THE COPY OF AN EPISTLE SENT BY JOHN KNOX ONE OF the Ministers of the English Church at Geneva unto the inhabitants of Newcastle, & Barwike.  
In ●●e end whereof is added a brief exhortation to England for the speedy embracing of Christ's Gospel heretofore suppressed & banished.  MATTH. CHAP. VII. 
●uerie tree, which bringeth not fourth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  
AT GENEVA. M.D.LIX   
MATH. x. 
Who so ever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my father which is in heaven: but who soever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father which is in heaven.   

●●hn Knox to the inhabitants of N●wcas●le and Barwike and unto ●●her who sometime in the Realm england professed Christ jesus, and 〈◊〉 be returned to the bondage of 〈◊〉, wisheth true, and earnestre●ancely the power and operation ●at same spirit, who called from ●he jesus the only pastor of our 〈◊〉.  
IF the reason of man shallbe called to judge what fruit ensueth the painful travail of Gods most faith●●ll servants, who at his commandment study to repair his ●itie, and to purge his temple, ●●t only shall their labours be esteemed for a time to be vainly ●pent, 
The reason of man is not able to judge of the wonderful works of God towards his Church.  but scarcely shall the wisdom of God through man's ●ashe judgement escape condemnation, neither shall the verity of his promesses be free from suspicion of falsehood and vanity. For to man's reason nothing appeareth more absurd, foolish nor unreasonable, than that God (whose power no creature is able to resist) shall send fourth his messengers to perform his work and will, 
The preaching of the word seemeth foolishness to the world.  and that the same shallbe so impugned, that their building in their own eyes shallbe overthrown, and destroyed, and that the natural man can not see how the promesses of Christ jesus, made to his Apostles, and under their names to all true preachers of his holy Gospel, in these words can be proven constant, and true. I have (saith he) appointed you to go and to bring fourth fruit, 
john. 15.  & that your fruit shall abide. The stability and truth (I say) of this promise doth not suddenly appear, but rather the plain contrary. For if the fruit of the Gospel and glad tidings preached be first in this life the glory of God (I mean such good works as may declare the spirit of regeneration) shining in man after that he be planted in Christ jesus, and after this battle the joy prepared for God's children: if these (I say) be the fruits of Christ jesus preached, then appear the most part of trees to be destroyed before the time of fruit doth approach. For some by tyranny and violence are rooted out from the society of earthily creatures before they begin to flourish, & so is their fruit to man's judgement impeaded and hindered, some are blasted and withered with stormy winds and some are corrupted either by vermin, or by venomous humours proceeding from a corrupt fountain, so that the fruit of none almost doth appear to our eyes. To speak the matter simply and without figure, the men that appeared to the faithful labourers to have been planted in Christ, who calleth himself the very vine, and those, that profess his truth, the vine branches, are subject to so many tentations, that scarcely amongst a thousand doth one take root and bring forth fruit with patience. Notwithstanding such, as by tyranny & violent persecution are suddenly rest from this life, do nevertheless produce and bring forth fruit delectable, and pleasing in the sight of him, who hath appointed an end to the travail & miseries of his dear children, 
The death of the martyrs 〈◊〉 presseth the age and mal●ce of the reprobat aga●st Christ jesus▪ and for time tro●bleth the hearts of the cle●●.  albeit this fruit to the natural man is so sow●e and unsavoury, so hard and unpleasant, that the only sight of it, not only giveth occasion to the reprobat to utter their venom and malice against Christ jesus: but also for a season it vexeth and tormenteth Gods most dear children. For as the one doth insolently rejoice as though God did favour & maintain their tyranny, so doth the other undiscreetly lament and pronounce wrong judgement, esteeming, that more it should stand with God's glory and honour, and more also with the profit of his Church, that such, as to whom he hath of mercy granted notable graces, should rather be preserved in life, then permitted and given over to the wicked appetites of cruel persecutors Howbeit as the fruit of these trees is best known to God alone, so is it justified and approved by him whatsoever the foolish wisdom of the natural man shall judge in the contrary. 
isaiah. 57  For the prophet isaiah pronounceth that the just perisheth (so doth it appear to man's judgement) and yet that no man putteth it in heart, that is doth earnestly consider it, that the men of mercy are taken away and the world nevertheless doth rejoice and triumph. But the holy ghost assigneth an other cause, 
The fruit and benefit of death unto the just.  that the just is taken away before that his eyes behold greater miseries, that he entereth into his peace before that God's vengeance begin to be powered forth upon the proud and disobedient, 
isaiah. 57  and so doth their fruit abide and continue, not only to their perpetual joy, but also to the comfort and consolation of the afflicted that suffer for righteousness sake even to th'end. For the same God that of mercy had respect to their infirmity, and so did prevent the dangers that might have apprehended them, providing also for his Church above the expectation of mortal man, will not despise the sobs of his afflicted now in these most wretched, and most wicked days. But of these trees and of their fruit I cease at this time farther ●o speak, because that the dolorous. estate of many that be alive ●awsethe me some times to give thanks unto God for the happy deliverance of such as constantly departed in the Lord, whether it was by persecution of tyrants, or by natural death.  
Consider with me dear brethren (I speak to you of Newcastle and Berwick) your miserable estate and most dolorous condition. Your profession did once declare before men, 
The outward profession of Newcastle and Barwike in the time of the Gospel.  that ye were branches planted and engrafted in Christ jesus, whose holy gospel (which is the power of God to the salvation of all that believe it) ye appeared to have received with all reverence and gladness. 
Rom. 1.  The displeasure of your natural and carnal friends, who then were enemies to Christ jesus and to his eternal verity, some of you did patiently bear. Ye feared not to go before statutes and laws, yea openly and solemnedly you did profess by receiving the sacraments not as man had appointed, but as Christ jesus the wisdom of God the father had institute to be subject in all things concerning religion to his yoke alone, to acknowledge and avouch him before the world to be your only law giver, sovereign prince and only saviour. Thus I say ye appeared at that time, to have been the delicate plants of the Eternal, the workmanship of his own hands, and the trees that in season and time should have produced good fruit in abundance. But o alas how are ye changed? how are ye corrupted: whi●●ervnto are ye fallen? and how ●aue ye deceived the expectation ●f those that then did labour in ●lā●inge and watering you, and ●ow do sob unto God for your ●●gratitude, calling with tears ●nto his mercy for your cōuersiō●nd that unfeigned repentance ●ay suddenly appear in you. O miserable change, that ye who were once fervent professors of Christ jesus and of his gospel, should now ●e subjects to Antichrist, giving obedience to his false, and deceivable doctrine. O grievous fall and more than grievous, that from the dignity of the sons of God (which prerogative ye had by grace and not by nature) ye are become slaves to Satan, justifying by your presence most abominable idolatry. If ye see not the danger which hereupon dependeth, ye are more than blind, and if ye see it, and study not which all diligence to avoid it, ye are not only foolish, but altogether bewitched and enraged. God did not call you from darkness to light, he did not send his son Christ jesus unto you, contemning and refusing many thousands, more noble, more wise, more ancient, and more puissant than ye are or ever were: God (I say) did not so familiarly communicate himself with you in his only beloved son Christ jesus, to the end that ye at your pleasure and appetite or for the fear of worldly men, for losing of goods, or corporal life should return to darkness, that ye should refuse to serve that sovereign prince in the day of his battle, 
Philip. 2.  before whom all knees shall bow. But contrariwise that according as ye were called to the participation of light, that so constantly ye should walk in the same that as ye were appointed soldiers to fight against Satan the ●rince of this world, and against ●is progeny, enemies to Christ jesus, so should ye boldly abide ●n the rank, in which God had placed you, being farther most certainly persuaded, that he that flieth the battle and denieth Christ jesus before men, shallbe denied before his heavenly father, 
Matt. 10.  yea also that such as refuse not father, mother, sister and brother, are not worthy of him: and moreover that such as do not boldly confess him before this wicked generation, shall never be confessed to appertain to him, nor to the glory of his kingdom, when he shallbe accompanied with his angels. Which things I thought once had been so deeply grafted in your hearts, that albeit angels from heaven should have persuaded you to the contrary, that ye should have holden them accursed, and so in that behalf have rejected their persuasion & doctrine, as a poison most pestilent, which is death & damnation to all that receive it. For so did ye once profess and such was my hope of you, that so in heart you had determined: for Christ jesus was not preached amongst you without his cross. 
The Gospel of Christ hath ever the cross following.   
How oft hath it been bet in your ears that the servant can not be above the Lord: 
Matth. 10. john 13. Act. 14.  that the members must be conformed to the head, that by many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God: that all that will live godly in Christ jesus must suffer persecution, 
2. Timo. 3.  and that partly because Satan the prince of this world can never be so bridled during this battle, but that he will strive to recover strength, and partly because that sin remaineth in us he is permitted to sting with his venomous tail, when his head is bruised. Was not this doctrine ●ommon unto you? Yea have ye ●ot hard ofter than once, that your ●yes should see Christ jesus persecuted in his poor members? that ●is verity should be oppugned? ●hat superstition, lies and Idolatry should prevail and have the ●pper hand? that the kingdom of heaven, the true preaching of his Euangil should be taken from you ●or the ingratitude and stubbur●es of men, who more delighted in darkness then in light? None of ●hese things at that time did appear strange unto you, neither ●yd they discourage you, but ye remed (being admonished what ranger it was to refuse Christ jesus) most steadfastly to cleave to ●he verity, notwithstanding that ●he whole world should have refu●ed the same.  
How oft have ye assisted to Ba●tisme? how oft have ye been partakers of the Lords table prepared, used & ministered in all simplicity, not as man had devised, nethe● as the kings procedings did a● low, but as Christ jesus did institute, and as it is evident, tha● Saint Paul did practise. The●● two sacraments▪ seals of Christ Euangil, ye commonly used, baptism for your children, and the table of the Lord to your owns comfort, and for the open confession of your religion. And so oft I say dear brethren did y● witness before men, & swear b●fore God, that ye would die 〈◊〉 Christ jesus, to the end that y● might live by him: that ye would refuse the doctrine of men, and the participation of all Idolatry▪ and would constantly stand, and stickfast to that religion, which then ye professed, and approved But o alas what miserable ruane hath this sudden and sho●● storm made of that buildings 〈◊〉 was beg on amongst you? The winds have blown and the floods are come, and the walls are fallen in one heap (God grant that the foundation abide) the fire is come, but in you alas is neither found gold, silver, nor precious stone, but all is brent, and all is consumed, so that if I shall judge the fruit of my poor lobors amongst you by mine own judgement reason or apprehension, I should judge myself, and my labours accursed of God, for that that I see no better success. O consider dear brethren, what grief it is, that in such a multitude none shallbe found faithful, 
In the time of persecution and trial not one was found faithful and constant.  none constant, none bold in the cause of the Lord jesus, whom so boldly before they had professed.  
God is witness, and I refuse not your own judgements, how simply & uprightly I conversed and walked amongst you, though in his presence I was and am nothing, but a mass of corruption, rebellion and hypocrisy: yet as concerning you and the doctrine taught amongst you, as than I walked, so now do I write in the presence of him, who only knoweth & shall reveal the secrets of all hearts, 
This rule ought of all preachers to be observed.  that neither for fear did I spare to speak the simple truth unto you, neither for hope of worldly promotion, dignity or honour did I willingly adulterate any part of God's scriptures whether it were in exposition, in preaching, contention or writing: but that simply & plainly, as it pleased the merciful goodness of my God to give unto me the utterance, understanding & spirit, I did distribute the bread of life (I mean Gods most holy word) as of Christ jesus I had received it. I sought neither pre-eminence, 
Behold wherein the preachers of Christ should rejoice.  glory, nor riches: my honour was, that Christ jesus should reign: my glory, that the light of his truth should shine in you: and my greatest riches, that in the same ye should be constant. Let him amongst you that is farthest declined, convict me if he can, if that ever he did perceive me by crafty or unlawful means to seek the substance or riches of any, yea if I have not refused that, which by divers hath been offered, and that also by the common opinion might lawfully have been received. But to what purpose is this recited? Is it to brag of mine own justice? or yet to defend mine own innocency? not so dear brethren, not so (for what I acknowledge myself to be before God, I have already confessed) but to let you understand, that if I have this testimony of conscience as concerning my office, ministery and doctrine, & am notwithstanding wounded almost to the death for that that my labours have not better succeeded, 
If he that is innocent hath this fear, how ought the offenders, to tremble?  what ought to be your fear, lamentation, & trembling? I fear that God hath cursed me because he hath not better blessed my labours amongst you, and yet in that behalf have I the lot, and sort common with the most part of God's true Prophets, and the condition like with saint Paul to comfort me in my greatest desperation. 
3. Reg. 19  For Helias did think that he alone amongst the Israelites was left a live truly to worship God. And Paul did complain that all that were in Asia had left him. 
● Timo. 3.  He did see in his own days his beloved Church of Gallacia bewitched by false ●●a●hers, and also that most notable Congregation of Corinthus, short●y after his departure from the same, he saw divided in sects, corrupted in life, given to deba●e, contention and strife, yea, to be infected with most pestilent heresy, I mean with the denial of the resurrection of the dead. These and other like exemples ●eache us how Gods most true and painful servants have be●e frustrate of their expectation & so humbled before God, whose fruits I have to pull, and as it were by violence to draw me from the bothome of hell, to the which some times I sink for remembrance of your fall, & for my other offences against God committed. But these exemples can not so remedy my wound, ●ut that from time to time I ●ele the prick of God's heavy displeasure. And ought you them to live void of all fear, as men that had nothing offended? My conscience doth neither accuse me, that amongst you was I a false prophet, mercenary nor idle person, and yet I quake, I fear & tremble, remembering your horrible fall, & ought you to rest, be quiet, & rejoice, against whom God's vengeance is so plainly pronounced? For if no Realm, no Nation, City, nor particular person traitorously declining from God, & obstinately remaining in rebellion after the truth known and professed, hath escaped God's vengeance, flatter not yourselves, as that your treason and rebellion should or can be overseen by his justice, which from the beginning is one, and to the end shall remain inviolable.  

