¶ An earnest persuasion unto the Pastors of Christ's Church, wheresoever they be dispersed, but especially unto his Church of England: That as they have thrust the Plough share into the ground, so zealously and watchfully to walk forth right, not leaning to the left hand, neither turning to the right. For who so layeth hold of the plough and looketh back, is not apt for the kingdom of heaven.   

To the christian Reader.  
LEt no man that shall read, or hear this read, or any thing within this book contained, think or imagine the writer hereof is persuaded, or goeth about to persuade, by any word, within this book, that it were meet or convenience, for any Preacher or Minister, to appoint unto himself, either cap or other garment: but that they are all bound by the duty of their allegiance, to wear and do, all such orders as the Prince shall appoint them, to imitate and follow: or else with saint Peter, by the word of God, to confuce the same, as neither lawful nor necessary. And not by their evil example, suffer the truth to be shadowed and darkened, the forward fathers to be by the Papists, condemned as rash and unadvised doers. But either to prove them so, or else to defend their quarrel, and be content to bow their shoulders to the bearing of the cross, the which who so refuse to do shallbe found loiterers, and not true labourers. To whom these few words are dedicated and directed, I trust none other thing then by the sincere truth, may be sufficiently supported and defended. I desire you not to esteem this to be done of arrogancy, neither to have any ill meaning, but only to crave at your hands; some short pitthie work to satisfy all men. For a great number of the laity will in no wise now go back to their old lessons, [being now further and much better instructed] then to defile themselves with the guiltiness of this crime: to the condempning of all those reverend fathers, which have followed the Apostles; in the purity of perfect religion, received from the primative church. But desire rather to step forward still, until it shall please God to banish all superstition clean out of this church, which he soon bring to pass for his Christ's sake. Amen, AMEN.   

¶ The voice of GOD unto his Church.  

WRapped in woeful wise,  
with doleful dolours deep:  
In sobbing sighs & trilling tears  
half waking half a sleep.   

Methought I heard the voice,  
of God which thus did say:  
Unto his pastors of this church,  
Awake it is clear day.   

You may not slumber now,  
nor walk as in the night:  
Ye must do the work of the day,  
which now shines fair and bright.   

(Why) have ye hardened hearts,  
let them be mollified:  
Why will you waft and waver stilt,  
stand fast and do not slide.   

Beware thou waver not,  
and waft with every wind:  
Step forward still and stagger not,  
be not led by the blind.   

If thou have stepped a wry,  
to start back is no shame:  
If in the plain path thou diddest walk,  
walk forth right in the same.   

Let not the worldly pomp,  
be unto you a yoke:  
Cleanse all your grounds and suffer not,  
the thorns my wheat to choke,   

(Fabius Maximus,  
that valiant wise captain:  
Whose noble acts, the Romans old,  
in great renown retain,   

Being offered the Crown,  
refusing (it) he said,  
Moche more honour than happiness,  
unto the crown is teide,   

He said) who knew the charge,  
and eke the cares most great,  
Would not vouchsafe to take it up,  
finding it in the street.   

Much less honour to hold,  
whereby he should stand bound:  
Not (only) his own conscience,  
but others to confound.   

My Prophets all are such,  
as will in no wise like:  
That ye should wander in by ways,  
as one that wear to seek.   

When ye did first profess,  
to favour mine estate:  
you vowed then with fervent heart,  
my laws to celebrate.   

And when your wanton toys,  
wherein you took solace:  
Had caused me to cast you of,  
and turn from you my face.   

When for your just deserts,  
I seemed to set you light:  
suffering your foes, to spread the fields,  
with banners of despite.   

And when your Godly guides,  
for your dealings unjust:  
Were trodden down defaced eke:  
and some consumed to dust.   

Then could you call and cry.  
then could you make great moan:  
Then if I would become your friend,  
you would (serve) me alone.   

Then all adulterous ways,  
ye would detest and hate:  
Promise you made (not to pollute)  
my house in any rate.   

You said you would be seen,  
in no wanton attire:  
But that you would reform be,  
as I should best require.   

But all to soon I see,  
you have forgot this gear:  
You are become wild Calves again,  
you are not as ye wear.   

If for obedience,  
you seem to turn that way:  
And are content to please men's minds,  
and my will disobey.   

In this you have done ill,  
thus to famish my flock:  
To feed those bailie Gods that of,  
you make a laughing stock,   

I would that you should not,  
offend my little ones:  
Nor dandling thus your dissemblers,  
dash my against the stones.   

(Oh) why do ye devise,  
to make my ways more dark:  
And force my flock to slip backward,  
when they would hit the mark.   

My little cilie Lambs,  
whom ye should feed and cherish:  
By bringing in this gear again,  
they are now like to perish.   

What your conscience will do,  
that they do most abhor:  
And ye condemn my true preachers,  
as though they ran to far.   

Whereby you do avouch,  
the Papists which do say:  
Some run to slow, and some to swift,  
in them there is no stay.   

But walk ye forward still,  
and I will them persuade:  
They can not win the garland so,  
except they deeper wade.   

