therfore they must haue a more assured defense against the wrath of God,
then the approbation and consent of a blinded multitude, or elles they
shall not be able to stand in the presence of the consuming fier: that is,
they must acknowledge that the regiment of a woman is a thing most odious
in the presence of God. They must refuse to be her officers[150], because
she is a traitoresse and rebell against God. And finallie they must studie
to represse her inordinate pride and tyrannie to the vttermost of their
power. The same is the dutie of the nobilitie and estates, by whose
blindnes a woman is promoted. First in so farre, as they haue moste
haynouslie offended against God, placing in authoritie suche as God by his
worde hath remoued frome the same, vnfeinedly they oght to call for
mercie, and being admonished of their error and damnable fact, in signe
and token of true repentance, with common consent they oght to retreate
that, which vnaduisedlie and by ignorance they haue pronounced, and oght
without further delay to remoue from authority all such persones, as by
vsurpation, violence, or tyrannie, do possesse the same. For so did Israel
and Iuda after they had reuolted from Dauid, and Iuda alone in the dayes
of Athalia[151]. For after that she by murthering her sonnes children, had
obteined the empire ouer the land, and had most vnhappelie reigned in Iuda
six years, Ichoiada the high priest called together the capitaines and
chief rulers of the people[152], and shewing to them the kinges sonne
Ioas[h], did binde them by an othe to depose that wicked woman, and to
promote the king to his royall seat, which they faithfullie did, killinge
at his commandement not onlie that cruell and mischeuous woman, but also
the people did destroie the temple of Baal, break his altars and images,
and kill Mathan Baales high priest before his altars. The same is the
dutie aswell of the estates, as of the people that hath bene blinded.
First they oght to remoue frome honor and authoritie, that monstre in
nature. (so call I a woman cled in the habit of man, yea a woman against
nature reigning aboue man). Secondarilie if any presume to defende that