AN Admonishion to the Bishops of Winchester, London and others etc.  Ecclesia, v. Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord and put not of from day to day, for suddenly shall his wrath come, & in the time of vengeance he shall destroy the. 
¶ From Roan by Michaelwood, Anno. M.D.Liii. the first of October.   

MAny great men and potentates of the world, when they have by their unlawful and unrighteous attemtes, brought themselves into extreme miseries, have at last much blamed their unfortunable estate, for that they in due time lacked counsel to have withdrawn them from such enterprises. So it is said in the common Proverb. That the rich and mighty have seldom good council, except they get it of themselves. For riches and high dignity causeth them to be more insolent, so that they can abide any thing better, then to be told of their faults, and the reward of him that should frankly tell them the truth: may sooner be a brokehead then otherwise. This prudent men perceiving, rather withdraw themselves from them, than with wearying themselves in vain▪ procure to themselves displeasure. And flatterers seeing a ready pray at their hands, daily follow upon them, with upholding their deeds and words good or bad Al is excellently devised, prudently spoken, done like a good man. etc. Thus with their own pride climbing▪ and with flattery pricked forward, they run headlong in their imaginations, till they tumble down into the pit of destruction. And then they lay the blame from themselves to other. where indeed they would never hear other, but snch as served, yea rather deceived their affections with flatteries. But against such headstrong hastiness we are admonished by the holy Ghost saying: Be not wise in thine own conceit. Fear God, & departed from evil. This we wish that all men would well consider in their enterprises. First that there is a God, not a blind and deaf god, as the godless heathen painted jupiter at Create, but an everliving God that seeth all the ways of Adam's children, that knoweth the oppress our and him that is oppressed, that will call all things into judgement and to account and will render to every one his just recompense upon his head. Him ought men to fear. For whatsoever they attempt yet at last, that he determineth must come to pass, and his will in all things shall be accomplished. This I pray you to consider now in due time, lest if you now forget it, it may hereafter chance to you as it hath done to other▪ that in their wealth little studied on these matters. God hath marvelously saved you from the hands of such as hated you, and set you in high dignity, more than ever you had in your life. And doubtless it is to do good▪ and not evil, to correct and amend things amiss, not to destroy and break down things that are in good case and order. Your procedings begin strangely, in that you at the first go about to deface the holy word of God, to set aside Christ's institution, and to call all this realm to blindness and error. For if you take away the light of God's word from the world: what can men look for at your hands, but destruction and error? David saith: thy word (O Lord) is a candle for my feet▪ 
Psalm cxviii. john. viii.  and a light for my steps. And Christ sayeth: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life. we know that you have in times past nothing favoured the Scriptures to be in English, but have ever winsed and kicked against them, but our hope was that once you would amend, considering how Gods goodness called you to repentance. You were wont to allege you did nothing but as a common Counselour, yea you obtested by God, that when men were burned for the truths sake, you nothing procured to it, but did all that you might to the contrari. we were glad to read this in your writings, but we beseech you let the same now appear in your deeds, so shall we the better believe your writings. But if now you raise a new persecution for the words sake, truly it shall be manifest to all men, that ye were guilty of all the blood that hath been shed before time for the word of god. which blood (though it be yet unadueuged) yet it remaineth fresh and new in the sight of God, with Abel's blood crying unto God, 
ge. iii Ap. vi  and with the blood of the holy Martyrs saying: How long tarriest thou Lord holy and true, to judge and to avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Doubt ye not but their cry is heard and not forgotten afore God. For he maketh inquisition for their blood, 
Ps. ix.  and remembreth them, and forgetteth not the complaint of the poor. 
