctuarie,4. King. 6. wc he him ſelfe dyd ſweare yt he woulde prophane by reaſō of their great abominations.Ezeh. 9. And ſo he dyd, for it was brent,Iere. 39. the veſſels and ornamentes of it caryed to Babylon, the whole Nobilitie of Iuda, and the Kinges ſonnes were kylled in his owne preſence, after whiche moſt miſerable ſight his owne eies were put out, he led to Babylon, where he remayned priſoner vntil his death. Thoſe that departed to Egypt dyd neuer returne agayne to Ieruſalem,Iere. 43. but periſhed moſt miſerablie, as the prophet dyd threaten.

[...]This is the glaſſe, this is the minor (ô England) in whiche I [Page] would, that dayly thou ſhuldeſt behold, what ſhalbe the final end of thoſe, that do abuſe the long ſufferinge of God moſt mercifully calling all to repentance. Yf thou ſhalt thinke thy ſelf pure and cleane from any of the crimes, which before is noted in that people, alas thou ſhalt declare thy ſelf more then impudēt. For all other your iniquities omitted, this your laſt and vniuerſal turning from God by the open denyal of his Goſpel profeſſed, declareth you from the higheſt to the loweſt manifeſt tray tours againſt his godly maieſtie. It is you all together, who moſt cruelly haue ſhede the blood of a nomber of your brethern and ſiſters,Reue. [...]. wt from vnder the alter crie to be reuenged. There is no perſon giltles in Gods preſence, who hathe bowed their knees to Idolatrie (what ſoeuer excuſe [Page] they liſt to pretend) but as al are Idolaters, ſo are and ſhalbe reputed murtherers before God, wc do not waſhe awaye that infamie & innocent blood by vnfayned repentance.The names of ſo many as could be now gotten, are annexed in the end.

No other aſſurāce will I requyre that your plagues are at hande, and that your deſtructiō approcheth, then that I ſhal vnderſtand that ye do iuſtifie your ſelues in this your former iniquitie. Abſolue and flatter you who ſo liſt, God the father, his ſōne Chriſt Ieſus, his holy angels the creatures ſenſible and inſenſible in heauen and in earth ſhal ariſe in iudgement and ſhal condem you, if in tyme ye repent not. The cauſe yt I wrappe you all in Idolatrie, all in murther and all in one and the ſame iniquitie, is that none of you hath done your duetie, none hath remembred his office and charge, [Page] whiche was to haue reſiſted to ye vttermoſt of your powers that impietie in ye beginning.The duetie of England when Idolatrie was firſt erected. But ye haue all followed the wicked cō mandement,Oſeas.. 5.7. all haue conſented to cruel murther, in ſo far as in your eies your bretherne haue moſt iniuſtly ſuffered, and none opened, his mouth to cōplayne of that iniurie, crueltie & murther, I do euer except ſuche, as ether by their death, by abſteyning from Idolatrie or by auoyding the Realme for the iniquitie in the ſame committed, dyd giue teſtimonie, that ſuche an horrible falling from God dyd inwardly greue them. Theſe I except, but all the reſt, euen from the higheſt to the loweſt I feare no more to accuſe of Idolatrie of treaſon aginſt God committed, and of cruel murthering of their brethern, then dyd Zacharias the ſōne of Iehoiada feare to [Page] ſay to the king, princes & people of Iuda, Why haue ye tranſgreſſed the commaundemētes of the eternal? It ſhal not proſperouſly ſuccede vnto you, [...] Para. 2. but euē as you haue left ye Lorde, ſo ſhal he leaue you.

And albeyt my blood ſhulde be ſhed for this my affirmation, as his was, yet hauyng the teſtimonie of a good conſcience, that I ſpeake not nor write not of priuate malice againſt any perſon, I wil ſtil crie as before. For at your handes (onles that ſpedely and vnfaynedly ye repent) ſhal God require all the blood, not onely whiche lately hathe bene ſhed by your moſte wicked permiſsion, but alſo of all thoſe, that for the ſame cauſe haue ſuffred from the beginnyng.Math. 23. Tremble therfore,By true repentāce you ſhal eſcape Gods vengeance. feare, confeſſe and vnfaynedly repent, that ye may eſcape the vengeance prepared. Your [Page] humiliation, confeſsion and repentance may now obteyne no leſſe of Gods great mercie, then dyd Ioſias, his nobles and people in the ſame caſe,4. Kin. 3 [...] to whome in all things you are ſo lyke, as one beane is to an other. For no crime is ſo haynous, whiche God will not caſt in the bothome of the ſea, ad bury in perpetual obliuion, if you with vnfayned hartes turne to ye Lord your God, whome ſo greuouſly you haue offended.