Repentance is the 〈◊〉 to find mercy.  Many have offended, and upon repentance have obtained mercy & grace: but I demand & ●ske, who contemning mercy offered, 〈◊〉 as the Apostle speaketh, despising the lenity, and long suffering of God, hath in the end escaped vengeance. Your treasonable fall is manifest, but the signs of your repentance do not yet appear, and therefore I say flatter not yourselves, as that ye had made paction with death, with hell & destruction, as the Prophet isaiah accuseth those of his time, 
isaiah. 28.  who disdainfully did answer, when he called them to sackcloth and ashes, that is to show forth the tokens of true repentance & conversion unto God. In despite (I say) they answered, 
isaiah. 5.  Let the counsel of the holy one of Israel come: in the mean time, let us eat & drink, & make merry days, for to morrow we shall die, if the words of these babblers (so were God's servants termed) be true, and take effect. 
isaiah. 22.  But we are out of danger: destruction nor death shall not apprehend us. The accomplisment of their visions are far of: jerusalem is the pot, & we are the flesh, meaning thereby, that they would die & live in their native country. But the prophets boldly against such proud contempt did affirm, that their league and covenant made (as they supposed) with death and vastation should be dissolved and broken. For the floods of vengeance should carry them to perdition: 
isaiah. 28.  strangers should inherit their land, and they should die in miserable bondage, in a land polluted with all Idolatry, because they refused to serve the Lord their God in the land, which he had given to them in possession, and because they would neither give reverence nor credit to his servants the prophets, whom from time to time he sent unto them. 
Ezech. 11.  And farther the prophets did affirm that those po●e afflicted servants of God, who cruelly were murdered in their presence by those cruel persecutors, that then bare dominion in tyranny, were only they amongst the Israelites, that should die with honour in their own country. As for the rest, they should either be led captives, or else die by hunger, pestilence or sword & so leave their names in ex●ecration and contempt to the posterities foloinge.  
Beware dear brethren that ye be not like to these men in stubbornness in continuance of sin & in contempt of grace. Ye have declined, yea, and traitorously fallen back from God, and from his verity once professed, as they did: but beware (I say) that ye defend not your impiety, that ye contemn not the threatenings of God, promising to yourselves felicity & life, when he by his word, & holy prophets pronounceth against you woe, death & severe judgement. For then be you most assured, that ye shall not escape that irrevocable sentence of God, once pronounced by the mouth of jeremy in these words: Every nation like unto this shall I judge saith the eternal. 
jere. 5.  Then shall you feel in the end, how horrible and fearful it is to fall in the hands of the omnipotent. Then shall ye grope and wander to and fro seeking remedy, but shall find none: ye shallbe like blind men in extreme darkness, ye shall stumble, ye shall fall, ye shall cry and roar for anguish, but none shallbe able to relieve your miseries, all creatures shallbe enemies unto you because you have despised the goodness and mercy of him, who so lovingly hath entreated you: first in opening unto you the true knowledge of himself, and now after your horrible defection so mercifully calling you to repentance again. O call to mind, dear brethren, that fearful sentence pronounced against that fig tree, 
Luk. 13.  which did occupy the ground, but was unfruitful. The request and earnest supplication of the gardener could obtain no more, but that he might dig about her, and lay dung to the boots thereof the space of one year, but them, if it produced no fruit, he was compelled to give place by his own sentence to the wisdom and justice of his lord, who would not suffer such an unprofitable tree to occupy place in his chosen and delectable garden or vinyeard. This was not spoken by Christ, nor meant (dear brethren) of dead & insensible trees, but under that similitude most lively is painted & set forth, what shallbe the end of those, that by vocation and external profession are planted in the Church of God, 
john. 15.  and so made members of Christ jesus? who is the very wnestocke, & such as do profess him, are called branches grafted in him. This similitude (I say) do the express what shallbe the end of such, as bring not forth fruit in him, to wit, they shallbe cut of the stock, whom by baronnes they dishonour, they shall whither and dry, & so be cast on the fire to burn for ever.  
I have no pleasure (God is witness) to threaten you, much less to pronounce plagues and Gods severe judgements against you, but seeing and considering your horrible defection from God and from his verity known and professed, ● dare not cease to exhort you to repentance. For although I should ●epe silence, yet should stones accuse your unthankfulness. If ● should flatter you and speak according to your appetites, 
No vain excuses or flattery of the preachers can turn away God's vengeance.  saying ●as we can not redress the iniquity of these times, we have 〈◊〉 pleasure in Idolatry, we are ●orye, that the blood of innocents ●s shed in our land, we would ●e content that true religion should be used, but wicked men ●ow bear dominion, and therefore we must serve and obey the ●yme: when God shall please to restore his truth we willbe glad of it, but in the mean time we must obey the laws set forth by ●ur superiors: God knoweth ●ur hearts, and we trust he wil●e merciful unto us. If on this manner (I say) I should flatter you ●aying pillows under your heads, who already do sleep in a deadly security, should ye therefore escape God's vengeance? No no dear brethren, but by such means be you assured that God's indignation is more kindled, both against the people, and the prophet. For when all are conjured against his truth, then must his just judgements revenge his own cause, and therefore brethren suffer the word of exhortation, suffer it I say with trembling & fear, not esteeming the threatenings pronounced against the disobedient forth of the book of God to be voice● sparsed in the ay●e, 
The threatenings of God's prophets are effectual.  which suddenly shall evanishe and take no effect. God forbid, that such cogitations remain and prevail in your hearts, for then have ye refused God, with whom ye can have no society, except ye embrace, and receive his word, which threateneth no less damnation; death▪ shame and destruction to proud ●ōtemners and obstinate refusers of grace and mercy offered, 
The word of God hath two offices.  than ●hat it doth promise salvation, 〈◊〉, honour and immortality to ●he penitent sinner, and unto such 〈◊〉 unfeignedly mourn for their heinous offences against God committed. It behoveth you therefore, dear brethren, to give this honour to your God, that the viritie of his word be not measured by the weakness, frailty or infirmity of the instruments, which most commonly he useth in publication of the same. For his ministers are men subject to infirmities, but the word, which they preach, is the power of God to salvation of all that believe and obediently embrace the same. His ministers, as they be the sons of men, of nature are they liars, instable and vain, but his eternal word, which he putteth in their mouths, and whereof they are made imbassadors, is of such truth, stability and assurance, that albeit heaven and earth should evanishe and perish, yet shall it abide and remain for ever, 
Matt. 24.  and that in such sort, that the same men, who blinded by prosperity and carnal affections, could not believe God speaking by his ministers, are oft compelled in their own bodies and in their posterities following to feel the stripes and sustain the plagues, 
Such as will not acknowledge God by his word shall know him by his judgements.  which they contemned, when they were first pronounced. The prophet Zacharie, accusing the jews of his time of negligence, in reedifiing the temple after they were delivered from the captivity and bondage of Babylon, sayeth, where be your fathers, to whom the propheter spoke? and where be the prophet that spoke to your fathers? are not the one and the other dead? But my words and statutes (saith the Eternal) which I have commanded to my servants the prophets, have not they apprehended your fathers? insomuch that they converted and said, 
Zach. 1.  As the Lord of ●ostes hath determined to do unto us according to our ways and according to our imaginations, so hath he done. By which question and words the Prophet evidently affirmeth that, which before I have said to wit, that neither the mercy of God promised to the penitent, neither the severe punishments pronounced against the stubborn and 〈◊〉 ought to be measured by the weakness and condition of the m●s●●nger, whom God sendeth: 
The word is not to be measured by the m●●s●ng●r, but by the power of God that sendeth it.  but that whatsoever they bring forth of God's book against iniquity and sin, & chief against Idolatry (which separateth man altogether from God) shallbe holden so constant and so true, as though God from the heaven had given witness to the same by the presence of his own majesty. The men to whom Zacharie d●d speak, had never seen isaiah the prophet, yea, isaiah himself was dead long before his prophecy took full effect: notwithstanding as their fathers felt the plagues, which he pronounced against them and against that famous City jerusalem for the bloodshed and Idolatry in the same committed: so were the eyes of their children, to whom Zacharie speaketh, witnesses, that God's wrath was in perfection powered forth upon their fathers, which also did abide upon them, even unto that day, that the Prophet did admonish them. For they saw jerusalem lie 〈◊〉 and waste, as the Caldeys had left it, they saw the ruins & miserable stones overcovered with powder of that beautiful & holy temple of God, which by Solomon was builded. They farther felt themselves in poverty & bondage of strangers. For albeit they had obtained liberty to return to their country: yet perceived they their condition 〈◊〉 little amended. Their enemies were more strong than they, 
1. Esd. 3. 1. Esd. 4. 2. Nehe. 4.  even in their own land. Their work was imp●aded, & they did live in greater fear, than those which still remained in dispertion▪ & thus I say were both their fathers & they compelled to confess in the end, that the words of the prophets were no vain threatenings. For the fathers did feel in a strange country the heavy yoke of bondage the space of 70. years, after that the bodies of many thou sands had fallen upon the edge of the sword, and the eyes of the children did see the force and vehemency of God's wrath once kindled. Of one thing be assured, 
The same God that spoke in times passed by his prophets, speaketh as effectually now by his messengers.  dear brethren, that the self same God, who then spoke by his prophets, doth now speak to you by his messengers, how contemptible soever they be in your eyes. and farther be assured, that in all his proprieties he remaineth immutable for ever & ever, & therefore persuade yourselves, that what he hated in them, he can not love in you, and what he punished in them, he can not spare nor pa●do in you. In them he hated murder, deceit, oppression, licentious life, declining from the true religion and manifest Idolatry committed and suffered in all their land. In them he punished (and that most extremely) defence of their sins, contempt of mercy and persecution of his prophets. If these things be common amongst you, as alas they are to manifest, flatter not yourselves, as that your prosperity should long continue, no brethren but rather let the sharp judgements of God, all ready executed against the like offenders, put you in mind, that the plagues and vengeances, which are contained in his holy Law, & which your ears have often hard, do presently hang over your heads: that the blood of God's innocent children, which cruelly is shed in your land (whereof ye are all guilty by reason of your permission and silence) doth continually cry in the ears of our most just God, 
None can excuse themselves of the innocent blood, that keep silence in such cruel murders.  How long shall it be, o Lord, 
