A glasse for housholders wherin thei maye se, bothe howe to rule theim selfes [and] ordre their housholde verye godly and fruytfull.

A glasse for housholders .

MY entierly beloued the begynnyng of wysedom is the loue and feare God , for it causeth a manne to withdrawe hym self from dooyng eiuill & maketh hym to dooe good , it is not ynough ( my frende ) for to forbeare euil dooinges , but you and I and euery Christyan ought to dooe good , that is to saie perfightly to beleue in God , to commit our selfes wholy vnto hym , & to thynke verely then that he will not forsake vs but tenderly will prouide for vs all thynges necessary for this life , and will defende vs in all aduersities , he will geue vs strength to resist his aduersaries and oures in his cause , & besides this he wyll doubtles make vs ryghteouse , good , and blessed he will remitte and forgeue our sinnes , he will make vs the heires of his kyngdom and geue vs the life euerlastyng . And all these he wyll dooe of his mere goodnesse , of his mere grace and mercy , thorowe Iesus Christ our Lord our redemer and sauiour , by the woorke of the holy goste . And that for because we beleue in hym , because we be delighted in his lawes and loue his woorde . And because we dooe confesse our selues to be vnpure and of a corrupte nature , infyrme , feble and weake , & of our selues apte to do nothyng which is good in his sight , but alwayes readye to fall into eternal dampnacion , full of vayne glorye and ypocrisie , vile , wretched , ignoraunt and inconstaunte . And acknoweledgyng so his goodnesse , that without hym we coulde not somuche as to thynke one good thought , wherfore , whatsoeuer good thought commeth into our myndes , & therafter we speake or woorke it commeth of hym , wherfore we are churlishe and vnkynde yf we geue not alwayes thankes and prayses therfore to hym , whyche thynge of dutie we ought to dooe sithe that all oure good woorkes come of hym , and except thei cam of hym , thei were not good . Let vs then of , and vpon faythe in hym , & onely to glorifie him , dooe good dedes with suche goodes & ryches as he hath geuen vs , whether they bee inwarde riches or outwarde , that is , ghostely dedes of mercye or bodelye . And because you ought to make a great reconyng to God , for these worldly thynges shal be when the same shal receyue you agayn when ye shall die . And thynke that the tyme therof might be aswell this daye as to morowe or the nexte daye . Remembre that it is harde for a riche man to bee a good man , because the truthe saith that it is more easyer for a Camel to crepe through the eye of a nedle , then for a ryche man to entre into the kyngdome of heauen . And playnly , withoute excepcion true it is , that saynt Iherome sayeth whiche sayeth , that a richeman is eyther vniust hymselfe , or the heire of an vniuste man . Greate riches can neyther be eyther gotten or els kepte without synne . Ye muste remember & thinke , of how muche better ryches thei do robbe you . For they pull away from you the loue of God . Therfore couetousnes is called ydolatrye of Paule . And Christe sayeth you cannot serue God and Mammon . Mammon is the deuel , which tempteth & styreth to coueteousnesse . Therefore yf you haue worldlye goodes , serue theim not , let not them haue your mynde vndre their subieccion . But be you a maister ouer theim . And remembre that you ought to bee the seruaunt of God , that is as a seruaunt to vse these riches to the glorie and prayse of God the geuer , leaste you be condempned of hym as an euel seruaunt , not regardyng his maisters will & pleasure . Thynke that whosoeuer be tangeled muche with this world or worldly riches hateth the veraye smell and taste of vertue . And whosoeuer setteth his mynde vpon golde , and hath his affeccion and desire therunto hateth all honest sciences , his herte shall neuer be quieted with it , but alwayes in trouble , vpon hope to get , or feare to lese . A couetouse persone cannot be satisfyed with golde . The herte of man is so excellente a thing , that all the treasures in the worlde cannot fulfill it . ( I meane the desires of the herte ) he only that made it , maye fulfyll and satisfye it & none other thing And he desireth nothinge elles of man , but that he may dwel in his herte . And where as Mammon is , there wyll not he dwell .

Therfore yf you will receiue this gifte , expel Mammon , and thrust hym oute of dores . For Christe hathe with no vice lesse acquayntaunce ( thoughe he loue none at all ) then with couetise , wherfore if you studye to please Christe , and come into his fauoure , you muste geue vp Mammon , and banishe hym oute of the coastes of youre breste . For Christ and Mammon dwelleth not in one and the same place . Bewise therfore howe you set youre hert to rychesse , certainly yf you set youre herte to theim , you shall euer be poore and voyd of trewe rychesse . He that coueteth nothyng , is riche and hathe ynoughe . Yf you haue worldly goodes , know of whom you haue receiued theim . And to the geuer be not vnkinde , but haue the gooddes to do good , and to be good with theim . Let not theim make you worse by inordinate loue . Though you had theim not , yet moughte you do good . For doing good consisteth in the affeccion of the mind . As yf you had nothing to helpe your christen brother , but a cup of cold water . Or if you haue not that , yet hauyng a piteful and a mercyful mynde , with a good wyll to geue yf you had it , it shal be acceptable afore God . If it be moued of chrysten loue , vpon the necessitee , pouerte infirmytee , calamitee , & wretchednesse , & the aduersyte of my neighbour . And in these thynges , according to my power I do helpe him as I wolde that he shoulde helpe me yf I were in lyke condicyon , ( as sayth saincte Paule . ) Let vs Gala. vi . worke good to all personnes , but specially vnto them that be of the housholde of faith . And lykewyse , saincte Paule to Timothe . 1. Timo. vi . Charge the ryche menne of this worlde to doo good workes , that they maye be ryche in goodnesse , that thei may gladly reparte their goodes , that they be curteouse & lyberall .

Nowe then doyng good consysteth Dooyng good , consisteth in ii . thynges . in two thynges . The one that with lyuyng well and verteously you dooe good to your selfe . And the other to the poore , with repartyng your substaunce with a good will vnto theim . Also that they lacke not your good counsayl when you maye helpe theim therwith . This first maner of doyng good , euery man maye haue and exercyse . For euery man that wyll desyre , seke or aske the grace of God maye lyue well and vertuously . The seconde onely vse they , to whom is geuen by God a charytable mynde to gather worldelye substaunce . And these persons incessantely or contynually wyth thys mynde vseth this doyng good as longe as god sendeth theim wher with , thinking that they haue the goodes of hym therfore , that is , that they theim selues shuld take therof to satisfye their necessite or nede , and the reste to imparte to the poore and nedy . And by this they doo trewely worshippe God , and the Images of God , and the lykenesse of God is signed vpon theim that thus dooe . For the persone that hathe a full desire to folowe goodly counsailes in the scripture , hath not only the Image of God printed in his soule , but also the lykenesse of God , other deed Images hath nothing commune with these Images but onely the shadowe , wherfore they might be called better tokens or signes of remembraunce .

Yf we doo thus vpon liuely faith we do not only quicken the Images of God : but we oure selues , throughe this godly desyre , do represent the similytude or likenesse of God . To helpe other for Christes loue in their nedes , infirmytees , wretchednesse , or to haue a prompte wyll and desyre to helpe are good dedes and godlye .

Wherfore the doers of suche , can not but be godlye and holye , and to bee shorte , lyke vnto Christe , which is God .

This my beloued , I praye you beare in mynde that you do good vnto other with youre worldely substaunce , and counsayle . And not onely that , but haue a wyll and a feruente desyre to profyte , many moo then you be able , with worde and dede .

This aboue al thinges I exhorte you to folowe , that you firste profyte your selfe , with the firste maner of doing good , that is to liue well and vertuously , as it becommeth euery chrysten manne . And God sendyng wherwith , you shuld vse the seconde maner of doynge good , and that you put it in daily experience . And so doyng , you your selfe shal not only be sure to haue of God euerlastyng lyfe for your rewarde : but in this life also you maye bee assured ( if you stedfastly beleue ) not to lacke suche thinges as are necessary for this presente lyfe . And besydes this , with this your good conuersacyon , you shall purchase a sure inherytaunce for youre chyldren . For God neuer suffereth the sede of the iuste personne , for lacke to seke his breade .