This conuerſion and repentance requireth no dout a reformation, remouyng and ſuppreſſing of all abuſes, all wrong, all violence, all oppreſsiō & fraude how long, in whome & by whōe ſoeuer they haue bene mainteyned, practiſed or permitted. But remitting all ſuche thinges, as be without the religion, to ſuche as God ſhall farther moue with [Page] his holy ſpirit to inſtruct you, I ſay that your conuerſion vnto God and vnfayned repentance requyreth two thinges.Two thinges required in ye [...]eformation [...] religion. Firſt, that the religion and true honoring of God may be at once broght to that puritie, which his worde requyreth. Secondarely, that order may be taken, ſo far is in you lyeth, that the ſame religion, which God approuethe, may be kept inuiolable amongſte you for euer, and that the people vniuerſal may be inſtruct in ye ſame.

For the firſt point touchinge reformation of religion yu muſte at once ſo purge and expel all dregs of papiſtrie, ſuperſtition and Idolatrie, that thou (ô England) muſt iudge and holde execrable and accurſed, what ſoeuer God hath not ſāctified vnto thee by his worde, or by the action of our maiſter Chriſt Ieſus. The gliſteringe beautie of vayne ceremonies, [Page] the heaping of thinges perteyning nothinge to edificatiō,Vayne ceremonies, and ſuch as ſerue not to edification, oght to be aboliſhed. by whomeſoeuer they were inuēted iuſtified, or mainteyned, oght at once to be remoued and ſo trodden vnder the obedience of Gods worde, that continually this ſentence of thy God be preſent in thy hart and readie in thy mouthe, Not that which appeareth good in thy eies ſhalt thou do to the Lorde thy God, but what the Lord thy God hath cō maūded thee, that ſhalt thou do: adde nothing to it, diminiſhe nothing from it.

Let not the King and his proceadinges (what ſoeuer they be) not agreable to his worde be a ſnare to thy conſcience. O curſed were the hartes that firſt deuiſed that phraſe in matters of religion, wherby the ſimple people were broght to one of theſe two inconueniences: to wit, that [Page] ether they dyd eſteme euerie religion good and acceptable vnto God, [...] prince [...] parlament [...] to do [...] thinge in [...] matters of religion without the aſsurance of Gods worde. which the King and parlament dyd approue and commande, or els, that Gods religion honor and ſeruice was nothinge els, but deuiſes of men. O England, England, let this blaſphemie be firſt of all others remoued. For how horrible is it to remember that the religion, and honoringe of the eternal God ſhalbe ſubiect to the appetites of foliſhe and inconſtant men▪ Let Gods worde alone be the rule, and line to meaſure his religion. What it commandethe, let that be obeyde: what it commandeth not, let that be execrable becauſe it hathe not the ſanctification of his worde vnder what name or title ſoeuer it be publiſhed.

Halt no longer on bothe partes: let not theſe voices preuayle in your parlament: This to our [Page] [...]gement is good and godly,The voices & counſel of ſuch as are nether hote nor colde. his the people can wel beare, his repugnethe not to Gods [...]orde, and when the people be [...]etter inſtructed, then may we [...]rocede farther &c. O diſſem [...]ling hypocrites, playne meſſin [...]e [...]s of Sathan. Now I do write, whiche ſome tyme I haue ſaid to our faces, that whatſoeuer God in matters of his religion) hathe [...]ot ſanctified by his expreſſed worde, the ſame, I ſay, before his [...]aieſtie remaynethe execrable, [...]olluted, and defyled and ſo in fewe wordes, this is the firſt point, which your true conuerſion requireth: to wit, that his onely worde reforme his religion.

The inuiolable preſeruation of Gods religion (whiche is the ſecond point) requireth two principall thinges: the one that power nor libertie be permitted to any, of what eſtate, degre, or autoritie [Page] yt euer they be,None oght to be freed frō the yoke of diſcipline, nor permitted to decline from ye religiō of God. ether to lyue with out the yoke of diſcipline, by Gods worde commaunded, ether yet to alter, to chaunge, to diſanull, or diſſolue ye leaſt one i [...]t [...] in religion, which from Gods mouthe thow haſt receyued. But let his holy and bleſſed ordinaunces, by Chriſt Ieſus to his Church commaunded, be with in thy limittes and bondes ſo ſure and eſtabliſhed,None compellinge Gods people to Idolatrie oght to be permitted to reigne ouer them. that if prince, king, or Emperour would enterprice to change or diſanul the ſame, that he be of the reputed ēnemie to God, and therfore vnworthie to reigne aboue his people, yea, that the ſame man or mē, that go aboute to deſtroy Gods true religion once eſtabliſhed, and to erect Idolatrie, which God deteſteth,Deut. 13. Idolaters oght to be put to death. be adiudged to death according to Gods commaundement: the negligence of which parte hathe made you all (thoſe onely [Page] [...]xcepted, whome before I haue [...]xpreſt) murtherers of your bre [...]hern, deniers of Chriſt Ieſus, & manifeſt traytours to Gods ſo [...]eraigne maieſtie. Which hor [...]ible crimes if ye will auoyde in [...]yme cominge, then muſt ye I meane the princes, rulers & [...]eople of England) by ſolemned the renue the cōuenant betwixt God and you in the ſame forme [...]s Aſa king of Iuda dyd in the li [...]e caſe.

