SUrely Phylocalus I thinke my selfe indebted vnto you for this fréendly discourse , and I do not onely agrée with you in opinion , but I most earnestly desire , that wee may with one assente deuise which way the same may be put in execution , for I delight in your louing neighbourhood , and I take singular comfort in your graue aduise .

It were not reason Phylopaes that hauing so many yeares contineued so neare neighboures , hauing traffiqued ( in maner ) one selfe same trade , hauing susteyned like aduentures , and being blessed with like successes , we should now in the ende of our time become any lesse then entiere frendes : and as it is the nature and propertie of frendshippe to séeke alwaies for perpetuity , so let vs séeke to bring vp our Children in such mutuall societie in their youth , that in age they may no lesse delight in theyr former felowship , then wée theyr parentes haue taken comfort in our continuall cohabitation . It hath pleased Almighty God to blesse vs both with competent wealth , and though we haue atteyned therevnto by continuall payns and trauayle , rising ( as it were ) from meane estate , vnto dignity , yet doe I thinke that it were not amisse to bring vp our children with such education as they may excell in knowledge of liberall sciences , for if we being vnlearned haue by industrie heaped vp sufficient store , not only to serue our owne vse , but further to prouide for our posterity , then may they by learning aspire vnto greater promotion , and builde greater matters vppon a better foundation . Neither yet would I haue you conceiue hereby that I am ambicious . But if I be not deceyued , Al desire of promotion ( by vertue ) is godly and Lawfull , where as ambition is commonly nestled in the brestes of the enuious .

I am of your opinion Phylocalus , and since we haue ech of vs two Sonnes of equall age and stature , I would we could be so happie as to finde some honest and carefull schoolemaister , who might enstruct them togither : I say honest , because in the house of the vertuous there is seldome any vice permitted , and carefull , because the care of the teacher is of no lesse consideration then his skill : than do I wish him both honest and carefull , because the coniunction of two such qualities , may both cause the accomplishment of his dutie , & the contentations of our desires . Our eldest Sonnes are neare the age of xxi. yeares , & our younger Sonnes not much more then one yeare behinde them . So that as they haue hitherto bene thought toward enough at such common schooles as they haue frequented , and therefore wil shortly be ready for the vniuersity , yet would I thinke conuenient that they spent some time together , with some such honest and careful Schoolemaister , who might before theyr departure lay a sure foundation to their vnderstanding .

Although it becommeth not a seruaunt to come vnto his masters counsell before he be called , yet for that I am no way ignoraunt of your tender cares , which both of you haue alwaies had ouer your children , and also for that I do now perceiue the continuaunce of the same by this your fatherly conference , I presume to put my selfe forward vpon a dutifull desire to further so godly an enterprise I am a seruant , and shall sometimes heare of thinges before my Maister , the which I speake , because I can presently enforme you of such a schoolemaister as you both do desire to finde .

And who is that , gentle fellowe Fidus ?

Sir his name is Gnomaticus , he dwelleth in Saint Antlines , a man famous for his learning , of woonderfull temperance , and highly estéemed for the diligence and carefull payne which he taketh with his Schollers .

Then can he not be long without entertainment , since now a dayes the good wyne néedeth none Iuye garland , and more parentes there are that lacke such Schoolemaisters for their children , then there are to be founde such Schoolemaysters which séeke and lacke entertainment .

Sir you haue reason , and therefore ( if I were worthy to counsell you , I would entertain him with spéed , since he came but this other day from the Lord of Barlemontes house , whose children he hath in small time made excellent Schollers , and now hath dispatched them to the Uniuersitie of Doway .

Doest thou know him Fidus ? or canst thou tell where to finde him ?

Yea Sir , and if it so please my Maister and you , I doubt not but to bring him hyther immediatly .

Surely Phylopaes you shall doe well to send for him .

There is no man more desirous then I , and since it so lyketh you I am redy to dispatch it , go thy waies Fidus , and tell Maister Gnomaticus , that my neighbour Phylocalus and I desire to speake with him , and make as much hast as thou canst .

It shal be done Sir .

I am not the worst furnished of a seruaunt with this good fellow , for though his capacity be not great , yet do I finde him trustie , and towardes my children he is both louing and carefull .

