The blessed state of England.  
DECLARING THE SVNDRIE DANGERS WHICH BY GODS assistance, the QVEENES most excellent majesty hath escaped in the whole course of her life. With her singular virtues and peaceable government.  
Wherein is also shewed how greatly foreign Nations do admire and wonder thereat, together with the rare titles of Commendation which the great Emperor of the Turkes lately sent in his Letters to her Highnesse.  
 printer's or publisher's device  
Printed for William wight. 1591.   

TO THE RIGHT honourable THE LORD MAIOR OF THE city of London, and to the right worshipful his brethren, the Aldermen of the same city, Thomas Nelson wisheth happiness in this life with increase of honour.  
CAlling to mind( right honourable and worshipful) the manifold blessings which it hath pleased almighty God to bestow vpon this realm of england, wherein he hath not only placed his most sacred& holy word, but also given us a most gracious, virtuous and peerless princes, the queens most excellent majesty, to be the defender and supporter of the same: who by hir singular wisdom together with hir godly care and Christian government, this land is blessed with an unspeakable peace and plenty. Which great& unspeakable blessings, when I had thoroughly considered and plainly perceived that this land onely enjoyeth them for hir highnes sake, whom he hath wonderfully defended from the wicked practices and intents of sundry her enemies. I took vpon me to publish this short and pithy Discourse, partly to make known to all hir majesties well disposed subiectes, the loving kindness of almighty God towards hir, the love and affection which foreign princes bear hir, and how much the very heathen do admire at hir proceedings, and therewithal, giuing hir such honourable and due titles of commendations as never prince nor potentate hath had the like. This Discourse, right honourable and worshipful, although I haue not handled it so rhetorically as many more learneder than myself, might haue performed it, yet I humbly beseech your Lordship and juleps to accept it in good sort at my hands as it is, yielding myself wholly to your grave censures, who I trust will wey my well meaning in the balance of your accustomend courtesies. For whom I heartily pray unto God to sand you a happy and prosperous new year& many to his good pleasure.   

A rare and due Commendation of the singular virtues and government of the queens most excellent majesty: with the blessed estate of England. And how God hath blessed her Highnes from time to time.  
WHO so considereth the state of this land from the birth day of the queens most excellent majesty even to this present time, may easily perceive the great and unspeakable goodness of almighty God towards this small island, how he hath in the same time brought many wonderful things to pass, yea it appeareth, that his intent was then to perform in her( as he hath since done) a most rare work and full of impossibility. And that his mightiness, his love, his care, his wonders, and his merciful providence, might clearly show forth, and bee evidently seen in her, notwithstanding all the practices, force and mightiness of her enemies. Who were like many times since to haue prevailed against her, had not God of his gracious goodness and power, mightily and miraculously defended her.  
And here if wee consider the ground work of Gods blessings prefigured in her Highnes, it appeareth very evident, that first he did in her insancie adorn her with all maner of virtues, such as none might compare with all. And thereunto gave her the spirit of true knowledge and understanding of his truth, with a zealous desire to search the Scriptures, and to haue a full intelligence in the knowledge and difference of tongues, that she might the better defend and maintain the truth, if ever shee might come to that dignity whereunto she was successively born.  
Thus in her young and tender years it pleased God to call away King henry the eight of most famous memory, and after his death gave unto us the most Christian king Edward the sixth, who lawfully succeeded in the room of his deceased father, but such was the unthankfulness of the people at that time, that the most parte of them desired to follow strange Gods,& to worship them with superstition and idolatry, and utterly rejected the sincere and true religion of Iesus Christ, maintained and publicly administered, and allowed by that most Christian and godly king.  
