<P> For who can denie but it repugneth to nature, that the blind shal be appointed to leade and conduct such as do see? That the weake, the sicke, and impotent persones shall norishe and kepe the hole and strong, and finallie, that the foolishe, madde and phrenetike shal gouerne the discrete, and giue counsel to such as be sober of mind? And such be al women, compared vnto man in bearing of authoritie . For their sight in ciuile regiment, is but blindnes: their strength, weaknes: their counsel, foolishenes: and judgement, phrenesie, if it be rightlie considered . </P> <P> His polemic against female rulers had negative consequences for him when Elizabeth I succeeded her half - sister Mary I as Queen of England; Elizabeth was a supporter of the Protestant cause, but took offence at Knox's words about female sovereigns . Her opposition to him personally became an obstacle to Knox's direct involvement with the Protestant cause in England after 1559 . </P>

The first blast of the trumpet against the monstrous regiment of women