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

For that woman reigneth above man, she hath obtained it by treason and conspiracy committed against God. Howe can it be then, that she being criminal and guilty of treason against God committed, can appoint any officer pleasing in his sight? It is a thing impossible. Wherefore let men that receive of women authority, honour or office, be most¹ assuredly persuaded, that in so maintaining that usurped power, they declare them selves enemies to God. If any think, that because the realm and ⟨image 53⟩estates thereof, have given their consents to a woman, and have established her, and her authority: that therefore it is lawful and acceptable before God: let the same men remember what I have said before, to wit, that God can not approve the doing nor consent of any multitude, concluding any thing against his word and ordinance, and therefore they must have a more assured defence against the wrath of God, then the approbation and consent of a blinded multitude, or else they shall not be able to stand in the presence of the consuming fire: that ²is, they must acknowledge that the regiment of a woman is a thing most odious in the presence of God. They must refuse to be her officers, because she is a traitoress and rebel against God. And finally they must study to repress her inordinate pride and tyranny to the uttermost of their power. The same is the duty of the nobility and estates, by whose blindness a woman is promoted. First in so far, as they have most heinously offended against God, placing in authority such as God by his ⟨p. 53⟩word hath removed from the same, unfeignedly they ought to call for mercy, and being admonished of their error and damnable fact, in sign and token of true repentance, with common consent they ought to retreat that, which unadvisedly and by ignorance they have pronounced, and ought without further delay to remove from authority all such persons, as by usurpation, violence, or tyranny, do possess the same. For so did Israel and Judah after they had revolted from David, and Judah alone in the days of Athalia.

For that womā reigneth aboue mā, she hath obteined it by treasō and cōspiracie cōmitted against God. Howe can it be then, that she being criminall ād giltie of treason against God cōmitted, can apointe any officer pleasing in his sight? It is a thing impossible. Wherefore let men that receiue of women authoritie, honor or office, be most