couetousnes, deceit, and oppression. In them we also finde the spirit of
Iesabel, and Athalia, vnder them we finde the simple people oppressed, the
true religion extinguished, and the blood of Christes membres most
cruellie shed. And finallie by their practises and deceit, we finde
auncient realmes and nations geuen and betrayed in to the handes of
strangiers, the titles and liberties of them taken frome the iuste
possessors. Which one thinge is an euident testimonie, howe vnlike our
mischeuous Maryes be vnto Debora, vnder whome were strangiers chased owt
of Israel, God so raising her vp to be a mother and deliuerer to his
oppressed people. But (alas) he hath raised vp these Iesabelles to be the
vttermoste of his plagues[112], the whiche mans vnthankfulnes hath long
deserued. But his secret and most iust iudgement, shal nether excuse
them, neither their mainteiners, because their counsels be diuers. But to
prosecute my purpose, let such as list to defend these monstres in their
tyrannie, prbue first, that their souereine maistresses be like to Debora
in godlines and pitie: and secondarilie, that the same successe doth
folowe their tyrannie, which did folowe the extraorelinarie regiment of
that godlie matrone. Which things althogh they were able to do[113] (as
they neuer shalbe, let them blowe til they brust) yet shall her example
profet them nothing at all. For they are neuer able to proue that ether
Debora, or any other godlie woman[114] (hauing the commendation of the
holie ghoste within the scriptures) hath vsurped authoritie aboue any
realme or nation, by reason of their birth and blood. Nether yet did they
claime it by right or inheritance: but God by his singular priuiledge,
fauor, and grace, exempted Debora from the common malediction geuen to
women in that behalf: and against nature he made her prudent in counsel,
strong in courage, happie in regiment, and a blessed mother and deliuerer
to his people. The whiche he did partlie to aduance and notifie the power
of his maiestie as well to his ennemies, as to his owne people[115]: in
that that he declared himself able to geue saluation and deliuerance, by