Then haue you a iewell of him , for I haue one in whom I finde contrary conditions , I am seldome out of the dores but at my returne I finde him playing with my Sonnes at some vain pastimes .

Beware of him then , for such a seruant were better payed double wages in your traffique abrode , then allowed barley breade in your shoppe at home , since nothing is more perillous to seduce children or young men , then the consorte and councell of a lewde Seruaunt . But is not this my Fidus which returneth so quickely ? It is , and he bringeth with him a graue personage , I hope hée hath found Gnomaticus by the waye .

SIr it is to be thought that Almighty God doth loue you , and meaneth to helpe your holly desire in the good education of your children , for it was my chaunce to meete Maister Gnomaticus by the way , who was going towardes the Bowrce to harken of entertainement , and it is not like that he should haue returned from thence vnplaced , wherfore I would wish that you let not slippe this happie occasion .

Sir we haue ben so bolde as to send this bearer for you , the cause hath procéeded of an earnest desire which this worthy man my neighbour and I haue to sée our children placed with a vertuous enstructer , and hearing great fame aswell of your integritie , as also of the diligence you haue vsed with the Lord of Barlemontes Children , we are desirous to entreate you that you will take the like paines with ours , all which shal be recompensed according to our own demaund : For as there is no iewell so deare vnto man , as the ofspring wherewith it pleaseth God to blesse him , so is there no money so well spent as that which is giuen to a good Schoolemaister .

You shal vnderstand sir that my neighbour here and I haue foure Sonnes , of equall age and stature , the eldest excéedeth not twenty yeares , and the youngest is about ninetéene yeares olde , they haue ben already entred in grammer at such schooles as we haue héere in the City , and if , we be not abused by reportes they haue shewed themselues forward enough to take enstructions : so that we are partely perswaded to send them vnto some vniuersity , and mine opinion is ( as I lately declared vnto my neighbour here ) that we should do very wel yet to retain them a while longer , vntill they may be perfectly enstructed by some godly teacher , the summe of their duty first towardes God , then to their Prince , next to their parents , and consequently aswell towardes the benefite of their countrey , as also how to behaue themselues to all magistrates , and officers in the same . In conclusion wherof they may also learne what they are of themselues , and how they may be most acceptable both to God and man , and for that we haue hard very good report of your skill and also of your zeale , we thought good to require that ( if you be not otherwise already entertained ) you would take some paynes to enstructe them in these pointes , and the same shal be recompensed and deserued by measure of your owne contentation , as my neighbour Phylopaes hath before profered .

Worthy Gentlemen I yéelde you moste humble thankes for your curteous profers , and I render infinite thankes vnto almighty God that my name hath ben so reported vnto you , truly I would be lothe to deferre any lesse , then the name of a faithful and diligent teacher , so farre forth as it hath pleased GOD to endue me with knowledge . Touching your proffer and request , I do most willingly embrace the same , confessing euen simply , that it was mine errand to séeke such entertainement , hauing of late dispatched out of my handes , the sonnes of the Lord of Barlemont towardes the Uniuersitie of Doway and if the touch of your zeale be not contrary to the fame which is spred of your estates , I shall thinke my selfe wel occupied , in teaching or reading to the children of such worthy men as you are .

Well then sir , we will be bold to send for the youngmen , to the end that no time be lost or deferred in bestowing of them . Fidus , go your waies to our houses , and bring hether our Sonnes .

Moste willingly sir I shal accomplish your commaundement .

If it please you sir , my seruant shall asist him .

It will not be amisse to acquaint hym wyth them .

Sirha , go with this gentlemans seruant , and helpe him to conduct their children hyther .

Well Sir it shal be done .

IT shall nowe bée our partes to vnderstand what stipend may content you for your paines

Sir in that respecte take you no care , but let me pray vnto almighty God , that he giue me grace so to enstruct your children , as you may hereafter take comfort in my trauayle , that done , I can no wayes doubt of your beneuolence , sithens your inward desire doth already manyfestly appeare : and furthermore , I would be lothe to make bargaines in this respect , as men do at the market or in other places , for grasing of Oxen or féeding of Cattle , especially since I haue to deale with such worthy personages as you séeme and are reported to be .

