First Blast of the Trumpet against the monstrous regiment of Women | Page 7

either that GOD designed by such examples to condemn the
inactivity of men, or for the better setting forth of His own glory. I
brought forth Huldah and Deborah; and added, that GOD did not vainly
promise by the mouth of Isaiah that "Queens should be nursing mothers
of the Church"; by which prerogative it is very evident that they are
distinguished from females in private life. I came at length to this
conclusion, that since, both by custom, and public consent, and long

practice, it hath been established, that realms and principalities may
descend to females by hereditary right, it did not appear to me
necessary to move the question, not only because the thing would be
most invidious; but because in my opinion it would not be lawful to
unsettle governments which are ordained by the peculiar providence of
GOD.
I had no suspicion of the book, and for a whole year was ignorant of its
publication. When I was informed of it by certain parties, I sufficiently
shewed my displeasure that such paradoxes should be published; but as
the remedy was too late, I thought that the evil, which could not now be
corrected, should rather be buried in oblivion than made a matter of
agitation.
Inquire also at your father in law [Sir ANTHONY COOKE] what my
reply was, when he informed me of the circumstance through Beza.
And MARY was still living, so that I could not be suspected of flattery.
What the books contain, I cannot tell; but KNOX himself will allow
that my conversation with him was no other than what I have now
stated.
Calvin then proceeds to say, that great confusion might have arisen by
any decided opposition, and there would have been cause to fear, that
in such a case--
By reason of the thoughtless arrogance of one individual, the wretched
crowd of exiles would have been driven away, not only from this city
[of Geneva] but even from almost the whole world.
Some years later, and subsequent to CALVIN'S death, BEZA, in a
letter to BULLINGER, adverts to Queen ELIZABETH'S continued
dislike to the Church of Geneva. In his letter, dated the 3rd of
September 1566, he says--
For as to our Church, I would have you know that it is so hateful to the
Queen [of England], that on this account she has never said a single
word in acknowledgement of the gift of my _Annotations [on the New
Testament]_. The reason of her dislike is twofold; one, because we are
accounted too severe and precise, which is very displeasing to those
who fear reproof; the other is, because formerly, though without our
knowledge, during the lifetime of Queen MARY, two books were
published here in the English language, one by Master KNOX against
the Government of Women, the other by Master GOODMAN on the

Rights of the Magistrate.
As soon as we learned the contents of each, we were much displeased,
and their sale was forbidden in consequence; but she, notwithstanding,
cherishes the opinion she has taken into her head[2].
[Footnote 1: The letter is not dated, but it was subsequent to one written
on the 29th of January 1559 [i.e. 1560], Zurich Letters. Second Series,
p. 35.]
[Footnote 2: Zurich Letters. Second Series, p. 34.]

THE FIRST BLAST OF THE TRUMPET AGAINST THE
MONSTRVOVS REGIMENT OF WOMEN.
Veritas temporis filia,
M. D. LVIII.

THE KINGDOME APPERTEINETH TO OVR GOD.
[Sidenote a: the Negligence of watchemen.] [Sidenote b: The diligence
of the olde prophetes of God.] [Sidenote c: I. Reg. 12.] [Sidenote d:
Ezech. 16.] [Sidenote e: Ierem. 29.] [Sidenote f: Ezech. 7,8,9.]
Wonder it is, that amongest so many pregnant wittes as the Ile of greate
Brittanny hath produced, so many godlie and zelous preachers as
England did somtime norishe, and amongest so many learned and men
of graue iudgement, as this day by Iesabel are exiled, none is found so
stowte of courage, so faithfull to God, nor louing to their natiue
countrie, that they dare admonishe the inhabitantes of that Ile how
abominable before God, is the Empire or Rule of a wicked woman, yea
of a traiteresse and bastard. And what may a people or nation left
destitute of a lawfull head, do by the authoritie of Goddes worde in
electing and appointing common rulers and magistrates. That Ile (alas)
for the contempt and horrible abuse of Goddes mercies offred, and for
the shamefull reuolting to Satan frome Christ Iesus, and frome his
Gospell ones professed, doth iustlie merite to be left in the handes of
their own counsel, and so to come to confusion and bondage of
strangiers. But yet I feare that this vniuersall negligence[a] of such as
somtimes were estemed watchemen, shall rather aggrauate our former
ingratitude, then excuse this