To the Most Mighty Prince Edward, Duke of Somerset, Earl of Hertford, Viscount of Beauchamp, and Uncle to Our Most Sovereign Lord the King. John Veron Wishes Peace and Grace, Health of Soul and Body, and Increase of Divine Knowledge, and Godly Honor, from God the Father, Through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Considering within myself, most redoubted Prince, the unspeakable and exceeding great mercy, of our most bounteous heavenly father, which so plenteously hath now at this present, sent among vs, the most pleasant, and joyful light of his holy and sacred word, that since the birth and nativity of our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ, it was never in this illustre and flourishing realm, so purely and sincerely preached, as it is now in our time, set forth to the great comfort and consolation of our poor wretched consciences, which so long have been detained and holden captives in the thick darkness of men's traditions. I have a good cause to wonder, and marvel at the ingratitude, and unthankfulness of many and sundry folks, which, in this most gracious time, that salvation is so freely, in the word of God, and holy scriptures, offered everywhere unto them, yet to their utter undoing and destruction have rather to stick to the dregs of men's dreams and devilish inventions of Antichrist, than to embrace the joyful tidings of the Gospel, where only they may find rest to their poor weary souls. Christ the everlasting wisdom of the father does cry out there saying: Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are laden, and I will ease you. And yet these mad and bewitched persons will in no wise hearken unto him, but most wretchedly laboring and sweating, under the intolerable burden, of Antichrist's traditions, do wittingly, and of all obstinate purpose and mind, run headlong into perdition, following in it their blind guides, which do yet at this present, contrary both to God's word and the King's most godly proceedings, lead them into all kinds of devilish error.

These blind guides, I say, are the [...], that poison the simple and ignorant people and are causes of their utter undoing and destruction. Then will they not suffer to come into the right way, and to follow the foregoing light of the Gospel, of our Savior Jesus Christ, whose doctrine and word, they persuade these poor ignorant and blind folks to be plain heresy, and that they, which now preach, set forth, and bring unto them, the glad and comfortable news of salvation, are most pernicious heretics, which go about, to bring all men, from the old and ancient religion, that was set up, allowed, and established, by the holy fathers of the primitive church, into a new kind of religion that they invented themselves out of their own brains, thereby to take away and banish from among men the true worshipping of the living God. Are not (will these Antichrists say) through this new learning, all laudable ceremonies, driven out of the churches? Where be now the holy Saints become, that ye, in all your afflictions, and trouble were wont to fly unto? As for the holy and blessed Sacrament, of the Altar they have most ungodly plucked it down. Within a while (since that they have also put down that most holy and sacred Mass) they will leave no God at all unto us. Beware, take heed to yourselves, good folks, hearken not unto them. We warrant you, they shall not continue long. Within these two or three years and less, ye shall see all things clean altered and changed.