Well , yet Sir we would be glad to recompence you according to your owne demaund , but in token of our ready will to please you , we shall desire you to take at my handes these twenty angels as an earnest or pledge of our further meaninge , & as I am the first that presume to open my purse in this occasion , so I beseech the Father of Heauen that I may not be the last which may reioyce to sée his children prosper , thou knowest ( O Lord ) I meane not hereby my neighbours detriment , but alas , the shadow of a mans selfe is euer nearest to him , and as I desire to be the first that may heare of their well doinge , so yet if they hearken not diligently vnto your enstruction , but obstinately reiect your precepts , then I desire you , and on Gods behalfe I charge you , that I may yet be the first that shall thereof be aduertised : but behold where they come , these two ( I thanke the Father of Heauen , ) are the tokens of his mercifull blessing towardes me , the Eldest is named Phylosarchus , and this younger Phylotimus .

And these too sir are mine onely children , and God for his mercy graunt that they may be mine onely comfort , the Eldest is called Phylautus , and the younger Phylomusus .

Sir according to your commaundement expressed by Fidus I am come hither to know your pleasure , and haue by warrant of the same commission brought with me my Brother Phylomusus .

And I in like maner Sir haue brought with me my Brother Phylotimus desiring to knowe your pleasure , and being ready to obey your commaundement .

Surely these young men giue none euill hope of their towardnes , and declare by their séemely gesture and modest boldnesse to be both of good capacitie , and to haue bene well enstructed hytherto in humanity .

The cause that we haue sent for you is to committe you vnto the gouernement of this godly man , whom we haue entreated to take paynes with you and to enstruct you in some principall poyntes of necessary doctrine , to the ende that after you haue ripely disgested the same , you may be the more able to go boldely into some Uniuersity , and I for my part do here commit you vnto him , charging you in Gods name ( and by the authority which he hath giuen mée ouer you , ) to hearken vnto him wyth all attentiuenosse , and to obey him with all humillity .

The same charge that my neighbour Phylocalus hath here giuen to his children , the same I do pronounce vnto you , and furthermore do charge you that you become gentle and curteouse to each other , humble to your betters , and affable to your inferiours in all respectes .

Sir I trust we shall deserue your fatherly fauour .

And I trust to deserue the continuance of your goodnesse .

We hope also to immitate the good in all moral examples of vertuous behauiour .

The Father of Heauen blesse you with the blessing which it pleased him to pronounce vnto Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob .

Amen , and now let vs depart , leauing here in your custody the choyce lambes of our flocke , defend them then ( for Gods loue ) from the rauening , and raging lustes of the flesh , and vanities of the world .

Sir by Gods power I shall do my best diligence .

My louely Gentlemen , GOD guide you by his grace , and though I be somwhat romoued from your dayly company , yet spare not to commaund my seruice , if at any time it may stand you in stéede to vse it .

Gramercy gentle Fidus .

MY dearely beloued schollers , since it hath pleased your Parentes ( as you haue heard ) to put mée in trust with you for a time , it shall not be amisse before I enter further in enstruction , to knowe how farre you haue already procéeded in learning , that there vpon I may the better determine what trade or Methode shal be most conuenient to vse in teaching of you : tell me therefore what you haue redde , and in what maner the same hath bene deliuered vnto you ?

Sir , my Brother here , and I haue bene taught first the rules of the grammer , after that wée had read vnto vs the familiar comunications called the Colloquia of Erasmus , and next to that the offices of Cicero , that was our last exercise .

It hath bene well done , & haue you not also ben taught to versify ?

Yes truly sir , we haue therein bene ( in maner ) dayly enstructed .

And you Phylosarchus how haue you passed your time ?