For because this transitorie or temporal goodes are corruptible & maye decaye , it is to be thought that feare dothe possesse those persones whiche haue suche in moderate loue towardes theim , that they cannot wel vse theim . Wherfore to auoyde this peryll , yf God sende you riches , neuer sette your mynde or affection on theim . But by & by , with the same liberalite that God sendeth theim , begyn , begynne I saye and feare not of lacke , auenture vpon it to dispose and to vse theim well . Be not like the toade , whiche hath nothynge els vnder hym but earth , and yet he frayeth to spende of it , least the earth would fayle hym . Thus I saye , not to dissuade you from laboure to gette goodes by good wayes and all honest diligence , & by all lawful meanes , for the vice of coueteousnesse standeth not in a measurable and honeste desyre to gette and procure for worldlye thinges , for yf a manne haue this desyre wythoute inordinate loue towardes hym selfe , or vniustelye to prouoke hys kynsfolkes or frendes , but desyreth to vse theim well to the glorye of God as is aboue sayde , it is not reprouable . But the roote and croppe of coueteousnesse standeth in the harde retencion or kepynge of worldlye goodes , and possessynge theim , not to reparte with others , nor to take the good vse of theim , thoroughe a disordinate loue towardes theim . Wherfore , not settyng youre affectionate loue or delyte vpon ryches , ye maye laboure to gette riches and haue theim . But see that they haue not you . Procure to gette theim wyth the loue and feare ot God . And then I doubte not , but ye wyll so vse theim ( hauynge a loue to God a boue ryches , ) that when pitee or godlye loue shall moue you , ye wyll not stycke , doubte nor , feare to vse of youre goodes to honour God . Suche as laboure to gette goodes after this maner awyse , will not spende theim euill . To desyre to gette and haue goodes , maye not be euell , yf so be you desyre , more feruently the vertue of lyberalytee or contempte of theim ( as touchyng your synguler commodytee ) to desyre any thynge to profyte many without carnal affection is good . He that desyreth for ryches purelye , foloweth not theym wyth loue : But who is he , and we wyll prayse hym ? Ye must euer haue Christes worde in remembraunce : It is harde for him that hath riches to entre into the kyngdome of heauen . Wherfore ye cannot well possesse ryches ( except ye be so strong and stable in faythe , that you esteme theim of a small value , ) that ye woulde alwayes for Christ be contente to leue theim . Fynallye , yf you can possesse theim , and not be possessed of theim : desyre and laboure to haue theim . Wherfore in all thynges that you dooe as concernyng your conuersacion and occupyenge , let this bee a generall rule for you , that is to saye : The commaundement of the lawe naturall , whiche is , to dooe as you woulde bee dooen to .

If then you occupie buiynge and sellynge , I desyre you to remembre this lawe , that whensoeuer any persone for necessitee or nede selleth to you any thyng , or also for his greate neede woulde buy any thynge of you , incontynentlye I woulde youre selfe to thynke in mynde to bee the same persone whiche with greate nede or necessitee buyeth or selleth with you , and to consydre howe you would bee entreated in the same cause , so intreate hym as well in the pryces as choyse of the ware , as well in the paymente as in any other thyng therunto belongynge . I would you woulde considre the gaynes or losses of hym that you bargayne with , as your owne , all though parauenture some , yea a greate many would iudge , vsyng byeng and sellyng after this maner of wyse , youre gaynes would bee lytle or farre lesse , then it myght be .

If you vsed to buy for the least and sell for the mooste ye can , as the commen vse is , thoughe it were so ( whiche in dede is not ) yet a lytle well gotten to a Christyan shuld be rekened more than a great deale otherwyse , It abydeth beeter wyth hys owner . And maketh hym to lyue the more merelyer , his conscyence beyng cleane and voyde of pryckes , whyche these thorny ryches are wonte to fasten in a mannes breste . And besydes this , the gaynes shal be the greater , whatsoeuer the worlde thynketh . For buiynge and sellynge wyth some lyberalytee , ye shall sell and buy muche more , and oftener then other that bee extreme or harde , and wyll haue the vttermooste of theyr wares . The often gayne then , thoughe at euerye tyme were but lytle , maye mounte anone to greater gaynes then otherwyse .

Also by this maner of dealyng ye shall auoyde euell debtes and shrewde paymentes , for they that buye wyth gayne dooe seldome paye euill . For euyll debtores and frowarde paymentes commeth mooste commenly eyther of eu●ll wares solde for good , other of ouer greate pryce charged in the ware .

Also by thys maner of dealynge , you shall alwayse treate wyth loue and pleasure , of all that you haue to dooe wyth , and lyue withoute variaunce , debates or plees . Whiche , of all thynges oughte to bee excheiued and auoyded . Wherfore my louynge frende , I praye you to folowe this ordre in buiyng and sellynge , for then that , whiche you gette shal be well gotten , and withoute charge of conscyence , and doubtles your gaynes shal be the more , and all with pleasure , loue and quietnes .

To commen farther of buiyng and sellynge of marchaundise , you shall perceyue that the right office of a true marchaunt , is to prouyde and brynge to lande or place where he is , all suche wares , as are scarce and vnplentytyfull in the sayde place , and necessarye for the wealthe of the lande And also to carye and sende oute all suche wares as are superfluouse and dooe habounde in the places where he is , into places where is scarcenesse or lacke of theim . As here in Englande , because clothe , tynne and leade , be plenteouse , these wares ye maye sende hence , and not corne , or thinges pertaining to vitailes , though here were greate haboundaunce . It can not be but hurtfull to lade any oute of the lande . And the retourne of these warys ●ether , should be in yron , stele , and other metallis , whiche we haue nede of Also in Woade , Alam , Madder , and suche other lyke thynges necessary for oure clothe makyng . And as for apples , cheries , garlike and onions , with other frutes , wynes , spicis , sylke , clothe of golde and other lyke , myghte be lefte very well . For we might liue withoute these marchaundizes , for thei do rather prouoke men to vices then to temporate liuinge , and good and honeste , sobre and chaste behauoure . And with these marchaundize , I mighte couple furres of greate prices , and very fine clothe , for these are euen so superfluouse as the other , of meane prices are necessary , and behouable . These maye be named for example , for to name all kindes of marchaundizes necessarie and not necessarie , profytable , and vnprofitable , were to muche .

This oughte to be taken hede of , that it is the offyce of a good marchaunte to sende oute of the countree , the thinges which are moste superfluouse , and to bring thither thinges moste necessarye . And so shall his gaynes be the more , and better gotten , bicause he doeth it to helpe the necessyte of his neighboures .

¶ Howe ye oughte to be conuersaunte with youre elders .

AS touchyng your conuersacion with your elders , haue them ( I praye you ) in much reuerence be gentle and louing to youre equalles . And in no wise , despice youre inferiors . Also reuerence all deuoute persones , in the choise of theim haue none affeccyon to the cloke or crowne nor other such outward tokens only . But where you perceyue example of vertuouse liuing , pure , chaste , & cleane in worde and dede . Suche a persone haue in honoure and reuerence , be he man or woman . And thynke that then you do honoure the Image and very lykenesse of God , yea God in his image , what garment soeuer he waxeth . Also se ( I praye you ) that you be not full of wordes , remembring this sayeng of the wyse manne .

* That I haue spoken , I repente then amonge .

But I neuer repented , that I helde my tongue .

If the herte be redy to moue the tongue to speake that you wold not Saye to youre tongue . Tongue whyther goest thou ? Fle frome menne full of wordes , and medle not muche with theim , bicause sin wyll be where muche babling is . Fle also the company of whisperers and lyers , yf youre presence can not refourme theim . For they must nedes engender anger , and the indignacion of God . And such as be the louers of God , loue the truthe in all thinges , so that in sporte nor in earneste it appere that you delight to saye nor heare any lyes or thinges sounding therunto . Also in doyng benefytes or good dedes to other , loue promptnesse , quickenesse and haste . For it is twise geuen , the whiche is gladly and redely geuen . Be not hastye or roughe in denieng any honest thyng that is asked of you , yf ye canne do it . For it is conuenient that whome you can not helpe in dedes , at leest with youre good worde you so dyspatche him , that he may perceiue , your wil to be good

Fraude and deceite you shulde not onely auoide and not do , but not once consente that any other shoulde deceytie or defraude any manne or woman or childe if you maye lette it . Also haue no enuye at any mannes prosperytee , neyther yet be gladde of any mannes aduersytee . Ponder the gaynes and losses of youre neyghbours , to be gladde and sorye for theim , like as you wolde of youre owne that they maye waye youres in the same balaunce . Moreouer , see that you dooe nothinge in youre house , that you wolde not to bee knowen in the market place .

Thynke that the worste parte of youre seruauntes is the tongue . And thoughe you youre selfe ( as alwaies should ) feare to doo any viciouse thynge alone , be not yet witnesse to other of suche dedes . For he that holdeth his tongue , & feareth to rebuke synne for Goddes sake , he feareth more manne then he loueth God , and loueth neyther of bothe , as he oughte to dooe .

Besydes this , if youre goodes encrease , you should not only encrease in goodnesse & good dedes to the poore and nedeful persons but let youre seruauntes also fele the aduauntage of youre gaines Good reason it is , that they that are parteners of the laboures , enioye parte of the profyte . But yf fortune looke sowerlye vpon you and withdrawe prosperouse successyon frome you , lette theim see youre sayles borne after the blowynge of the wynde . Also flee plees and debates , all contencyon and strife , though youre cause seme neuer so good . If it be a money mater , that thinke very gaynes , what soeuer of strife you lose with money . For losse of brawling and strife with money , maye well be rekened gaynes to theim that loue God , peace , and charytee , and contempne money for Chrystes cause , leaue strife to theym that loue more money then peace or charyte . For in the lawe , besides that you shal stand in dought to haue iustice though your mater be iust yet the tediousnesse or werinesse , the anger and busynesse to folowe it , the laboure , vexacion , the daunsyng attendaunce , the disdayne & heuy mindes of the contrary parties , and all other suche inconueniences engendred by plees shuld be exchewed what soeuer it coste . And to auoyde this , haue you alwayes ( yf you dooe by me ) a respecte and a good iudgemente of the persones with whome you entermedle . And where you maye perceaue one that delighteth and vseth plees , varyaunce or wrangelynges , beware that ye contracte not with hym in any wyse , what gaynes soueuer ye might suppose to folowe of his contraction .

