Well ouer taken in the name of God my good fellow : Whether art thou now going thus al alone ?

Forsooth good maister , I am a Straunger hereabouts , and very willing I am to go to London .

To go to London ( alas ) what wouldst thou do there ?

Here in the countrey , they say it is a goodly famous Town , and very gladly I would see it , if I knew the way thyther .

How darest thou go abroade now , the world is so hard , on this order ? the Constables and other Offycers as thou goest , will apprehende and haue thee before some Iustice for a Rogue .

I trust they will not doe so , for I neuer dwelte with Mayster nor Dame.

Notwithstanding yet , the Lawes of this Realme are verye straightly looked vpon now a dayes , concerning such matters , especially if they haue not a Pasport from whence they come .

It is euen so , for in the countrey wheras I did dwell , they looke very straightly vnto those that are suspected persons , and haue them vnto some Iustice , and they bee not onely punished with imprisonmente , but with whipping and burning in the eare .

It is a thing chiefest to be loked to , for if they doe not , they ought in all places by the statute to forsee that matter . The Constables are charged there with , and for default , incurre the daunger of the statute .

I am sure they will not examine me so straightly , if they doe , I must declare vnto them the troth , and the effecte of my matter , for I dwelte alwayes with my Father , and Mother , I haue come a good way , and yet I haue not bene examined .

Then I perceyue that you did dwell with your father .

Yea in deede , I dwelt with my mother , but my father is dead , and lyeth buryed in the bodye of our Churche , almost three yeares past , but my mother I trust is alyue .

If thy mother be alyue , what didst thou with her ?

Marye I did go to Plough and Carte , and kepte the Crowes out of the fielde , and fetch home the Kyne and other such lyke thinges , which appertayne vnto husbandry .

In so doing thou didst well , for Adam did worke in the Garden of Eden : Cayn Gene , 2. was a Plough man and tilled the earth : hys Gene. 3. brother Abell was a Sheaphearde , and kepte Sheepe : Noye was a planter of Vyneyardes , Gen. 4. and canst thou not liue as thy father hath done before thee ?

No , I cannot lyue in that order , it is to paynefull for me , although my Father did Hedge and diche , digge and delue , and did bring me vp in the same trade , and you haue shewed me those examples , I mynde not to doe so .

No , what wilte thou do then ?

What will I doe ? I will tell you , I will be a Seruingman , and wayghte on a Gentleman , and then I shall goe a Hawking and Hunting and haue my delight as Gentlemen hath , I shall haue two new coates a yeare , I will haue my sutes of Hose , my Hats with feathers , and be all in the brauerye , after the newe fashyon , and sometyme I shall wayght vpon a Gentlewoman , who woulde desyre to lyue a merryer lyfe ? or else I will to London to be a seruaunt .

The old Prouerbe is true . A yong Courtyer , an old Begger , for they say seruice is none heritage , and if thou shouldest be vsed as Esop doth declare in a fable , what wouldst thou then Esop . say to thy brauery ?

I pray you recyte the same to me .

He was a man by whome there is a booke made , that I haue read , and is caled Esops fables , wherin he likeneth a Seruingman to a Greyhound .

He was a horeson in deede , that would liken a man to a Dog. Why there is a great sort that be Seruingmen and doth liue well ynough , and so I trowe I will .

Yea I wil not despyse seruingmen , for they are men necessary . But Esope sayeth , as long as a Greyhound is youthfull , and can follow his game , he shall be much made of , and as long as you are yong and lustye , so maye you be , but when age commeth on you , as dyd on the Greyhound , then you shall not bee steemed , but ready to be set at liberty without comforte .

Why then I praye you tell me your mynde , what your aduyce is for me to doe .

My counsell is to haue you go home agayne to your Mother , consydering you say she is an old woman , and your Father dead , shee is without friendship or comforte , and you shall be a good stay and a helper vnto her .

I mynde not so to doe , for I know a way better then to doe so , she hath geuen me Gods blessing and hers , and is well contented withall , and hath geuen mee Money in my Purse , I may be bolde to say vnto you , besydes that I take you to be an honest man , and a true man , else I woulde not haue tolde you , for there be so many men now a days of dyuers sortes , I knowe not well whome to trust .