They made a cōuenant (ſaieth [...]he hiſtorie) that they wolde ſeke [...]he Lorde God of their fathers with all their hart,2. Para. 15. and with all [...]heir ſoule, and that whoſoeuer [...]hulde not ſeke the Lord God of [...]ſrael, he ſhulde die the deathe, [...]hether he were great or ſmall, man or woman. And they dyd [...]weare vnto the Lord with a [...]reat othe, and with the ſounde [...]f trumpet and of ſhaumes, and [Page] of this othe dyd all the Iewes r [...] ioyſe. For with their whole ha [...] they dyd ſweare, and they sog [...] God with vnfayned affectio [...] and he was founde of them,The Lord is found of all them, that vnfaynedlie ſeke him. an [...] the Lord gaue them reſt on eue [...] ſide. This is thy duetie and this the onely remedy (ô England) [...] ſtay Gods vengeance, which [...] thou haſt deſerued, and ſha [...] not long eſcape, if his religion [...] honor be ſubiect to mutation an [...] change, as oft as thy rulers liſ [...] or as by reaſon of death they ſha [...] be changed and ſo this brieſ [...] is the firſt thing, which tho [...] muſt with inuocation of God [...] name prouide for eſtabliſhing of his true religion.

The other part, touching th [...] inſtruction of the people, ſtandeth muche in the faithful, diligence of thoſe, to whome th [...] charge of preaching ſhalbe committed. But whē I remembre tha [...] [Page] horrible confuſion, which befo [...]e was mainteined euen by thoſe, which wolde be eſtemed chief pillers of religion, I do more feare to be playne in this matter, then in all that, which before I haue ſpokē. For it may be that in ſpeaking the ſimple trueth I may diſpleaſe thoſe, whome willingly for no earthly profet I wold offende. Neuertheles ſeing the cauſe is not myne, but perteyneth to Chriſt Ieſus, and to the feeding of that flocke, which ſo earneſtly and tenderly he dyd commend to Peter,Iohn. 21. and to all his faithful paſtors to the worldes end, what ſoeuer man ſhal iudge, I dare not ceaſe in Gods name to require of you a ſeuere reformation of thoſe thinges, which were before vtterly diſordered.Eſai. 56. And firſt in the name of the Lorde Ieſus I require of you,No dūm dog [...] nor poiſoned papiſte oght to haue any charge of Chris [...] [...]ock. that no dūme dogg, no poiſoned and peſtilent [Page] papiſt, none, who before hath perſecuted Gods children or obſtinately mainteined Idolatrie, be placed aboue the people of God to infect and poiſon (fo [...] other profet they ſhal do none) the ſoules of thoſe, whome Chriſt Ieſus hathe redemed with his pretious blood. Secondly that-benefice vpon benefice be heaped vpō no mā, but that a ſufficient charge with a competent ſtipend be aſsigned to the workeman. For ô how horrible was that cōfuſiō,Pluralitie of benefices reproued. that one man ſhulde be permitted to haue 2.3.4.5.6. or. 7. benifices, who ſkarſely in the yeare dyd ſo often preache: yea, that a man ſhulde haue the charge of them, whoſe faces he neuer ſaw. Let that peſtilence, proceading from auarice, be vtterly auoyded. Let not men at their pleaſures preach when and where they liſt, but ſo ſone as a Godly order [Page] may be eſtabliſhed, let the partes and bondes be aſsigned to euery one. Londō in tymes paſt was indifferently prouided for,London. but alas what barbarous ignorāce was in the reſt of the Realme.

Thirdly let no man be charged in preaching of Chriſt Ieſus aboue that, which one man may do, I meane, that your Biſhoprikes be ſo deuided, that of euery one, as they be nowe (for the moſt part) be made ten, and ſo in euery Citie and great towne there may be placed a godly learned man with ſo many ioyned with him ſo preaching and inſtruction, as ſhalbe thoght ſufficient for the bondes committed to their charge. The vtilitie wherof you ſhal vnderſtand within few yeares greatly to redoūde to the profit of ye ſimple flocke.The great dominions and charge of prowde prelats is the inuention of Antichriſt. For your prowde prelates great dominiōs & charge (impoſsible by one man to be [Page] diſcharged) are no parte of chriſts miniſterie, but are the maintenā ce of the tyrannie firſt inuented & yet reteyned by the Romane Antichriſt.