But in respect of this their vnthankefulnesse, it pleased God suddenly to withdraw the light of his truth from the general multitude of them, by taking away the said Christian king: and in stead of his truth and Christian religion( then suddenly abolished) he sent them blind guides to maintain and nusle them in Popish and superstitions idolatry, giuing them a Prince that allowed thereof, and stirred up many tyrants and tormentors to slay, persecute and slander the true professors of Gods truth. Then were the true professors of his word tried like silver in the furnace, and the dayes of bloodshed of Christians daily seen. Then were the blessed Saints of God constrained to live in caues, dens, deserts, deep dungeons, and unwholesome places, yea, then what gail or prison in this land was not filled with the true professors of Gods truth, and daily condemned and burned with fire and faggots? Then bloody Bonner, gardener, and John a Vailes, and a number of tyrants tormented and persecuted sundry godly persons, as Cranmer, Ridley, Lattimer, Bradford, Philpot, Rogers, and a number of learned and godly preachers, and never left them until they had consumed their bodies to ashes. Then began the troubles of the queens most excellent majesty that now is, who bearing the title and name of lady Elizabeth, was vehemently suspected to be a favourer of true religion, so that Stephen Gardener then Bishop of Winchester, and Bishop Bonner then Bishop of London, did together complot and practise means to procure the death of her majesty. And thereupon in time hoping they should find means to cause the loss of her head, got her to bee sent to the tower of London in a Barge like a traitor, and there locked up close prisoner, where she was straightly watched, subtly examined, and deeply charged with heresy and blasphemy. Then were her seruants put from her, and the cruelest persons thought most méetest for the straite keeping of her person, where though continual tears issued forth in abundance from her princely eyes, and she found innocent in things wherewith she was daily charged, yet could shee not haue any favour for her releasement. In all which time of her troubles, shee endured a number of crosses, being sometime taken forth of her bed when she was in great danger of death, and suffered a number of such like injuries, and although it were grievous to her being a Prince, yet did her Highnes endure them with so great patience, that even in her deepest sorrow, shee would rather sigh and desire the liberty of the gospel, than in any sort to wish or desire her own releasement or freedom. But from the tower of London, after many examinations before her enemies, and cruel fastings by her sharp and tyrnnous kéepers, shee was closely connaied to Woodstocke, where she continued in great grief, calling vpon God,& did onely put her trust in him, and persuaded herself, that he knowing her innocency in those things wherewith she was daily yet wrongfully charged, would doubtless in time deliver her from the snares and wicked intents of her mighty aduersaries.  
Thus after three yeeres imprisoment, in which time she was had in great disgrace, it pleased God to look vpon her with his merciful eyes, and caused queen mary her sister to sand for her forth of prison, for which great sign of love and favour at Gods hand, she gave humble thankes to God in delivering her from the hands of her mighty and capital aduersaries, who during her imprisonment, would very subtly examine her, where her inferiors would triumph over her, where her foes would threaten her, and her disembling friends would daily undermine her. Thus almighty God having delivered her in pity, did also take compassion vpon this distressed land, and as well to show his merciful comfort to his afflicted Church and members of the same, as also to make his loving power and kindness to shine forth vpon her majesty, did by death call away queen mary, and immediately appointed our most gracious lady Elizabeth to the inheritance of the crown and diadem of England. Thus was her most princely majesty called from a prisoner to be a prince, from the possession of a castle, to the inheritance of a crown, and from fear of losing her head, to bee entitled the supreme head.  
Thus was her Highnes proclaimed the lawful queen of England, afterward crwoned to the great joy of all her loving subieets and well willers, who shewed great signs of love and obedience to her majesty, adorning the streets in the city of London in her journey towards Westminster, with pageants, shows and triumphs of great cost, yea they caused the Conduits in the city to run with pure wine, and nothing was omitted that might be done to show their joyful hearts.  
Great was her Highnes clemency when shee was come to the crown, she preterred pitty and peace before rigor& reuenge, by seeking to spare their blood, which before sought to spill hers.  
Since the time of whose most prosperous and happy reign, the kingdom of England hath ben blessed of the Lord: it hath abounded with wealth, plenty and peace, Popish idolatry is now banished, and the true& sincers word of God is freely preached among us to our everlasting comfort. By her and through her wee are all blessed: her misunderstandings are godly, and her administration of iustice most commendable: her laws are snaffles unto the wicked, and guides to the godly: wisdom, policy and good government bridleth all manner of broils which folly would daily breed and bring in for the confusion and over throw of her majesty and this land, against whom neither foreign force nor civil fraud, neither discord at home nor conspiracies abroad could at any time avail.  
O blessed peace, O happy Prince and fortunate people, the God of Abraham is Englands God, in the midst of whom he hath placed peace which bringeth all plenty for the sake of a virgin queen, who with a wand ruleth her own subiects, and with her worthiness winneth the good will of all strangers, she that is no less gracious among her own nation, than glorious to others, nor any less beloved of her subiectes then marveled at in other kingdoms: the famed of whose happiness, peace and tranquilitie runneth into all partes of the world, in to every foreign nation and heathen kingdom, yea, even to the court and palaces of the mighty and great Emperour of the Turkes: among whom generally her Highnes is wonderfully seared and greatly loved. For proof whereof that her Highnes is wondered at, spoken of, and highly reverenced in the Court of the great turk and else where, let the rare titles which that heathen Emperour hath adorned her majesty withall in his late letters sent into England bear witness hereof.  

The most honourable and rare titles which the imperial Musulmanlike great Emperour of the Turkes, name Zuldan Murad khan, lately sent in his Letters to the queens most excellent majesty.  
To the most sacred and regal majesty of Elizabeth queen of England.  
