A04917:84
A godly letter sent too the faithful in London, Newcastle, Berwick, and to all…A godly letter sent too the fayethfull in London, Newcastell, Barwyke, and to all…
A godly letter sent too the faithful in London, Newcastle, Berwick, and to all other within the realm off England, that love the co[m]minge of our Lord Jesus by John KnoxA godly letter sent too the fayethfull in London, Newcastell, Barwyke, and to all other within the realme off Englande, that loue the co[m]minge of oure Lorde Iesus by Ihon Knox
Rome: printed by J. Lambrecht? for H. Singleton, 1554
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This is not written for David only / but for all such as shall suffer tribulation / to the end of the world / for I the writer hereof (let this be said to the land & praise of God alone) in anguish of mind / & vehement tribulation & affliction called unto the Lord / when not only the ungodly / but even my faithful brother / yea and my own self / that is / all natural understanding. Judge my cause to be irremediable & yet in my greatest calamity. And when my pains where most cruel / would his eternal wisdom / that my hand should write (far contrary to the judgement of carnal reason) which his mercy hath proved true / and therefore dare I be in the verity of God's word to permit that not withstanding / the vehemency of trouble / the long continuance thereof / the desperation of all men / the fearfulness dolore / and anguish of our own hearts / yet if we call constantly to God / that by expectation of all men he shall deliver.
This is not written for Dauid only / but for al suche as shal suffer tribulacion / to the ende of the worlde / for I the writer hereof (let this be sayd to the lāde & prayse of God alon) in anguishe of mynde / & vehemēt tribulaciō & affliction called vnto the Lorde / when not only the vngodly / but euen my faytheful brother / yea and my owne selfe / that is / al natural vnderstandinge. Iudge my cause to be irremydiceble & yet in my greatest calamyte. And whē my paynes wher most cruel / wold his eternal wisdome / that my hande shuld write (farre contrary to the iudgemēte of carnal reason) which his mercy hathe prouyd true / and therfore dare I be in the veryte of Godes worde to permit that not withstandinge / the vehemency of troble / the longe continuance therof / the desperacion of al men / the fearfulnes dolore / and anguishe of our own hartes / yet yf we cal constantly to God / that by expectacion of al men he shal delyuer.
1Let no man think him self unworthy to call and pray unto God / because he hath grievously offended God in times past / but let him bring to God a sorrowful and repenting heart / saying with David / heal my soul o Lord / for I have offended against the / before I fell in misery I transgressed / but now let me observe thy commandments.