Such are ne hot ne cold,  
like them they would you wear:  
But of their filthy cup drink not,  
it is to bitter gear.   

Thou shalt commit no ill,  
that good may hap thereby:  
And yet thou art become so blind,  
thou seest not thy folly.   

But turn to me thine ear,  
and listen to my lore:  
No new found toy I will thee tell,  
but that hath been before.   

Some little ones I have,  
that so far for the are grown:  
That suffer will most grievous pains,  
to have mine honour known.   

Your ways are not my ways,  
your thoughts are not like mine:  
Not you but I work my one works,  
yet not as you define.   

In some despised ones,  
my honour for the I spread:  
For they are of my chosen church,  
whereof I am the bed.   

Not all the worldly wise,  
but some such as appear:  
Most simple to the wicked world,  
those are my children dear.   

You must talk frankly now,  
it is no time to flatter:  
We may not here look for great sheaves.  
but rake in those that scatter.   

The harvest is near done,  
but yet the stubble is stout:  
Wherein lieth hid many good ears,  
which ye must now glein out.   

You must dispatch in haste,  
that all were in my Barn:  
Haruess is done, Winter draws near,  
say that I you do warn.   

Mine Angel crieth out,  
unto the Harvest man:  
Thrust in thy Title on the earth,  
prepare the Flail and Fan●e▪   

For now throughout the earth,  
their grain is ripe out right:  
The flower must forthwith be cleansed.  
and all chaff blown out quite.   

Spurn not against the prick,  
my work finish I will:  
The doting age of this old world,  
would lie and loiter still.   

It is no time to gape▪  
or gaze for pollecie●▪  
For what I have determined▪  
that shallbe done quickly,   

Wherefore my Harvest men,  
set to your Scythes with speed:  
For those that I find loitering now,  
I will cast out as weed.   

Think not your swift cutting,  
shall cause one grain to fall:  
For I have counted every ear,  
not one corn perish shall.   

You may set forth yourselves,  
and seem to further me:  
Trusting your wisdoms more than mine  
but so it would not be.   

You might do your good wills,  
and trust me with the rest:  
You might do what I you command,  
and not what you think best.   

As times there are to speak,  
and times to be silent:  
In season and out of season,  
in my works be fervent.   

What good servant think ye,  
in this case could be slack:  
That for one foot forwards would now,  
seem to step two foot back●.   

Not talkers but walkers,  
in my harvest are meet:  
Not respecters but directors,  
of my rites are most feet.   

Not daundlers' but handlers,  
of my word without cloak:  
Not such as fear, but as will bear,  
my joyful cross and yoke.   

Now note what ye have seen,  
in my steps and that do:  
But do not seem to help my works,  
by adding yours thereto.   

For what have I to do,  
with you, or your advice;  
In their due times I do all things,  
to purpose most propice.   

I know there is no prince,  
that takes my word in hand:  
But will hear you and be content,  
to have the truth well stand.   

But to the merciful,  
if you fear truth to tell:  
What would you then to tyrants do,  
that are both fierce and fell.   

When Daniel in den,  
lay destitute of aid:  
How came Abacuk into him,  
how were the Lions stayed.   

For jonas in the sea,  
who did provide the Whale:  
And preaching unto Ninive,  
who did prefer his tale.   

What hope had Abraham:  
when he did imolate:  
At my request his son Isaac,  
how stood then his estate.   

And what was jacobs' hope,  
serving his sire Laban:  
You know well how his case did stand,  
and how I holp him then.   

Of joseph in Egipte,  
and of his father old▪  
What I wrought for them in that land▪  
long tales might here be told▪   

The Papists look to have,  
miracles at your hand▪  
What miracles might you have wrought  
in this realm of England.   

The Lion's mo●thes you might,  
have stayed and stopped fast▪  
The blind and lame restored to 〈◊〉,  
and made your foes aghast.   

Why did you not as I,  
example did show here:  
What Paul received, that he gave,  
his plainness d … appear.   

But now you know my mind.  
let this fault be amended:  
And scorn not at this short warning.  
for ye have sore offended.   

I know all flesh is frail,  
and very prone to fall:  
To start back when you step amiss,  
it is no shame at all.   

I see how loath you were,  
to do that you have done:  
And eke how sore you do lament,  
that ever it begun.   

Be not slack to confess,  
nor slow to turn again.  
Since you do know my will, do it:  
let me not preach in vain.   

As ended were these words:  
me thooght the planets seven,  
Did lose their light and streams of blood,  
tell forthwith down from heaven.   

Whereby the earth infect,  
grievous plagues did ensue:  
What I have heard and seen ye know,  
God's peace be now with you.   

I tell you what I heard,  
and eke what I have seen:  
The Angels of almighty God,  
defend our noble Queen.   

Whose mighty majesty,  
preserve her grace from smart.  
And power his spirit plentifully,  
into her noble heart.   

He grant her his good will,  
that she as willingly:  
May him embrace, and bend● her heart,  
to banish all Popery.   

The ever (being) God,  
grant this as I have prayed:  
Amen, Amen of each good heart,  
so be it now be said.   
FINIS.