i. Tim iii. Ezech xx xiii  The office of a Bishop is not to be a Butcher, it is to preach God's word, not to put it down, to help such as be captives, not to cast into prison the righteous that are at liberty, to carry the poor lambs upon their shoulders, not to seek all means possible to consume them with fire or halter. O miserable lambs that shall have such shepherds, whose study is not to feed them, but to keep them from the pasture of God's word, and to poison them with dreams of men's imaginations. O horrible judgement of God, that Christ and his Gospel shall be called new learning and heresy. what can the turk do more than rail against Christ and blaspheme his holy Testament? Yet must christian men be compelled to hear Antichrist, and to hold their peace, when the blood of the new Testament is blasphemed. what is in your latin Mass, to edify with the church of England? 
i Co. xiiii  S. Paul saith: that all things read or done in the common congregation, should be done in that tongue that the congregation understandeth, that the unlearned may say Amen. And Boner hath set up again in Paul's Salesburi latin portace, whereof the lai men understandeth no word, and God knoweth no more do the greater part of the portas patterers. we know that S, Paul had the spirit of Christ, and what can we judge of Boner doing contrary to Saint Paul's doctrine? If the most godly and perfect book of service (which even you yourself have both in preaching and writing commended) please not him, why doth he not set out his church service in English? But he knoweth well enough that there is such monstrous things in it, that if it were in English, English boys would laugh it scorn. Such lies are in the saints legends, such manifest errors, that no colour can defend them Yet must these occupy the place, and that in latin to make simple and plain people believe, that there is in the latin tongue▪ some privy holy mystery Truth needeth no corners or cloaks to hide itself, nor to be in a strange hid tongue, as errors ever seek the ●●●tes of darkness to be their shield and defence Every one that doth evil (as Christ saith) hateth the light, 
Iho iii  and cometh not to the light, that his deeds should not be reproved, but he that doth the truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be known, for they are done in god▪ Christ ordained the holy communion that christian men should together eat the holy bread, and drink the holy cup in the remembrance of his body broken, and his blood shed. And S. Paul delivered to us the same that he received of the Lord, commanding us saying: as oft as ye shall eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye shall show the lords death until he come. I pray you, how is this observed in your private masses, where your shaven priests (for the more part) can as well build Paul's steeple, as fulfil Paul's commandment. you have not one word of scripture to maintain this profanation of Christ's institution. And it is an horrible and fearful thing that ever man mortal should presume such great impiety against the immortal and everliving god. you rage sore against married priests which have for them gods word. 
i. cori. seven.  but you forget the unchaste and detestable Sodomies, incests, adulteries, fornications, murdering of infants, that hath been found in the unmarried sort of shave linges, which have no word of god but this: for such things sake, cometh the wrath of god upon the children of unbelief, 
Ephes. v. i cori. vi. and. seven  and whore mongers and adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of Christ. You bishops should lay no snares to damn men's souls, but rather help them out that be in such damnable estate, and that which gods word leaveth at liberty, you ought not to bring into bondage. That you deprive the married priests of their offices & livings, it is very strange, and no word of god have ye so to do. And we nothing doubt it, but though god at this present exercises the patience of his servants, yet he will at last remember his promise. For the rroubles sake of the oppressed, and because of the complaint of the poor, I will up (saith the Lord) I will help them, 
Psal. xi.  and set them at rest. And in isaiah the lord saith: woe be to the thou robber, shalt not thou be rob also? 
es. xxxiii.  & thou that despisest other, shalt not thou also be despised? The lord will doubtless hear the sorrowful weepings of the poor widows and fatherless children which by this robbery are driven to beggary. The lord heareth the prayer of the oppressed (saith Sirach, 
eccl. xxxv ) He will not despise the prayer of the fatherless, nor the widow lamentably complaining to him. Doth not god see the tears of the widow, and hear her exclamation against such as cause her to weep? from her cheek they ascend into heaven, and the lord that favourably heareth her, will have no pleasure in them. For gods honour therefore, and for fear of his judgement, call these things to your mind, and somewhat mitigate these hasty and rash doings, which are against god & his word. 