Those and many other like things, do these ravening wolves, and false Prophets, not only whisper in men's ears, but also most boldly (as though they fear neither God, nor King) blow out abroad, among the loving subjects of this Realm. I tell the truth, I lie not (God shall bear me record of the same). Not long ago, I was in communication with one of the chiefest ringleaders of that unlucky company (whose name I do here wittingly pass over) which is a man of great learning, and in the Philosophy and doctrine of Aristotle, most cunning and expert. This man after that we had reasoned a while in matters of Religion, suddenly brake forth with these words: No, no, said he, (and called me by my name) set your heart at rest, I do not doubt, but that within these two or three years, all these fellows, that now are busiest, and most earnest, in setting forth of this heresy (for so did he call the preaching of the Gospel, that is now used among us) shall be glad to recant every one of them, as fast, to call back their erroneous opinions, and to say: tongue thou didst lie. Now most mighty Prince, if this man, notwithstanding the King's proceedings, and other godly acts, set forth by the King's most honorable council, to the utter subversion of false doctrine, ungodly traditions, and Idolatry, and again to the maintenance of true religion, durst be so bold to have such talk, and communication with me, whom he knew right well, though that I have but very small learning and knowledge (howbeit I do most highly thank God, that he of his goodness did vouchsafe, to direct that little that I have, to his glory) yet to be most earnest, in the defense of this true doctrine and religion. What will both he, and other of the ungodly faction, do among them, whom they know to be both unlearned and weak? Truly they will utterly subvert them. They will make them, that when they hear of Christ, and of his Gospel, they shall stop their ears and cry out with the ungodly multitude of the Jews, saying: Away with him, crucify him. Mark ye this, O ye Christian Magistrates (whose part and duty it is, to beware and take heed, that the people committed unto you, do not fall again into darkness and ignorance). When our Savior Jesus Christ, King of all Kings, and Lord of all lords, made his solemn entry into Jerusalem: how joyfully with songs and hymns was he received of the common people? Blessed be the king (said they) that cometh in the name of the Lord: Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest: But within a while after this poor simple and ignorant people, that thus so joyfully received our Savior Christ, being moved and persuaded by the high priests, scribes, and Pharisees, did prefer that thief and shameful murderer Barabbas unto him, whom a little while before they called King, desiring of Pontius Pilate, with a loud voice that the said rebel and cruel murderer Barabbas, should be let loose unto them, and that Jesus should be delivered up, for to be crucified. In like manner nowadays, it does happen and chance here among us. For when the Gospel and glad tidings of salvation, are by honest and godly men preached and set forth unto the good folks of the country: it is a great wonder and marvel to see, how greedily the most part of them do receive it, no less rejoicing, at those joyful news of heaven, than the multitude of the Jews, did at the coming of their Messiah. But as soon, as these false prophets (the true preachers being departed from thence, into some other place) are come among them, and have shriven them a while, they are made a thousand times worse, than they were afore the hearing of the Gospel. These ravening wolves are so armed with hypocrisy, with blandiloquence, fair speaking and flattery, that it is a thing impossible, for the poor simple folks of the country, which are nuzzled in the old superstition of their forefathers, that they should at any time without the special grace of God, beware and take heed of them: yea many witted and learned persons that are not yet strong, steadfast, firm, and sound in the faith, are oftentimes by them overthrown and clean subverted.

What shall we say? The names of them are noisome and hurtful. Which thing we do see nowadays to be most true. I know some, which if they were a little otherwise handled, or somewhat more straightly looked upon, but even half so much, as they did look upon us, when they bare rule and were in high authority, having those laws in their hands, which (no man, of what degree soever he was bearing open his mouth against them) they had made themselves. We should see, and that shortly, all those shires, that have not yet received the word, to come merrily, and with a lusty courage, and joyful heart, unto the truth and Gospel, which are now only hindered and stopped, by the glorious names and titles, of such high renowned persons. Well, it was not for naught (as I have often said, and now I say it again) that those godly kings, which in times past did put down all idolatry, and superstition, setting up again, withal godly study and diligence, the true worshipping of the living God, did slay and kill up all Baal's priests, and false prophets of groves, and hill altars. Which thing truly they did, because that they should not bring the people again into error. Nor let any man think here, that it was cruelly done, no more, than when a rotten member is cut off, from the body, lest that it should infect all the whole. Is it not (I pray you) much more expedient, that 850 false prophets, should be killed up, by some Elias, than that all the whole Israel should perish? Judge ye all, that have any wit in your heads. Howbeit, it is not my will, that any man should be murdered or put to death, unless it be with the sword of the spirit, and as the Lord speaketh himself by the prophet, saying: I will smite the earth with the rod of my mouth, and with the breath of my lips, will I slay the ungodly. I would wish, that all such persons should be allured and won, by charitable means, that they might perceive and see, that much more gentleness is showed unto them, than they have aforetimes showed unto us, and again that the magistrates, do seek only for their amendment, and salvation of their souls, and not for their chests and coffers. Nevertheless, if they be obstinate and stubborn, or go about some tumult and innovation of things, or else hinder still the people, and kept them back from the truth of the Gospel, and from Christ, the common Savior of all men: let them hardly feel that the Magistrate beareth not in vain the temporal sword. Indeed, it is time that some of them be tied up shorter, since that they be not afraid, to threaten us, (and that, to the great abashment of the weaker) that foreign Princes, if we do not shortly recant, and come again to the old fashion, will invade, and come upon this noble and flourishing Realm. Yea, say they (when they be upon their ale benches, and in corners, where they think, they may utter out such doctrine) the proudest of them all, meaning the head rulers and magistrates, through whose vigilant care, true religion hath been restored, and set up again, be in doubt, what they may do. They tremble and quake for fear, if they do but hear once, that noble and most redoubted Emperor, named. They do almost creep into a mouse hole, when they hear daily, how he handleth their brethren in Christ beyond the sea. They would give (yea marry would they) thousand thousands, that the holy and blessed Mass, had never been put down by them. They would fain have it up again, if they knew, how they might do it handsomely, and not to their shame and rebuke.

