effect. And amongest his manifold preceptes geuen to his prophetes, and
amongest his threatninges, none is more vehement, then is that, which is
pronounced to Ezechiel in these wordes[y]: Sonne of man, I haue appointed
the a watchman to the house of Israel, that thou shuldest heare from my
mouthe the worde, and that thou maist admonishe them plainlie, when I
shall say to the wicked man: O wicked, thou shalt assuredlie die. Then if
thou shalt not speake, that thou maist plainlie admonishe him, that he may
leaue his wicked way, the wicked man shall die in his iniquitie, but his
blood will I requier of thy hand. But and if thou shalt plainlie admonishe
the wicked man, and yet he shall not turne from his way, such a one shall
die in his iniquitie, but thou hast deliuered thy soule.

[Sidenote z: For the Authors name.]

This precept, I say, with the threatning annexed, togither with the rest,
that is spoken in the same chapter, not to Ezechiel onlie, but to euerie
one, whom God placeth whatchman ouer his people and flocke, (and watchman
are they whose eyes he doth open, and whose conscience he pricketh to
admonishe the vngodlie) compelleth me to vtter my conscience in this
mater, notwithstanding that the hole worlde shuld be offended with me for
so doing. Yf any wonder, why I do concele my name, let him be assured,
that the feare of corporall punishement is nether the onlie, nether the
chef cause. My purpose is thrise to blowe the trumpet in the same mater,
if God so permitte[z]: twise I intende to do it without name, but at the
last blast, to take the blame vpon my selfe, that all others may
be purged.