Eccl. xv. psalm. v.  For though the lord hath called you to be a scourge to other, yet remember he commanudeth you to do nothing unrighteouselye, for he is a god that willeth none unrighteousness: their may no ungodly person dwell with him, such as be cruel, may not stand in his sight. He is enemy unto all wicked doers. he destroyeth the liars and abhorieth the blood thirsty and deceitful. And as you now are raised to scourge others: so if you vex the innocent, doubtless the lord will throw you down, and raise up them that shall scourge you again, and fulfil Christ's word: 
Mat. seven. Luk. vi.  with what measure ye meat to other, the same shallbe measured to you again. Remember we beseech you, that as glory groweth, so envy against you groweth, not of good, but of evil men, who though they now like Echo rebound ever with pleasant sound of your own voice, yet will they (if god a little withdraw his hand from you) be the first that shall rejoice at your fall. God will withdraw his hand from you, if you repugn against his word, if you seek to deface his truth, to cast aside Christ's supper, to condemn marriage, to set up again idolatry, superstition and error, to bring in again that sodomitical feigned chastity, that drew infinite unto eternal damnation. we need not recite unto you examples what god hath done with princes and potentates, that have enterprised to resist his truth, or else to abuse it to their own private lusts, seeing you have not only read, but seen before your eyes. Only we pray god you may remember what was said to S. Paul. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me? He said: Lord who art thou? The lord said: I am jesus whom thou persecutest, 
Act. ix.  it shall be hard for the to kick against the prick. It is the lord jesus that in his members suffereth, it is his word that is hated and persecuted, it is he that mercifully calleth you to repentance, and he is able enough to repress all violence done against him, but as he came from heaven to save sinners, so would he rather call Saul to repentance, than cast Nero into destruction. But when all things shall declare you impenitent, & manifest rebellour against gods word, then without doubt the lord will no more spare you, than he hath before time spared other. For god's sake therefore beware in due time and take example at others, lest other here after take example at you. 
acts. i.  judas betraying the truth, purchased the bloody field, for he hung himself, and all his guts burst forth. Pharaoh persecuting the people of god, 
exo. xiiii. two. Tim. iii  got gods vengeance & manifold plagues upon Egypt, and he that thirsted blood, was drowned in the red sea. jamnes and jambres his prophets were at last compelled maugre their hearts to acknowledge the finger of god. How well sped Hieroboam for erecting his golden calves at bethel and berseba? 
iii. re. xiiii  Look for no better reward for erectiug your satisfactory sacrifice. But how craftily do you cloine in this. you will command no man, but they shall say you, gratify the queen. God grant the queens grace plainly to see your falsehood, we are afraid you will bring the wrath of god upon her & all this realm of England, as the priests & prophets of Dan & bethel brought it upon the kings of Israel and juda. you tell the queen the people is desirous of Masses, and that they never favoured the scriptures, and you tell the people, the quencs pleasure is that they receive again the mass and popery. Thus you cause no small number of hearts to be withdrawn from that hearty love and affection that they ought to bear to the queens highness, and as much as in you is sow the seed of dissension, which the lord of heaven keep from among us, and grant you to take wiser wares. The people doubtless was fully stayed in conscience, and quieted in the right way of gods word, and would have continued in the same, if you and others had not with your damnable persuasions, crafty surrelties, cruel handlings. etc. gone about to pervert them. And every man may see, that some for hope of lucre and promotion, some for fear of punishment and loss, are ready to return as dogs to their vomit, and swine to their former puddle. As for such as all this time have dissembled, & now openly declare their cankered stomachs, as ready to turn with every wind: as any weathercock. No marvel of their inconstantie in religion, for their ground is not the sure foundation of god's word, but the slippery sand of pleasing men. Ye shall do doubtless a goodly act to serve such men's affections, and to rebel against god's truth. Doubt not but at last ye shall have some cardinals hat for your labour. 
iii. Regu. xvi. xvii. xviii. xxi. iiii. Re. ix and. x.  Achab with his baall and ●emurius, got to himself three years without ta'en, and where the dogs licked Nabothes blood, there was Achabs' blood licked of dogs also. And he that spoilt the poor of his vinyeard, by gods just judgement lost his kingdom with the destruction of all his children. 
iiii. Regu xxi.  Think not but god can raise a Hiehue when his pleasure is, and will do it when Achab least looketh for it. Though poor Esaias must be counted an heretic, yet god will avenge his blood, and the blood of all his servants the prophets that Manasses hath shed.  
