An oversight, and deliberation upon the holy prophet JonahAn ouersight, and deliberacion vpon the holy prophete Ionas

These things be spoken of me most gracious and virtuous king, to commend your majesties and your most honourable councels doings that seek the glory of God and the restitution of his holy and Apostolical church. The which thing, as your highness & your most honourable and wise council, have ⟨image 4⟩graciously be gone: God's mercy in the bowels of Christ Jesus grant you most graciously to perform. The people of England were oppressed with the violent and cruel tyranny of Antichrist: darkness and ignorance occupied y• minds all most of all men, so that few knew the true way to eternal salvation. And yet many Princes and wise men delight and tarry in this darkness, and can not or will not bare nor suffer the radiant and shining beams of the Gospel, more then the night crow can the beams of the sun: but the merciful father of heaven shall better their sight when his good and merciful pleasure is. But the Lord be praised your majesty: your most honourable and wise counsel, have not cared what y• greatest part, but what the better doth, that the law of the high and mighty God, may be known to your highness people, as did David, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josyas. And in your majesties so doing, ye bind not only the true and living members of Christ to ⟨image 5⟩give God thanks in this behalf but also declare your self to be the very favourer, nurse, and helper of the word of God according to the saying of Isaiah .xlix. Persevere gracious king in this quarrel & dangerous enterprise. Your highness shall not need to fear either the strength or cautels of your enemies for there is no wit, wisdom, nor counsel against the Lord as Solomon saith pro. xxi. No although they had silver as the gravel of the sea, and gold as commune as the clay of the streets. zach. ix. for albeit the horse is prepared for the day of battle, yet the victory cometh from the Lord Proverb .xxi. I am he saith the Lord that do comfort you, what art thou that fearest mortal man, either the son of man, that shall be made as hay, canst thou for got the Lord thy maker, that stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth? Esa. li. Let these diabolical sounds, & speakings of evil men, nothing trouble your highness, nor your wise ⟨image 5⟩