A06507:41
A faithful admonition of a certain true pastor and prophet sent unto the Germans…A faithful admonition of a certeyne true pastor and prophete sent vnto the Germanes…
A faithful admonition of a certain true pastor and prophet sent unto the Germans at such a time as certain great princes went about to bring aliens into Germany, [and] to restore the papacy; the kingdom of Antichrist. [Et]c Now tra[n]slated into English for a like admonition unto all true English harts; whereby they may learn and know how to consider [and] receive the proceedings of the English magistrates and bishops. With a preface of M. Philip Melanchthon. ...A faithful admonition of a certeyne true pastor and prophete sent vnto the Germanes at such a time as certain great princes went about to bryng alienes into Germany, [and] to restore the papacy; the kingdom of Antichrist. [Et]c Now tra[n]slated into English for a like admonicion vnto all true Englyshe harts; wherby they may learn and know how to consider [and] receiue the procedinges of the English magistrates and bishops. With a preface of M. Philip Melancthon. ...
Greenwich: printed by Con, 1554Grenewych: printed by Con, 1554
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.
They shall not have so hard heads in their naughty proceedings, but I shall have as hard an head, in my lawful and godly enterprises, although not only Emperor Charles but also the Turkish Emperor should take part with them. They shall never fear me, nor make me to shrink, but I will make them fear and shrink. So far have they overseen them selves already, that I and such things as I have enterprised, and attempted, shall prosper, wham they with their proceedings shall decay, and be confounded. For my life shall be their hang man, and my death shall be their devil. That and none other let them trust unto, for they shall be sure thereof, for all their laughing & triumphing that they make now.1 And if the Papists should begin any war, we should not need greatly to fear them, for they cannot proceed in their enterprises in the name of God, nor ⟨image 23⟩can not with good consciences pray• unto God, for any success. They can not pray from their harts, so much as thus: O God help us in our proceedings. For their own consciences do accuse them selves, that their proceedings are naught & ungodly. And for the christen religion, it hath been preached by us, & set forth by authority of our princes (which they now go about to suppress) divers of their own best Clerks (as for the blind asses, we do not regard) have confessed & said, that none of our doctrine is against any Article of the faith, nor against the scripture, but only against certain ordinances of their own church, & certain decrees of the pope. Therefore it is easy to perceive, with what conscience they can attempt any thing against our doctrine. And as for bringing Aliens into our nation,2 to have the government among us, & to subvert the ancient privileges of their own natural country, I dare say, their own con science telleth them that it is against nature. Now if they should begin any battle, it must needs be for one of these ⟨image 24⟩two causes, which being both ill in their own judgement, how can they pray unto god, for any good success? And therefore we may well speak this benediction over them: As ye seek Gods honour, & as good as your quarrel and proceedings are: even such success & victory God send you, Amen. And again, God can stir up a Judas Maccabeus, to be the captain of his flock, which shall beat them down, and teach them to be authors of wars, when they may have peace.