Such is their communication abroad, among the simple and ignorant people, and that of late. It is no marvel then, that the most part of the loving subjects of this Realm, do yet both abhor, and utterly refuse the wholesome doctrine of their salvation, since that so many false Prophets, are yet suffered, to be among them, and so few faithful Pastors provided for, and sent unto them. For truly, this is one of the chiefest causes of the blindness of the people, and that they are so easily seduced, and brought into error, by false Prophets, that daily and hourly come unto them in sheep's clothing. They lack true Pastors. They want faithful teachers and guides. Their watchmen are all blind, they have altogether no understanding, they are all dumb dogs, not being able to bark, they are sleepy, sluggish, and lie snorting, they are shameless dogs, that be never satisfied. Their shepherds in like manner, have no understanding, but every man turns his own way every man after his own covetousness, with all his power. How (I beseech you) can the people, having such blind buzzards to their guides and pastors, get any understanding or knowledge? How shall they discern the false prophets, from the true pastors and faithful ministers? They truly, as young innocent babes, will embrace poison, for wholesome meat, and take up a scorpion for an egg. But now, whom shall we blame most chiefly, for this? The Bishops? The King and his honorable Council? Forsooth, if there were any suspicion, that any foreign prince or nation, would invade this Realm: by and by should in all the haste, and with all diligence, watchmen be set out, in all the ports and uttermost places of the country, to espy out the coming of the enemies, and to give warning thereof. And why so, I pray you? Because that the loving Subjects of this Realm, should by their sudden coming and arriving, take no manner of harm in their goods and bodies. How much more then, since that so many cruel and mighty enemies, do always without ceasing, and intermission, beset us round about, endeavoring themselves, both night and day, with all their might and power, to spoil us, of that most precious Jewel, that Christ himself the only begotten Son of the Father, has with the shedding of his dear blood, purchased unto us, and so to murder most miserably both our bodies and souls, having besides that their espies, every where here among us, so masked and disguised in sheep's clothing and skins, that they can scarcely be known, from our friends and well-willers: ought true and faithful watchmen to be sent out into all corners? To be appointed and set in all places? O preposterous, perverse, and overthwart judgment. In things that are transitory, and fade away like the grass, that is to say, in things that belong to our corruptible bodies, and the preservation, or safeguard of the same, we are most diligent and careful, but in things that belong unto the souls, which are immortal, and never die, but after the death of the bodies, be always, either in exceeding great joy, or else in pains and torments unspeakable, yea, the bodies at the day of judgment, being united and joined again unto their souls, shall be partakers of either of them: it is impossible to tell, how careless and negligent we are. Which thing, besides all other arguments, may be proved by this. In all the towns of war, of this Realm, strong garrisons, (as it is most convenient and meet) are set, noble and valiant Captains, and faithful, or trusty watchmen are appointed, nothing is left uncared for, that may be for the safeguard of those forts and towns: But now how many parish churches in England, which Churches, by right may be called, the watching or espying towers of the everlasting Kingdom, of our heavenly King and Savior Jesus Christ, are provided of true and faithful watchmen? Not scarcely one among 40 has a true pastor or minister, and why? This is one of the causes why. Lords and gentlemen, have almost all the livings of Churches in their hands. And as long as they may get Sir John Lack-Latin, to serve their cure under them, for a little or nothing, that is to say: for 6 or 8 pounds a year, whereas they their self, receive and take yearly upon it, some 60 some 100 pounds, some more, some less, it will never be, that they shall set godly learned men in them. O merciful God, what mean the head rulers, and governors of this world (here I do understand Kings, Emperors, high Prelates and Bishops) whom the scriptures and word of God do call, pastors and shepherds of the people? What answer shall they make unto him, that is the pastor of all, when he shall require out of their hands, the blood of his dear bought sheep, that did perish, and daily do perish, through their negligence and fault? My mind abhors to remember, how horrible and grievous punishments are prepared for them. God, of his merciful bounteousness grant, that our noble and sovereign Lord the King, and all his honorable council, for the discharge of their consciences, may shortly see an order in it, that all the parishes throughout all England and other of the King's dominions, may be provided of true pastors and ministers.

