A68306:25
The copy of an epistle sentThe copie of an epistle sent
The copy of an epistle sent by John Knox one of the ministers of the English Church at Geneva unto the inhabitants of Newcastle, & Berwick. In the end whereof is added a brief exhortation to England for the speedy embracing of Christs gospel heretofore suppressed & banished.The copie of an epistle sent by Iohn Knox one of the ministers of the Englishe Church at Geneua vnto the inhabitants of Newcastle, & Barwike. In the end wherof is added a briefe exhortation to England for the spedie imbrasing of Christes gospel hertofore suppressed & banished.
At Geneva : s.n., M.D.LIX. 1559
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.
No time will I appoint to these the judgments of our most just God, but this I fear not to affirm ⟨p. 39⟩in the assurance of his spirit, who of mercy hath called me to be a minister of his word and verity, that as ye have hard the •ayes of these present dolours forespoken, when ye could fear no such dangers to come. For Berwick and Newcastle be you both witnesses,1 how oft and how plainly ye have hard affirmed, that the light, which the most part hated (or at least did not follow) should be taken from you, and that ye for your unthankfulness should be left in uttermost darkness to your destruction: that strangers should bear rule over you, and that ye should of all nations be most miserable and accursed of God, because ye did not know the time of your merciful visitation. Howe oft have ye hard proclaimed in your ears, O England if thou diddest know the honour, wherū to this day thou art called: if ⟨p. 40⟩thou diddest consider the graces & benefits of God this day offered unto thee, thou shouldest be most happy & most blessed of all realms. For within thy land hath God erected his sanctuary, builded his temple and chosen his habitation & dwelling place.2 From amongst you hath God by the power of his word driven out devils, superstition and Idolatry: but alas for thy unthankfulness thy God will depart from thee: he will give the over again to the bondage of Satan. In lies thou delightest and therefore shall the verity be taken from thee. Which sentences and threatenings albeit then ye feared not, yet dare ye not deny in Gods presence, howsoever ye dissemble in the face of the wicked world, but that amongst you spake the Spirit of truth, how weak that ever the instrument was, whom it pleased ⟨p. 41⟩his wisdom to use for your advertisement, as your eyes do this day behold the accomplishment and execution of one part of Gods most just judgements. For the verity,3 in which a small number did delight, is taken from you, and Idolatry, which many gaped for, is erected to your confusion and shame. God hath removed the presence of his glory from you, and the devil hath take his full possession.