Encrease diligently the noumbre of your frendes , and kepe theyr frendshippe . And for a iuste cause you maye deuide a symuled frende from your conuersacion or intermedlyng . But see that ye appeare not sodenlye to bee his contrarye let hym learne by euidente woordes or tokens that you leaue onelye hys euell behaueoure or vice , And because that he hym self wil not leaue it , you maye not chose but leaue hym . And also better it is , that by a lytle & a lytle you leaue your frendship , then sodenly to breake it . So shall he learne that you for sake his symuled frendship , & his noughtye condicions rather then hym , for a symuled frend is worse then an open enemye . Amongeste your louers chose some of the best and moste faythfullest , whom your right iudgement perceyueth to be trewest , moste faythfull and stedfaste , to whom ye maye shewe your counsell and secretes . As for to fynde many to whom a man maye entierly and vndoubtedly trust , is very harde . I would wys●he you to haue no secretes , which should be daungerous or perylous to you though thei were openly knowne to all menne . Yet if you finde one or two of suche clere & pure fayth that ye maye truste aswel as your selfe , that wyll take euery thyng well and in the beste parte , thoughe it shoulde seme to many otherwyse , loue hym as your soule . Furthermore , though the opinion of the commen people is seldome approued to be good , yet it is no wysedome alwayes to saye agaynste it . But it shall dooe well to go the hyghe waye as other do , thoughe that path be many tymes better . The pathe and rightwaye of the Gospell or worde of God , in no condicion beyng lefte or forsaken . Also flee all flaterers , vayne boasters & praysers of your goodnesse or vertues let theim see suche flaterye & symulacion to be litle pleasure to you , euen at the fyrste hearynge , that they shewe the countenaunce of it . Esteme not youre dedes by other mennes sayenges : but entre into your selfe , and betwixte the truthe and youre conscience , seke the existimacion of youre selfe . Care not what this or that man doeth saie : but what the truth sayth to youre conscience , no man but God and you ( excepte ye shewe any manne ) knoweth what youre entente or meanynges are . Wherfore , the truthe in your knowledge ought to make you free , mery , restfull , & quiet , agaynst all quarell pykers or false fynders of faultes . Wherfore in all blames or prayses , flee to conscience , if amongeste these she speake well Happye are you , mightie & wyse . For it is as pereleouse a thyng to be falsely praysed , as falsely blamed .

¶ The gouernaunce of your seruauntes and inferiours .

PROCVRE alwayes to subdue theim that are vnder you , rather by loue then with feare for he that is feared of many , muste feare many . And be not with vnkynde wordes and roughe , light to prouoke theim to wrathe . If you youre selfe be styred to anger , I woulde then that ye woulde cease to saye or do any thynge , vntyll your wrathe bee a layde or slaked , for there is nothynge well sayde or done whiche is sayd or done in a furye . Wrath is an euell maistres to gouerne thynges . Putte awaye also wyth spede all cankered thoughtes whiche without a good remembraunce of Christes promyse , maye lyghtlye corrupte youre mynde with inordynate thoughtes , ( I meane in gettyng or kepyng your goodes ) hauyng youre mynde fastened to Christes promyse with diligent folowyng , ye cannot lacke , wherfore beware of to stayte kepyng . And remembre that though ye mighte get al the worldly goodes that be in the worlde in a shorte space , yet by death ye might loose theim in a shorter . Thynke that ther is no thynge comparable to a quyete mynde and a restefull . That is a contented mynde , whiche feareth no losses , nor greatly or gredelye coueteth gaynes . Nothynge is so muche to be abhorred as the affliccion of the spirite , but as I do counsell you to auoyde these phantastical and despayryng myndes : So I do aduyse you to auoyde negligence & slothe in your busynes , or ouermuch slackenes or dissolucion in not sauyng the which is gotten . For as great faulte it is to lose negligently the which is gotten , as to procure inordinately to get that whiche of right & conscience ought not to be gotten . With honest gaynes , be you alwayes contented in all your buiyng & sellyng so that ye hauyng gaynes that other partie receaue no losse , as is afore said , for so your gaynes with hym , & his with yours may longe continue , for he that softely mylketh the cowe bryngeth forth milke , and he that herdelye and straytely wryngeth the tettes bryngeth forth bloode .

Also my dere beloued frende whether you bee maryed , as yet I can not tell redelye , but consyderynge youre age , compleccion or bodely state and worldlye substaunce , I perceaue that ye maye well maynteyne a wyse , wherfore I do aduyse you ( yf your ghostely strengthe be not greatere then the infyrme & nyce desyre of fleshly appetites ) to take a wife : but ● choise of her be not ouer hedlyng hasty , or rashe . But with good deliberacion endeuoure your selfe to marye . God is well pleased with chaste maryage & sobre , which is an acceptable & holy thyng with hym , and sore displeased with whoredom and adulterye : yea & with dedes of mariage vngodly , abhomynably & beastely vsed . Mariage is a dede whiche you owe to nature , & to your contrey & to God , yf your infyrmyte be suche the ye maye not liue chaste out of matrimonie , & if also youre fruite of matrymony● be godly and verteouslye ducated and broughte forthe in the loue & feare of God . * * 〈◊〉 chose a 〈◊〉 In the choyse of youre wife , haue onely respecte to her vertue and honestye , whiche forbicause peraduenture it cannot be , by and by , or sone sene in her . Loke to the stocke of the younge braunche , I meane her father : But specially looke vpon the maners of her mother , for commenly the doughter is manered muche after the mother , yf she be brought vp at home with her parentes , yf in an other place , ioyne her mothers condicyons with her maysters and maistresse , & waie theim in a iuste paire of balaunce . You may here the reporte of discrete per sones of the vse of her gouernours and her . If she haue bene any space of tyme frome her mothers company I wolde you dyd count more vpon the vse , and good behauioure of her gouernours then her parentes , for good or euel edutacion or bringing vp , chaungeth nature . Consider also her age , that she be yonger then you . And of her bewtye that she be in a meane fauoure or bewtifulnesse . For as it is harde to kepe a fayre and a bewtifull woman chaste , whome all menne be moste redy to desire : So it is truely tediouse and loth some to possesse an euell fauored woman or vnfruytefull , whome all men dooe abhorre . Yet mary you a wyfe for youre owne selfe , and not for other menne . Other men ought not to be delighted in youre wyues outwarde beawtie , nor you in theirs . But thus that you laude God in his creatures , whiche no man dothe by concupiscence agaynste his commaundement . So that she be of a good name and fame . For it is not ynoughe , that a woman be voide of any euell dede or dedes , but I wolde her to be voyde of all euell suspicion . And thoughe I make no difference of mayde or widowe by Goddes lawe , yet I wolde councell you to take a virgyn or mayd whome you maye forme and instructe after youre owne maners And she wyll soner apply to your mind , and more entierly loue you then a wydowe . I make no mencyon of the dowrye . If she bringe any substaunce , it is not to be refused , if not , she shal be the eslier gouerned or ruled in exspences , & lowlier or more obedience to serue you . And when you mary , I wyl exhorte you to thinke that you entre into religion , and that you and your wife should prepare youre selues there after . Not to thynke , as many lightly dooe , that mariage is a licence to lyue voluptuouslye , and vnder the tytle of mariage or matrimony , to fulfyl all their carnal desires . But thinke you afterwarde to lyue more soberlye and temparatelye , more vertuouslye , and honestly , and to geue mo exsamples of good liuing , then you did before , remembring that matrimonye is one of the holyest sacramentes that God hath ordeyned . And that therfore it shoulde be vsed with all honestye , deuocion , and reuerence . And in the preuy duitie of matrimony , I wolde you and youre wife , so to dispose you , that in youre bodies were al temparatenesse and sobernesse , & youre mindes and spirytes listed vp to God , desiring hym not only of fruite , but of such fruite , that may be apte to his seruice . And yf you in this acte be coupled with this minde and desire , no doubte but God wyll sende you suche maner of fruite as you desyre . It is a greate beastlinesse , seing that all menne desire to haue chyldren of good disposicion and helthfull in their bodies , also with good inclinacion , and minde to vertue & goodnesse : that at the generacion of theim they haue no consideracion to prepare theim after theyr desire . Beleue me chrysten brother , that yf they that engender , & conceiue be temperate and sober in that acte , and haue their helth the childe shal bee of a good temperature in bodye and of a good compleccyon . And yf also theyr mindes be lifted vp to God as is aforesayde , the chylde shall also haue inclinacyon to vertue and goodnesse . As the children represent their fathers likenesse or mothers in the fourme of theyr bodies : Euen so their inclinacion of goodnesse and vertue shall represent the fathers and mothers disposicyon , whiche they had when the chyldren were begoten or engendered , whiche yf it were not good or godlye , so shall the chyldren be dysposed to be all the dayes of their lyfe . All vyces then redounde vnto the chyldren frome the father and mother speciallye , then might the father and mother to be well dysposed in bodye and soule , in the acte of generacion , or elles afterwarde it shall tourne theim to greate displeasure , in the frowardnesse of theyr children .