Sir : my Brother and I haue also bene taught our grammer and to make a verse , we haue redde certaine Comedies of Terence ; certaine Epistles of Tully , and some parte of Uirgill , we were also entred into our greeke grammer ,

Surely it séemeth you haue not hytherto lost your time , and the order of your enstruction hath bene such , that you might presently be able to take further procéedinges in an Uniuersiry , so that it should be ( vnto me ) but labour lost to stand still vpon those pointes , since it seemeth that you haue bin therein perfectly grounded : neuerthelesse wée will continue the exercise of the same , and wée will therevnto ioyne such holesome preceptes , as may become a rule and Squire , wherby the rest of your lyfe and actions may be guyded . For alchough Tully in his booke of dewtyes doth teach sundry vertuouse preceptes , and out of Terence may also be gathered many morall enstructions amongst the rest of his wanton discourses , yet the true christian must direct his steppes by the infallible rule of Gods woord , from whence as from the hedde spring , he is to drawe the whole course of his lyfe . I would not haue you thinke hereby that I do holde in contempt the bookes which you haue redde heretofore but wée will ( by Gods grace ) take in assistance such and so many of them as may seeme consonant to the holy scriptures , and so ioyning the one with the other , we shal be the better able to bring our worke vnto perfection . Sirha go you to my lodging , & cause He speaketh , to his seruant ( in the meane tyme ) both bedding , and dyet to be prouided for these young men , that I may sée them vsed according to my charge in euery respect .

Well Sir it shal be done with dilligence .

Now let vs in the holy name of God begin , and he for his mercy geue me grace to vtter , and you to disgest such holesome lessons as may be for the saluation of your soules , the comfort of your lyfe , and the profitte of your Countrey .

You shall well vnderstand my well beloued schollers , that as God is the author of all goodnesse , so is it requisite that in all traditions and Morall preceptes we begin firste to consider of him , to regard his maiestie , and search the soueraigne poyntes of his Godhead . The Heathen Philosophers ( although they had not the light to vnderstand perfect trueth ) were yet all of them astonyed at the incomprehensible maiesty and power of God , some of them thought the ayre to be God , some other the earth , some the infinitenesse of things , some one thing , some another , whose opinions I shall passe ouer as thinges vnméete to be much thought of , but by the way , the opinion of Plato is not vnworthy here to bee recited vnto you , who taught plainely that god was omnipotent , by whom the world was made , and al thinges therein created and brought vnto such perfection as they be in . Xenophon affirmed that the true God was inuisible , and that therefore we ought not enquire what or what maner of thing God is . Aristo the Stoicke , affirmed lykewyse that God was incomprehensible . To conclude , Simonides being demaunded what God was , required one dayes respect to answer , and then being again demaunded the same question , he required two dayes respet , at the third apointment of his answere , he came & required thrée dayes , and being demaunded wherefore he did so breake his apointments , and require alwayes further time , he aunswered , that the more déepely that he did consider the matter , the more infinite he found it , and therefore remained alwaies astonyed what to answere , and always craued further time . Truly to leaue the heathen opinions and to come vnto the very touchestone I thinke it not amisse if we content our selues to thinke that God is omnipotent , and yet his power vnsearchable , and his goodnes vnspeakable . And to be briefe , I wil deliuer vnto you the summe of your dutyes in foure Chapters , the first chapiter shal be of God and his ministers , the second of the King and his Officers , the third shall conteyne the duties that you owe vnto your Countrey and the Elders thereof , and lastly you shal be put in remembraunce of your dutyes towardes your Parentes , and what you ought to be of your selues . In these soure chapters I trust ( by Gods help ) to enclude as much as shal be necessary for the perfect gouernment of a true Christian .

Sir wée beseech you that for as much as this order of teaching is both very compendious , & also much different from the lectures which haue bene redde vnto vs , you will therefore vouchsafe to stand somwhat the more vppon euery point , to the end , that aswell your meaning may be perspicuous , as also that we may the better beare away the same , and not onely learne it without the booke , but also engraue it in our mindes .