Most glorious, and in brightness most splendent woman, and of women the choicest, prince of the mighty followers of Iesus, queen of the famous kingdom of england, most excellent lady, most sapient governess of all the causes and affairs of the people and family of the Nazarites, the most honourable queen of christendom, the most pleasant spring of cléerenes and glory, the most acceptable cloud of sweet showers, the lady and heir of the perpetual blessedness and happiness of the flourishing kingdom of england, to whom all distressed suitors do flock for succour and relief. We wishing from God the creator a most fortunate increase and success to your majesties causes and affairs, and offering eternal praises and vows, worthy of mutual and perpetual familiarity and league, &c. And underneath, the end of the same letter, containing matters onely appertaining unto princes: and therefore omitted. It is thus subscribed. even in our royal palace of Constantinople, the twelfth day of june in the year of Iesus one thousand siue hundred four score and ten. And of our great prophet Mahomet nine hundred four score and eighteen, in the end of the month Saban.  
These titles of great honour plainly sheweth, that her majesty is more spoken of in the courts both of Christian and Heathen princes, and more seared and beloved than ever prince that lived in this land. What Christian prince, hath at any time had embassage from the great turk but onely hir highnes, or hath had so many ambassadors together as her majesty hath received, and at one time entertained with great honour in her own courts? I am of that mind that there hath not been any. And although England be but an island of small compass, yet such is the blessing of God vpon the same, that happy is that region and commonwealth, that nation, that king, that kingdom, that province or country, that is in league unity, friendship, love and amity with the queens majesty of England.  
If the mighty Emperour of the Turkes, do himself in this sort love and honour her highnes, and all other Christian princes, desire mutual agreement with her( except such whom God hath blinded with self love) howe much then are natural born subiectes bound in duty to reverence her, yea and to pray for her long life by whom onely they live in such happy and peaceable estate. This peace the Lord of his goodness hath continued with great and unspeakable mercy among us his chosen people of england since the time of hir majesties reign, whereby we are greatly bound to praise God for such a prince by whom we enjoy al the benefits of peace, having our barns full while other famish, our coffers stuffed while others are empty and our houses furnished when others are fired. This peace God hath given us only for her virtues:& which we ought heartily to pray that it will please God still to continue the same among us for his mercies same. O fortunate England that hast so famous a queen, we are ungrateful if we pray not for her, we are wicked if we love not her,& most miserable whensoever we loose her.  
Her majesty is a stranger and altogether unknown unto the great turk,& yet famed which telleth truth al the world over, hath made her name, her virtues, her wisdom, her iudgement and iustice very sufficiently known unto him. In respect whereof he hath offered that to aid, assist, and pleasure her majesty, all necessary things ordered and prepared in his port, shall bee speedily dispatched and in readiness at her Highnesse pleasure, to defend her against any enemy whatsoever. With promise of assurance not to doubt thereof.  
It is a rare thing to see a heathen Prince profess and vow to perform matter of so great a moment unto a Christian Prince. A thing never red of in ancient Chronicles, nor heard of until this time, and were it not that it is the wonderful and undoubted will and providence of almighty God, it could never haue come to pass, neither is it to be thought other wise, but that the secret work of God by her majesty may bee such as may be some occasion hereafter of the Turkes conversion, which the Lord grant may spéedilie come to pass.  
What greater marvel hath ever happened since the world began, then to see a maiden queen govern in peace so valiant and strong a people, yea, and to make all nations and people in the world to admire, honour and love her, and herself to live in the favour of almighty God( in despite of them that wish her spoil) with her sword in her sheathe, her armor in the tower, with hir souldiers in their houses, and her coin in her coffers: ready to defend the invading enemy whensoever he shall find himself ready to offend the weakest parte of her dominions, which at this day in all foreign partes is called the most happiest kingdom.  
England is the iuell and flower of bounty, peace, plenty and wealth, yea it is the principalest place for any man to live in throughout the whole world. What else maketh the strangers to slack so fast to england? think you it is only for religion? no I warrant you, there is of them as there is of our own nation, many godly professors, true Protestantes, some papists, some Atheists, some jack a both sides, some Anabaptists and what not? So that in truth it is the ease, the wealth, the peace, the safety and security of England, both for their lives and gods that brings them hither in such abundance.  
Is not England, think you, most happy and blessed that féeles no parte of the afflictions which other kingdoms, princes,& nations do daily endure? We live at liberty void of fear, so as we observe hir majesties laws: we live with freedom of conscience, which thousands of thousands wants, we haue the truth daily preached among us, we safely reap the corn from the ground, which is yearly sown. Here mercy and mildness reigns every day together,& every man possesseth his own withquiet. Here no taxes are imposed vpon the people as in other countries, where they can not haue a pot of English beer, but they are taxed for it towards the maintenance of warres. Here the great blessings of God appears, vpon our ground in our herbs, our fruits, ourselves, our children, our cattle, and in all other things appertaining to us whatsoever.  