A●o. 6.  that thou wilt not revenge our blood upon those that dwell in the earth? that the tears of the widows oppressed, of the orphelines left comfortless, of prisoners wrongfully tormented, and of the banished, who sustain hunger and other calamities in strange countries, only because they would avoid such abominations, as amongst you are committed. Ye ought, I say, to be most assuredly persuaded, that the lamentable voices of all these have so beaten the ears of our God, and that the tears, which in anguish they powered forth, have so replenished and field the bottle, which hangeth continually in the eyes of the almighty, that he hath sworn by his own holiness, that he will arise in his hot fury, that he will revenge their cause (and that speedily) and that he will also confound his enemies the persecutors of his Church, as fire consumeth stubble and straw.  
No time will I appoint to these the judgements of our most just God, but this I fear not to affirm 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 Barwike and Newcastle be you both witnesses, 
Barwike Newcastel  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. How oft have ye hard proclaimed in your ears, O England if thou didst know the honour, whereunto this day though art called: if thou didst 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. 
England was once made the sanctuary of God▪ which is a title most honourable and blessed.  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 the. Which sentences and threatenings albeit then ye feared not, yet dare ye not deny in God's presence, howsoever ye dissemble in the face of the wicked world, but that amongst you spoke the Spirit of truth, how weak that ever the instrument was, whom it pleased his wisdom to use for your advertisement, as your eyes do this day behold the accomplisment and execution of one part of Gods most just judgements. For the verity, 
Because the multitude delighteth rather in lies, then in truth therefore fall they suddenly to errors.  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. As this part (I say) of God's judgements, which before were pronounced, is executed in your eyes, so shall some of you, that this day behold the tyranny that is used, maintained & permitted amongst you, likewise behold the terrible plagues & severe judgements of God powered forth in full perfection, 
The plagues of God shall apprehend even such as by silence & flattery con●ent to the murder of his 〈◊〉  not only upon the cruel murderers, but also upon such as by silence, & flattery consent to their impiety. If ye be not more than blind, ye may evidently see the potent hand of God displayed & stretched out against you. Doth not the sudden & miserable fall of Calais, 
Calais, called the key of England.  sometimes called the key of England, yea, & the open door into foreign countries, move you to consider, what is God's power, & how easy it is to him to overthrow all the pride of man in one moment? If it move not others, yet let it move thee, 
Barwike let the sudden fall of thy sister move the to repentance.  o Barwike▪ she was thy sister, and your condition was one, except that as in strength, order and civil policy thou wast nothing comparable: so in theft, debate, hatred & all iniquity thou diddest far surmount her & yet she hath drunken the cup of God's vengeance, 
Note  because that being admonished, she did not repent: & shall or canst thou escape the same, if thou continue, as thou hast begun? No, albeit man and angel would promise the assurance, thy pride shallbe beaten down to hell, thy treasonable defection from God shallbe punished, as before hath been pronounced in thine ears, except that by speedy repentance thou prevent Gods judgements. And therefore, dear brethren, if that ye intend or think to escape God's vengeance, his heavy hand and hot displeasure, delay no time to return unto him, 
Psal. 32.  call upon him while he is nigh, seek him unfeignedly, while he is to be found, harden not your hearts, when he rebuketh your unthankfulness. Now he offereth himself unto you, now he is near, now he is to be sound, while he calleth you to repentance by his messengers & word. Which occasion & opportunity if ye omit, as God's justice shall shine in your punishment & just condemnation, 
jere. 11.  so shall it be, that you howl & cry for anguish and pain, and yet shall find neither counsel nor comfort. for so doth God often revenge the contempt of his graces offered.  
Proud Esau, after he had sold his birth right and had confirmed the ba●gan with a solemned oath, did eat & drink regarding nothing his own foolishness, neither rightly did he esteem (for the time) the honour & dignity which he had lost. But after, when he perceived that his father (even against his promise and determined purpose) would still bless jacob, 
Gene. 27.  he ●●ett, he fumed, he accused jacob, he reasoned with his father, he begged but one blessing and that with tears, with roaring and lamentable cries: but all was in vain, he found no place of repentance: the door of mercy was shit up by his former contempt, he bowled and cried, but not for his sin & former unthankfulness, he begged blessing, but his eye being fixed upon this present world, he remained accursed before God, burning in hatred & imagining murder and the death of his brother, whom God had honoured with his spiritual benediction. This history (as by the Apostle we are taught) is not written for Esau only, but for ensample and admonition to a●l those that prefer the profane and contemptible pleasures of this earth to the benediction & inheritance promised to Abrahám and unto his seal. 
All are Esau children that prefer earthly pleasures to spiritual blessings.   
Enter in judgement with yourselves, dear brethren, & consider earnestly, what exchange ye have made. Ye have refused & denied God the father & his dear son Christ jesus, & so the whole joy & comfort of his kingdom: ye have quit the portion of your inheritance & have despised the benediction promised to such, as should abide in the truth to the end. And what reward have ye received? a measse of pottage, yea, much less, if the matter shallbe well considered. For the favour of your Queen accursed by God, the friendship of the counsel destitute of wisdom, and your wretched and miserable lives, compared with the things, which ye have lost, are much inferior to the pottage, for the with Esau sold his birthright. For his appetites and lusts were sacia● for a time, but I am assured that your bellies, for the which ye have refused God, are more empty, than they were before. Now are ye compelled to fede the proud Spaniard both within and without your country. Tax followeth tax and one exaction calleth for an other. The lands and inheritances must pay at pleasure of the parliament▪ the movable goods can not escape valuation and censure, 
The fruits of 〈◊〉 reign  where oppression and extorsion bear rule & dominion. These are the great benefits, which of jesabel ye have received for refusing of God & bowing at her commandment to Baal. But let it be that you had received sins your revolt & falling from God the greatest riches, the greatest honour, the greatest victory, & the most established rest, that ever nation had sins the beginning: yet had ye changed your former glory for a mess of pottage. For do ye not know that all these things shall cuanish as a dream in the night season? And as concerning the preservation & safety of your lives, for that which ye have refused God, who only is the auctor of life, the day shall shortly come, when ye shall prove this sentence of Christ jesus to be true in experience, 
Math. 10.  
To take away life is only in the pow●● of God that gave it.  that whosoever to keep or find his life denieth Christ jesus before men, shall lose his life both corporal & eternal. For as your jesabel can nothing without the will & permission of him, who is omnipotent: so can neither she nor you retain nor hold the breath in her nor your most frail bodies, when that most potent Lord shall say, Return to dust o ye unthankful sons of mortal men.  
Seing it is so (dear brethren) that God's judgements ye can not escape humble yourselves be times before that his vengeance be armed to your destruction. If ye continued in this deadly security, regarding nothing what honour ye have lost, it shallbe to late for you to howl and cry, when your blessing 〈◊〉 in your own cares be given to others. Repent therefore betimes, and as ye have openly declined from God by refusal of his vanity so let your conversion be manifest by removing from amongst you all kind of Idolatry. This I know appeareth to you so unpossible to be performed, 〈◊〉 ye judge me rather to mock you anon to exhort you to repentance by this means. But, dear brethren, 
God easily bring them to pass that, which to mā● reason is impossible.  consider with me, that the things, which to man seem most impossible, are easy to our God to 〈◊〉 to pass, if we will refuse ourselves, and only give obedience to his commandements. Impossible it appeared to the afiliated children of Israel, that they ●oulde be delivered from the tyranny of Phorao and from the bondage of the Egyptians. And ●n very deed their yoke was augmented and their burdens made more grievous, many days after they had at Moses commandment asked liberty to make sacrifice to the living God●. But were they despised or frustrate of their expectation in the end? or did such as suppressed them or assisted their king in persecution of God's people, escape vengeance? 
God's power is not diminished.  we know the contrary. 
Behold the means to attain God's favour and mercy.  The hand of our God is no more feeble now▪ then it was then▪ his good will and love remaineth one at all timer toward such as depend upon him. Acknowledge then your sins, mourn for your unthankfulness, abstain from Idolatry, call boldly that the liberty of Christ jesus, of his holy gospel preached may be restored unto you, consent not by your silence to the shedding of the blood of innocentes, which for the testimony of Christ's truth is shed amongst you in great abundance, but boldly bear witness, that injury is done unto them, and so shall you know shortly in experience, that God is no vain promiser of support to such, as shallbe injustly oppressed, especially for the cause of his Euangil. But alas dear brethren (I speak to you, of whose boldness I once rejoiced, & for whose fall, God knoweth, I now mourn) if ye shall continue in rebellion against God, because ye dare not displease men, as ye shall not escape damnation eternal, so shall ye feel in your own bodies, yea, the bodies of your posterity after you shall feel, that his prophets have not vainly threatened bondage and thraldom against the inobedient. And be you assured that by maintaining of Idolatry you shall never attain to that quietness, which ye seek in this earth, but contrariwise God shall plague you, 
God many times plagueth even by such as men seek to please.  even by those whom ye study to please. Therefore in few words to conclude if ye intend to escape Gods severe judgements, & if ye look to find ●ō favourable, other to you or yet to your posterity, sleep no longer in your sin, consider from what honour you are fallen, what danger hangeth over your heads, remember how fearful and horrible it is to have God your enemy, & in deep consideration thereof, call for mercy, study unfeignedly to rise again, profess the truth, which ye have denied, remove to your power iniquity f●ome amongst you, and abstain in your bodies from Idolatry committed, and maintained by your wicked rulers. And in so doing, as ye shall daily increase in knowledge, and strength: so shall ye find grace, which ye have not deserved, and that by the means of our Lord jesus Christ, whose omnipotent spirit so illuminate your senses and understanding that clearly ye may see, what is the riches of that glory, which God hath prepared for such as unfeignedly love him, and how horrible are the torments, which the slaves of Satan (I mean Idolaters, and such as for fear refuse the known verity) shall suffer with the devil and with his angels without end.  
Farther of my mind concerning your duties in these most dolorous days, ye may understand by my appellation and by mine admonition to the nobility and commonalty of scotland. God grant you his holy spirit rightly to consider and boldly to follow the way, which leadeth to life everlasting. Amen. From Geneva the ten of november M.D.LVIII.  
The days are so wicked, that I dare make special commendations to no man.  
Your brother with troubled heart john K●ox.   

