DEVS Vltionum dominus , deus ultionum libere egit , O Lorde god almighty , that haste made with thy worde , Heuen and Erthe , with all the beaultie thereof , and doest with the same , fede all kynde of beastes , in tyme requisite , and haste put vnder mannes subiection , beastes in the erthe , byrdes in the ayre , and fyshe in the see , so that he is lyttell lesse in dignite than angelles , and at the last crowned hym with glorie and honour , as thou hast done our moste victorious prince , makynge hym thyn annointed king , to rule vnder the , the Empyre of Englande , whiche hathe , doothe , and intendeth alwayes to defende thy worde : We pray the , with deuoute hartes , to assist hym , in suppressynge the prowde heed of the poluted citie of Babylon , the Romysshe bysshop . Deus ultionum dominus , that is to say , thou that woldest we shulde committe al vengynge to the , reuenge vs ageynst this serpent , that wolde , to maynteyne his power , deuoure thy holy worde , if his myght were as great as his malyce .

¶ It is not to me vnknowen , my sauyor & redemptor Iesu , that whan thy holy wyll is , in lyke maner as thou diddest defende the people of Israel , by thy duke & leader Moyses , from the prowd and obstinate Pharao , Iosua from the .xxxi. kinges , Gedeon from the Amolytes , Sampson from the Phylistiens , Dauid frome Golyas , Ezechias , from the Assirians , Asa frome the Ethiopians , Iudas Machabeus from Antiochus , & Nycaor Constantine from Maxentius , Theodosius from Eugenius , the noble Henry the fyfte frome the frenche men , the wyse Henry the seuenth , from the tyrant kynge Rycharde , with infinite mo : all be it they semed to be inferior to the innumerable multitude of their aduersaries , yet thou ouerthrewest them , in exaltyng thy power . Gyue than my lorde , and my helper , power to our prince , to thruste downe this byshop of Rome , not only his aduersarie , but chiefe ennemy to thy glorie , which seketh by tyrannous presumption , to bryng in his subiection , all pryncis of the worlde . I cry to the good lorde , Exaltare , qui iudicas terram , that is to saye , Be thou lyfte vp on hygh , and ascende vp to thy seate , that arte the iudge of the vniuersall erthe , and render to the proude bysshop as he hathe deserued .

¶ All be it mercyfulle Iesu , thou dost permytte by thy secrete iugement , euyll persons to prosper , I my lorde and god , that knowe not , but as man knoweth , saye to the , O good god , howe longe shalte thou suffre , I say from the botom of my hart , howe longe wylt thou suffre this seate of Satan , to glorifie it selfe in euill doinge ? What great damage to al Christendom , and what great mischief wrought Honorius agaynst Frederike the good emperour in his iourney ageynste the Turkes ? This wycked bysshoppe sente letters to the Soudan , shewynge hym whyche wayes he myght distroy the chrysten armye . What shulde I say of Bonifacius the third , of Alysander the .vi. of Iulius the seconde , the greatte thefe of the worlde , of Leo the tenthe , of Clemens , and nowe of Paule , that dyuellyshlye alway go about to set one christen prynce agaynst an other , onely to maynteyne theyr vsurped and tyrannous estate ? Vsquequo peccatores domine , usquequo peccatores gloriabuntur ? How long shal such proude prelates prosper ? howe longe tyme wolte thou suffer theym ?

¶ Those that be adherentes to his cursed courte , they murmure , they grudge , and do that in them is , to resyste the holy zele , whiche our kinge hath , to set forth the holy worde of god . But our prynce , that hath goddis worde feruently and moste constantly fyxed in his hart , wyll with his assistens , perseuer agaynst all them , that wolde ought do to the contrary . And as the royall kyng Dauid , although he were rebuked of his father , his bretherne , and his frendes , let not to go naked , to fyght against gret Golyas : euen so let them saye all , that do euyll , what they wyll , our prince woll not cesse to resyst with all his power , the obstinate wylle & vsurped authorite of the proude byshop of Rome .