Fortely that diligent hede be taken, that ſuch, to whome the office of preaching is committed, diſcharge and do their dueties. For it is not, nor wil not be, the chanting or mumbling ouer of certeyne pſalmes, the reading of Chapiters for mattens and euen ſong, or of homelies onely, be they neuer ſo godly, that fede the ſoules of the hugrie ſhepe. Chriſt Ieſus him ſelf, his holy Apoſtles, and that elected veſſel Paul do teach vs an other leſſon, all commanding vs to preach, to preach, & that to preach Chriſt Ieſus crucified,The office of [...] Miniſters. &c. What efficacie hath ye lyuinge voice aboue ye bare letter red, the hungry & thirſtie do feele to their cōfort: but the other maketh [Page] for maſter parſons purpoſe, who reteining in his hādes a nō bre of benefices appointeth ſuche in his place, as are altogether deſtitute of the gifte of preaching. But let all ſuche belly gods be whypt out of Gods holy Tēple.Philip. 3. Matt. 20.

Fiftely let none, yt be appointed to labour in Chriſtes vineyearde,The miniſters of the w [...]rde oght not to exerciſe any ciuil office or to be intangled with the affaires of the Realme. be entangled with ciuil affaires, and as ye call them, the affaires of the Realme, except it be whē the ciuil magiſtrate and miniſters of the worde aſſemble together for executiō of diſcipline, wc is a thīg eaſie to be done without withdrawīg any perſō frō his charge, if that, wc is before expreſſed, be obſerued. For as touching their yearly cōmynge to the parlament for matters of religion, it ſhalbe ſuperfluous and vaine, yf Gods true religion be ſo once eſtabliſhed, that after it be neuer called in controuerſie.

[Page]And as touching execution of diſcipline,Diſcipline muſt be executed without reſpect of perſōs that muſt be done ī euerie Citie & Shier, where ye Magiſtrates & miniſters are ioyned together without any reſpect of perſons, ſo yt the miniſters, albeit they lack the glorious titles of Lordes, & the deueliſh pompe, wc before appeared in proude prelates, yet muſt they be ſo ſtowte & ſo bolde in Gods cauſe,The Miniſters muſt be ſtowt and bolde in Gods cauſe albeit they wāt the glorious & vayne titles of Lordes. that yf the King him ſelf wolde vſurpe any other autoritie in Gods religion, then becometh a membre of Chriſts body, that firſt he be admoniſhed accordīg to Gods worde, and after, yf he contemne the ſame, be ſubiect to the yoke of diſcipline, to whome they ſhal boldly ſaye, as Aſarias the highe preſte ſayd to Vſaias the king of Iuda:3. Par. 26. It is not lawful for the, ô Vſaia, to offer incenſe, but it apperteyneth to the preſtes the ſonnes of Aharon, who are conſecrated [Page] to burne it. Paſſe out therfore, for thou haſt offended,4. King. 26 which thing ſhal not redounde to thy glorie, &c. This is the duetie (I ſay) of all Chriſtes faithful miniſters, whenſoeuer any man, be he kinge or Emperour, vſurpeth to him ſelf autoritie againſt God, to rebuke him openly, to reſiſte & gainſtāde him to the vttermoſt of their power, whome the Lord by the ſpirite of his mouthe and power of his worde ſhal cōfounde, euen as he dyd the pride of Vſaias, yf they be ſtrong & valiant in Gods cauſe.

Now laſt (omitting things of no leſſe importance to your wiſdomes) for the preſeruatiō of religion it is moſt expediēt,Scholes to be vniuerſallie erected. that ſcholes be vniuerſally erected in all Cities, and chief townes, the ouerſight wherof to be committed to the magiſtrates and godly learned men of the ſaid Cities, & [Page] townes, that of the youth godly inſtructed amongſt them a ſeade may be reſerued and continued for the profet of Chriſtes Church in all ages.