A BRIEF EXHORTATION TO ENGLAND FOR THE SPEEDY Embracing of Christ's Gospel heretofore by the tyranny of Marie suppressed & banished.  HEBR. CHAP. VI 
The earth, which drinkethin the rain, that oft cometh upon it, & bringeth forth herbs meet for them that dress it, receiveth blessing of God: but that ground, which beareth thorns and briars, is reproved & is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.  
AT GENEVA.  
M.D.LIX   

TO THE REALM OF ENGLAND and to all ●state within the same john Knox 〈◊〉 true repentance to be 〈…〉 God the father of our Lord I 〈◊〉 Christ with the Spirit of wisdom, d●●r●tion and true understanding.  
AFTER that I had somewhat considered what from the beginning have been the great mercies of God towards his afflicted people, 
In delivering them out of the bondage of Egypt & captivity of Babylon jeroboam and Rehoboam Kings of Israel & juda with their posterities.  and what also have been his severe judgements executed against such, 
A●●lo●● & M●nasses. 2. Par. 24. 4. King. 2●  as either preferring darkness to light did follow the devices and inventions of men, either that enraged by the malice of Satan, have declared them selves open enemies to God & to his verity revealed: I thought it my duty in few words to require of thee, & that in God's name o England in general the same repentance & true conversion unto God, that I have required of those, to whom before particularly I wrote. For in very deed when in dolour of heart I wrote this former letter, 
Apoc. 3.  I neither looked nor cold believe, that the Lord jesus would so suddenly knock at thy gate, 
Prou. 1.  or call upon thee in thy open streets, 
john. 14.  offering himself to pardon thy iniquity, yea to enter into thy house▪ and so to abide & make his habitation which thee, who so inobediently had rejected his yoke, 
Hebr. 10. Luke 11.20.  so disdainfully had trodden under fore the blood of his testament, and so cruelly had murdered those, that were sent to call the to repentance. This thy horrible ingratitude considered, I did rather look for punish●mentes & plagues universally to have been powered forth, then for mercy by the sound of his trumpet, so suddenly to have been offered to any within that miserable isle. But when I did more deeply way, that such is the infinite goodness of God, and that such be also the bright beams of his most just judgements, that when soever he taketh into his protection by the convenant of his word any Realm, Nation, Province or City, 
As he did the seed of Abrahám.  so that of mercy he becometh to them conductor, teacher, protector and father, that he never casteth of the same care and fatherly affection, which in his word he doth once pronounce, until they do utterly declare themselves unworthy of his presence▪ when this (I say) I did consider & way, I was in judgement somewhat reform. For I find that such was his care & constant love to the whole sede of Abraham (I mean of those that descended of jacob) that albeit in many things they provoked him to anger, yet did his infinite goodness ever find & make a way, by the with his mercy was sensibly felt of that people, even in their greatest extremities. For not only did he oft pardon their offences, 
In casting out 7. nations be●or them and delivering them from their oppressors.  long keep them in the land, which he had promised, & given to the seed of Abrahám, but also he was with them in fire & in water: yea when they were as rotten carrions buried as it had been in their graves in Babylon, 
Gen. 12.13. Psal. 66. isaiah. 43.  yet did he lay in pledge the glory of his own name for their deliverance, 
Ezech. 20. isaiah. 42.43  yea and faithfully above man's expectation did he perform it. 
Es●r. 1. N●he. 2.  for he broke down the pride of Babylon, & so did open the prison, 
isaiah. 14.43.  & broke up the gates of iron, which held them in thraldom. 
isaiah. 48. isaiah. 42.  And why so? he himself doth answer, saying, For mine own names sake will I do this, and my glory will I give to none other, etc. And so this his love and fatherly care was so constant and unmovable, that nothing could utterly change it from the people, 
Matth. 1.  until his dear Son Christ jesus did come of them and amongst them to notify and declare that sovereign felicity promised to Abrahám, 
Gen. 12.  I mean that all nations should be blessed in his seed, which was Christ jesus, who coming amongst his own was of them rejected, denied, refused & shamefully put to death upon a cross betwixt two thieves. 
john. 1. Luke 13.  And yet so tender was God's care over them, that before their polluted and wicked hands were externally almost washen from his blood he sent unto them the message of reconciliation, 
Act. 1.  not only to those that were at jerusalem, but even to such as were dispe●sed amongst the Gentiles, 
Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles preached first to the jews.  as in the Acts of the Apostles is plainly witnessed. 
Act. 13.14.17.18.19.21.22.28.  For this prerogative had ever the jews, that first to them were offered the glad tidings of the kingdom, unto such time as they declared themselves by open blasphemies, continual resistance, and cruel persecution, most worthy to be deprived of that honour. This long sufferance & careful calling of that unthankful people proceeded from the same fountain, from the which their first vocation did proceed & flow, that is, from his eternal goodness, which did so long fight against their malice, that all creatures must justify God in his fearful, 
God's fearful judgements upon the jews even to this day.  but yet most just judgements once executed and yet remaining upon that rebellious people.  
The same order I see doth God keep with thee o thou happy and most unhappy England. happy, not only because thy God by his own hand hath oft delivered thee from corporal bondage of divers and strange nations, as of Saxons, Romans, Goths & Danes, 
God's unspeakable mercies bestowed upon England.  but especially for that that by the power of his eternal verity (& that of his free grace with out ●●y deserving) he did of late years break & destroy the intolerable yoke of thy spiritual captivity, and brought the forth as it had been from the bothome of hell & from the thraldom of Satan, in which thou wast holden blinded by Idolatry and superstition, to the fellowship of his Angels and to the possession of that rich inheritance prepared to his dearest children with Christ jesus his son. 
Matt. 25.  But o unhappy and more than unhappy, that hast declared thyself so unthankful and rebellious to so loving and so merciful a father, who fy●st gave thee life, when thou diddest lie polluted in blood, and dead in thy sin and now doth offer himself to be thy God, 
Ezech. 16.  governor and father, 
The shameful defection of England.  after that thou most traitorously conspiring with Satan by solemned oath haste renounced his verity. O unhappy and more than unhappy art thou (I say) if that this thy treasonable defection, and God's loving kindness, yet callig the to his favours, doth not pierce thy heart with unfeigned repentance. For as this mercy and love of th● God far surmoū●eth the● each of all mē● understanding▪ so can not his just judgements long delay to power forth those horrible vengeances, which thy monstrous unthankfulness hath long deserved, if thou ●as God forbid) now shut up thine ears, blind thine eyes, & so harden thy ha●t, that neither thou wilt hear, see nor understand the gravity of thy fall, & that unestimable goodness of thy God thus lovingly calling the to thy ancient honours & dignity again, I neither dare nor will cease now by my pen (be it never so rude) to cry unto the that, which sometimes from the mouth of my Master Christ jesus I have pronounced in the hearing of many: that if thou shalt not know this merciful visitation of the Lord thy God, 
God's mercies once again offered to England.  and so prepare thyself with a penitent & thankful heart to receive, yet while time is, his large graces offered, that then thy habitation shallbe left desolate, 
Ezech. 12. Zach. 7.  and where thou hast of long time been the delectable garden planted by the Lord's hand, thou shalt become a barren wilderness, apt for nothing but to be brent and consumed by fire.  
The warrant of this my proclamation and sentence (how foolish & vain so ever it appear to man's reason) I have not by conjecture nor opinion of man, but from the mouth of my God thus speaking by Moses: Beware (saith he) that amongst you be not a root that buddeth forth gall & wormwood, 
Deut. 29.  so that when he shall hear the words of this execration, shall yet promise to himself felicity in his heart, saying, peace shallbe to me although I walk after the lust of mine own heart, etc. The Lord will not be merciful saith Moses to such a one, but the fury of the eternal, and his hot displeasure shall burst forth against such a man, and upon him shall lie (that is continually abide) all the execrations, that be written in this book, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under the heaven, etc. Thus far speaketh he against particular men, and against the whole multitude he proceedeth in this manner: The generation foloinge your sons, which shall arise after you, and the stranger, that shall come from a far country, when they shall see the plagues of this land and the incurable diseases, by the which it shall languish and consume as it were by brimstone and salt burning the whole land, so that it can not be sown, neither yet in it doth any herb springe up nor rise, etc. then shall all nations say▪ why hath the Lord done thus to this land? o what is the wrath of God's great fury? and they shall answer, For because they have left the convenant of the Lord the God of their fathers, which he did make with them, when he brought them forth of Egypt. 
Idolatry was the cause of those horrible plagues.  For they have gone and served other Gods (I say) whom they knew not, and therefore was the fury of the Lord kindled against this land, so that he brought upon it all the execrations & curses written in this book. And the Lord in his wrath, fury and great indignation hath wrooted them out of their own land, & hath dispersed them in an other land, as this day doth witness etc. This same is written with greater circumstances in the book of Leviticus, 
Leu 1.26.  which place if ye consider which this, and considering Gods eternal verity to have his effect in every age & nation, which so doth offend, then shalt thou see, o England, 
jere. 7.  that this is the judgement which thou shalt not, nor canst not escape, if speedily thou repent not thy shameful defection & with all humility return to the Lord, whom so traitorously and so publicly of late days thou hast refused. For these severe judgements once executed against Israel and juda may be to thee, 
4. Kin. 25.  who once hast professed thyself subject to God, and hast unthankfully departed from his service, 
Let the just punishments of other nations 〈◊〉 the, o England, to repen●●●ces  & yet of mercy is called again: to thee (I say) may those severe judgements be a mirror & glass, in which thou mayst behold what shallbe thy final & miserable destruction, if by unfeigned and speedy repentance thou remove not the vengeance, which hangeth over thy head. And to the end that better thou mayest try & examine thyself, I will shortly touch the stubborn inobedience of that people, the long patience and gentle dealing of God with their most miserable and lamentable destruction.  
Three hundredth years and more from the departure of the ten tribes from the house & royal seat of David did juda provoke God to displeasure, now by Idolatry, 
In this time reigned Rehoboam, Abiah, joram & 10 others, all Idolatrous kings.  now by hill altars, now by confederacy and joining of hands with wicked princes & ungodly nations, 
4. King. 14 15. 3. King. 16. 4. King. 8  by whom they were ever drawn from depending and trusting upon God to the vain trust and confidence of men. Against these and other vices from time to time did God send his prophets to call them to repentance and did also raise up some times good and godly Kings to make public reformation as touching the religion. 
2. Para. 19  But what reformation was found in life, 
2. Para. 17.  manners and conversation, what reverence did the multitude bear unto God, how was the religion embraced in their hearts, and how long was it retained in such perfection as was commanded, the prophets do teach, & histories bear witness and plainly affirm, that even in the days of the most godly Kings (of Ezechias & josias I mean) the Scribes & Lawyers did write deceitfully to thrust out the weakeons from their cause, 
Lawyers. isaiah. 10. Iudge● & Prince. isaiah 1. isaiah. 5.  to spoil the widow, & to oppress the orphelin. Their judges were bribers, and their princes were partakers with thieves. They said that evil was good, and good evil, 
isaiah. 57  they would have pleasing things spoken unto them▪ and commanded, that no mention should be made of the holy one of Israel. for his word was a burden unto them. 
jere. 23. Nobles.  Of the Nobility some were traitors, some avaricious, some unconstant as wavering reeds, some greedy dogs and unsatiable wolves, 
isaiah. 56.  devouring the pray wheresoever they might catch it. The people of the land were deceitful, 
Commons.  all handy crafts, merchandise and victuals were corrupt by their covetous practices. They were ready but to slander and oppress the poor, the needy and the stranger. The conjuration of prophets was in the midst of them, even as a roaring lion, etc. They healed the sores & botches of the people, princes & governors with unprofitable plasters & laid soft pillows under the heads of such, 
Prophets & priests.  as securely slept in all iniquity. The priests had violently rend in sunder the Law of God, they had profaned his sanctuary by their own inventions, and by retaining such a mixed and envenomed religion, as from old idolaters they had received, 
The corruption & mixture of Religion.  and that because it pleased their kings, 
Ezech. 8.9.  chief rulers, and governors, it must needs be good and please them. 
Ezech. 22.  They made no difference betwixt that which was holy and clean (because it proceeded from God) & that which was profane & filthy, which wicked Idolaters had invented and devised. The pastors finally were become dumb dogs, 
Pastors.  their watchmen were blind given to excess, sloth fullness and sleep, & to be short; they came to that corruption, that the Lord did seek a man to repair the hedge again, & to stand in the gap before him, 
Ezech. 22.  that the land should not be wasted, but yet he found none. for all were declined, all sought their own advantage, no man called for justice & equity, no man was judged of faith and verity. They brought forth coccatrise eggs, 
isaiah. 59  their feet run to mischief, they made haste to shed innocent blood, 
Behold, o England, this universal defection, compare it with thy former & yet present state, & be warned.  they neither knew, neither yet would know the way of peace, but to such horrible confusion came all things, that the verity was banished, and whosoever departed from iniquity, was made as a pray to all men. Which things, when the Lord did consider, and did see, that none would set themselves, no man (I say) that opponed himself to so horrible iniquity: his own arm gave him salvation, and his own justice did hold him up, etc. he powered forth (after divers plagues) his fury upon that nation at once, and in the hot fire of his anger did he consume them, and so did reward their wicked ways upon their own heads, as before was threatened by the mouth of Moses. 
Deut. 18.   
These testimonies and many more (which to avoid prolixity I omit) we have of the prophets, how corrupt was the whole body even in the days of the most godly Kings, yea, even in the days, when the plagues were upon them. And the histories do witness, that no sooner did ever any Idolater rise, but that so soon from the highest degree to the lowest, from the prince to the Prophet (a mean number except) were all ready to obey, 
Such as th●● price is, such commonly are the people.  what soever was commanded by such as were placed in honours and authority. The history doth farther witness, that the princes of juda after the death of jehoiada, by whose wife joas was preserved in that most cruel murder of all the kingly seed made by Athalia, and by whose most faithful diligence the same joas was in the seventh year of his age made king over juda: 
2. Para. 24.  the convenant and league, before broken by Idolatry, was renewed again betwixt God and the people, 
4. King. 11.  and betwixt the people and the king: to wit, that the one and the other should be the people of the Lord, by renewing of which convenant unhappy and cruel Athalia was killed, 
This had been thy bounden duty o England in the days of that most execrable Idolater Marie.  the people did enter into the house of Baal, broke it down with his altars and images, even to powder, and finally before the altars of Baal did most justly kill Mathan Baal's great pressed: after the death (I say) of jehoiada, by whose godly providence all these things were brought to near the princes of juda came & bowed themselves unto the King, making no doubt this petition unto him, that they might have the religion, 
Note this practice & the success thereof  which long had been retained amongst the Kings of juda, even from the days of Solomon, & that they should not be so straightly bond, as the convenant made by jehoiada commanded▪ so they would not return (as may appear they did allege) to Baal, but stand content with their hylaltars, their thickets of wood and ancient Idols. And that this was their petition the history giveth plain light. For it saith, And the King heard them: & they leaving the house of the Lord the God of their fathers, served thickets, and Idols, which thing albeit it did so displease the Lord, that he sent his prophets sharply to reb●ke their unthankful defection, yet was there no redress. For the King, princes and people were conspired against God, and so from Idolatry proceeded to cruel murder, as the histories doth witness in the days of Achas. The same abominations remained in all estates. For Urias the high pressed himself at the commandment of the King builded an altar as the King had sent him a pattern from Damascus, 
4. King. 16.  & so left the altar of the Lord, and brent sacrifice upon that great altar, etc.  
In the days of Ezechias (that zealous and Godly King) what were the hearts of the nobility and people towards God's true religion, it may appear by the sequel. For straightly after his death doth the whole multitude return with Manasses unto Idolatry, abominations and cruel murder, yea even while the King did live, that treasonable traitor Sobna; 
Sobna Treasurer.  enemy to God, to his true whorship and to his prophets, was treasurer and in highest authority.  
jeremy & Ezechiel do witness that the princes, prophets & people were so corrupt even to the very day of the destruction, yea, and after the same, that Zedechias (of nature by all appearance not very cruel, but yet faint hearted for lack of faith was compelled at their commandment to put jeremy in prison and to give them permission to put him to death at their pleasures, whose life by God's mighty providence yet preserved, and being called to the presence of the king, to whom he gave in God's name most wholesome counsel, yet durst not the King for fear of his princes neither follow the same, 
jere. 36.  neither yet let them understand what communication was betwixt the Prophet and him.  
Ezechiel in his vision saw the people and princes declined from God, and did also hear these words spoken by God: The iniquity of the house of Israel, and juda is great above measure, the earth is full of blood, and the City full of defection. 
Ezech. 8.91  For they have said, The Lord hath left the earth, and the Lord seeth us not.  
After that most miserable destruction of jerusalem, when a remnant of the poor people and Nobility (who had escaped the edge of the sword) were left in the land with the prophet jeremy and with Godolias the son of Ahikam, 
jere. 40.  their old venom of rebellion against God & his revealed will was nothing purged. For albeit that the princes, johannan the son of Carea; & jezanias the son of Hoseas with the whole people had promised unto jeremy by a solemned oath to do whatsoever the Lord should command unto them by his mouth: yet when he commanded them in the name of the Lord to abide in the land and not to carry the people to Egypt, they neither feared, nor ashamed to say unto him, thou speakest a lie, the Lord hath not sent the to us, commanding that we should not go to Egypt, 
jere. 43.  etc. to Egypt will we go, 
jere. 44.  and we will serve the queen of heaven, etc. even as our ancient kings, and fathers did before us: and so in despite of God, of his prophet, and of his word revealed unto them departed from the land, which the Lord had given to the seed of Abraham, unto Egypt infected with all Idolatry. And thus from their original they continued in rebellion even to the end, when they did utterly forsake God. for what soever they pretended, it was nothing else, but a plain denial of God, of his league & of his convenant, to contract familiarity, alliance or peace against his plain precept with that nation, from whose tyranny God had before delivered their fathers. And therefore he gave them: most straight commandment, that they should never return to that bondage again.  
How long and how patiently did God fight against this their rebellion, is easy to be understand by the histories and prophets: but how severe in the end were the plagues and just vengeance powered upon the kings, princes & people, 
Behold the fruits of Idolatry.  did very Ethnics themselves give testimony & record. Their land & cities were spoiled, burnt and left desolate: women for hunger compelled to eat their own children. Oft were they brought in thraldom & subjection of strangers, and finally the glory of the Lord was removed from his sanctuary, 
4. King. 6.  which he himself did swear that he would profane by reason of their great abominations. 
Ezeh. 9  And so he did, for it was brent, 
jere. 39  the vessels and ornaments of it carried to Babylon, the whole Nobility of juda, and the kings sons were killed in his own presence, after which most miserable sight his own eyes were put out, he led to Babylon, where he remained prisoner until his death. Those that departed to Egypt did never return again to jerusalem, 
jere. 43.  but perished most miserably, as the prophet did threaten.  