Your request is reasonable , and it shal be by mée as readyly graunted , as it hath bene by you necessarily required . Your first chapter and lesson shall then be , that in all your actions you haue an especiall eye and regard to almighty God , and in that consideration I commend vnto your memory , first God himselfe , and secondarily his ministers . As touching your duties vnto God him self , although they be infinite , yet shall we sufficiently conteine them in thrée especiall poynts to be perfourmed : that is to say , Feare , Loue , & Trust . And first to begin with feare , it shal be necessary and aboue all thinges your bounden duty , to feare God and his omnipoten power . Linus that auncient Poet wryteth , that with God all thinges are easie to be accomplished , and nothing is vnpossible . Tully in his Oration Pro Roscio amerino saith , that the commodityes which wée vse , the light which we enioy , and the breath which we haue and drawe , are giuen and bestowed vppon vs by God : then if with God all thinges be possible ( according to Linus ) he is to be feared , sithens the least part of his displeasure being prouoked , the greatest part of his will is to him right easie to accomplish : and if we haue our light , our lyfe , and all commodities of his gift ( as Cicero affirmeth ) then is hée to be feared , least with the facillity of his omnipotency he take away as fast as he gaue , or turne light into darknes , life into death , and commodities into discommodities . I might recite you many heathen authorities , but it is most néedlesse , since the very word of God himself , is most plaine in this behalfe , and yet I haue here set downe these fewe , because they are not repugnant to holy Scriptures . Wée finde written in the xx. chapter of Exodus , that God is a Ielous God , and doth visit the sinnes of the Fathers vppon the children vnto the third and fourth generation . Feare him then for he is most mightie . Againe : who shall defend me ( saith the Psalmist ) vntill thine anger be past ? Feare God then , since against his power no defence preuayleth . Again , both the heauens and the earth obay the voice of his mouth . Feare him then for althinges are subiect vnto his mighty power .

And yet with this feare you must also ioyne loue , for it is not with God as it is with Princes of the worlde , which to make themselues feared do become Tyrantes , but the Loue God . goodnes of almighty God is such , that he desireth no lesse to be loued , then he deserueth to be feared , and though his might and power be vniuersall , and there with all his Ielousie great , and his displeasure soon prouoked , yet delighteth he not in the distruction of mankind , but rather that a sinner should turne from his wickednes and liue . Tully in his second booke de legibus saith , that God being Lord of al things doth deserue best of mankind , bicause he beholdeth what euery man is , and with what deuotion he worshippeth the Gods , and kéepeth an accompt aswell of the good as the badde : whereby appeareth that the heathen confessed yet that the Gods were to be loued , bycause they cared for mankind , and truly that opinion is neither contrary to Gods word , nor dissonant to naturall reason . For wée sée by common experience that we loue them best of whom we are most fauoured , & haue receiued greatest benefits . I meane hereby those that rule their doinges by reason , for otherwyse wée sée dayly wicked men , which ( forgetting their duty ) do least loue wher they haue most cause . When I my selfe was a scholler in the Uniuersity , I remember that I did often tymes defend in Schooles this proposition . Ingratitudo ( tam versus . ' Deos immortales quam apud homines ) peccatum maximum . Ingratitude is the greatest faulte that may be either towards god or man . Let vs consider the good eies of almighty God , who first created vs to his owne Image and similitude , indued vs with reason and knowledge , preserued vs from innumerable perilles , and prouided thinges necessary for our sustentation , and to consider more inwardly the exceeding loue which he bare towardes mankinde , he spared not his onely begotten Sonne , but gaue him ( euen vnto the death of the crosse ) for our redemption . Oh what minde were able to conceaue , or what tongue able to vtter the loue and goodnes of almighty God towardes mankinde ? And since his loue towardes vs , hath bene and yet doth continue infinite , our loue should also be infinite , to render him thanks for his goodnes . But though the causes be infinite which might bind vs to loue GOD , yet is there no cause greater then the manifolde mercyes which he hath shewed alwayes alwayes to mankind . In the first age when iniquity kindled his wrath to destroy the whole world , he yet vouchsafed to preserue Noe and his family , Loue him then since he preserueth the good , though it be but for his mercyes sake , When the people of Israell prouoked him at sundry times , he did yet at euery submission stay his hand from punishment , Loue God then since he is ready to forgiue , and though he pronounceth his Ielousie in the twentith of Exodus saying , that he visiteth the sinns of the Fathers vppon the children , vnto the third and fourth generation , yet ther withal he addeth , that he sheweth mercy vnto thousandes in them that loue him and kéepe his commaundementes . Loue him then since his mercy is ouer all his works . To conclude , when his vnsearchable Maiestie by his diuine foresight did perceyue , that by the very sentence of the Lawe we stoode all in state of condemnation , he sent down his owne and only Sonne , to be slaundered , buffeted , and crucified for our sinnes , to the ende that all which beléeue in him , should not perish but haue lfie euerlasting . Loue God then since mercy is aboundant with him , and he shall redéeme Israell from all his iniquities .

