none by her gift, nor by her power (which she hathn ot) to the place of a
laufull magistrat. And therfore who soeuer receiueth of a woman[148],
office or authoritie, are adulterous and bastard officers before God. This
may appeare straunge at the first affirmation, but if we will be as
indifferent and equall in the cause of God, as that we can be in the cause
of man, the reason shall sodeinlie appeare. The case suposed, that a
tyranne by conspiracie vsurped the royall seat and dignitie of a king, and
in the same did so established him selfe, that he apointed officers, and
did what him list for a time, and in this meane time, the natiue king made
streit inhibition to all his subiectes, that none shuld adhere to this
traitor, nether yet receiue any dignitie of him, yet neuer the lesse they
wold honor the same traitor as king, and becomme his officers in all
affaires of the realme. If after, the natiue prince did recouer his iust
honor and possession, shuld he repute or esteme any man of the traitors
apointement for a laufull magistrate? or for his frende and true subiect?
or shuld he not rather with one sentence condemne the head with the
membres? And if so he shuld do, who were able to accuse him of rigor?
much lesse to condemne his sentence of iniustice. And dare we denie the
same power to God in the like case? For that woman reigneth aboue man, she
hath obteined it by treason and conspiracie committed against God. Howe
can it be then, that she being criminall and giltie of treason against God
committed, can apointe any officer pleasing in his sight? It is a thing
impossible[149]. Wherefore let men that receiue of women authoritie, honor
or office, be most assuredly persuaded, that in so mainteining that
vsurped power, they declare them selues ennemies to God. If any thinke,
that because the realme and estates therof, haue geuen their consentes to
a woman, and haue established her, and her authoritie: that therfore it is
laufull and acceptable before God: let the same men remembre what I haue
said before, to wit, that God can not approue the doing nor consent of any
multitude, concluding any thing against his worde and ordinance, and