 This is the glass, this is the minor (o England) in which I would, that daily thou shouldest behold, what shallbe the final end of those, that do abuse the long suffering of God most mercifully calling all to repentance. If thou shalt think thyself pure and clean from any of the crimes, which before is noted in that people, alas thou shalt declare thyself more then impudent. For all other your iniquities omitted, this your last and universal turning from God by the open denial of his Gospel professed, declareth you from the highest to the lowest manifest trey tours against his godly majesty. It is you all together, who most cruelly have shed the blood of a number of your brethren and sisters, 
reve. ●.  with from under the altar cry to be revenged. There is no person guiltless in God's presence, who hath bowed their knees to Idolatry (what soever excuse they list to pretend) but as all are Idolaters, so are and shallbe reputed murderers before God, which do not wash away that infamy & innocent blood by unfeigned repentance. 
The names of so many as could be now gotten, are annexed in the end.   
No other assurance will I require that your plagues are at hand, and that your destruction approacheth, then that I shall understand that ye do justify yourselves in this your former iniquity. Absolve and flatter you who so list, God the father, his son Christ jesus, his holy angels the creatures sensible and insensible in heaven and in earth shall arise in judgement and shall condemn you, if in time ye repent not. The cause that I wrap you all in Idolatry, all in murder and all in one and the same iniquity, is that none of you hath done your duty, none hath remembered his office and charge, which was to have resisted to the uttermost of your powers that impiety in the beginning. 
The duty of England when Idolatry was first erected.  But ye have all followed the wicked commandment, 
Oseas.. 5.7.  all have consented to cruel murder, in so far as in your eyes your brethren have most injustly suffered, and none opened, his mouth to complain of that injury, cruelty & murder, I do ever except such, as either by their death, by abstaining from Idolatry or by avoiding the Realm for the iniquity in the same committed, did give testimony, that such an horrible falling from God did inwardly grieve them. These I except, but all the rest, even from the highest to the lowest I fear no more to accuse of Idolatry of treason against God committed, and of cruel murdering of their brethren, than did Zacharias the son of jehoiada fear to say to the king, princes & people of juda, Why have ye transgressed the commandments of the eternal? It shall not prosperously succeed unto you, 
● Para. 2.  but even as you have left the Lord, so shall he leave you.  
And albeit my blood should be shed for this my affirmation, as his was, yet having the testimony of a good conscience, that I speak not nor writ not of private malice against any person, I will still cry as before. For at your hands (unless that speedily and unfeignedly ye repent) shall God require all the blood, not only which lately hath been shed by your most wicked permission, but also of all those, that for the same cause have suffered from the beginning. 
Math. 23.  Tremble therefore, 
By true repentance you shall escape God's vengeance.  fear, confess and unfeignedly repent, that ye may escape the vengeance prepared. Your humiliation, confession and repentance may now obtain no less of God's great mercy, than did josias, his nobles and people in the same case, 
4. Kin. 3●  to whom in all things you are so like, as one bean is to an other. For no crime is so heinous, which God will not cast in the bothome of the sea, ad bury in perpetual oblivion, if you with unfeigned hearts turn to the Lord your God, whom so grievously you have offended.  
This conversion and repentance requireth no doubt a reformation, removing and suppressing of all abuses, all wrong, all violence, all oppression & fraud how long, in whom & by whom soever they have been maintained, practised or permitted. But remitting all such things, as be without the religion, to such as God shall farther move with his holy spirit to instruct you, I say that your conversion unto God and unfeigned repentance requireth two things. 
Two things required in ye●eformation 〈◊〉 religion.  First, that the religion and true honouring of God may be at once brought to that purity, which his word requireth. secondarily, that order may be taken, so far is in you lieth, that the same religion, which God approveth, may be kept inviolable amongst you for ever, and that the people universal may be instruct in the same.  
For the first point touching reformation of religion thou must at once so purge and expel all dregs of papistry, superstition and Idolatry, that thou (o England) must judge and hold execrable and accursed, what soever God hath not sanctified unto thee by his word, or by the action of our master Christ jesus. The glistering beauty of vain ceremonies, the heaping of things pertaining nothing to edification, 
Vain ceremonies, and such as serve not to edification, ought to be abolished.  by whomsoever they were invented justified, or maintained, ought at once to be removed and so trodden under the obedience of God's word, that continually this sentence of thy God be present in thy heart and ready in thy mouth, Not that which appeareth good in thy eyes shalt thou do to the Lord thy God, but what the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, that shalt thou do: add nothing to it, diminish nothing from it.  
Let not the King and his proceedings (what soever they be) not agreeable to his word be a snare to thy conscience. O cursed were the hearts that first devised that phrase in matters of religion, whereby the simple people were brought to one of these two inconveniences: to wit, that either they did esteem every religion good and acceptable unto God, 
〈◊〉 prince 〈◊〉 parliament 〈◊〉 to do 〈◊〉 thing in 〈◊〉 matters of religion without the assurance of God's word.  which the King and parliament did approve and command, or else, that God's religion honour and service was nothing else, but devices of men. O England, England, let this blasphemy be first of all others removed. For how horrible is it to remember that the religion, and honouring of the eternal God shallbe subject to the appetites of foolish and inconstant men▪ Let Gods word alone be the rule, and line to measure his religion. What it commandeth, let that be obeyed: what it commandeth not, let that be execrable because it hath not the sanctification of his word under what name or title soever it be published.  
Halt no longer on both parts: let not these voices prevail in your parliament: This to our ●●gement is good and godly, 
The voices & counsel of such as are neither hot nor cold.  his the people can well bear, his repugneth not to God's ●orde, and when the people be ●etter instructed, then may we proceed farther etc. O dissembling hypocrites, plain messengers of Satan. Now I do write, which some time I have said to our faces, that whatsoever God in matters of his religion) hath ●ot sanctified by his expressed word, the same, I say, before his majesty remaineth execrable, polluted, and defiled and so in few words, this is the first point, which your true conversion requireth: to wit, that his only word reform his religion.  
The inviolable preservation of God's religion (which is the second point) requireth two principal things: the one that power nor liberty be permitted to any, of what estate, degree, or authority that ever they be, 
None ought to be freed from the yoke of discipline, nor permitted to decline from the religion of God.  either to live with out the yoke of discipline, by God's word commanded, either yet to alter, to change, to disannul, or dissolve the lest one i●t● in religion, which from God's mouth thou hast received. But let his holy and blessed ordinances, by Christ jesus to his Church commanded, be with in thy limits and bonds so sure and established, 
None compelling God's people to Idolatry ought to be permitted to reign over them.  that if prince, king, or Emperor would enterprise to change or disannul the same, that he be of the reputed enemy to God, and therefore unworthy to reign above his people, yea, that the same man or men, that go about to destroy Gods true religion once established, and to erect Idolatry, which God detesteth, 
Deut. 13.  
Idolaters ought to be put to death.  be adjudged to death according to God's commandment: the negligence of which part hath made you all (those only excepted, whom before I have expressed) murderers of your bre●hern, deniers of Christ jesus, & manifest traitors to Gods so●eraigne majesty. Which horrible crimes if ye will avoid in ●yme coming, then must ye I mean the princes, rulers & people of England) by solemned the renew the convenant betwixt God and you in the same form ●s Asa king of juda did in the li●e case.  
They made a convenant (saith ●he history) that they would seek ●he Lord God of their fathers with all their heart, 
2. Para. 15.  and with all ●heir soul, and that whosoever should not seek the Lord God of israel, he should die the death, ●hether he were great or small, man or woman. And they did ●weare unto the Lord with a ●reat oath, and with the sound ●f trumpet and of shaumes, and of this oath did all the jews rejoice. For with their whole ha● they did swear, and they sog● God with unfeigned affection and he was found of them, 
The Lord is found of all them, that unfeignedly seek him.  an● the Lord gave them rest on eue● side. This is thy duty and this the only remedy (o England) 〈◊〉 stay God's vengeance, which 〈◊〉 thou hast deserved, and sha● not long escape, if his religion 〈◊〉 honour be subject to mutation an● change, as oft as thy ruler's lis● or as by reason of death they sha● be changed and so this briese is the first thing, which tho● must with invocation of God● name provide for establishing of his true religion.  
The other part, touching th● instruction of the people, standeth much in the faithful, diligence of those, to whom th● charge of preaching shallbe committed. But when I remember tha● horrible confusion, which before was maintained even by those, which would be esteemed chief pillars of religion, I do more fear to be plain in this matter, then in all that, which before I have spoken. For it may be that in speaking the simple truth I may displease those, whom willingly for no earthly profit I would offend. Nevertheless seeing the cause is not mine, but pertaineth to Christ jesus, and to the feeding of that flock, which so earnestly and tenderly he did commend to Peter, 
john. 21.  and to all his faithful pastors to the worlds end, what soever man shall judge, I dare not cease in God's name to require of you a severe reformation of those things, which were before utterly disordered. 
isaiah. 56.  And first in the name of the Lord jesus I require of you, 
No dumm dog● nor poisoned papist ought to have any charge of Chris●●●●ock.  that no dumb dog, no poisoned and pestilent papist, none, who before hath persecuted God's children or obstinately maintained Idolatry, be placed above the people of God to infect and poison (fo● other profit they shall do none) the souls of those, whom Christ jesus hath redeemed with his precious blood. Secondly that-benefice upon benefice be heaped upon no man, but that a sufficient charge with a competent stipend be assigned to the workman. For o how horrible was that confusion, 
Plurality of benefices reproved.  that one man should be permitted to have 2.3.4.5.6. or. 7. benefices, who scarcely in the year did so often preach: yea, that a man should have the charge of them, whose faces he never saw. Let that pestilence, proceeding from avarice, be utterly avoided. Let not men at their pleasures preach when and where they list, but so soon as a Godly order may be established, let the parts and bonds be assigned to every one. London in times past was indifferently provided for, 
London.  but alas what barbarous ignorance was in the rest of the Realm.  
Thirdly let no man be charged in preaching of Christ jesus above that, which one man may do, I mean, that your bishoprics be so divided, that of every one, as they be now (for the most part) be made ten, and so in every City and great town there may be placed a godly learned man with so many joined with him so preaching and instruction, as shallbe thought sufficient for the bonds committed to their charge. The utility whereof you shall understand within few years greatly to redound to the profit of the simple flock. 
The great dominions and charge of proud prelates is the invention of Antichrist.  For your proud prelate's great dominions & charge (impossible by one man to be discharged) are no part of Christ's ministery, but are the maintenance of the tyranny first invented & yet retained by the Roman Antichrist.  
Fortely that diligent heed be taken, that such, to whom the office of preaching is committed, discharge and do their duties. For it is not, nor will not be, the chanting or mumbling over of certain psalms, the reading of chapters for matins and even song, or of homilies only, be they never so godly, that feed the souls of the hugrie sheep. Christ jesus himself, his holy Apostles, and that elected vessel Paul do teach us an other lesson, all commanding us to preach, to preach, & that to preach Christ jesus crucified, 
The office of 〈◊〉 Ministers.  etc. What efficacy hath the living voice above the bare letter red, the hungry & thirsty do feel to their comfort: but the other maketh for master parson's purpose, who retaining in his hands a number of benefices appointeth such in his place, as are altogether destitute of the gift of preaching. But let all such belly gods be whypt out of God's holy Temple. 
Philip. 3. Matt. 20.   
fifthly let none, that be appointed to labour in Christ's vineyard, 
The ministers of the w●rde ought not to exercise any civil office or to be entangled with the affairs of the Realm.  be entangled with civil affairs, and as ye call them, the affairs of the Realm, except it be when the civil magistrate and ministers of the word assemble together for execution of discipline, which is a thing easy to be done without withdrawing any person from his charge, if that, which is before expressed, be observed. For as touching their yearly coming to the parliament for matters of religion, it shallbe superfluous and vain, if Gods true religion be so once established, that after it be never called in controversy.  
And as touching execution of discipline, 
Discipline must be executed without respect of people  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 prelate's, yet must they be so stout & so bold in God's cause, 
The Ministers must be stout and bold in God's cause albeit they want the glorious & vain titles of Lords.  that if the King himself would usurp any other authority in God's religion, then becometh a member of Christ's body, that first he be admonished according to God's 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 pressed said to Vsaias the king of juda: 
3. Par. 26.  It is not lawful for thee, o Vsaia, to offer incense, but it appertaineth to the priests the sons of Aharon, who are consecrated to burn it. Pass out therefore, for thou hast offended, 
4. King. 26  which thing shall not redound to thy glory, etc. This is the duty (I say) of all Christ's faithful ministers, whensoever any man, be he king or Emperor, usurpeth to himself authority against God, to rebuke him openly, to resist & gainstand 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 Vsaias, if they be strong & valiant in God's cause.  
Now last (omitting things of no less importance to your wisdoms) for the preservation of religion it is most expedient, 
Schools to be universally erected.  that schools be universally erected in all Cities, and chief towns, the oversight whereof to be committed to the magistrates and godly learned men of the said Cities, & towns, that of the youth godly instructed amongst them a seed may be reserved and continued for the profit of Christ's Church in all ages.  