Thou sayest truth in deede , the more is the pittie , for one man cannot trust another , What wee ought to doe to our Parentes . Reuerence them . Leuiticus . 19. Eccle. 3. Here them . Epesi . 6. Honour them . but yet Moises writeth as I remember . Let euery one reuerence his Father and mother . Iesus the sonne of Syrach wryteth on this manner . Heare me your Father ( O my deare Chyldren ) and doe thereafter that ye may be safe , for the Lord will haue the father honoured of the children . Honor thy father and Mother , this is the fyrst commaundement that hath any promyse , that thou mayest be in good state , and lyue long on the earth . And looke what a Mother commaundeth her children to doe , he will haue it kepte . Who so honoureth his Father , his sinnes And why ? shall be forgeuen him , and he that honoreth his mother , is one that gathereth treasure togither , who so honoureth his Father , shall haue long life , and he that is obedyent for the Lords sake , his mother shall haue ioy of him . Honour thy father from thy whole harte , forget not the sorrowfull Eccle. 7. Howe wee should honour our Parentes . Ephe. 6. Toby . 4. trauayle that thy mother had with thee . The Apostle sayeth : Chyldren obay your fathers and mothers in the Lorde , for so it is right . Tobias sayde to his sonne , hold thy Mother in honour all the dayes of thy lyfe , for thou oughtest to remember what and howe great perrill she suffred for thee in her wombe .

You are verye scripulous with mee to honour my mother , I doe not denye it , but I confesse my duetye is vnto my mother , yet may I doe that which I purpose to doe , for I am sure you cannot tell me of any that doth practise such obedience to Father or mother . Of my parte I promise you , I knowe not what obedience is , for it was neuer taught me .

Then will I teach you especially concerning our communycation . Fyrst , I will shew you that obedience is What is obedience . a lowly and harty submissyon of our selues to God , and afterwardes to our Parentes , to the Maiestrates , to our superyours , and to al those to whome GOD hath committed the rule and gouernaunce of his Flocke and people in this worlde , or in iust causes , to all them to whome we be by any tytle inferyour . Isaac shewed obedience Gene. 22. to his father Abraham . Yong Tobias Toby . 5. at his fathers commandement , went into a farre country about his fathers busines , & did not deny it . Christ humbled himself , & became obedient to the death , so was he to his parents , Ioseph Phill. 2. Luke . 2. and Mary . More wil I call to remembraunce out of the scripture of the duty of Children hereafter .

I am therewith content , I perceyue you haue had some intelligence & knowledge of Scriptures , that can remember such thinges vpon a sodayne , yet I may loue both father and mother , and shew my duety and obedience vnto them , although I doe not dwell with them : For I must seeke how to behaue my self , when God calleth them away from me , out of this vale of misery , to get my liuing as they haue done , for if I should do as the Prouerbe is , loke after ded folks shoes , I might thance to go barefote .

And can you not liue by taking paynes with Husbandrye , as your father and others haue done ?

No forsooth .

And why so I pray you tell me ?

Mary syr there is such moyling and toyling , and taking of great paynes , with harde fare , that I must needes to London to be a Townseman , thereto liue more at ease .

If euery one were of thy mynde , and so permitted to haue their owne wils , we might chaunce to fast for lack of bread , Corne , and such other necessaryes for mans body . But the truth is , at London thou mightest learne some honest and profitable occupation , wherewith thou mayest be able to get thy own liuing in tyme to come , and to make prouision for such as shall belong vnto thee hereafter , for if thou shouldst be brought vp ydely , thou shouldest become an vnprofytable member in a common weale , and for lack of liuing , fal into many inconueniences , for it is written . Send him to labour , Eccle. 33. that he goeth not ydle , for ydlenesse bringeth much euill . And agayne . Let no laborious Eccle. 7. worke be tedious vnto thee , neyther the Husbandrye which the almightye God hath created . As the Byrds of the ayre are created to flie , Iob. 5. Prou. 29. so man is borne to labour . He that Tilleth his Land , shall haue plentiousnesse of bread , but he that followeth ydlenesse , shall haue pouertie . Thou shalte eate the laboure of thy hands , Psal. 128. sayeth Dauid : O well is thee , and happy shalt thou be , wherefore be not weary in well doing .

Although that these sentences affyrm that labour is a thing necessary , I doe not denye it , for if a man eate or drinke , it is labour : if he goe abroad in the fields , it is labour : if he worke at any Science it is labour : al this I know .

