The appellation of Iohn Knoxe from the cruell and most iniust sentence pronounced against him by the false bishoppes and clergie of Scotland, with his supplication and exhortation to the nobilitie, estates, and co[m]munaltie of the same realme.

PSALME OF DAVID XCIIII, turned in to metre, by W. Kethe.

O Lorde sith vengeance doth to thee, and to none els belonge: Now showe thy self (o Lorde oure God) with spede reuenge oure wronge.

Arise thow great iudge of the worlde, and haue at length regarde, That as the prowde deserue and do, thow wilt them so rewarde.

How longe (o Lorde) shall wicked men triumphe thy flock to slea? Yea Lorde, how longe? For they triumphe as thog he, who now but they.

How longe shall wicked doers speake? their great disdaine we se, Whose boastīg prowd doth seem to threat no speach but theirs to be.

O Lorde they smite thy people downe, not sparinge yonge or olde: Thine heritage they so torment, as strange is to beholde.

The widdowe and the stranger both they murther cruelly: The father lesse they put to death and cause they know none why.

And yet saye they: tushe, tushe, the Lorde shall not beholde this dede, Ne yet will Iacobs God reuolue the thinges by vs decreed.

But now take hede ye men vnwise, amonge the folke that dwell: Ye fooles (Lsaye) when will ye waye or vnderstand this well?

He that the eare did plante and place, shall he be slowe to heare? Or he that made the eye to see, shall he not see most clere?

Or he that whipte the hethen folke, and knolledge teacheth men, To nurture such, as went astraye, shall he not punishe then?

The Lorde oure God, who mā did frame, his very thoghts doth knowe, And that they are but vile and vaine, to him is knowne also.

But blessed is that man (o Lorde) whom thou doest bringe in awe, And teacheste him by this thy rodd to loue and feare thy lawe.

That patience thou mayste him geue in tyme of troubles great, Vntill the pitt be digged vp th'ungodly for to eate.

For why, the Lorde will neuer fayle his people, whiche him loue: Ne yet forsake his heritaunce, whiche he doth still approue,

Till righteousnes to iudgement turne, as it must be in dede, And such as be full true in hearte to folowe it with spede.

Who now will vp and rise with me against this wycked bande? Or who against these workers ill on my parte stowte will stande?

Yf that the Lorde had not me holpt, Dowtelesse it had bene done, To witt, my soule in silence broght, and so my foes had wonne.

But thogh my foote did swiftly slide, Yet when I did it tell, Thy mercie (Lorde) so helde me vp, that I therewith not fell.

For in the heapes of sorrowes sharpe, that did my hearte oppresse, Thy comfortes were to me so greate, they did my soule refreshe.

Wilte thow (vaine man) haue ought to do with that most wicked chaire, That museth mischief as a lawe with out remorse or feare?

Against the soules of righteous men they all with spede conuent, And there the giltlesse blood condemne, with one most vile consent.

But my refuge is to the Lorde in all these daungers deepe, And God the strength is of my truste, who allwaies dothe me keepe.

He shall rewarde their wickednesse, and in their wrathe them kill, Yea, them destroye shall God oure Lorde, for he bothe can and will.

FINIS.