An answer to two objections.  It remaineth briefly to answer to two things, which may give you occasion to ●aint in this the Lords wo●ke. First the lack of workmen to put things in such order as is requisite: and secondly the fear of tumult and sedition within yourselves, or invasion of foreign Nations. In God's Name I fear not to affirm that neither the one nor the other shall hurt you in the end, if you with your whole hearts seek God's glory to be promoted, and all sorts of abominations to be rooted out. For if you pray with earnest affection, he shall endue such as ye know not with wisdom and knowledge to rule in his Church to the comfort of his flock. There be more labourers, than the eyes of man seeth, that profitably would work in the lords harvest. And as for fear of enemies, they may with Choron, Dathan and Abiron conspire against Moses and Aron, 
Num. 16. 2. Para. 20.  with the Moabites and Ammonites against josaphat, 
2. Para. 32.  or with proud Sinnacherib against Ezechias and afflicted Zión. But rather or thou shalt be confounded, if with a perfit heart thou seek the Lord thy God, 
Num. 16. 4. Kin. 20. 2. Par. 32.  rather (I say) shall the earth open and devour such rebels, rather shall thine enemies every one murder other, & rather shall the Angels of the Lord fight for thy deliverance, or the work be hindered and perish in thy hands.  
But if thou, o England, for any respect delay thy repentance and conversion unto God, if thou shalt still foster in thy bosom the generation of vipers, if thou shalt retain in honour & authority such, as have declared themselves enemies to God and to his eternal truth not by any infirmity, but of determined malice & set purpose, to murder & destroy Gods chosen children: if finally thou shalt not study to wroote out and cut of such rotten members, as can do nothing, but infect the whole body: then call I to witness against the both heaven & earth, 
Deut. 4.  that I and others the servants of God, who faithfully & in time have wa●ned thee of thy duty and vengeance to come, 
Be warned o● England, if thou w●lt escape God's vengeance  are & shallbe clean from thy blood, which shortly shall perish, if thou contemn the admonitions of God's messengers. To late it shall be for thee to howl & cry, when the flame of God's hot displeasure shall begin to burn. It will not then be the flattering enticements and vain policies of such, as s●ke more themselves than Christ's glory, that will extinguish it. No, it shall burn and shall destroy the head and the tail, the prince and the false prophet, the root & the branches of such impiety. Be warned therefore, if thou list escape vengeance, which is already prepared for the inobedient.  
But o you that in sorrow of heart see these abominations, 
Such as unfeignedly fear the Lord shall find comfort in their greatest danger.  that lament and do not pollute yourselves with them, let your hearts rest upon the Eternal, who shallbe to you a rock & a strong castle of defence. Although the heaven and the earth should be confounded, yet shall his mercy deliver you from danger, & in very experience and joy of heart ye shall sing: o Lord, thou art our God, 
isaiah. 25.  we shall exalt & confess thy Name, for thou hast done wondrous things. Thy counsels are profound, far of to man's judgement, but yet are they true & sure. The strong tenths and the palaces of the proud hast thou brought to ruin, so that they shall never be restored again, and therefore the strong people shall glorify thee, yea, the Cities of tyrannous nations shall fear thee, etc. Behold this is our God whom we have abidden, he hath saved us. This is the Lord, whom we looked for, we shall rejoice and be joyful in his salvation, etc. This (I say) shallbe the song, which in experience of the lords deliverance your hearts shall sing, even when Gods most severe judgements shall in your eyes be executed against the ungodly, and therefore call thou for strength to continue to the end.  