Yea , but there is further labour then that , there is a labour fyrst to serue God , and remember howe much bounde thou arte vnto him for hys bountious and lyberall good giftes , whiche he doth bestow on thee , thou must labour how to feare him , how to obay the Prince and her Ministers , and besydes I wil shew you somewhat what commeth of ydlenesse .

I pray you let me here what ydlenesse is , and the daunger thereof .

I will mingle labour and ydlenesse togyther , and as the Scripture alledgeth for them both , I will shew you . If the Mayster Eccle. 33. doe set his seruaunt to labour , he shall fynd rest , but if he let him go ydle , he shall seeke libertye . The yoake and the whippe boweth downe the harde necke , but let him tame the euill seruaunt with bondes and correction . Vnto the Horse Proue . 26. saieth Salomon belongeth a whip , vnto the Asse a bridle , and a rod to the fooles back . Like as the dore turneth about vpon the Threshold , euen so doth the slouthfull welter himselfe in bed . The sluggard and ydle person thinketh himself wyser then seuen men that are wyse , and sit and teach . Set him to laboure , for that belongeth vnto him . He that will not worke , shall not eate . An ydle hand maketh pore , but a quick labouring Prou. 10. hande maketh riche , who so gathereth in Sommer is wyse , but he that is slouthfull and sluggish in Haruest , bringeth himselfe to confusyon . As vyneger is to the teeth , and as smoke is vnto the eyes , euen so is a sluggish person to them that send him forth . A dilligent hand shall beare rule , but the ydle shall be vnder Tribute . Prou. 12. The sluggard would fayne haue , and cannot get his desyre , but the soule of the dilligent shall Prou. 13. haue plentie . The way of the slouthfull is full of Prou. 15. Thornes , but the streat of the righteous is all cleansed . Who so is slouthfull and slacke in hys Prou. 18. labour , is the brother of him that is a waster . Slouthfulnesse bringeth sleepe , and an ydle Prou. 19. soule shall suffer hunger . A slouthfull body shutteth his hande in his bosome , so that for cold he cannot put it into his mouth . Voluptuousnesse Prou. 21. Tullye . of the slouthfull is his owne death , for by custome of labour , we shall make the payne more easye to suffer . His hands will not labour . Antonyne Antonine an Emperour , withdrew from dyuers persons their Pencions , and Sallaries , perceiuing them ydle , saying : that there was nothing more ▪ reprochfull and cruell , then that they should knawe and deuour the Weale publicke . Which with their labour nothing increased it .

I confesse ydlenesse hath taught much vnhappinesse , Ecclesi . but I would God that we had such an Antonyne here among vs , for then the Clergye woulde indeuour their selues to bestowe their labour and paynes , whereby Gods word might increase .

You saye truth , Dorcas Act. 9. was a vertuous woman , made Garmentes with her owne handes , and gaue them to the pore . Ioseph was a Carpenter , his wyfe Mary Mark. 6. and the mother of Christ did spinne , and had Iosephus . Gen ▪ 4. knowledge in the Science of Weauing . Thubalkan was a Smith , and did labour to keepe himselfe from ydlenesse . The sins of Sodome Ezec. 16. were these : Pryde , fulnesse of meate , aboundaunce and ydlenesse . To labour and to be content Eccle. 40. with that a man hath , is a sweete pleasaunt lyfe , and that is to fynde a treasure , aboue all treasures .

Treasures that are wickedly gotten , profiteth Proue . 10. nothing , but righteousnes deliuereth from deth .

For all this your good exhortacions , I render vnto you thankes , praying to God that I may print them well in my mynd , and although before I tolde you that I would haue ease , and be a Townseman , I confesse euery one is not borne to be a Prince , or a Ruler , nor to be a Husbandman , nor an Artifycer , or Marchaunt , but the vocation that GOD hath called them vnto , they muste bee contente with , yet I doe not abhorre or despyse laboure , but doè proteste your sayinges to bee good and profytable : Notwithstanding , of myne interprise which I haue taken in hande , I am not thorowly resolued . The world is so now a dayes in that order , that one man dareth not disclose his mynde to another , the more it is to be lamented , and yet they bragge and boast that the Gospell is preached abroade , and it should be the better . But it doth not appeare so , but as I haue harde my father and mother say , I would the olde learning-were vp agayne .

