First Blast of the Trumpet against the monstrous regiment of Women | Page 2

second
part of GOD's punishment.
3. This subjection, understood by many to be that of the wife to the
husband, is extended by Saint PAUL to women in general To which
consent TERTULLIAN, AUGUSTINE, AMBROSE, CHRYSOSTOM,
BASIL
4. The two other Mirrors, in which we may behold the order of Nature.
(a) The natural body of man
(b) The civil body of that Commonwealth [_of the Jews_] in which
GOD by his own word hath appointed an order.
C. The Empire of a Woman is a thing repugnant to justice, and the
destruction of every commonwealth where it is received.
(a) If justice be a constant and perpetual will to give to every person
their own right: then to give or to will to give to any person that which

is not their right, must repugn to justice. But to reign above Man can
never be the right to Woman: because it is a thing denied unto her by
GOD, as is before declared.
(b) Whatsoever repugneth to the will of GOD expressed in His most
sacred word, repugneth to justice. That Women have authority over
Men repugneth to the will of GOD expressed in His word. Therefore all
such authority repugneth to justice.
ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS.
1. _The examples of DEBORAH [Judges_ iv. 4] and HULDAH [2
Kings xxii 14.]
2. _The law of MOSES for the daughters of ZELOPHEHAD [Numb_.
xxvii. 7, and xxxvi. 11]
3. _The consent of the Estates of such realms as have approved the
Empire and Regiment of Women._
4 [_The long custom which hath received the Regiment of Women. The
valiant acts and prosperity. Together with some Papistical laws which
have confirmed the same_.
*** This objection was not directly replied to; but instead, the two
following ones.]
(a) _Albeit Women may not absolutely reign by themselves; because
they may neither sit in judgment, neither pronounce sentence, neither
execute any public office: yet may they do all such things by their
Lieutenants, Deputies, and Judges substitutes_.
(b) _A woman born to rule over any realm, may choose her a husband;
and to him she may transfer and give her authority and right_.
THE ADMONITION.
And now to put an end to the First Blast. Seeing that by the Order of
Nature; by the malediction and curse pronounced against Woman; by

the mouth of Saint PAUL, the interpreter of GOD's sentence; by the
example of that Commonwealth in which GOD by His word planted
order and policy; and finally, by the judgment of the most godly writers:
GOD hath dejected women from rule, dominion, empire and authority
above man. Moreover, seeing that neither the example of DEBORAH,
neither the law made for the daughters of ZELOPHEHAD, neither yet
the foolish consent of an ignorant multitude: be able to justify that
which GOD so plainly hath condemned. Let all men take heed what
quarrel and cause from henceforth they do defend. If GOD raise up any
noble heart to vindicate the liberty of his country and to suppress the
monstrous Empire of Women: let all such as shall presume to defend
them in the same, most certainly know; that in so doing they lift their
hand against GOD, and that one day they shall find His power to fight
against their foolishness.
JOHN KNOX to the Reader
APPENDIX.
1559.
12 July. JOHN KNOX to Sir WILLIAM CECIL
20 July. JOHN KNOX'S Declaration to Queen ELIZABETH
1561.
20 Mar. THOMAS RANDOLPH to Sir WILLIAM CECIL
5 Aug. JOHN KNOX'S Second Defence to Queen ELIZABETH
Extracts from JOHN KNOX'S History of the Church of Scotland

_BIBLIOGRAPHY._
The First Blast of the Trumpet etc.
ISSUES IN THE AUTHOR'S LIFETIME.
A. As a separate publication.

1. 1558. [i.e. early in that year at Geneva. 8vo.] See title at p. I.
B. With other Works.
None known.
ISSUES SINCE HIS DEATH.
A. As a separate publication.
2. [?1687? Edinburgh.] 8vo. The First Blast of the Trumpet against the
monstrous Regimen[t] of Women.
4. 15. Aug. 1878. Southgate London N.
_English Scholar's Library_. The present impression.
B. With other Works.
1846-1848. Edinburgh. 8vo. Bannatyne Club. The Works of JOHN
KNOX. Collected and edited by DAVID LAING. In 6 Vols. A special
and limited edition of 112 copies of the First Two Volumes was struck
off for this Printing Club.
1846-1848. Edinburgh. 8vo. Wodrow Club. The same Two Volumes
issued to this Society.
1854-1864. Edinburgh. 8vo. The remaining Four Volumes published
by Mr. T. G. STEVENSON. The First Blast &c. is at Vol. iv. 349.
Early Replies to the First Blast etc.
1. 26 Apr. 1559. Strasburgh. 4to. [JOHN AYLMER, afterwards Bishop
of LONDON].
An Harborovve for faithfull and trewe subiectes, agaynst the late
blowne Blaste, concerninge the Gouernmente of VVemen wherin he
confuted all such reasons as a straunger of late made in