A PRAYER.  
GOD the father of our Lord jesus Christ by the power of his holy Spirit so illuminate and so move your hearts, that clearly ye may see & perfectly understand, how horrible hath been your fall from his verity, how fearful and terrible it is to fall into his hands without hope of mercy, & what is that his unspeakable mercy, which yet again he offereth unto you, and that it may please his eternal goodness to endue you which such wisdom, prudence and fortitude, that seeing his good pleasure in his word revealed, without all fear ye may follow the same to the advancement of his glory, to the consolation of his afflicted Church, and to your everlasting comfort through our only mediator, redeemer, peace maker & lawgiver Christ jesus our Lord▪ whose holy Spirit rule your hearts in his true fear. So be it.   
From Geneva the 12. of januarie. M.D LIX.   

THE NAMES OF SOME PART OF THOSE most faithful servants and dear children of God, which lately in thee and by thee (o England) have been most cruelly murdered by fire & imprisonment for the testimony of Christ jesus and his eternal verity, whose blood from under the altar crieth loud to be avenged on them, that dwell upon the earth, 
Revel. 6.  as before is mentioned, besides a great number of God's children who under the pretence of treason suffered for Christ Religion.  

THE YEAR M.D.LIIII.  

At London  
February. 4 IOhn Roger's preacher.   

At Country  
Laurence Saunders preacher.   

At Hadlay.  
Roland Taylor preacher.   

At Gloucester.  
February. 9 john Hooper late Bishop of Gloucester.   

At Carmarden  
March. 5 of February. The 22 Robert Ferror Bishop of S. David's.   

At London  
Thomas Tomkins weaver.  
At B●●ndwood  
March. 15 William Hunter prentis.   

At Horndon on the hill  
March. 25 Thomas Higby gentleman.  
At R●yley  
March. 25 Thomas Causson gentleman.    

Year 1555.  

At Braintrie  
March. 27 William Pigat weaver.   

At M●●ulden  
March. 28 Stephan Knight butcher.   

At Danberie  
March. 28 William Dighel.   

At Colchester  
March. 28 john Laurence preacher.  
April. 2 john Alcock died in newgate prison.   