Wherfore I pray you marke wel this admonicion , and put it well in remembraunce , specially , when you be about such businesse wher vnto be you not drawen , as often as Venus wolde . But when you perceyue helthe , sobrenesse , and temperatnesse both in you and in your wyfe , the loue of God & his honour had in your remembraunce as is abouesaid to dispose of your fruite withoute beastlinesse , whiche is onely to accomplishe your owne fleshly pleasure . To conclude I wolde bothe of you shuld beare chaste Christe conceiued in youre brestys by the hearing or redyng of his holy worde . And folow Mary & Iosephes matrimony in actes . And if you wolde ( as I truste you wyll ) that youre wyfe shoulde be cleane alwaies of her liuing from other men . And thoughe she folowe not Maries virginite , yet I wold she endeuored to folowe her shame fastnesse in matrimonye .

This will your minde be I trust that she alwaies saye and do that thyng whiche becommeth a laudable woman or wife to dooe . That she may thus do it , muste be your diligence to enduce her specially in the beginning to loue and feare God . But to bring this about , no wordes are sufficient , no councell or exhortacion , excepte you youre selfe so liue , that she may perforce folowe youre good exsample , and dooe the same . And therfore as I saide before , that when you mary you shoulde reken that you enter into religion . Specially in the begynnynge , for where as hytherto any negligence of vertue and of good lyuynge or seruice of God that was dooe● , was dooen onely to youre owne hurte : From hence forthe the euil example shal hurte your wife , your chyldren , & your seruauntes , that is to saye : all the whole housholde . In the begynnynge therfore , specially ye muste induce your wife with your good example , in the loue and feare of God , whiche ones graffed or printed in her mynde , shall cause that she shal saye , ne dooe any thynge that afterwarde she shall gretly repente . Also I doubte not , but ye would gladly that youre wyfe shoulde loue you , the meane is to cause her so to dooe , that she perceyue playnly that she is entierly beloued of you . For whiche it suffyseth not , onelye to wythdrawe your mynde from al other wem● . But that ye must also , auoide any occasyon , of whiche might bee engendered euyll suspycion of incontinencye . For yf gelousye entre ones into womens brestes , the roote is so vnsauerye and bitter that it cannot choose but brynge forth the weryshe and lothsome fruyte of discorde , then the whiche there is none so greate a poyson , that corrupteth so muche Christen folkes but specially the man and that wife . Besydes this , in your conuersacion with your wyfe , be ye famylyer & louyng , guydyng her therwith to althynges of your mynd by fayre meanes , and not by rygorousnes crueltie or tyranny . If she be honest & verteous , your worde shall suffice , yf otherwyse ( whiche God forbyd , leste ye might be ouersene in thynges aforesayde ) it maye be done by force moderatly , yet gentle intreatie is better than cruelty , boy steorusnes or stripes , except there be suche obstinacie in her whiche can not be helped without enforcement and correccion , neuer correcte with shamefull rebuke . If there be any such obstinacie , reason you so with her , that she may perceaue her faulte and condempne her selfe whiche shal be a good correccion . Menne and wemen are of nature gentyll to be ledde and not to bee drawen , for nature hath made theim wythoute all wepon to vse crueltee or tyrannye , al other beastes , nature hathe armed wyth some defence , but it bryngeth forth man without any weapon , wherfore nature wold mankynde to be gentle & peaceable aboue al other creatures . I would haue your louing conuersacion and famyliaritee with your wyfe so myxte with honestie and shame fastenes , that she in no wyse perceyue or see in you any example by which the virginal shame fastenesse whiche she had before youre mariage bee lessed after it . And this aswell secretlye when you are together in your chaumbre and bedde , as openlye . For where men wyth shameful handlynges and vnchaste woordes , with vnclenlye gestoures , sygnes or lookes , prouoke theyr wyues to fleshly luste , whom maye they iustly blame , yf theyr wyues lyue vnchastelye but theimselues , as the chefe causers , for wyth suche behaueoure they make their wyues voyde of all shamefastnes , and that beyng banyshed & gone , chastite maketh hast after . Wherfore now yf you wyl haue your wife chaste she must haue the example of you , & not onelye that , but ye muste vse her with all clenlynesse , honestye and shamefastnesse . And to allure her to loue kyndnes , honestie and chastenes , you shall apparell or clothe her by myne aduyse so that whersoeuer she besene , she might bee iudged to bee youre wyfe , hauyng not so riche apparell or clothynge to bee iudged some marchauntes wyfe of hier dignitee or some greate mannes wyfe of the courte : nor so poorely , that you be yng of some worldlye substaunce she might bee iudged to bee some poore labouryng mans wyfe , let her go after the same sorte , condicion or estate that ye are of or shal be of . For the whiche equalitee it shal be good that ye bothe be clothed of one pece of cloth . Let your garmentes be of the moste honest facion , leauynge iagges and new inuencions without profyte or ease to the bodye , to therin that thynke onely gaye thynges to be good , & pleasure better then profyte . Also herein auoyde all occasyons to be enuighed as nye as ye maye , or any occasion where thorough angre or discorde mighte ryse , & not onely in this thynge , but in all other with your wyfe . But specyally in the begynnyng of your conuersacion , for if before one knowe well the condicions or maners of the other , and also before that any perfyght loue bee well rooted betwyxte you , any dyscension or wrangelyng aryse , it wyl be harde afterwarde to be turned into a conformyte or an vnyte of lyuynge quyetlye together . Specially , yf in suche angre , passe any myscheuous wordes or styngyng or prickynge wordes or strypes , loue afterwarde is to bee despayred almoste for euer , whiche dissencion or wrangelyng , though it happen afterwardes that the loue betwi●te you be wel rooted & established the one knoweth wel the other , 〈…〉 gre or discorde can be so gre●●e , but that sone you shoulde retourne agayne into grace and fauoure , into peace and concorde .

¶ The gouernynge of a housholde

ALSO , the charge of the gouernaunce of the house , ye maye in maner geue wholly to youre wyfe , & as ye would that she should not muche entermedle in youre marchaundise or busynes whiche is done out of the house or out of her roome : So it is not semyng that you greatly busye youre selfe in thynges ol the house longyng to her charge as many womanly men do , whiche wyllynglye withoute comelynes come vnder the subieccion of theyr wyues . And ioyne to this forsaid charge of the house , some other busynesse and laboure mete for her , so that she maye alwayes be occupied & neuer ydell . Many other thynges myght be sayde as concerning the conuersacyon betwixe the husbande and the wyfe , whiche nowe of purpose I leaue to speake of , leste I shoulde be tediouse to you in reading my symple councelles . Experience hathe and maye instructe you farre better then my wytte can expresse , yet somwhat I wyl saye more as concerning youre chyldren .

¶ As concerning children .

FIrst , God sending you It is again nature , tha women shal not 〈◊〉 their owne children . children . Se that none other woman nurse than than youre owne wyfe . It is a greate vncomlynesse and inconuenience , yea I saye cruelnesse that comenly is vsed among menne and women , I dooe not saye beastlinesse , for that they put forth their yonge children to nursing , yea and som men and women wyll caste theyr chyldren oute of doores within a. iii. or fouredaies after that it is borne , to a straunger to norishe it . It is to be wondered verely what confydence the mother of the childre hathe , specially forasmuche as she thynkety that a straunge woman wyll suffer the laboure which is requisite in the nurssing of the child , when she that is naturall mother refuseth it . They wyll anon saye , that for money a straunger wyll do it well and conueniently , so the theyr chylde shal be well noryshed and brought home faire and fatte . I saye though it be faire & fatte , yet it is not so naturallye fayre & fat , as though his owne mother had norished him . And that it is faire and fatte , it is no more thanke to the mother than to a Iewe , willing a christian chylde to be noryshed , for his fantasticall loue , and therfore geueth money haboundauntly to some woman , that wolde not be sene to receyue his money in vayne , but for his money she geueth her diligent laboure . And the the childe is fayre and fatte , it commeth more of the loue of the norse that she hath to the chylde within litell tyme after that she hath geuen it her milke , which causeth her to sette lesse of the laboure , or passeth more vpon the child then vpon the money . But who wyll doubte but the chyld shuld be more helthful a more temperat in body if it had sucked , his natural lyquore , wher with he was norished in his mothers wombe . Who may thinke that nature not doo muche more to the helthe and good disposicyon of the childes bodie then money can doo , or euer shal be able to dooe ? Verely it is not like , but the chylde shuld be the helthyer not onely in his in fancye , but all dayes of his lyfe afterwarde , yf the mother wolde playe the mother in norishing the childe . Once in the beginninge , they put the chylde in ieopardy of his lyfe , in taking hym from his naturall milke wherwith he was norished in his mothers wombe . And besides that , the mother hathe neuer so perfyghte loue to the child whiche an other woman noryssheth , as if she norished it her selfe for whilest she norisheth it not , she remaineth but halfe a mother , for the offyce of an whole & parfyght mother is , to beare chyldren and norishe them or bring theim forth . Nowe she reparteth the one parte with the norse . And so also in loue she remayneth but half a mother . They wil saye that their loue can not be diminished towardes their children though other women no rishe them , but it is not so . For thoughe norishing of children be laborious and peynfull , yet it engendreth muche loue betwixte the nurse and the chylde . This loue then whiche is wonte to be engen dered by norishing the chylde , is loste of the naturall mother towardes the chylde , and is added to the noryshe , wherfore the mother hath lost halfe her loue towardes the childe , and the norse hath and shall fynde it . Likewise wyll the childe deuide his loue into . ii . partes . The one parte to his mother bearing hym , y● other to his nurse or halfe mother feadyng and bringing him forth . And besides this yf the mother that bare the chyld had noryshed it also , the loue of the father wold had bene much more to the chylde , because of the noryshing of it in his presence . And of this springeth the litle loue or vnnaturall loue that menne haue to theyr chyldren , speciallye in this realme . Afterwardes when the child is a. xii . monethes or two yeres of age , it is brought home from norishing , and is brought vp in the house vntyll it be . xii . or . xiii . yeres olde , with litell difference as concerning his profyte betwene hym and the seruaunt . And being of that age rude and vnlearned , because they theim selues wolde not take paines to induce hym to vertue & learninge or crafte , they thruste hym out of dores againe to maysters to serue withoute any grete consideracyon , whether the persones be of good and honest disposicyon whiche shall receyue hym , yea or whyther they wyll profyte greately the chylde to vertue and honestye , oute of dores they caste hym as before at norishyng . If his fortune be to meete with a good mayster , to whome he might reste more bound then to his father or mother , happy is he , by his good mayster he learneth to helpe hym selfe , whiche he dyd not of his father and mother , many fathers & mothers ar not studiouse to helpe theyr chyldren to vertue or learnynge , because they loue money more then theyr chyldren .