¶ And not withoute cause oure prince dothe and woll withstande the malycious power of this synfulle seate of Rome . For sythens the tyme that Syluester chalenged by gyfte , that that Constantyne neuer gaue hym , he and his successours , enioyenge temporall possessions , felle frome thy holye faithe , whiche before was spredde by thy apostelles througheout the vnyuersall worlde . And as it had great successe , and dayly increased in all countreyes more and more , as longe as they that were in the apostels place , folowed theyr humilitie , pouertie , and obedience : so by the pride , couetousnes , and tyranny of this Babylonicall monster , it hath lefte Asia and Affrike , and scasely remaineth in Europa , a small corner of the world . Wherfore this may be well sayde , They haue put downe thyne electe people , and they haue vexed thyn inheritance . Who ought not with al his hole hart , to bewaile this piteous decaye ? Or who wylle not be glad to resyst the malyce of those that be the causers therof ?

¶ As this decayer of the monarchye of Christendome , is for the moste parte occupied in greattest mischeues , as in stryuynge ayenst truthe and goddis gospell , in banysshynge true religyon , and settynge vp hypocrisy and ydolatry : in hurlynge downe al good order , and obedience , soo sometyme that all men and women to , maye haue iuste cause to hate hym , he commeth from the grettist to the smal , and falleth to the spoylyng of wydowes , to the slaughter of straungers , to the murder of orphanes . And as he and his , somtime sturre vp th emperour ayenst the French kynge , somtyme the frenche men ayenst the imperyals , brefely eche kingdome in other neckes , so somtyme they come to lower matters , and sette one priuate man to poyson an other , one cytezen to murder an other . In so moch that men thynke , fewer chrysten men to be aliue at this day , than they , for the maynteynynge of their quarelle , haue caused to dye by fyre , swerde , hunger , and pestilence .

¶ They perceiuing , that al thing came to passe as they wolde haue it , and that the blynde worlde beleued , they myght pull out of heuen , and throwe into helle , whom they lusted , handeled the mattier in suche sorte , that who soo euer sayde the contrarie , had all princis in his toppe , redy with the swerd , to take theyr parte . Anone they were exalted in such pride , that as Lucyfer dydde , they presumed to pitche their trone equal with god , and letted not to boste , to bragge , and to say : God shall nat see oure abusion , the god of Iacob shall nat perceyue wheraboute we go .

¶ But our prynce , most mercyful sauior Iesu , whiche is thy Christ , that is to say , thyn annoynted kyng , euen as his regal maiestie , requireth of hym , ceasseth nat to warne all people , specially those , that be symple & vnlettred , to gyue them monition by the worde of god , to be wyse , to take hede , howe they haue fallen into extreme darknes , in gyuynge credite to his erronious doctrine , and fals traditions , in leanyng to moche to his lawes , and commaundementes : and wisheth all men to trust in god , whiche woll the deathe of no synner , but all menne to be saued . And yf they do not this , they fall clene from god , vnto a frayle temporal mans arme , whiche is but flesshe , and shall come to duste .

¶ He that consydereth welle with hym selfe , the wonderfull workes of god , must nedes see , that he is alone almighty . He that marketh howe faythfull he hath bene in all his promyses , can not but thynke , that he alone is to be trusted ? he that seeth what power he hath giuen to other thynges , must nedes graunt , that he hym selfe hath all power . He created all thynges , he made the eares to here , and the eyes to see , now , is it lyke , that he , whiche sette eares vppon youre hedes , & gaue you power to here , can be deafe , and here nothynge hym selfe : And if he be any thing quycke of herynge , shall nat the voice of the innocentes bloud , shed by your crueltie , which crieth still , at the laste come vp to his eares ? Can they lament styll , & neuer be herde ? Shall he that hath set eies in your forheades , and gyuen you power to see , not se them great abuses , the fals wrestynge of his holy worde , the wycked desyre that this papisticall sort hath , to maynteine theyr pompe , pride , and tyranny ? Shal he here them , and se al these your mischeuous intentes , and nat see you one day punyshed ?