At westminster  
April. 24 William Flower alias Branch, whose hand was first cut of for striking a post in his zeal being at mass.   

At westchester.  
George March preacher.   

At London  
May 31 john Cardemaker.  
May 31 john Waren upholster.   

At London  
june. 4 William Tooly servingman was hanged, buried, and then taken up and burnt, because at his death he prayed thus, From the tyranny of the bishop of Rome, requiring the people to say with him, Good Lord deliver us.   

At Chelmisford  
june. 10 Thomas Wat's linen draper.   

At Cockshall  
Thomas hawks.   

At Ratcheford.  
june. 11 john Symson weaver.   

At Railey  
john Erdley.  
Nicolas Chamberlain.   

At Manyngtrie  
Thomas Osmunde.   

At Harwitch  
june. 12 William Butler.   

At London  
julie. 1 john Bradforde preacher.  
john Lief prentis.  
julie. 2 William Ming Minister died in Maidestone prison.   

At Cantorbery in one fire  
julie. 12 john Bland Minister.  
john Franks Minister.  
Nicholas Sheterden:  
Humphrey Middleton.   

At Dartforde  
john Wade.   

At L●wes  
Dirick Ha●man.   

At Stevening  
john Lander.   

At Chichester  
Thomas Euerson.  
Richard Hooke a lame man.   

At Rochester  
Nicholas Hall.   

At T●●bridge  
joan poley   

At Reading  
julie. 30 William Ailewarde died in prison.   

A● Saint Edmondsbury  
August. 2 james Abs.   

At Uxbridge  
john Denleye gentleman.   

At Stratfordelowe  
Warens widow.   

At canterbury  
August. 23 William Cocker gentleman.  
Richard Collier.  
Henry Laurence.  
William Hopper.  
William Stere.  
Richard Wright.   

At Tauntou  
August. 24 Roger Corier.   

At Saint Albon  
August. 26 George Tankerfelde.  
William Baumeford.   

At Uxbridge  
Patrick Patingham.   

At Stanes  
Robert Smith.   

At Stratford  
August. 30 Steven Harwood.   

At ware  
Thomas Fusse.   

At Safronwalden  
August. 31 john Neweman.   

At Barnet  
William hails.   

At Ipswitch  
September 2 Robert Samuel.   

At walsingham  
September 3 William Alyn.   

At Chetford  
Thomas Cobbe.   

At Yexford  
Thomas Coe.   

At Canterbury  
September 6 George Bradbridge.  
james Tuttye.  
George Catner.  
Robert Streter.  
Antony Burward.   

At London  
September 11 john Lief died in Newgat prison.   

At Litchfeld  
Thomas Hayward.  
Thomas Gorway.  
tingle died in Newgate prison  
Richard Smith died in Lollards' tower and was buried in the fields   

In Lollards' tower  
died George Bing.  
William andrew's.   

At Coventrie  
September 19 Robert Gloover gentleman.  
Cornelius Bungaye.   

At Ely  
William Wolsey weaver.  
Robert Pigot painter.   

At Oxford  
October. 4 Nicolas Ridley bishop of London.  
Hugh Latymer before bishop of Worcester.   

At Cantorberie  
October. 16 john Web gentleman.   

At Cantorbury  
October. 31 George Roper  
Gregory Painter.   

At Colchester  
Decemb. 7 james Gorie died in prison.   

At London  
Decemb. 14 William wiseman died in lolers tower and was cast into the fields, and commandment given that he should not be buried, but in the night godly men buried him.   

In London  
Decemb. 18 john Philpot archdeacon of Winchester.  
januarie. 27 Thomas Whitwel minister.  
Barlet Grene gentleman.  
Thomas Browne.  
john Tutson.  
john went.  
Agnes Foste●.  
joan Lasheford.   

At Cantorburie  
januarie. 31 john Lowmas.  
Anne Albright.  
joan Soalle.  
joan Painter.  
Agnes Snode.   

At Ips●wytche  
February. 19 Anne Potten. Michael's wife.   

At Oxford  
March. 21 Thomas Crammer archbishop of Cantorbury, whose worthy works do yet remain.   

At Salisbury  
March. 24 Spicer.  
Maundrell.  
Coberley a tailor.    

Year 1556.  

At Cambridge  
April. 2 john Hollyarde Minister.   

At Rochecter  
Hirtpoole.  
Beeches widow.   

At London  
April. 10 William Tymmes Minister.  
Robert Drakes alias Gyen Minister.  
George Ambrose.  
john Cavel.  
Thomas Spurge.  
Richard Spurge.   

At Colchester  
Christopher Lyster Minister.  
April. 28 john Mase.  
Richard Nicholl.  
john Spenser.  
john Hamon.  
Simon join.   

At Gloucester  
May. 5 Thomas a blind boy.  
Croker.   

At London  
May. 13 Margaret Eliot maiden condemned died in Newgat, & was buried in the fields.   

At Stratfordebowe  
john Uprise a blind man.  
May. 15 Hugh Laverok a lame man.   

In London  
May. 16 Katharin Hut widow.  
joan Horn maiden.  
Elizabeth Thaevel.   

At B●ckels in Saffolke  
May. 21 Three women.   

In the Kingesbenche  
May. 21 William leech died, and was buried on the backside.   

At jews  
june. 6 Thomas Harland.  
john Osewarde.  
Thomas Reed.  
Thomas Abington.  
Thomas Hood minister.  
june. 20 Thomas Mylles.   

In the kings bench  
june. 23 William Adheral minister died & was buried on the backside.  
june. 25 john Clement whilewright died in the kings bench, buried on the backside   

At Leicester  
A merchants servant.   

At Stratfordbowe  
june. 26 Henry Adlington.  
Rodulphe jacson.  
William Holiwell.  
Thomas Bower.  
Laurence Parmen.  
Lion a Coyxe.  
Henry Wie.  
john Dorefall.  
john Rothe.  
Edmonde Hurst.  
George Searles.  
Elizabeth Pepper.  
Agnes George.   

In the Kingsbench  
june. 27 Thomas Paret and Martin Hunt died & were buried on the backside   

At Edmondes Bury  
june. 30 Thrie persons.   

In the Kingesbenche  
julie 1 john Carels weaver died & was buried on the backside.   

At N●berie  
julie 16 john Guyne showmaker.  
Asken.  
julius Palmer.   

A● Grenested  
julie 18 Thomas Dingat.  
john Forman.  
Mother Try.   

At Derby  
August. 1 A Blind woman.   

At Mas●●eld●  
Septembre 24 john Ha●t  
Thomas Ravendalle  
a showmaker.  
a corier.  
Nicolas Holden weaver.   

At Bristol  
A young man a gloover.   

At Newent  
john Horn.   

At wutton undérhedge in Glostershier  
A woman.   

In Canterbury castle  
Died john Clarcke.  
Dunstone Chettenden.  
Archer.  
Polkins wife.  
William Foster.   

At Northampton  
October. 18 A showmaker.  
Three died in Canterbury castle & were buried in the fields.   

At Cantorberie  
Thomas Final.  
januarie. 22 Foster.  
Fynalls servant.  
And. 3. more.   

At Ashford  
Two.   

At wie  
januarie. 25 Two.    

Year. 1557.  

In London  
April. 12 Thomas Lothsbie.  
Henry Ramsey.  
Thomas Sturley.  
Stanley's wife.  
Hides wife.   

In Saint George fields.  
May. 29 Stephan G●atwicke.  
William Mo●rant.  
Thomas King.   

At Maidstone  
june. 6 joan Bradbridge.  
Applebie waevers wife.  
Alyns wife.  
Manings wife.  
Elizabeth a blind maid.   

At Brystowe  
One.   

At Cantorberie  
june. 19 john Fyscocke.  
Nicolas White  
Nicolas Perdier.  
Barbara Final widow.  
Bradbridges' widow.  
Alice Bendens wife.  
Wylsons wife.   

At jews  
june. 22 Richard Woodman.  
George Steuhen.  
Margery Morris.  
james Morris her son.  
Dionyse Burges.  
William Mainerd.  
Alexander Ho●smares servant.  
Thomasin Atwoods' maiden.  
Ashdounes wife.  
Groves wife.   

In M●ydst●ne prison  
Died one Ambrose.   

A Norwiche  
julie. 12 Simon Miller yeoman  
And a woman.   

At Colchester in the forenoon  
August. 2 Alice syluersed.  
Vines wyff.  
Elizabeth fookes  
with. 3. more.   

There in the afternoon  
4. more.   

At Colchester  
August. 5 Thurstones wife.  
Bowmers' wife.   

At Rochester  
August. 20 Robert Friar an aged man.  
A man.  
A woman.   

At Norwitch  
August. 23 A woman.   

At Lytchefeild  
September. 10 joice jews.   

At Islington  
September. 17 Rauffe Allerton.  
james Ans●o.  
Ma●gerie his wife.  
Richard Rothe.   

In London  
Novembre. 13 john Holingdaie carpenter.  
Sparrow.  
Richard Gybson gentleman.   

In London  
Decembre. 22 john Rough preacher to the congregation in London.  
Margeret james.   

In London  
Febr. 27 Cuthbert Symson one of the Deacons first chosen in the congregation in London.  
john Devenysh woolwynder.  
Hague Fox ho●ier.   

At Hantington  
March. Lawton.  
April. 15 john Mainerd died in Newgate and was buried in the fields.   

At Colchester  
May. 26 john Harrison.  
Day.  
Agnes George.   

At Norwitch  
june Three.   

Died in N●wgat and were buried in the field  
Thomas Tyler.  
Matthew Wethers.   

In London  
Henry Pond.  
june 27 Matthew Rycarbie.  
john Holydaie.  
john Flonde.  
Raynold Lovonder.  
Roger Holland.  
Thomas Sowtham.   

At Brainford.  
john Slade  
julie. 13 And. 5. more.   

At wynchester  
Bainbrigge gentleman.     

TO THE READER.  
IF the examinations and injust accusations of these our dear brethren with the names of their wicked accusers, false judges and cruel tormenters had been sent unto us as these few names were, we would most gladly have done our diligence, that the wonderful constancy of the one, & the great rage & cruelty of the other should have been witnessed unto the world. which thing nevertheless we mind hereafter more largely to perform to the glory of God, to the comfort of this Church & to the perpetual confusion of those murderers and members of Satan, whom the Lord shall confound by the glorious coming of our Saviour jesus Christ.