And bycause they so dooe , they departe nothing of it to their children in theyr lyfe . But yf hys chaunce be not to meete with a good maister , he is tangled and corrupted with suche vyces , whiche in youth commonly haue domynyon and rule , & gooe not forwarde to vertue and honestye : where as a good father shulde then receiue his chylde , and by fayre meanes and fatherly councell amend him and comforte hym in goodnesse , and geue hym some of his gooddes to socoure him . But the vse is cleane contrary , for then he denyeth him the entering into his house then he wyll not name hym , nor knowe hym for his sonne or child denyeth him all fauoure to cause hym dispaire , and caste away the whole purpose to lyue honestlie & trewely . And so desperate and abiecte absenteth hym selfe from his father and mother , and coupleth hym selfe with light wanton , vycious and naughtye companye , & is made one of theim , where the vyces , whiche in the begynnynge myght easely haue be amended are encreased & growen vncorrygyble , and that , because the father & mother dooe not gracyously loue theyr child . If they dyd loue their chyldren to God wardes , that is to saye , to brynge theim forthe in the lawes of God , and wold that they shulde loue and drede God . Then would they , beyng of power thereto put theim to lernynge in theyr tendre age , consyderyng this commen prouerbe :

He that in youth no vertue wyll vse , In age all honoure shall hym refuse .

▪ Also the saiynge of Salomon : Looke what waye a younge man or woman taketh in hys tendre age , from that he wyl not departe when he is old . Also experience shew eth that youth wyl lightly folowe the instruccions of theyr elders . The younge cocke croweth like as he heareth the olde . And loke howe a young twygge of an orcheyarde is bowed so he groweth forthe , yf he be stayed to growe vp ryghte , so it groweth , and is bothe profytable and pleasaunte . If it growe otherwyse I cannot tell whereto it is profytable , but to the fyre . Like wyse maye be sayd of young children , but the faulte is not in the chyldren , but in the elders or fathers and mothers . The chylde Iesus dyd growe and was comforted in spiryte ful of wysdome & the grace of God was wyth hym , that is to saye : he was a notable good chylde , and so from a younge man , he grewe to an exceadynge wyse & verteous man . It is mete that suche as be Christen chyldren should be brought vp after th example of Christe . He did growe ● was comforted by the spyrite and in the spirite . Many menne suffre theyr chyldren to vse ryot & be lost in fleshely pleasures , nor do cause theim to be induced to fayth & honeste lyuyng , by the word of God , Christ dyd growe and encrease in wysedome , many suffre their children to encrease in folishnes . And the grace of God was in Christe , but thoroughe the faulte of theyr fathers & mothers it taryeth not with some children called christen chyldren , yet nothyng folowyng Christ , or smell of hym , because that Christ dyd growe in the sighte of men and dyd appeare whole perfyghte and wonderfull by and by preachyng signes and myracles . It is conuenient or syttynge that lyke manner of wyse oure chyldren bee induced and instructed to deuocion , to vertue , & good lyuynge A man wyll not thynke lyghtlye howe much good lyeth in the bryngyng vp of chyldren . And if there wer not greate vertue and goodnes in it , who myght thynke that God would so straytly commaunde the Iewes that their chyldren should be induced , instructed & broughte vp , in the feare of God : verelye he doeth knowe best of al , that that thyng wyll not lyghtely be lefte in ryper or ferther age , whyche chyldren haue accustomed in their tendre age . The whiche thyng th● Latyne Poete expresseth & sayth : So greate a thynge it is to accustome a thynge from tendre age . Wherfore God in Deuteronomy the .vi. chapiter sayth : Thou shalt rolle in thy mynde with thy selfe such thynges as I geue the charge vpon this daye , and thou shalte whette theim vpon thy chyldren , speakyng therof to theim when y● taryeste at home in thy house , or walkest on thy iourneye , when y● goest to bedde and rysest their from . If thou leaue these thynges in theyr youthe , thou shalte haue muche ado to make theim obeye and folowe when they be of a full age and olde . But nowe ye wyll say , I am no preacher . Therunto with saynt Augustyne I answere the , Looke what a preacher is in the pulpet , suche euery housholder is in his house at home . And likewyse as it belongeth for the curate to make rekenyng & accoumpt for his whole flocke : So the housholder in the general daye of iudgemente shal reken and make accoumpte for his wife , for his children and for his housholde .

Geue ye therfore diligent hede that in this be halfe ye bee not founde negligent , loue your children after this maner . And when they be of some discrecion , let them perceyue your loue in worde and worke . And be not so vnkynde as some fathers , whiche for the loue of this worldlye ryches and folyshe pleasure ( whylest they lyue ) can not fynde in theyr hartes to departe with theim , though they haue receyued it of the hande of God euen for the same purpose . Wherof procedeth that many tymes for a veray litle anger or displeasure the father doeth wholly disheryte his sonne , or at least taketh away from hym a great parte of his inherytau●ce , wherof also procedeth that men can fynde in their hertes many tymes that theyr seruauntes should be made disposers of theyr goodes or theyr frendes , rather then theyr children . Al this ( as I suppose ) procedeth of none other thyng , but of the lytle loue that they haue to theyr chyldren : And this litle loue commeth of this that the natural mother norished not her owne chylde in the presence of the father .

Wherfore my dere frende and Christen brother let youre owne wyfe noryshe youre chylde , euen though it shoulde seame a newe thyng and not vsed . Forsoth God and nature hath not wrought brestes and teates in youre wyfe , yea and mylke , healthe and habylytee in vaine , yf these should not serue for her owne chyldren . And besydes this she maye not ryghtly be called a mother fullye and perfyghtly afterwardes , of her owne chyldren , beynge but halfe a mother . And hereof procedeth also the coulde loue and smal reuerence that some children haue in their age afterwardes , to theyr fathers and mothers . For whan the soonne or doughter beyng of age , consydereth howe the father and mother refused labour wyth hym or her ● put theim oute to nurse from theim regardeth theim therafter . And when they be in necessite or lacke , thei thinke thei that may serue theim lyke maner . That is to saye , to thruste theim oute of dores , and sende theim to some hospytall to findyng , as they did theim . Besides this , yf the mother were of a good disposicion of bodye and of a verteouse inclinacyon , there is cause geuen to the childe to grudge agaynste the mother and father , thinkyng that by the vyce of theim he dranke or sucked malicyousenesse , with the mylke of his nurse being of a farre worse disposicion then the mother was . So nowe yf the naturall mother norished the childe , you se what commodityes should folowe . The father shuld be sure that in his lyfe tyme and after his death the mother shulde be good to his chyldren & louing . lyke a trewe & a naturall mother , and also bothe the father and mother shoulde be sure in theyr age , and alwaies that the children should haue theim in muche loue feare & reuerence , as trewe children . Also the mother beyng nurse to youre chyld of a good desposicion & temperauncie of bodye and in minde constaunt , deuoute and of a good inclinacion suche as I trust your good iudgemente and dyscrecion wolde chose , you maye bee sure , that youre childe shall haue bothe vertue and good temperaunce of bodye , whiche he may lightely lacke being norished of a straunge woman . So for all these causes and other that maye be considered , I beseche you folowe that which by these reasons you maye perceyue to be beste .