¶ Shall nat he , that chaungeth all worldly monarches , and dothe transpose , as Daniel the prophete saythe , realmes , countreyes , and empires , nowe to rule , nowe to be ruled , shall not he hurle downe this seate of Satanas ? He changed the dominion of the Assirians , and gaue it to the Medes , frome the Medes to the Persians , from the Persians vnto the Greekes , frome the Grekes vnto the Romaines , and wolle not he brynge the proude and vsurped estate of these , that ought to serue , from the noughty , to naughte at all ? or to saye , as it oughte to be , restore it rightfully to theym , that a longe season haue ben wrongfully kepte from it ? Thou arte styll that same selfe god , that taughtest Paul thyne apostell , the secrete hyd science of scripture . Thou art he that dydste soo illuminate the mynde of thyne electe and tenderly beloued disciple Iohn , that he , whyche before was a fyssher man , vtterly vnlerned , nowe excellynge the reste of the Euangelistes , vttered manye hygh mysteries , and suche as the other thre left vntouched , writing that wonderfulle piece of worke , In principio erat verbum . No meruail , if thou that taughtest the vnlerned suche hygh mysteries , teache the lerned at length , to knowe the false doctrine , the wylye wayes , the abhomynable hypocrysye , the detestable ydolatrye of this wycked monster of Rome . Can he that teacheth the hethen to folow thinges iuste and righte in the face of the lawe , suffre the Christians , stil to blonder , styll to be in blyndnes , styll to be seduced by this Babylonycall strompette ?

¶ I myght greatly meruayle , ye and more then meruayl , how this chaire of pestilence coulde so long stande in honour , sauynge that I knowe verye welle , bothe to what folyes the vayne cogytations of men bryng them , and howe lyghtly the people are illuded by superstition , and colour of religion . The Iewes sometyme thyn electe people , not withstandynge they sawe with theyr eyes the red sees deuyded , to gyue theym passage , water sprynge oute of the harde stoone , to quenche theyr extreme thurste , meate descende downe from heauen , to fede them , whan they were full hungrye , yet whyle Moyses was in the mount Sinai , they forgettynge al these myracles and benefites of god set vp a calf , and toke it for their god . I myght meruayle , and greatly meruayle ▪ that the christen people coulde be so fonde , to leaue the word of god , and his heuenly doctrine , and folow this wicked byshop of Rome , and his dyuellyshe dreames . But as this is not the fyrst euyl change , that foolyshe man hath made , soo let vs assure our selfes , that vayn cogitations dure nat euer , the seduced tourne ageyne , whan good guydes shewe them the way .

¶ Blessed mayste thou be callyd , moste christen kyng HENRY the VIII . supreme heed of the churche of Englande . Blessed arte thou , whome god hath taught , to espie out the peryllous doctryne of the byshop of Rome , wherby the people of Englande ar brought from darkenes to lyght , from errour to the hygh way of righte knowlege , from daunger of dethe eternall , to life that neuer endeth , to be shorte , euen from hel to heuen . By the O sage kynge , the worde of god , that in tyme paste was cloked and hyd to the elders of thy realme , is now manyfest to chylderne , that ceasse not to prayse with their mouthes , god , and his holy worde . For the mayntenance wherof , most royall kynge , thy prayse shall styll continue vpon erthe , and than depart , whan all menne haue taken theyr leaue of it . Happy , happy is that man good lorde , whom thou teachest , happy whom thou endewes●● with thy doctrine .

¶ Albeit O lorde , thou hast long forborne , and suffred this greatte deceyuour of the worlde , this Romayne bysshop to reygne after a cruell sorte , proudely commaundynge all princis , all estates to obeye his lustes , yet thy goodnesse be euer praysed , thou haste at the last reysed vp a prince , and by him digged a pytte , to hurle this wycked wretche in , where bothe he , his false doctrine , his hypocrisye , and idolatrie , shall as oure truste is , be buried for euer . This pitte hath ofte bene a makynge , many haue dygged and lefte of , er euer the pytte hath ben fully made . Noble HENRY the eyght is he , whom we trust , thou wolt always ayde and presorue , not only vntyll all popyshe power be brought into the diche here in Englande , but also vntylle all Christian nations shall haue soo couered this dyche , that Romish power be neuer able to ryse ageyne .