And héere vnto this feare and loue you must ioyne a sure Trust in God . trust and confidence . The promises of mortall men are often times vncertaine , and do fayle , but the promises of the Almighty are vnfallible . For the wordes of his mouth returne not voyd and without effect . Tully in his offices doth vse great arte in declaration what sortes of promises are to be obserued , and which may be broken . But the diuine prouidence and foresight doth promise nothing but that which Gen. 17 he will most assuredly performe . When he promised vnto Abraham that Sara his wyfe should beare him a childe , Sara laughed bycause she was then foure score & ten yeres olde , but the almighty remembred his couenant . Trust in him then for his woords shall neuer fayle . When he promised Moyses to conduct his people through the desertes , they began to doubt and murmure , saying : would God that we Num. 14. had dyed in the land of Aegypt or in this wildernesse &c. and the lord was angry , but yet remembring his promise , at the humble petition of Moyses he perfourmed it . Trust in God therefore , since no displeasure can make him alter his determination , he perfourmed his holy promyse in Ismaell , Gen. 31. although we read not that he praied vnto God therefore . I would not haue you think hereby that I condemne or contemne prayer , since it is the very meane to talke with God , but I meane thereby to proue , that God is most iust and faithfull in all his promises , and by repeticion I say , Feare God for he is mighty , loue God for he is mercifull , and trust in God for he is faithfull & iust . Herewith all you must also learne to performe duty towardes the seruaunts and Ministers ministers of God . For as you shall onely be saued by hym , and by cleauing to him in all your actions , so yet are hys ministers the meane & instruments of your saluation , and do ( as it were ) leade you by the hand through the waues of this world vnto eternall felicity , vnto whom you shall owe three seueral duties , that is to say , Audience , Reuerence , and Loue . The Children of Israell by harkening to Moyses , and Aaron , were not only enstructed and taught their dutyes , but were ( as it were ) made at one with God when they had at any time purchased his heauy displeasure . By Actes . 8. harkning vnto Phyllip the Apostle , the Enuch was conuerted . By harkning vnto Peter , Cornelius the captain was confirmed & strengthned in the faith . By harkning vnto Paule and Sylas , Lidia , and the gaylour of Phylippos were baptised , Actes . 16. the holy scriptures are full of examples to proue this proposition . Harken you therfore vnto the ministers of God , for Harken to Gods Ministers they are sent to enstruct you , so shall it also become you to do them reuerence in al places , remembring that as he which sent them is in all thinges to be honoured , so are they to be had in reuerence for their office sake . Such was the zeale of Cornelius the Captaine , that he fell downe prostrate at Actes . 10. Peters féete when he entered into his house , the which though Peter refused saying that he was also mortall , yet did it signifie vnto vs , that the ministers of God cannot bée too much reuerenced . The Priestes in the olde Testament were exempt from tributes and impositions , they were not constrained to go into the battaile , they were prouided for sustenance and all thinges conuenient , and the people Reuerence gods ministers . were commaunded to do them reuerence . Do you likewise reuerence vnto Gods ministers in al places , for it shal become you well . So shall you also loue them bycause they preach the gospel of him which hath power to saue you . If the sensual apetite of man be such as engendreth affection towards the handmaide bicause she is of familiar conuersation with the Mistris : or bréedeth loue towards them which are in office with Princes , bycause they may also procure vs fauour : how much more ought the mindes of men to be kindled with loue towardes the ministers of God , which enstructs vs diligently , minister vnto vs painfully , and pray for vs faithfully ? yea how much are we bound to loue them , which Loue the ministers by their holsome preceptes do make vs worthy ( through Gods mercy ) of his holy loue and fauour . To conclude this chapter , you shall feare God for his might , loue him for his mercyes , and trust in him for he is faithfull . You shall also harken vnto his ministers bycause they are sent of God , you shall do them reuerence because it becometh you , and for their office sake , and you shal loue them by cause they feede you with the breade of lyfe . And this I thinke sufficient for explanation of this first chapter at this time .

Sir I haue done as you commaunded , and there is meate redy for your dinner , if it please you that it be sette on the table .

Well we wil then defer the rest of our labour vntill dinner be past , go we togither , for I thinke it tyme .