In the mean season, that this shall be a doing, to fence and arm the loving subjects of this Realm against those ravening wolves that come to them in sheep's skins, I have here, according to the little, that I can do, translated out of Latin into English, a book, which may right well be called: The image of both pastors, set forth by that most famous clerk Huldryche Zwinglius Bishop of Tigure, and called by him Pastor. It is a very profitable and necessary book, and most worthy, not only to be translated into all tongues, but also to be had and read in all the Churches of Christendom. For there first and foremost the congregation shall see, the true and faithful pastor, most lively depicted, and set out in his own colors, which are taken out none other where, than out of the chests and coffers of the holy and sacred scriptures. Whereby, any man shall learn, how far from all voluptuousness and pleasures of the flesh, this office and vocation is. For whosoever takes this ministry and function in hand, must continually without ceasing and intermission, war, strive, and fight, against all flesh, and all the power and strength of it, against his own parents, kinsfolks, brethren, and sisters, yea against his own self, and all the concupiscences, and lusts of his own flesh, against all pomp and pride of this world, and all the mighty Princes of it: Finally, whatsoever, is in any manner of thing, repugnant unto God, he shall profess and declare himself, an open enemy against it. The consideration of which things, does plainly teach us, that to administer this great and perilous office, worthily and sufficiently, is the very work of God, and not of man's strength. To do it, I say, truly and sincerely, it comes not of man, but only of God, which giveth us strength, to bear so heavy a burden. In the second part, the ravening wolves, which being clothed in sheep's skins, do counterfeit the true shepherds, are described and set forth to the eyes of the congregation, and in a manner, showed with the finger. For, there any man shall see, their wide gaping mouths, their sharp teeth (wherewith they always threaten slaughter and murder) and wolfish paws (for the sheep's skins, wherewith they have disguised themselves cannot hide all things) to appear out. To be short, all the congregations and churches, that are not yet provided of true ministers, shall by this little book (if it be truly perused and read) learn, in the mean season, to discern and know the true and faithful pastors, from the devilish ravening wolves, be they never so masked and disguised. Which truly, will be no small help unto them afterwards (when true pastors, shall through the fatherly care of our sovereign lord the king, and his honorable council, be sent unto them (to come unto the true religion, and godliness. O merciful priest, and chief Bishop Jesus Christ, vouchsafe (we beseech thee) of thy bounteous mercifulness, to send out, true and faithful laborers, into thy holy harvest, for to break and distribute the bread of thy holy word, unto them, that hunger for it. Vouchsafe also, O most true and faithful shepherd, to strengthen, with thy holy spirit, all preachers and teachers, that thou hast sent, and daily do send, to feed thy dear bought flock, to the intent that they may boldly and earnestly set their souls in the defence of thy holy word, and for their sheep, against all the threatenings, and false enterprises, of the ravening wolves and false prophets that go about to seduce and bring us out of the right way, for their bellies' sake, through their false doctrine. And that they may so teach and declare unto us, thy holy law, and Gospel, that we being taught and edified, may daily more and more magnify thy godly honor.

Now I have shortly declared and showed, the chief and principal causes of the blindness, that yet at this present, reigns among the simple and ignorant people, and what moved me to translate this golden book, and most excellent work. Which truly, if that godly Nehemias, the repairer of Jerusalem were among us, I would have dedicated unto him, and to none other. Since then that your grace has been a very Nehemias unto us (for, through your vigilant care, the true Jerusalem, which is the Church that was all covered with the rubbish of Antichrist's traditions, is now at this present, new built up again) I could do no less, but to dedicate it unto your grace. And though it is not so eloquently and finely translated, as many, that were naturally born and brought up in this country, might have done it: Yet notwithstanding, have I a good hope, that your grace (such is your Princely gentleness) will take it in good worth, not so much considering the thing itself, as the benevolent heart, that it comes from. The Lord knows how great a love and affection, not only I, but generally all true Christians, do bear unto you, and that, for the exceeding great zeal that your grace, has had always to true religion and godliness. This love and affection, was right well declared and manifested, by the tears and daily prayers of the faithful, when that everliving and almighty God (who always chastiseth them, whom he loveth) did suffer your grace to be tried, with the fire of trouble and affliction. As then, all the whole congregation of the faithful did with mourning tears, make earnest intercession and prayer unto almighty God, for your grace's deliverance: so now I do most humbly beseech him, that is the author of all good things, that he vouchsafe of his goodness and mercy, so with his holy spirit to rule, guide, and govern you, in all your weighty affairs, with that most gracious Lady, your true loving spouse and wife, that whatsoever your grace shall think or do, may be to the glory of God, to the common weale of this Realm, and salvation of your soul.

¶Your poor orator John Verou.