So it is GOD be praysed therefore , for this is the old Religion , and now the Gospell flourisheth , and it is long of the hearers , that doe not printe the true and liuely word of Iesus Christ , in their mindes , for it goeth in at the one eare , and out at the other ( the more it is to be lamented , and I am sorye therefore .

Well , I cannot tel , but I haue heard my father say often tymes , that the holy and blessed Masse was a goodly thing , and then men liued more in fere .

A goodly thing : no , no , you are a yong man , giue no attentiue eare vnto such fond talke , it was a thing abhominable , and most detestable , I am sure the Minister doth not teach you , but to the contrary .

I cannot tell , hee sayeth one thing without his booke , and he sayeth another on his booke , but what it is , I doe not vnderstand .

The more is the pittie , haue you not preaching in your Church ?

Preaching say you ? I know not what it is .

I will teach you , but wilte thou not be perswaded by me once agayne to goe backe agayne .

No I thanke you , for I am sure you speake it vnto mee of Friendshippe , yet GOD wylling , I will see London , and be a Townseman there , for your perswasyons hath mooued mee not to bee a Seruingman .

I am gladde that my eruditions hath so mooued you , but I coulde declare vnto you manye moe storyes then that of Esop , but you are yong , and not passing eyghteene yeares olde , and when you come to London , you must be aprentise , and bound to serue seuen or eyght yeares , and if you serue your mayster well and truly , you shal be a Free man of the same Citty , and that is your desyre .

It is euen so , yet I may be bolde to say vnto you , I am bounde alredy , I know not what you mene by bynding , my father was a bondman & bound to a Gentleman in our countrey , they call him Mayster L. P. a very good worshipful Gentleman , who is the Lorde of all our towne , and a verye good Gentleman to the pore , and nowe when I am at London and not knowne , my bondage shall not profyte the Lord.

Your bondage by the Lawes of this realme will profyte him , as Littleton declareth , and that will not serue Littleton for bondage . your tourne , when you shall be bounde , that questyon wil be demaunded of you , & then that being knowne , you cannot be bound as an apprentice , but shall loose your labour and be constrayned to goe into the countrey agayne .

I can then say the contrary , for they knowe it not .

You must not do so for that is an vntroth , and in so doing you shall not do well .

Well , or not well , God willing , I will put it in tryall . But tell me now , you haue hard my mynde all this whyle , whether goe you ? and what countreyman are you ?

I was born Northwardes , and am a Citizen of London , and there is my dwelling .

What is that Citizen ? is it an occupation ?

It is no occupation , but all the inhabitauntes within the same Cittie , and being Freemen therof , are called Citizens .

I thought they had bene called Townsemen . But I pray you tell me , what doe the seruauntes there ? they saye here in the country , they take great paynes , and fetch water , and be cruelly whipped , and carryed to a place , they call it Brydewell .

I tolde you before what commeth of ease and ydlenesse , whereby you might vnderstande that paynes must be taken , and the most parte of them doe fetch water in a Tanckarde on their shoulders . I haue done it my self , and so haue others , that are men of welth and worship dwelling there . And as for Brydewell , there is such a place , Brydewell for all lewd and cuill persons . which was erected and appoynted by the famous Prince King Henrye the sixte , as by Rycharde Graftons Chronicle appeareth , at the humble sute of the Cittizens of the same Cittie , and is ordayned for all those lewde and ydle Persons , as Vacabonds and such lyke , and for those that are obstinate & naughty persons , which will not liue in the feare of God , but abuse their bodies with euill and lewde vyces , as Whoredome . &c.

Is that so ? then I trust in God I will not come thyther , for I will not vse that euill excercise . Here in the country , the horesons that are so lusty and play such partes , bee not whipped , but stand in the Church in a Sheete .

Seing that I am yong and tender of age , willing I wold here some of them , by reson that I may the better auoyde my selfe from it .

GOD sayeth , thou shalt not commit adultery . What is agaynst whoredome Exod. Leuit. 20. Deut. 28. The man that breaketh Wedlocke wyth his neighbours wyfe , let him be slayne , both the aduoulterer , and the Aduoultresse . Cursed be he that lyeth with his neighboures wyfe , and all the people shall say . Amen .