Contrariwise, other countries round about us, especially France and the seauentéene provinces, are grievously distressed and oppressed with civil warres, mutinies, tumults, rowts, riots and all manner of things that may stir up mischiefs, which end with blood and death, this worketh the overthrow of every well governed estate, and will be the utter coonfusion of those countries and kingdoms, if God do not in his mercy speedily bring so pass some ways and means for the repressing thereof.  
Their fields are filled with camps, whilst ours are quietly bringing forth corn, they are mustering their men in harness, whilst that we in quiet are reaping our harvest. england useth their pieces to fowle for pleasure, when in other countries they use them for fear of peril. Who so ever he be that considereth the troubles which they daily taste of, their continual dangers and daily unquietness, which they from time to abide, will say no less but that their case is most miserable.  
Howe wonderfully hath the lord blessed this land with abundance and plenty of all manner of things, as no nation in christendom may compare with us, we haue first the blessings of almighty God, we haue gold and silver, mynes of tin and led, iron, steel, copper, brass, and for wool and cloth, what country may compare with england, we haue quarries of ston, quick silver, sulphur, black led, alum, ortment, vermilion, copperess, salt peter, sea coal, char coal and great store of all manner of wood and fuel, trees, fruits, saffron, fowle, fish, dear, sheep, rabbits, béefes, bullock. Of leather, butter, cheese and corn, the lord hath sent us abundance, and in so great abundance as no nation hath greater plenty or may equally compare with vs.  
Besides all these, the royal navy and general shipping of this land, are such as famed herself maketh Englandes enemies to quake at the same: and this navy sufficeth for three several purposes: the first and principalest that they are found of sufficient strength for defence in time of war: the second sort are for burden, and the third sort for fishing: the least of all which, one for one and of equal burden, shall bare to match any two or three that any enemy hath heretofore sent against vs. And all this were nothing, nor we in never the more safety, if God who is the ouerthrower of all strength, were not the principalest prop and pillar of our safety: but of this we are sure, that all these benefits and blessings come from God, who is the author of all goodness, and from whom all blessings doth proceed, and that he daily increaseth and multiplieth his blessings upon us onely for her majesties sake, whom he daily defendeth and protecteth, and for whom he continually fighteth against the subtle and crafty devises and attempts of the enemies of God and his church, and of her highnes and this land.  
The government of england is most honourable and the misunderstandings as honourable, yea it is used and ordered in such sort as no treasons can so secretly bee pretended, but they are soon spied out, and the practisers of them severely punished: resistance is soon had if foreign power by invasion do pretend our hurt, the people of england are soon up in arms, as was seen at Tilberie, at Harwitch, and in every shire in this realm of england at such time as the spanish power attempted to haue made a full conquest of this whole land, but God gave strength, courage and willingness to every man to withstand them, yea the great goodness and mercy of almighty God was shewed in overthrowing our enemies and delivering us from the ungodly intents of those bloodthirstie persecutors, here needless to be recited, the same being yet fresh in every mans memory.  
england is the place where all things are cheap& easily had: and in all foreign nations people wonder and hold up their hands to behold the happy state of england and as well the free as the foreign do all admire our peace and plenty. This argueth doubtless that God hath blessed the land, the prince, the seat& the people and where his blessings is there wants no ioy, no bliss ●or hope of heauens happiness, nor doubt of the long continnance thereof.  
England is a sweet nut encompassed in a shell which is hard to crack, it seemeth that it cracked the teeth of the Spaniards when they came in their ships on the west of England like great rastels intending to haue devoured the sweet nut of Gods bounties and blessings, which is the queens majesty, and the states of England.  
England( God be thanked) is free from such yoke, the body is sound and the arms are strong, I mean both the prince and the people, young and old haue sufficient courage to daunt the foe and able joints to try our right in the field: so that England need not doubt the power and strength of the enemy so long as we do maintain Gods truth, who is the ground of Englands trust, and so long as we are careful to please God, and to do as he hath commanded us in his word: we may assure ourselves that he will keep us from being conquered, or by our enemies to be trodden under feet.  
To conclude, seeing we find ourselves so bountifully blessed, as is aforesaid, and that we live in a more happier estate than our neighbours in foreign nations, only for hir sake who is the root, branch& flower therof, forasmuch as by hir the same is like to be continued, we ought earnestly to pray for hir to almighty God to continue his blessings towards hir. The God of heaven bless hir highnesse from all dangers, preserve and bless hir majesties most honourable council, and continue his blessings towards England for evermore. Amen.   
FINIS.