An anſwer to two obiectiōs.It remayneth briefly to anſwer to two things, wc may giue you occaſion to [...]aint in this the Lordes wo [...]ke. Firſt the lacke of workemen to put things in ſuche order as is requiſite: and ſecondly the feare of tumult and ſedition within your ſelues, or inuaſion of forren Nations. In Gods Name I feare not to affirme that nether the one nor the other ſhal hurt you in the end, yf you with your whole hartes ſeke Gods glory to be promoted, and all ſortes of abominations to be rooted owte. For yf you pray with earneſt affection, he ſhal indue ſuche as ye know not with wiſdome and knowledge to rule in his Church to the comfort of his flocke. [Page] There be mo laborers, then the eies of man ſeeth, that profitably wolde worke in the Lordes harueſt. And as for feare of ennemies, they may with Choron, Dathan and Abiron conſpire againſt Moiſes and Aron,Num. 16. 2. Para. 20. with the Moabites and Ammonites againſt Ioſaphat,2. Para. 32. or with proude Sinnacherib againſt Ezechias and afflicted Zión. But rather or thou ſhalt de confounded, yf with a perfite hart thou ſeke the Lord thy God,Num. 16. 4. Kin. 20. 2. Par. 32. rather (I ſay) ſhal the earth open and deuoure ſuch rebels, rather ſhal thine ennemies euery one murther other, & rather ſhal ye Angels of the Lord fight for thy deliuerance, or the worke be hindered and periſhe in thy handes.

But yf thou, ô England, for any reſpect delay thy repentance and conuerſion vnto God, yf thou ſhalt ſtil foſter in thy [Page] boſome the generation of vipers, yf thou ſhalt reteine in honour & autoritie ſuche, as haue declared them ſelues ennemies to God and to his eternal trueth not by any infirmitie, but of determined malice & ſet purpoſe, to murther & deſtroy Gods choſen children: yf finally thou ſhalt not ſtudy to wroote out and cut of ſuch rotten membres, as can do nothing, but infect the whole body: then call I to witnes againſt the both heauē & earth,Deut. 4. that I and others the ſeruantes of God, who faithfully & in tyme haue wa [...]ned thee of thy duetie and vengeance to come,Be warned o [...] England, yf yu w [...]lt eſcape Gods vēgeāce are & ſhalbe cleane frō thy blood, which ſhortely ſhal periſhe, yf thou contemne the admonitiōs of Gods meſsingers. To late it ſhal be for thee to howle & crie, when the flame of Gods hote diſpleaſure ſhal begyn to burne. It wil not thē be ye flattering intiſemē tes [Page] and vayne policies of ſuche, as ſ [...]ke more thē ſelues then Chriſts glorie, that wil extīguiſhe it. No, it ſhal burne and ſhal deſtroy the head and the tayle, the prince and the falſe prophet, the roote & the brāches of ſuch impietie. Be warned therfore, yf thou liſt eſcape vengeance, which is already prepared for the inobedient.

But ô you that in ſorow of hart ſee theſe abominations,Such as vnfaynedly feare the Lord ſhal finde comfort in their greateſt daunger. that lament and do not pollute your ſelues with them, let your hartes reſt vpon the Eternal, who ſhalbe to you a rocke & a ſtrong caſtle of defence. Althogh the heauen and the earth ſhulde be confounded, yet ſhal his mercie deliuer you from danger, & in verie experience and ioy of hart ye ſhal ſinge: ô Lord, thou art our God,Eſai. 25. we ſhal exalt & confeſſe thy Name, for thou haſt done wōderous thinges. Thy counſels are profounde, [Page] far of to mans iudgement, but yet are they true & ſure. The ſtrong tenthes and the palaces of the proude haſt thou broght to ruine, ſo that they ſhal neuer be reſtored again, and therfore the ſtrong people ſhal glorifie thee, yea, the Cities of tyrannous nations ſhal feare the, &c. Beholde this is our God whome we haue abiddē, he hathe ſaued vs. This is ye Lord, whome we looked for, we ſhal reioyce and be ioyful in his ſaluatiō, &c. This (I ſay) ſhalbe the ſong, which in experience of the Lordes deliuerance your hartes ſhal ſing, euen when Gods moſt ſeuere iudgementes ſhal in your eies be executed againſt the vngodly, and therfore call thou for ſtrength to continue to the ende.

A PRAYER.

[Page]

GOD the father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt by the power of his holy Spirit ſo illuminate and ſo moue your hartes, that clearly ye may ſee & perfitly vnderſtād, how horrible hathe bene your fall from his veritie, how fearful and terrible it is to fall into his hādes without hope of mercie, & what is that his vnſpeakeable mercie, which yet agayn he offreth vnto you, and that it may pleaſe his eternal goodnes to indue you wt ſuch wiſdome, prudence and fortitude, that ſeing his good pleaſur in his worde reueled, without all feare ye may follow the ſame to the aduauncemēt of his glorie, to the conſolatiō of his afflicted Church, and to your euerlaſting comfort through our onely mediator, redemer, peace maker & lawgeuer Chriſt Ieſus our Lord▪ [Page] whoſe holy Spirit rule your hartes in his true feare. So be it.

From Geneua the 12. of Ianuarie. M.D..LIX.