¶ Let England I say , put other nations in memorie , of the great falle , that the estate of Christendome toke , whan kynges began to obey the lewde doctrine of priestis , whan pristes presumptuously toke vpon theym , to rule goddis worde after their fantasyes , and not theyr lustes , accordyng to his lawes . Let fortunate Englande whiche nowe in spyte of tyrantes tethe , hathe recouered her inherytaunce , be an exaumple to the reste of Christendom , that goddis wyll is not , to forsake his people , to see their right inheritance wrongfully kept from them . God hateth all suche as vsurpe vpon his anoynted kynges . Awake christen kynges awake , Englande blowethe the trompe , and sheweth you all , how ye may auoyde bondage , and howe accordinge to your title and name , ye may as kynges rule and Reygne . God chose not you his kynges , for to be reuled , but to rule . Ye maye haue offycers vnder you , as many as you wyll : beynge kynges , you oughte to haue none aboue you .

¶ God a longe season suffered Pharao , to vexe his people , to heape affliction vppon affliction , and yet at the laste he mette with hym , and in a day was euen with hym for all the iniuries , he hadde done to his people . He forbare a great whyle , and yet a tyme came , that he wolde suffer no longer , but conuerted iustyce to iudgement , & rightuously executed suche sentence ayenst him , as he had long before differred . The tyme is at hande , that Christe shall for their great abhomination , se these tyrantes at Rome , turned out of their triumphant thrones , wherin they syt as gods , treadinge downe the lawes of Christ , settynge vp theyr decrees and decretals , as rules , or rather misrules , to disordre almooste , all that god had welle ordred before . The tyme is at hande , that they shal be brought from pride , to mekenesse , from superfluities , to honeste pouertie , from voluptuous luste , to sober and chaste lyfe , frome haute and imperious commaundementes , to humble and lowely obedience , from feined holynes and hypocrisie , to godlynes and ryghte religion , and than shall we haue good cause to saye , as saynt Iohn sayde in the Apocalyps , Cecidit Babylon , cecidit Babylon ciuitas magna , that is , the greatte Babylon , the greatte citie of Babylon is fallen downe , she is fallen , that made al nations dronke with the wyne of her hooryshe fornication .

¶ Lyke as the excellente kynge and prophete Dauid , greatly meruaylynge , dydde demaunde , who shulde ryse with hym , to subdewe euyll doers , workers of wyckednesse , so may our moste noble and Christen kynge saye , who ought not to rise with me , to the vanquishyng of this monstruous hydra , considering the innumerable mischeues , the ciuile discord , the cruel warres , the effusion of Christian bloudde , that hath bene shedde by the practises of these Romayn bishops ? Who hath not harde , how these good prelates , haue set princis subiectes ayenst their soueraines , moch contrarie to the doctrine of Peter & Paul , which expressely commaunde , and woll all subiectes to obeye their pryncis , vnder peyne of perpetuall damnation . They ceasse not to encomber all pryncis realmes with Sedytion , where they perceyue any thyng in hande , touchynge their refourmation , & wol kynges styl suffer such sowers of hatrede and mischiefe , styll to haue to do in their realms ? Ought they not rather to giue ere to our moste noble prince , sayenge with Dauid , Quis consurget mihi aduersus malignantes ? aut quis stabit mecum aduersus operantes iniquitatem ? Who wolle ryse with me ayenst these wicked men ? what prince wolle folowe , to take parte with me , ageinst these moste vngodly persons ?

¶ If there were none that wolde folowe the godly wayes , and further the vertuous procedynges of the most worthy Henry our kyng , yet god , that euer doth assiste and exalte the good , resyste and withstande the proude , shall vnder the shadowe of his holy wynges , defende all rightuous causes . They that seke rightuousnes , may ofte be broughte into manye straytes , moch trouble , great distresses , but yet if the confidence and trust , that they oughte to haue in god , fayle theym nat , they are euer sure to escape . Dauyd was broughte into many dangers , and yet euermore delyuered . And who knoweth nat what ieoperdies the kinges highnes hath escaped only by the helpe of god ?