When your children can speake and vnderstande , forthwith withoute any delaye put theim vnder some vertuouse persone to learne to reade and write togethers , but specially to learne vertuouse maners and to serue God . And that he may so doo from the tyme that he can speake , teache hym euery daye some short prayer according to the capacite of his witte or memorye . And as he dothe encrease in strength , fede hym with longer prayers , and other fruitefull lessons moste worthy memory . And thus do with as faire meanes as you may . As for great chastising and ouer muche feare in teaching yonge children is not best after my iudgement , for by that the spirytes and wittes of children be dulled & being induced by ouermuch feare in youthe , are neuer afterwardes bolde , nor maye lifte vp their mindes and hertes to thinges of honoure , that is to saye , thynges of ghostely strength and vertue , but are alwayes deiecte , pe●ishe , with oute corage or stomake to good & honest thinges . They doo rather applye theim selues afterwarde , when they haue lybertee , to euell then to goodnesse , which bringig vp is naturall & proper to theym that be borne in bondage and to captiues , and not of fre mens children , wherfore both you and your childrens mayster shoulde entice and allure your chyldren with loue and good wordes . Yea , and then amonge with small giftes to vertue and learning , rather than with feare and force , you shoulde boste and fauoure theym very muche for any lytell thyng that they doo well and conueniently , that by it , they maye haue corage and herte to doo more so , yet I doo not vtterly disswade , but that feare and correccion is necessary , so it be moderate in conuenient time and for a notable cause . I woulde there were shewed to the childe bothe the apple and the rodde , but more oftener the apple , and more exhorted to deserue the rewarde and praise then the correccyon . And all the tyme that youre childe is in your house frome schole , kepe hym alwayes with you in youre presence as nygh as you can . And let hym take his meate at your table , and lye in youre chaumber . For of your maners and behaueoure at the table and chaumber , he shall see & heare better communicacyon and learne mo vertuose maners , here more wysdome , and take hede of more ciuilytee or nurture then in the kechin or stable amongest your seruauntes .

Haue the presence of your child in suche veneracyon that before God and hym be spoken no viciouse wordes , no swearing , no lies no backbiting or slaundering , no cursing , mocking , or ribauldry , no wordes of fraude or disceite . For the childe can speake but suche langage as he heareth , and bycause he is mooste , yee alwaies lightely in youre conuersacion he wyll vtter your maners to other folkes . Let hym therfore be ware of hearing suche maner of speches . But beware you muche more , for to you it shal be rekened double syn , youre owne and youre chyldes , you knowe that of a naturall inclinacyon , suche woordes as are , soundynge vnto euell , are more promptely fixed in theyr myndes then other . And this same exhortacion or monicyon shoulde be geuen vnto youre chyldes mayster , ( yf he be honest , he wyll thankefully receiue it ) that youre chylde heare nothyng , but that whiche soundeth to vertue & goodnesse .

And to cause that youre childe refuse not youre companye or his maisters , bothe you and he muste some time fynde your childe some pointes and instrumentes to playe and suffer hym to vse honest games or playes then amonge , for the recreacion of his spirytes , that he maye be the gladder with you , and loue you and hym with reuerent dreade the better .

And so shall he with a better wyl applie his learning without trembeling , feare , or inforce . And after this maner , he shall learne more and soner . The women children wolde be broughte vp in all feare and drede , with litle fauoure shewed theim vntyll they bee of a perfyte age and vnderstanding . For as in men is nothing more reprouable then to be cowardes , fearfull , pekyshe , and of no stomake or corage : So in wemen is the contrary , in whom there is nothing more laudable then fearefulnesse and gentylnesse of stomake . To the mother youre wyfe , geue charge to doo her dewtye in bringing vp your women chyldren verteously and in the lawe and feare of God as you doo the men children .

In the choyse of a mayster for youre chylde , yf you maye haue one bothe well learned and good and verteous in lyuyng for money sake or coste : forsake hym not excepte ye loue money better then vertue & learnynge , euery thynge is as it is loued and estemed . The wyse man setteth muche by learnynge and honeste maners , the rude ignoraunte and folyshe persone setteth lytle by theim , because he is not acquaynted wyth theim . If he shoulde lacke eyther of these two thynges learnyng or vertue , better it were that he lacked parte of the learnyng then of vertue . Vertue is more of price then learnyng , for learnynge is but a meane thynge wherby men come to vertue thorough the grace of God . Learnyng is for vertue and not vertue for learnyng . It is better to be good and verteous , then learned and worldly wyse . Therfore rather choyse goodnes & vertue for your chylde and you , then learnynge , yf bothe maye not bee had together :

Also with letters , let your child learne musike . Also let hym without hurtyng hym selfe learne the vse of weapons or armes , as buckler plaiynge or suche other . The one for recreacion of his spirites , the other for the strength of his bodye It shall make hym hable & bolde so that in peace and warre ( yf he should be inforced therto ) with councel and strength he may preuaile . And ioyntly with this he shoulde not be ignoraunte of thynges necessarye to his lyuynge , wherfore euen from his yong age , he shoulde haue the knowledge of the moneye that is vsed & of the valewe of it . And for this it shal be good to put some in his power , & to make him buy al thynges necessarye for his owne weryng , from cappe to shoe , at the fyrste & seconde tyme wyth helpe of other , & afterwardes by hym selfe . And after to putte hym in busines of greater charge , with greater summes of moneye , & let hym vse of parte after his owne discrecion , makynge ( when you shall cal hym ) accompte to you of the bestowyng . The commen vse as me semeth may not be commended , which is , that men for the moste parte wyll not truste theyr children with any of theyr substaunce , nor let theim knowe nor scantely vnder stande the valewe of money , which thyng causeth that afterwardes when they enheryte theyr fathers gooddes , they spende all vndiscreatlye as they that knowe not , what it is , nor the valewe of that they enherite . The cause is that the father wyll leaue all to his sonne after his death and in his lyfe tyme nothyng . But if after the maner aboue rehersed ye vse your childe he shall not onelye for lacke of knowlage myspende his enherytaunce , but shal be more able whersoeuer he become to geue a rekenyng for hym selfe , and as it is comenly sayde , shal be able to company with men and to helpe hym selfe hauyng knowlage of the thynges necessary for his lyuynge . Yf he shoulde myspende any thynge it were beter he dyd it in your presence , where by good admonicion and councel he maye be amended & corrected , then after your death when the moste parte of folkes ( to haue parte of his exspences ) wyll prayse hym in his lewde spendyng rather then with counsell monyshe hym , amende or correcte hym , nowe ye maye wyth a lytle porcyon of your goodes knowe the proofe of your chyld in your life , and in maner be sure that he shal wel maynteyne and dispose that you leaue hym afterwardes whan you begone . And seynge I speake of disposynge or distrybutyng of goodes by youre chylde , ye oughte to entyce hym from hys chyldhode or infancye ( yf it might bee ) to haue compassion vpon the poore and to vse to geue some almes , yea for to instructe hym , whatsoeuer almes you or your wyfe dooe geue , let it be geuen by his handes or your other chyldren yf they be in the waye or presente with you at the tyme . This do you oftetimes not onely to instructe your chyldren , but because God so instructeth you that by youre example & vse of it he may learne from his tendre age euer to helpe the nedye & poore , yf he be of habylitee , yf no , yet he may learne to bee deuoute mercyfull , and pytiefull . But remembre that in this thyng , and in al other goodnes . Lykewyse the princypall example of vertue profytyng your chylde muste come of youre good example , which he seeth you to do and shewe . For nothynge that his maister or other persones shal do or shewe hym , can stycke or be so fyxed in his mynde as youre wordes and dedes . Nowe then yf you bryng vp youre chylde after this maner as is here layd before your eyes , there is no doubte , but he shal be a good manne . Vpon whiche grounde or foundacion , whether he be enclyned to bee of the clergye or of the other sorte of men , called laye men , whether he woulde be a preast , alwayes a bacheler or a maryed manne , he shal be an honeste manne . But yf he be dysposed to be of the clergy , one thyng I woulde you counceled hym , that in no wyse , he make any maner vowe , nor professyon vntyll he bee thyrtye or nyghe to thyrtye yeares of age . For before that tyme or nyghe aboute that tyme , none doeth wel knowe hym selfe . Happy is he that doeth then . To saye truthe , it is harde for me here to appoynte hym any tyme , his owne faythe and loue whiche he hathe receyued of God muste bynde hym hereto , remembrynge that when Peter promysed vpon his owne strengthe he could not perfourme his promise but afterwardes when he promysed vpon God , that he loued his mayster Christ , saiyng : Lord thou knowest that I loue the , he was stronge So in what rype age soeuer your chylde be , and woulde make vowes or promyses to take other religion then he receyued at Christendome ( an hygher or perfyghter vowe he can not make . ) But yf he would promyse the vowe of chastytee , the whyche vowe all Christen menne and women haue professed , because they haue professed Christe , whatsoeuer order of lyuyng any persone christened doeth professe , he professeth chastitee euen though he entre into matrymonye as is aboue sayde . But yf he be disposed to liue sole & chaste , it maye not come of hym selfe , for it passeth mannes infyrmite . But doubtlesse if he mistrust his owne strengthe , and thinke & beleue verely , that by the power and might of Christe , and confydence in hym , so that he may saye with a stronge beleue . All thinges are possyble vnto the beleuer , and thynke verely that by Christe he hath and shall ouercome the world thinkig on Christes worde , which saieth , truste ye , or haue you confydence , for I haue ouercome the worlde , lette hym thinke that he may do all thinges through hym that comforteth . In hym then and for hym , lette youre chylde make his vowe , if he be so disposed , & doubt lesse hauyng suche , and the same staffe to leane to , he shal not fayle We heare of too manye , whiche for theyr belies sakes , or for their frendes pleasures onely , whiche are men , haue made their vowes , and be had in derisyon of the world for the breaking of theim no wonder that they slyde whiche buylde vpon manne .

