Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Moreover, your duty to religion, most excellent Queen, should the rather provoke you; seeing our Isaiah requires, that Queens should be no less nursing mothers to his Church, then Kings the nursing fathers thereof. Neither are you only bound to purge out the filth of popery again; and that the flock lately affrighted and dispersed, be again gathered together and fostered: but that you also call home the banished exiles, who chose rather to lose the present profits of their native country, then there to continue, whilst piety was chased thence. Here is the sum of your thankfulness towards God, and a sacrifice of a most sweet savour, namely, that the faithful servants of God, who were constrained to wander to and fro in far countries for the profession of the Gospel, may now return home to their houses by your favour.

Moreouer, your dutie to religion, most excellent Queene, should the rather prouoke you; seeing our Isaiah requires, that Queenes should be no lesse nurcing mothers to his Church, then Kings the nurcing fathers thereof. Neither are you only bound to purge out the filth of poperie againe; and that the flocke lately affrighted and dispersed, be againe gathered together and fostered: but that you also call home the banished exiles, who chose rather to lose the present profits of their natiue countrie, then there to continue, whilest pietie was chased thence. Here is the summe of your thankefulnesse towards God, and a sacrifice of a most sweet sauour, namely, that the faithfull seruants of God, who were constrained to wander to and fro in farre countries for the profession of the Gospell, may now returne home to their houses by your fauour.

As for us, who for good cause have bitterly bewailed so lamentable a spectacle (we, I say) have just occasion given us now to be glad, and to gratify you, when by the clemency of your eye, we presently see the way made open to our brethren, not only to serve God with freedom in your Majesties dominions; but also to be a means whereby others may enjoy the like benefit there with them.

As for vs, who for good cause haue bitterly bewailed so lamentable a spectacle (we, I say) haue iust occasion giuen vs now to be glad, and to gratifie you, when by the clemencie of your eie, we presently see the way made open to our brethren, not onelie to serue God with freedome in your Maiesties dominions; but also to be a meanes whereby others may enioy the like benefit there with them.