§

THE NAMES OF SOME PART OF THOSE most faithful ſeruantes and deare childrē of God, which lately in thee and by thee (o England) haue bene most cruelly murthered by fyer & impriſonment for the testimonie of Chriſt Ieſus and his eternal veritie, whoſe blood from vnder the aulter crieth lowde to be auenged on them, that dwel vpō the earth,Reuel. 6. as before is mencioned, beſides a great nombre of Gods children who vnder the pretence of treaſon ſuffred for Christ Religion.

[Page]

THE YERE M.D.LIIII.

At London

Februarie. 4 IOhn Rogers preacher.

At Countrie

Laurence Saunders preacher.

At Hadlay.

Roland Taylor preacher.

At Gloceſter.

Februarie. 9 Iohn Hooper late Biſhop of Gloceſter.

At Carmarden

Marche. 5 of Februarie. The 22 Robert Ferror Biſſhop of S. Dauids.

At London

Thomas Tomkins weauer.

At B [...]ndwood

Marche. 15 William Hunter prentis.

At Horndon on the hil

Marche. 25 Thomas Higby gentleman.

At R [...]yley

Marche. 25 Thomas Cauſſon gentleman.

Yeare 1555.

At Braintrie

Marche. 27 William Pigat weauer.

At M [...]ulden

Marche. 28 Stephan Knight butcher.

At Danberie

Marche. 28 William Dighel.

At Colchester

Marche. 28 Iohn Laurence preacher.

April. 2 Iohn Alcock died in newgate priſon.

At weſtminſter

April. 24 Williā Flower alias Brāche, whoſe [Page] hand was firſt cut of for ſtriking a p [...]eſte in his zele being at maſſe.

At weſtcheſter.

George Marche preacher.

At London

May 31 Iohn Cardemaker.

May 31 Iohn Waren vpholſter.

At London

Iune. 4 William Tooly ſeruingmā was hanged, buried, and then taken vp and burnt, becauſe at his death he praied thus, From the tyrannie of the biſſhop of Rome, requiring the people to ſay wt him, Good Lord deliuer vs.

At Chelmisford

Iune. 10 Thomas Wats lynen draper.

At Cockshall

Thomas Hawkes.

At Ratcheford.

Iune. 11 Iohn Symſon weauer.

At Railey

Iohn Erdley.

Nicolas Chamberlayn.

At Manyngtrie

Thomas Oſmunde.

At Harwitch

Iune. 12 William Butler.

At London

Iulie. 1 Iohn Bradforde preacher.

Iohn Liefe prentis.

Iulie. 2 William Ming Miniſter died in Maideſtone priſon.

At Cantorbery in one fier

Iulie. 12 Iohn Bland Miniſter.

Iohn Franks Miniſter.

Nicholas Sheterden:

Humfrey Middleton.

At Dartforde

Iohn Wade.

At L [...]wes

Dirick Ha [...]man.

At Steuenyng

Iohn Lander.

At Chicheſter

Thomas Euerſon.

Richard Hooke a lame man.

At Rochester

Nicholas Hall.

At T [...]bridge

Ioan Polley

At Reading

Iulie. 30 Williā Ailewarde died in priſō.

A [...] Sainct Edmondsbury

Auguſt. 2 Iames Abs.

At Ʋxbridge

Iohn Denleye gentilman.

At Stratfordelowe

Warens widowe.

At Cantorburye

Auguſt. 23 William Cocker gentilman.

Richard Collier.

Henrie Laurence.

William Hopper.

William Stere.

Richard Wright.

At Tauntou

Auguſt. 24 Roger Corier.

At Sainct Albons

Auguſt. 26 George Tankerfelde.

William Baumeford.

At Ʋxbridge

Patrick Patingham.

At Stanes

[Page]Robert Smith.

At Stratford

Auguſt. 30 Steuen Harwood.

At ware

Thomas Fuſſe.

At Safronwalden

Auguſt. 31 Iohn Neweman.

At Barnet

William Hailes.

At Ipſwitch

September 2 Robert Samuel.

At walſingham

September 3 William Alyn.

At Chetford

Thomas Cobbe.

At Yexford

Thomas Coe.

At Cantorberie

September 6 George Bradbridge.

Iames Tuttye.

George Catner.

Robert Streter.

Antonie Burward.

At London

September 11 Iohn Liefe died ī Newgat priſō.

At Litchfeld

Thomas Haywarde.

Thomas Gorway.

Tyngle died in Newgate priſon

Richard Smith died in Lowlers tower and was buried in ye fields

In Lowlers tower

died George Bing.

William Androwes.

At Couentrie

September 19 Robert Gloouer gentleman.

Cornelius Bungaye.

At Ely

William Wolſey weauer.

Robert Pigot painter.

At Oxford

October. 4 Nicolas Ridley Biſſhope of Lō don.

Hugh Latymer before Biſſhope of Worceſter.

