The First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women

But just and righteous, terrible and fearful are thy judgements, o Lord! For as some times thou diddest so punish ¹men for unthankfulness, that man ashamed not to commit villainy with man: and that because, that knowing the to be God, they glorified thee not as God, even so haste thou most justly now punished the proud rebellion and horrible ingratitude of the realms of England and Scotland. For when thou diddest offer thy self most mercifully to them both, offering the means by the which they might have been joined together for ever in godly concord: ⟨p. 31⟩then was the one proud and cruel, and the other unconstant, and fickle of promise. But yet (alas) did miserable England further rebel against thee. For albeit thou diddest not cease to heap benefit upon benefit, during the reign of an innocent and tender king, yet no man did acknowledge thy potent hand and marvellous working. The stout² courage of captains, the wit and policy of counsellors, the learning of bishops, did rob the of thy glory and honour. For what then was heard, as concerning religion, but the kings proceedings, the kings proceedings must be obeyed? It is enacted by parliament: therefore it is treason to speak in the contrary. But this was not the end of this miserable tragedy. For thou diddest³ yet proceed to offer thy favours, sending thy prophets and messengers, to call for reformation of life in all estates: For even from the highest to the lowest, all were declined from the (yea even those that should have been the lanterns to others) some I am assured did quake and ⟨image 32⟩tremble, and from the bottom of their hearts thirsted amendment, and for the same purpose did earnestly call for discipline. But then burst forth the venom which before lurked: then might they not contain their despiteful voices, but with open mouths did cry: we will not have such a one to reign ⁴over us. Then, I say, was every man so stout, that he would not be brought in bondage: no not to thee, ô Lord, but with disdain did the multitude cast from them the amiable yoke of Christ Jesus. No man would suffer his sin to be rebuked, no man would have his life called to trial. And thus did they refuse thee, ô Lord, and thy Son Christ Jesus to be their pastor, protector and prince. And therefore hast thou given them over in to a reprobate mind.