Lette youre chylde buylde vpon God , and he shall stande . For God is able to make hym stande And he wyll dooe all thyng vnto theim that beleue in hym . Warne hym thanne that what soeuer he doothe , he dooe it in the name of God wyth beleue , that God will dooe for hym vnto his owne glorye .

If ye mistrust hym not , when your child is aboute .xxx. yeres of age , he shall haue a good iudgement of hym selfe . No man knoweth pertyghtelye his owne strengthe , yet at that age , by youre good enducing , he shall knowe and perceiue what Christe wylleth hym in the Gospell , and soo thoroughe the worde of God and good reason , whiche he is lyke to haue at that age , maye be bolde after Goddes worde to iudge of hym selfe , but chyefely and princypally exhorte hym to kepe the vowe and promise whiche he made at the fonte of Baptysme , that he renounced and vtterly dyd forsake the deuel and all his workes & all his pompes , yf he tarye onelye vpon these vowes , he shal be suer to be a good christyan manne .

If he beleue in God , the father , in Christe the sonne , and in the hooly ghooste , thre in parsones , yet one God in essence .

To beleue in God , is to commit all oure whole herte vnto hym , oure thoughtes , wordes , and workes . If he thus beleue , doubtelesse he shal be saued from sinne , from the deuill and from hell and the euerlasting death thoroughe Christes death , by whome he is deed to the worlde and liueth to God , and by whome he shal be defended against the deuell and the vnclennesse of his owne fleshe and all wyckednesse . He nowe hauyng this loue and charytee to God thoroughe Christe , is suer a good christyan man . What profession can make a manne better ? I would to God that other professyons hadde not made men wourse . This vowe of Baptisme exhorte your soonne to kepe , whiche he hath made all redye , and hathe bounde hym selfe to the obseruaunce thereof by sureties , at whiche also were bound with hym his godfathers & godmothers . It might be thought to be lytl● discrecion or no good councell to bind him selfe ( as he might be perswaded to vowes of greate perfeccion ) not diligentlye studieng to accomplishe the vowe that he hathe made all redye . What a wyse man is he , that wyll seke an heuyer burthen , when he perceyueth that he is to weake to beare a lighter ? Induce hym , that he earnestly and hartely desyre God of his grace , to dooe that whiche Christe willeth hym , and to haue hym in his remembraunce , with vnfayned loue & reuerent dreade where soeuer he be goyng , standing , riding , or resting . And lette hym beleue that Christ is of such gentilnesse and goodnesse , that he may haue hym to dwel with hym euen in the inwarde chaumber of his brest , yf he wolde doo so much for his sake , as to expell Sathan with his felowes . God the father of his plenteous goodnesse and Christe his sonne naturall of his mere pitee and mercye thoroughe the worke of the holy ghoost proceding frome theim bothe whiche thre : The father , the sonne and holy ghost is one God , wyl be at one with your sonne , yf he wyl seke his fauoure by learning keping & folowing his holy worde . I wolde you wold say often times to hym , that he shoulde be a good , a iuste and a perfyte christen man . If he coulde beleue certaynly that Christe were geuen vnto hym for his synnes , but this canne he not beleue with a corrupte conscyence .

If youre sonne be not disposed to be of the clergye , but of the other sorte ( called laye menne ) he maye not be of the worlde and a good christian manne togethers . Fauoure him with continual councell & reparte of suche goodes as God hathe sente you , as is aforesayde , that in youre dayes you maye see hym profete , and be an honest manne , vnto youre greate comforte : whiche comforte they lacketh that wyll not reparte of their goodes vnto theyr chyldren vntyll they dye .

Wherfore theyr chyldren mighte thynke that they were the lesse bounde vnto theym by a greate deale . Consydering that perforce they muste leaue it behinde theim If they myghte kepe it styll , they wolde . It is a small benefite then of the father , whiche perforce shuld leaue it to other , leaueth it to his childe . Seing that yf he dyd the contrary , he shoulde put his soule in greate ieopardy , for the defraudyng of his chylde of these thynges whiche Goddes lawe and nature wolde to be his . Wherfore my louyng frende , thoughe you had some certayne presumpcions that your childe wolde sp●nde his porcyon of substaunce euell , take not his ryght from hym . Better it shal be for youre soule that he spende it euell , then peraduenture an other wolde spende it well . This maye nowe suffyse , as touching your children .

¶ The gouernaunce or orderyng of exspences in the house .

IN the reste , to speake of exspences in the house , see that youre dayly exspences be so moderated , that ye may egually and iustely continue with out ryot , or so greate welfare that it might not endure , or withoute puttyng your selfe in necessyte or nede or grudge of mynde for the largenes of the exspences , or that your houshold should grudge for your straytnes or nygardshpppe . Therfore the order that you begynne kepe constantelye , for any lytle excesse dayly vsed , in processe of tyme groweth to greate summes . The vitayles for your table should be suche as ye finde moste conuenient for your health , of the whiche beware of greate dyuersities , for the dyuersytee of meates engendereth diuersytiees of sykenesses . As for the quantitee , as I would not that you did defraude nature with takynge to lytle , so I woulde you to thynke that superfluytee of meate and drinke , is the vtter destruccion of nature , loue symple or syngle meates , they be simple that be not mengeled with many dyuerse thynges or compounded with many dyuerse kyndes of fleshes , and wyth theim . And with dyuerse fruytes and diuerse kyndes of spyces , and all these in one dyshe . And lykewyse some vse dyuerse kyndes of drynkes , whiche all withoute doubte decayeth health , thoughe it be not by and by felt or perceyued , but in processe of tyme they wyl vtter the selues , & bryng forth death or deathes brother . For of this it commeth that together in manne reigneth the feuers , the head ache , the tothe ache , the goute , the bely ache , the stranguylliā and other diseases out of noumbre , whiche I can not reherse . Wher though of one maner of meate surfet were vsed , or of one maner of drynke , a man shuld haue but one maner of these sickenesse or diseases or none at al yf the excesse wer not great , where throughe yf you neede the vse of medecynes , I would with the counsell of some learned & good phisicion , you vsed symple medycines as nighe as wer possible , fleyng the composicion of many drogeries , & not onelye symple but to take of suche medecynes as are of herbe rootes or fruytes of this same lande beynge proued for good , rather then of suche drogeryes that are brought out of the lande I thynke not , but yf our physycyons were so diligente and laboryous to seke the same thynges that God and nature hath geuen for remedyes as the phisycions were that wrote , whom they folowe partely whiche because they were experte in natural thynges , wrote of these drogeryes that groweth in Affrica , Syrya & Grecia , they woulde not muche vse of these drogeryes whiche are in other countreyes , but suche as God sendeth for remedyes in euery lande , whereby they shoulde fynde more naturall remedyes for mannes health .

As concernyng the other parte of your housholde or gouernaunce therof ( I meane your seruauntes ) I wold you had no mo seruauntes in your house , then ye maye kepe occupied , and that none eat their bread in ydelnes , but that they haue labour with meate , and meate with laboure . For as it is crueltye to cause seruauntes to laboure with out meate , so it is veraye noyfull or hurtefull to geue seruauntes meate without labour . For it maketh theym lumpyshe , luskyshe drowsye and slouthfull , vycyous , lecherous and glotons . One ydle seruaunte wyll lyghtlye corrupte al the houshold . If ye haue a true seruaunte & a faythfull , loue hym as youre sonne , let hym knowe your fauoure , that he may bee an example to his felowes . In theyr clothyng and feedynge , let theim vse a meane withoute any excesse , that is , that the clothynge bee not fyne nor curyouslye made , but course and sufficient to kepe theim from colde . And the meate in no wyse delycate , but grosse , suche as wil suffice to kepe theim in health and from houngre . Paye them truely theyr wages without dilacion or brydgyng , let theim fynde your wyll more prone and redyer to paye theim , then you fynd theim to labour for it : yee yf it be so paye them with the same quyppe or note . But in the meane tyme prouoke theim with many fayre speaches , to do their dutie , yet not alwayes so , remembryng that an easy and a gentle medycyne healeth not al sores , nor the flaterynge instygacion , maketh not the horsse go styll : sometymes the spore must be vsed excepte the corage be very lustye , lyuelye and quycke . To make an ende , let God and reason rule you and after theim rule youre wyfe and housholde .