At Cantorberie

October. 16 Iohn Web gentleman.

At Cantorbury

October. 31 George Roper

Gregorie Painter.

At Colcheſter

Decemb. 7 Iames Gorie died in priſon.

At London

Decemb. 14 William wiſeman died in lolers tower and was caſt into the fields, and commādmēt giuen that he ſhulde not be buried, but in the night godlie mē buried him.

In London

Decemb. 18 Iohn Philpot Archedeacon of Wincheſter.

Ianuarie. 27 Thomas Whitwel miniſter.

Barlet Grene gentilman.

Thomas Browne.

Iohn Tutſon.

Iohn went.

Agnes Foſte [...].

Ioan Laſheford.

At Cantorburie

Ianuarie. 31 Iohn Lowmas.

Anne Albright.

[Page]Ioan Soalle.

Ioan Painter.

Agnes Snode.

At Ipſ [...]wytche

Februarie. 19 Anne Potten. Michaels wife.

At Oxforde

Marche. 21 Thomas Crammer Archebiſſhop of Cantorbury, whoſe worthie workes do yet remaine.

At Salisburie

Marche. 24 Spicer.

Maundrell.

Coberley a taylor.

Yeare 1556.

At Cambridge

April. 2 Iohn Hollyarde Miniſter.

At Rochecter

Hirtpoole.

Beches widowe.

At London

April. 10 William Tymmes Miniſter.

Robert Drakes alias Gyen Miniſter.

George Ambroſe.

[Page]Iohn Cauel.

Thomas Spurge.

Richarde Spurge.

At Colcheſter

Chriſtopher Lyſter Miniſter.

April. 28 Iohn Maſe.

Richard Nicholl.

Iohn Spenſer.

Iohn Hamon.

Simon Ioyne.

At Gloceſter

Maie. 5 Thomas a blynde boye.

Croker.

At London

Maie. 13 Margaret Eliot mayden cōdemned died in Newgat, & was buried in the fieldes.

At Stratfordebowe

Iohn Vpriſe a blynde man.

Maie. 15 Hugh Lauerok a lame man.

In London

Maie. 16 Katharin Hut widow.

Ioan Horne mayden.

Elizabeth Thaeuel.

At B [...]ckels in Saffolke

Maie. 21 Three women.

In the Kingesbenche

Maie. 21 William Leache died, and was buried on ye backſide.

At Lewes

Iune. 6 Thomas Harland.

Iohn Oſewarde.

Thomas Rede.

Thomas Abington.

Thomas Hoode miniſter.

Iune. 20 Thomas Mylles.

In the Kinges benche

Iune. 23 William Adheral miniſter died & was buried on the backſide.

Iune. 25 Iohn Clement whilewright died in the Kinges benche, buried on ye backſide

At Leceſter

A marchantes ſeruant.

At Stratfordbowe

Iune. 26 Henrie Adlington.

Rodulphe Iacſon.

William Holiwell.

Thomas Bower.

Laurence Parmen.

[Page]Lyon a Coyxe.

Henrie Wie.

Iohn Dorefall.

Iohn Rothe.

Edmonde Hurſt.

George Searles.

Elizabeth Peper.

Agnes George.

In the Kingsbench

Iune. 27 Thomas Paret and Martin Hunt died & were buried on ye backſide

At Edmondes B [...]rye

Iune. 30 Thrie perſons.

In the Kingesbenche

Iulie 1 Iohn Carels weauer died & was buried on the backeſide.

At N [...]berie

Iulie 16 Iohn Guyne ſhowmaker.

Aſken.

Iulius Palmer.

A [...] Greneſted

Iulie 18 Thomas Dingat.

Iohn Forman.

Mother Trie.

At Darbie

August. 1 A Blynde woman.

At Maſ [...]eld [...]

Septembre 24 Iohn Ha [...]t

Thomas Rauendalle

a ſhowmaker.

a corier.

Nicolas Holden weauer.

At Briſtow

A yong man a gloouer.

At Newent

Iohn Horne.

At wutton vndérhedge in Gloſterſhier

A woman.

In Canterburie caſtel

Died Iohn Clarcke.

Dunſtone Chettenden.

Archer.

Polkins wyfe.

William Foſter.

At Northampton

October. 18 A ſhowmaker.

Thre died in Canterburie caſtel & were buried in the fieldes.

At Cantorberie

Thomas Fynall.

Ianuarie. 22 Foſter.

Fynalls ſeruant.

And. 3. mo.

At Aſhford

Two.

At wie

Ianuarie. 25 Two.

Yeare. 1557.

In London

April. 12 Thomas Lothſbie.

Henrie Ramſey.

Thomas Sturley.

Stanleis wyfe.

Hydes wyfe.

In Sainct George fieldes.