Keepe thee from the euill woman , and from Prou. 9. the flattering tongue of the harlot , that thou lust not after her bewty in thine hart , and least thou be taken with her fayre lookes . An Harlot wyll make a man to begge his bread , but a marryed Woman wyll hunt for the precyous lyfe : maye a man take Fyre in his bosome , and his cloathes not burne ? or can one goe vpon hote coles , and his feete be not hurte ? Euen so , whosoeuer goeth to his neighboures wyfe , and toucheth her , cannot bee vnguilty , who so committeth Aduoultrye with a woman , hee is a Foole , and bringeth his lyfe to destructyon , he getteth himselfe also shame and dishonour .

The lippes of an Harlot are a dropping Hony Proue . 5. Combe , and her throate is softer then Oyle , but at the last she is as bitter as Wormewood , and as sharp as a two edged sword , her feete go downe vnto death , and her steppes pierce thorough vnto Hell.

She regardeth not the path of lyfe , so vnstedfast are her wayes , that thou canst not knowe them , keepe thy waye farre from her , and come not nye the doores of her house .

How is it possible for me to take heede of that which I know not .

You shall somewhat How to knowe a whore . Eccle. 31. perceyue a whore by her wanton eye , for haue in remembraunce that an euill eye , is a Shrew .

The Whoredome of a woman may be known Eccle. 26. in the pryde of her eyes and eye liddes , by euery Hedge shall she sit down . Her delicate tooth , her fylthy talke , and her ydle and vayne iesting , the setting forth of herself , yea she wil seke to desyre your company , despising others , & is a disturber of quyet folks , all her delight is in banqueting and daunsing , for she is one of the Deuils darelinges . Therefore looke not to narrowly vppon Eccle. 25. the bewty of a woman , lest thou be prouoked to desyre toward her . Be ashamed of whoredome , Eccle. 42. be ashamed also to looke vppon an other mans wyfe , and to make many tryflyng wordes with her mayden or to stand by her bedde syde . Lyke as the worme and moath commeth out of cloathing , so doth wickednesse of women . But I say vnto you , whosoeuer looketh on a Math. 5. wyfe , lusting after her , hath committed adultery with her already in his harte . The Apostle Epesi . 5. Gene. 39. exhorteth vs to flye from Whoredome . Ioseph feared , and did run away from Putifers wife , and would not consente to her . There shal be no Deut. 23. Whore among the Daughters of Israell , neyther Whorekeepers among the sonnes of Israell . Deut. 23. There shall no whores Chyld come into the congregation of the Lorde . For a Whore is a deepe Graue , and a Harlot is a narrow pit .

God defend me from such vyces , these are very good warnings for me , and all others , I pray God I may remember your sayinges . Yet as I remember I heard say . Let not thine harte wander in her wayes , and be not thou Proue . 7. deceiued in her pathes , for many one hath shee wounded and cast downe , yea many a strong man hath shee slayne , her house is the waye vnto Hell , where men goe downe to the chamber of death .

That is very wel remembred of you . Thou shalt not lust after thy neighbours Deut. 5. wife , neyther whoremongers , nor worshippers of Images , nor brekers of wedlock , nor wekelinges , neyther abusers of them selues with mankynd , shall inherite the Kingdome of God . 1. Corin. 5. If there be any man that is called a Brother , and is a whoremonger , with such shall you not eate . The Prophete sayth , I will come and punish Mala. 2. you , and I my selfe will be a swifte wytnesse agaynst the Adulterers . A gracious woman mayntayneth honesty . A fayre woman Prou 11. without discreate manners , is lyke a Ring of golde in a swynes snowte , sayth Salomon . A Prou. 12. A good woman . stedfast woman is a Crown vnto her husband , but she that behaueth her selfe vnhonestly , is a corruption in his bones . A wyse woman vpholdeth Pro. 14. her house , but a foolish wyfe plucketh it downe . Who so findeth an honest faythful woman , Prouer. 3. she is more worth then pearles , she occupyeth Wooll and flax , and laboreth gladly with her handes , she is lyke a Marchauntes shippe that bringeth her victuals from farre . Happye Eccle. 26. is that man that hath a vertuous wyfe , for the number of his yeares shall be double . An honest woman maketh her husband a ioyfull man . A Eccle. 7. good name is more worth then a pretious oyntment : and the daye of death , is better then the daye of Byrth .