We would ye would read Helias letter sent to joram, 
two. Pa. xxi  and consider that ye walking in joram's ways, may (except ye repent) have joram's reward. 
two. Para. xxiii.  Mathan the high bishop of Baal for his great pains taken in Baal's service, was at last offered upon Baal's altar. But per chance ye will right sweetly deride this letter, 
two. pa. xxv  and say as Amasias said to the Prophet rebuking him for his Idolatry, and saying: why worshippest thou the Gods that delivered not their people out of thy hand? he answered: Art thou one of the kings council? Hold thy peace that Isse the not. So you will say: Hold thy peace thou heretic, or come fourth to dispute thy matters. If ye will dispute by the holy Scriptures, by the Doctors of the primative church, it is alredi proffered unto you, but ye know ye can have none advantage that wai, for your own conscience accuseth you. that ye are not able to stand, either with Scriptures or ancient Doctors to prevail against the truth. As little honour will come thereof to you in disputing: as is already won in writing, therefore your old arguments (which your preachers now at Paul's cross, most earnestly beat into the people's heads) are suresby. fire & faggot dispatcheth at once, but happy were ye, that such arguments were not made against you, well then, mark what the Prophet answered Amasias at his departing, and know certainly it will come to pass. The hand of the Lord is not shortened. though our iniquities at this present have justly provoked his anger over us, he will at last pity us for his son Christ our lords sake. And we nothing doubt, but as he his all mighty & can deliver: so he his all full of goodness and will save all that trust in his mercy and call upon him day and night. 
Luk. xviii  And thanks to God the people hath other eyes, than they have had in times past. The holy word of god hath not been all so baren, as you would it had been. Men have some knowledge between a latin satisfactori popishmasse and Christ's Communion truly ministered according to the gospel. Though you boast chastity of priests, men know a difference between a single life, & a chaste life. It is not. Vii. years since some of your unmarried priests, yea as it said one of your great doctors, were complained on for their hot chastity that burned a woman. Men remember yet since some priests were indicted for getting women with child, and murdering the children when they were borne. Oh horrible chastity to be suffered among Christians▪ God doubtless will viset these things in due time, as he visited the sins of the wicked before time. 
acts. xii. ●i. Mac. ix  Mark how He rod was eaten with worms Nero slew himself. julianus confessed Christ in death against his will. Antiochus stank above the earth. But to come nearer our days. More and Fisher with friar Forest & other, desperately died in the contempt of the gospel. Dudleia deceitful tyrant deceived with hope of pardon, blasphemed the gospel at the hour of death, of whom ye make a pillar to stay up your Church. 
Mar. iii.  Beware of the sin against the holy ghost, which shall not be forgiven in this world, not in the world to come. Those that despise Moses, die without redemption, under two or iii witnesses: but how sorer punishment remaineth 
Hebr c. x.  for them, that tread under foot the blood of the new testament, and rail upon the spirit of grace. Once again we beseech you, for jesus Christ's sake, and for the hope of the life to come, and for the judgement that we all must come afore: remember these things, and think that he that wrote this for your admonishion looketh for no preferment at your hand but writeth it, if perchance ye be not altogether a damnable desperate, ye may convert to God, reverence his holy word give place to his truth, & be saved from the wrath of god that is to come. God grant us all mercy and grace to turn to him, that we may be able to stand before the lord at his coming, when he shall arise to judge the earth. Read the second Psalm, and see what shall hap to the rebels against the Lord and Christ his son. Therefore fear the lord, do homage unto his son, serve him with trembling & feat, receiu his doctrine, lest he be angry with you, & so you perish from the right wai, for when his wrath shall be kindled like fire (which shall be shortly) blessed shall all those be that trust in him.  
Amen.