Appellation from the Cruel and Unjust Sentence Against Him, To the reader – Psalm
IOHN KNOXE TO THE READER.
BEcause many are offended at the first blast of the trompett, in whiche I affirme, that to promote a woman to beare rule, or empire aboue any realme, nation or citie, is repugnant to nature, contumelie to God, and a thing moste contrariouse to his reuealed and approued ordenāce: and because also, that somme hath pomised (as I vnderstād) a confutation of the same, I hauehave delayed the second blast, till suche tyme as their reasons appere, by the which I either may be reformed in opinion, or els shall hauehave further occasion more simply and plainly to vtter my iudgement. Yet in the meane tyme for the discharge of my conscience, and for auoyding suspitiō, whiche might be ingendred by reason of my silence, I could not cease to notifie these subsequent propositiōs, which by Gods grace I purpose to entreate in the secōd blast promised.
1 It is not birth onelyonly nor propin quitie of blood, that maketh a kīge lawfully to reign aboue a people professing Christe Iesus, and his eternall veritie, but in his election must the ordenance, which God hath established, in the election of inferiour iudges be obserued.
2 No manifest idolater nor notoriouse transgressor of gods holie preceptes oght to be promoted to any publike regimēt, honour or dignitie in any realme, prouince or citie, that hath subiected the self to Christe Iesus and to his blessed Euāgil.
3 Neither can othe nor promesse bynd any such people to obey and maintein tyrantes against God and against his trueth knowen.
4 But if either rashely they hauehave promoted any manifest wicked personne, or yet ignorantly hauehave chosen suche a one, as after declareth hī self vnworthie of regiment aboue the people of God (and suche be all idolaters and cruel persecuters) moste iustely may the same men depose and punishe hī, that vnaduysedly before they did nominate, appoint and electe.
MATTH. VI. If the eye be single, the whole body shalbe clere.
PSALME OF DAVID XCIIII, turned in to metre, by W. Kethe.
O Lorde sith vengeance doth to thee,
and to none els belonge:
Now showe thy self (o Lorde oure God)
with spede reuenge oure wronge.
Arise thow great iudge of the worlde,
and hauehave at length regarde,
That as the prowde deserue and do,
thow wilt them so rewarde.
How longe (o Lorde) shall wicked men
triumphe thy flock to slea?
Yea Lorde, how longe? For they triumphe
as thog he, who now but they.
How longe shall wicked doers speake?
their great disdaine we se,
Whose boastīg prowd doth seem to threat
no speach but theirs to be.
O Lorde they smite thy people downe,
not sparinge yonge or olde:
Thine heritage they so torment,
as strange is to beholde.
The widdowe and the stranger both
they murther cruelly:
The father lesse they put to death
and cause they know none why.
And yet saye they: tushe, tushe, the Lorde
shall not beholde this dede,
Ne yet will Iacobs God reuolue
the thinges by vsus decreed.
But now take hede ye men vnwise,
amonge the folke that dwell:
Ye fooles (Lsaye) when will ye waye
or vnderstand this well?
He that the eare did plante and place,
shall he be slowe to heare?
Or he that made the eye to see,
shall he not see most clere?
Or he that whipte the hethen folke,
and knolledge teacheth men,
To nurture such, as went astraye,
shall he not punishe then?
The Lorde oure God, who mā did frame,
his very thoghts doth knowe,
And that they are but vile and vaine,
to him is knowne also.
But blessed is that man (o Lorde)
whom thou doest bringe in awe,
And teacheste him by this thy rodd
to louelove and feare thy lawe.
That patience thou mayste him geue
in tyme of troubles great,
Vntill the pitt be digged vp
th'ungodly for to eate.
For why, the Lorde will neuer fayle
his people, whiche him louelove:
Ne yet forsake his heritaunce,
whiche he doth still approue,
Till righteousnes to iudgement turne,
as it must be in dede,
And such as be full true in hearte
to folowe it with spede.
Who now will vp and rise with me
against this wycked bande?
Or who against these workers ill
on my parte stowte will stande?
Yf that the Lorde had not me holpt,
Dowtelesse it had bene done,
To witt, my soule in silence broght,
and so my foes had wonne.
But thogh my foote did swiftly slide,
Yet when I did it tell,
Thy merciemercy (Lorde) so helde me vp,
that I therewith not fell.
For in the heapes of sorrowes sharpe,
that did my hearte oppresse,
Thy comfortes were to me so greate,
they did my soule refreshe.
Wilte thow (vaine man) hauehave ought to do
with that most wicked chaire,
That museth mischief as a lawe
with out remorse or feare?
Against the soules of righteous men
they all with spede conuent,
And there the giltlesse blood condemne,
with one most vile consent.
But my refuge is to the Lorde
in all these daungers deepe,
And God the strength is of my truste,
who allwaies dothe me keepe.
He shall rewarde their wickednesse,
and in their wrathe them kill,
Yea, them destroye shall God oure Lorde,
for he bothe can and will.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Knox, Appellation from the Cruel and Unjust Sentence Against Him (1558)