Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But to be silent touching others, we may yet at the last worthily esteem this comfort not as a common favour, in the miseries wherein the Church now is, that you, most noble King, have been raised up of God, with this spirit, and excellent magnanimity of mind, to maintain the pure religion; and as effectually to offer unto God your service in this behalf, as you know he receives and approves the same at your Majesties hands. For howsoever the affairs of the Kingdom be yet managed by your honourable Counsel: and that as well the most noble Duke of Somerset, your Majesties Uncle, as also many others, have taken the cause of religion so to heart, that they labour diligently (as it is very fit they should) to establish the same: yet do you in such sort outgo them all; that it well appears, the zeal which they see in you provokes them not a little to follow you. For you have the same, not only to be of such a princely disposition as promiseth much, and to have some seeds of virtues also, (which yet nevertheless seems great in so young years) but more then that, such a ripeness of these virtues already grown beyond your age; which to the most aged, gets not only rare praise, but also ma•es them much to be admired. And above all, so greatly is your piety commended, that I am very well assured our Prophet shall have one, that will with like respect reverence him being dead, as Hezekias did whilst he was living.

But to be silent touching others, we may yet at the last worthilie esteeme this comfort not as a common fauour, in the miseries wherein the Church now is, that you, most noble King, haue been raised vp of God, with this spirit, and excellent magnanimitie of mind, to maintaine the pure religion; and as effectually to offer vnto God your seruice in this behalfe, as you know he receiues and approoues the same at your Maiesties hands. For howsoeuer the affaires of the Kingdome be yet managed by your honourable Counsell: and that as wel the most noble Duke of Sommerset, your Maiesties Vncle, as also many others, haue taken the cause of religion so to heart, that they labour diligently (as it is very fit they should) to establish the same: yet doe you in such sort outgoe them all; that it well appeares, the zeale which they see in you prouokes them not a little to follow you. For you haue the same, not only to be of such a princely disposition as promiseth much, and to haue some seeds of vertues also, (which yet neuerthelesse seemes great in so young yeeres) but more then that, such a ripenesse of these vertues alreadie growne beyond your age; which to the most aged, gets not only rare praise, but also maes them much to be admired. And aboue al, so greatly is your pietie commended, that I am very wel assured our Prophet shal haue one, that wil with like respect reuerence him being dead, as Hezekias did whilest he was liuing.