Maie. 29 Stephan G [...]atwicke.

William Mo [...]rant.

Thomas King.

At Maidſtone

Iune. 6 Ioan Bradbridge.

Applebie waeuers wyfe.

Alyns wyfe.

Manings wyfe.

Elizabeth a blind mayde.

At Bryſtowe

One.

At Cantorberie

Iune. 19 Iohn Fyſcocke.

Nicolas White

Nicolas Perdier.

Barbara Finall wydow.

Bradbridges wydow.

Alice Bendens wyfe.

Wylſons wyfe.

At Lewes

Iune. 22 Richard Woodman.

George Steuhen.

Margerie Morris.

Iames Morris hyr ſonne.

Dionyſe Burges.

William Mainerd.

Alexander Ho [...]ſmares ſeruant.

Thomaſin Atwoods mayden.

Aſhdounes wyfe.

Groues wyfe.

In M [...]ydſt [...]ne priſon

Died one Ambroſe.

A Norwiche

Iulie. 12 Simon Miller yeoman

And a woman.

At Colcheſter in the fornoone

Auguſt. 2 Alice ſyluerſed.

Vines wyff.

Elizabeth fookes

with. 3. mo.

There in the afternoone

4. mo.

At Colcheſter

Auguſt. 5 Thurſtones wyfe.

Bowmers wyfe.

At Rocheſter

Auguſt. 20 Robert Frier an aged man.

A man.

A woman.

At Norwitch

Auguſt. 23 A woman.

At Lytchefeild

Septēbre. 10 Ioice Lewes.

At Iſlington

Septēbre. 17 Rauffe Allerton.

Iames Anſ [...]o.

Ma [...]gerie his wyfe.

Richard Rothe.

In London

Nouēbre. 13 Iohn Holingdaie carpenter.

Sparrow.

Richard Gybſon gentilman.

In London

Decembre. 22 Iohn Roughe preacher to the cō gregation in London.

Margeret Iames.

In London

Febr. 27 Cutbert Symſon one of the Deacons fyrſt choſen in the congregation in London.

Iohn Deuenyſh woolwynder.

Haghe Foxe ho [...]ier.

At Hantington

March. Lawton.

April. 15 Iohn Mainerd died in Newgate and was buried in the fieldes.

At Colcheſter

Maie. 26 Iohn Harriſon.

Daie.

Agnes George.

At Norwitch

Iune Three.

Died in N [...]wgat and were buried in the field

Thomas Tyler.

Mathew Wethers.

In London

Henrie Pond.

Iune 27 Mathew Rycarbie.

Iohn Holydaie.

Iohn Flonde.

Raynold Louonder.

Roger Holland.

Thomas Sowtham.

At Bramford.

Iohn Slade

Iulie. 13 And. 5. more.

At wyncheſter

Bainbrigge gentleman.

TO THE READER.

[Page]

YF the examinations and iniuſte accuſations of theſe our deare brethern with the names of their wicked accuſers, falſe Iudges and cruel tormen [...]e [...]s had bene ſent vnto vs as theſe fewe names were, we woulde moſt gladly haue done our diligence, that the wonderful con [...]ācie of the one, & the great rage & crueltie of the other ſhulde haue bene witneſſed vnto ye world. which thing neuertheles we mynde hereafter more largely to performe to the glorie of God, to the comfort of this Church & to the perpetuall cōfuſiō of thoſe murtherers and members of Satā, whome the Lord ſhall confounde by the glorious coming of our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt.

Information about this book

Title statement

The copie of an epistle sent by Iohn Knox one of the ministers of the Englishe Church at Geneua vnto the inhabitants of Newcastle, & Barwike. In the end wherof is added a briefe exhortation to England for the spedie imbrasing of Christes gospel hertofore suppressed & banished.

Knox, John, ca. 1514-1572.

Edition statement

1559

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A68306

ID [STC]

STC 15064

ID [STC]

ESTC S106733

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99842444

ID [PROQUEST]

99842444

ID [VID]

7095

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A68306)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 7095)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 442:05, 473:03)

Source

— The copie of an epistle sent by Iohn Knox one of the ministers of the Englishe Church at Geneua vnto the inhabitants of Newcastle, & Barwike. In the end wherof is added a briefe exhortation to England for the spedie imbrasing of Christes gospel hertofore suppressed & banished., Knox, John, ca. 1514-1572..

Extent

127, [1] p.

s.n.,. At Geneva :: M.D.LIX. [1559]. (In two parts.) (Part 2 with caption title.) (Formerly also STC 15065.) (Identified as STC 15065 on UMI microfilm reel 473.) (Considerable print show-through; some leaves cropped at head.) (Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.) (Appears at UMI microfilm reels 442 and 473 (Bodleian Library copy).)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.