A68306:67
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.
And as touching execution of discipline,1 that must be done in every City & Shire, where the Magistrates & ministers are joined together without any respect of persons, so that the ministers, albeit they lack the glorious titles of Lords, & the devilish pomp, which before appeared in proud prelates, yet must they be so stout & so bold in Gods cause,2 that if the King him self would usurp any other authority in Gods religion, then becometh a member of Christs body, that first he be admonished according to Gods word, and after, if he contemn the same, be subject to the yoke of discipline, to whom they shall boldly say, as Asarias the high priest said to Uzziah the king of Judah:3 It is not lawful for thee, ô Uzziah, to offer incense, but it appertaineth to the priests the sons of Aharon, who are consecrated ⟨p. 101⟩to burn it. Pass out therefore, for thou hast offended,4 which thing shall not redound to thy glory, &c. This is the duty (I say) of all Christs faithful ministers, whensoever any man, be he king or Emperor, usurpeth to him self authority against God, to rebuke him openly, to resist & gainstande him to the uttermost of their power, whom the Lord by the spirit of his mouth and power of his word shall confound, even as he did the pride of Uzziah, if they be strong & valiant in Gods cause.
And as touching execution of discipline,1 that must be done ī euerie Citie & Shier, where ye Magistrates & ministers are ioyned together without any respect of persons, so yt the ministers, albeit they lack the glorious titles of Lordes, & the deuelish pompe, wc before appeared in proude prelates, yet must they be so stowte & so bolde in Gods cause,2 that yf the King him self wolde vsurpe any other autoritie in Gods religion, then becometh a membre of Christs body, that first he be admonished accordīg to Gods worde, and after, yf he contemne the same, be subiect to the yoke of discipline, to whome they shal boldly saye, as Asarias the highe preste sayd to Vsaias the king of Iuda: