so brutishe and insensible, but that I haue laid mine accompt what the
finishinge of the worke may coste me for mine own parte. First, I am not
ignorant howe difficile and dangerous it is to speake against a common
error[v], especiallie when that the ambitious mindes of men and women are
called to the obedience of goddes simple commandement. For to the most
parte of 'men, laufull and godlie appeareth, what soeuer antiquitie hath
receiued. And secondarilie, I looke to haue mine aduersaries not onlie of
the ignorant multitude, but also of the wise, politike, and quiet spirites
of this worlde, so that aswell shall suche as oght to mainteine the truth
and veritie of God become ennemies to me in this case, as shall the
princes and ambitious persons, who to mainteine their vniust tyrannie do
alwayes studie to suppresse the same. And thus I am most certeinlie
persuaded, that my labour shall not escape reprehension of many. But
because I remembre that accomptes[w] of the talentes receiued must be
made to him, who nether respecteth the multitude, nether yet approueth the
wisdome, policie, peace, nor antiquitie, concluding or determining any
thinge against his eternall will reueled to vs in his moste blessed worde,
I am compelled to couer myne eyes, and shut vp myne eares, that I nether
se the multitude, that shall withstand me in this mater, nether that I
shall heare the opprobries, nor consider the dangers, which I may incurre
for vttering the same. I shalbe called foolishe, curious, despitefull, and
a sower of sedition: and one day parchance (althogh now I be nameles) I
may be attainted of treason. But seing that impossible it is[x], but that
ether I shall offend God, dailie calling to my conscience, that I oght to
manifest the veritie knowen, or elles that I shall displease the worlde
for doing the same, I haue determined to obey God, not withstanding that
the world shall rage therat. I knowe that the world offended (by Goddes
permission) may kill the bodie, but Goddes maiestie offended, hath power
to punishe bodie and soule for euer. His maiestie is offended, when that
his preceptes are contemned, and his threatninges estemed to be of none