¶ The kynges hyghenesse maye say , as wel as euer Dauid might , when so euer I said to the , my fote slypped , or fayled me , my frendis or subiectis , whom I entierly trusted & loued , were not as I toke them , thy mercy good lord , alwayes did helpe me , and kepte me euermore from fallynge . The byshoppe of Rome hath sought many wayes , to make his gracis feete slyppe : but god be thanked , his highnesse standethe euerye daye more surer than other , euery daye more faster than other .

¶ It is not to be douted , but his highnesse moste tender and gentil harte , felte great dolour , whan he sawe suche to haue intended hym moste hygh displeasure , whom he toke to be his trustiest seruauntes , and as the dolours were greatte , soo muste his gracis gladnesse be greatter , to see the wakynge eye of god , so redy to vndo his enemies , so prest to preserue and defend his highnes . His wysedome , hath deuoured a great multitude of peynes , folowyng the feruent studye and desyre he hathe to maynteyne the word of god , ayenst the proud Babylonicall byshop , and yet the consolation and comfortes , which he taketh by the ouerthrowe of soo intollerable a monster , of suche an ennemy to truthe and goddis honour , is farre greatter than euer were his peynes .

¶ Can the seate of wyckednesse , be ioyned with the good lorde ? Is it to be thought , that thou chosest hym to thy vycar , whiche worketh all thinges in maner contrary to thy wylle and pleasure ? Wolt nat thou declare one daye in other realmes , as well as thou haste done in this noble realme of England , that thy wyll is , the bysshoppe of Rome , which abuseth the pretense of thy commaundementes , to the settynge forthe of his abhomynable doctryne , be taken to be as he is , thyne ennemye , a deceyuour of as many as truste hym ? he hathe seditiousely swarued frome that state , and degree , whiche thou settest hym in . He is made of an humble sheparde , an ymage for pryncis to kisse his shoes , wol nothing moue the good god , that thou styl with suche pacience suffereth hym thus to abuse thy pacience ? Moyses coulde hurle Chore , Dathan , and Abiron into helle , for disseueryng them selues from his gouernance . And shall not other princis brynge this runnagate , this strayeng byshop , vnder the yocke of obedience , as Henry the eyght hath done ? Helpe them good lorde , as thou haste holpen hym , open their eyes , as thou haste doone his , the popysshe power is vtterlye confounded .

¶ He & his neuer cesse , to seke the distruction of the rightuous , styll condemnyng the innocentes blod . Here if a man wolde but reherse , howe many they haue condemned by fals processe , chargynge theym with errors , that died for truthes sake , he shuld find a great slaughter , a great quantitie of innocentes bloud drawen by these bloud suckers . But he that lusteth to put in writynge , what bloudde hathe bene shedde , what a noumber of men haue dyed at suche tymes , as these haue set christen princis one against an other , he shulde be able to iustifie , that gret mylles myght be driuen with bloude , if that that hath ben shedde , coulde runne together . A piteouse case , that the innocent shoulde be taken for the gyltie , a worlde to be lamented , that the wycked shoulde sende the godly to be slayn , euen as lambes in the fleshambles . Our lorde be thanked , Englande is nowe oute of that case , and none slayn , in especiall by proces and iudgemente , but suche as are vnworthy to lyue .

¶ Men knowe , what wayes this byshop and his adherentes , haue sought and dayly seke , to hurt noble Henry the .viii. men se , howe his hyghnesse maye stylle saye , as Dauid sayde , The lord is he , that I fly vnto for helpe , he is the comforte of my hope , he is myn hoole truste and shote anker . If he continue his aide and succour toward me , I woll nothynge doubte , but as I haue passed ouer the Babylonycall walles : that soo one day , other princis woll come to the sackynge of this harlot , that hath so longe deluded them , I truste euery byrde woll take his fether , and that the prowde crowe of Esope , beinge ones naked , shal make the worlde to laughe , whiche a longe season hath made it to wayle .