These counselles I would you vsed for youre owne wealth & honestee , thynkyng that there is nothyng better then good counsell . See therfore that by the euyll counsell of the deuyll , ye suffre no euell cogitacions to engendre and encrease in your herte , for they wyll brynge forthe death , not temporall or bodelye death , but death euerlastyng . From which Iesus our sauyoure saue you in whome lyue & reigne by purenes of conscyence , world withoute end . ❧

¶ This treatyse folowynge , I haue written out of a great clerke S. Barnarde , in some places leauyng his order because of shortnes .

NOwe my dere beloued frend , these fore sayde lessons well marked , I truste ye wyll fyrst aboue all thynges order your selfe to our Lorde , seakyng aboue and before all thynges the kyngdome of heau● , in guydyng your housholde and orderynge youre gooddes , whiche alwayes thynke to haue receyued of God to honoure hym in his poore and nedy persones . And for his honoure se that peace be in your house , and that al yours agree together with you or elles all youre goodes maye & wyll sone come to nought . A rechelesse persone may sone set on fire , waste and destroie greate goodes Haue therfore a good sight or eye vnto the laboures of your seruauntes , for vnder theym youre substaunce maye soone be wasted before you knowe of it , if your gooddes beginne to waste or diminishe forthwith diminyshe youre charges . For who that spendeth beyonde his facultye , no wonder , with nede thoughe he greued be . It is good prouydence ofte tymes to compte and compare your gooddes and gaines with your erspences . Ofte tymes to ouerse youre goodes shal be very good , remembring , that the eye of the mayster maketh a fatte horse , and the step of the husbande a fatte dungehil , that is the maisters presence profiteth much , bie peace with suffering and you shal be sure of it . Thynke coste made vpon riotouse persones to be vtterly loste , not so vpon kin and frendes & poore persones Se that you charge your sonnes doughters and seruauntes to flee glotonie . For the seruaunt once made a gloton , wyl neuer amende his maners Glotony is filthy , reprouable and stinking , & will make the vsers of it soone rotten , and shorte lyued . Meane feading with scarsytie , or withoute full belye that is risyng frome meate with an appetyte to eate , profiteth muche bothe to the soule and bodye . Thinke that the vse of delycate foode , wyll soone marre a good seruaunt , as of riot and wastfulnesse . Beware of nygardie , for as riot is a folishe and vndyscrete waste of the gyftes of god , so nigardie is a foolishe and a nedelesse feare , the mystruste of God , & a liuyng euer in pouertee an heaping vp of goodes , for whom none can tel . Be therfore a maister ouer your goodes , haue theim for your selfe and other , not for your heires onely . Feare and loue god and feare hym duely , and thynke that fishes , foules , beastes & wormes be fedde of his liberalytee , & shall you then perishe for lacke If you wishe for derth , you wishe for the derth of the poore . Sell better cheape at home than in the commune market , better cheape to your enemye then to other straungers , for by a kind dede , he wil be better ouercommed then by the sweard . Be neuer at debate with your neighbours study to bring theim at one the so be The loue of youre neyghboures is a surer warde , then a castel thre double walled . A gentyll minde & a noble herte wyll not greatlye be troubeled with wemens bablyng speche or thretenyng : smilyng , or laughyng , wyll soner correcte a shrewe , then sharpe strokes and the staffe . Wemen may be kept good with gentyll entreatye , they maye not knowe that they be suspecte , but euer muste be counsayled with louyng maner . An olde woman vncleane of liuyng , were worthye to be buried quicke . For she is not only dead before God , but killeth other . A woman that hath a sufficient apparell , to desire chaunge , is a token of lytel wit or sadnesse . A costely vesture aboue the state or degree of the persone is a signe of lightnesse . Truste hym rather for youre frende that dothe somwhat for you , then hym that sayth I am youres , in all that I can & maye doo . In wordes you shall fynde greate plentye of frendes , a trewe frende loueth at all tymes and neuer fayleth at nede . Riches maye not be compared to a faithfull frende , when you geue councell saye , thus semeth to me best , not thus you muste nedes do , lest you might rather gette blame for youre councell then thanke , yf it spede not well . If gesters Iouglers , or minstrelles come to youre house , saye that you haue no lodging for theym , or for suche gestoures . If you be once delighted in their vncomely pastymes , they wyll appoint you anone to be maried to an other wife , whose name is pouertee or beggere , chose you whether , yf it chaunce you to bee where as they be , I aduise you to make wise that you herde theim not , nor set by theyr vnchristenlyke pastymes : For yf they perceyue you but once to laughe , they wyll take it for an earnest to crye largesse , & to haue rewarde , wherfore haue not muche to doo with the galow clappers . God is not well pleased with that occupacion whilest they be ministers to synne , and vse sinfull wordes . If you haue a seruaunt of an highe proude mynde and stoborne stomake ( leste he do you and youres harme ) put hym away , so doo him that doeth alwaies ( specialli to your face ) praise your maners . Thynke that flaterers and liers be to trewe men enemyes , as they be to the treweth which is god Euer suspect the flaterer , & thinke that he speaketh to deceyue bothe hym selfe & you . Make your buildinges rather for nede then pleasure , leste for your pleasures sake God wyll not longe suffer you to take profyte of theim . The desire of building for plesure wyl neuer haue ende , vntyll pouertee teache witte somwhat to late . If you bee compelled to sell your landes , sell theim not to greate persones , but rather for lesse , to men of lower estate . Better it is to sell , then to borowe by vsury , for vsury maye cause you to vse this worlde gloryously . It wyll shitte you cleane frome the glorye of God . If you bye a bargayne , be not checke felowe with great states . Dewe temperaunce in an houshold is a thig of an highe prayse , let your wyne rather then ale or bere be holsome and temperate . Stronge drinkes maketh weake braynes , and feble to be knowen . Sobre drynke is helthfull bothe to body and soule And the sober wyll be contente with lytle drinke smal and quicke , who that amonge much strong drinke is sobre & not troubled in brayne , maye be called a God vpon earth Wrestle not with it yf you doo by my councel , leste you catche a fall If it shoulde happen to trouble your brayne , gette you out of companye to sadnesse and sorowe yf you wyll not be vtterly ashamed before menne . Before God howe youre conscience shall iudge you it is not in me to iudge , who that by wordes wolde excuse his dronkennesse , declareth his owne disease . The vse of wyne belongeth not to yonge persones . Beware of dronken surgynes or phisycions lewde and ignoraunt , let hym not learne in you to heale other .

Hawkes and houndes do spend more then they do get . I dell persons may haue theim to set theim selues a worke to lese time , fooles and neglygent persones and carelesse haue many misfortunes , and therefore they accuse and blame fortune , whiche is not to be blamed , for it is her nature to deceiue whom wysedome , discrecion , forlight & learnyng doth not lyghtlye blame , dilygent warenes and a good foresyght be no companyons to mysfortune , but mysfortune , negligence & slothe be lightly neuer asonder , they be cater cousyns . The sluggarde sayth , God wyll helpe . Yet wyll not he begyn to helpe hym selfe . I maye saye to hym , that God geueth all thynges , but yet geueth he not to the , the bull by the horne . Sette thy hande to the carte , and God wyll it vp pull . The wyse man sendeth the sludgarde for example vnto the pysmyer or aunte to learne to laboure . For a man is borne to laboure , and the byrde to flye . He that laboureth not , is not worthy to eat . Let fewe or none ydell persons therfore be in your house , & take good hede to euery one of theim , specyally that they can saye , oure Christen beleue , called the Crede , and our Lordes prayer called the Pater noster , with the Aue Maria , and the commaundementes of God . And at euery dyner and supper let one of youre housholde eyther say by herte or vpon booke the same , that other maye learne and that they that haue learned maye kepe theim in memorye . If there be any obstinate persone or other , that hath openly offended , let hym be openly punished to the example of other , yf the persone be of a tendre age with a sherpe rodde . If he be of further age , let hym eate courser meate then hys felowes & that in the myddel of the hall vpon a stole by him self , or other such like rebuke or shame let hym suffre , and feare not to correcte vice , lest Goddes punishemente wyll correcte you , but correcte for loue and not vengeaunce . Then shall youre seruauntes loue you , and blame theimselues and learne to hate synnes and offences .

Spend as you get , it is no good husbandrye to borowe when you waxe olde , & at al times trust God better then chyldren or frendes , That you sende before you , you muste nedes fynde . Heauen is a surer keper of treasures then any cofer , castell or towre . Thynke then when the poore profereth forth his hand , that God apposeth you what you wolde doo for hym , and of the goodes that you leaue behynde you , appoynte euerye persone his parte . It were better to leaue nothyng , then that stryfe & Goddes dyspleasure : shoulde be lefte amonge youres , for youre goodes . Truste theim best , that beste loue theyr owne sowles .

Not theim that wyl say that they wyll doo for youre soule .

Make youre Testamente euery yere , or elles as occasyon shal be geuen alter it , and lay it , wher when nede is , it maye be founde . No man is sure howe to ende his lyfe or when , but well to ende his lyfe , or to dye well , is well to liue , whiche he graunte you and me , and other beleuing people that boughte vs , oure Lorde Iesus Christe oure sauioure redemer , feder , and defender , in whome lyue you and reygne worlde without ende thorough his grace and mercye .

Amen .