Cap. I. Why I begin at the elementarie , and wherein it consisteth .

THere be two causes , which moue me to the penning of this Elementarie , whereof the one is mine own promis , the òther is the argument it self . The argument it self persuades me to the penning thereof , bycause it is so fit for the training vp of childern , as nothing can be fitter : and the stream of discourse in my former book , which I name Positions , did carie me on to promis it , and binds me to perform it . But for the better linkking of this book to that , seing this is nothing else , but the performing of one pece , which I promised in that , I must nedes shortlie run ouer the main branches of that , ear I enter into this . The matter of that book consisteth A short repeating of the for mer book entitled Positions . chefelie in two generall points , the one proper , the other proceding . I call that argument proper , which is the naturall subiect of that same book , & being once handled there desires no further speche in any other treatis . I call that proceding which being but named there as a thing most necessarie to som further end , requireth more handling , then it hath there , to be better fitted for so profitable an end . Of the first sort , which is the proper inhabitant of that same book , and to be enquired The proper argument of the Positions . for there , all those discourses be , which concern the teacher , or the learners person , which concern the place to teach or learn in , which concern the time , both when to begin , & how long to continew , and such other circumstances , which being once entreated of , discharge my pen from dealing with them further , tho theie do not discharge the magistrates of my countrie , from heding of them better . Bycause theie be verie full of profit , tho somwhat hard of performance , thorough those naturall difficulties , which professe enimitie to all good things , and would shoulder them out , for taking anie place , either at their first planting , when theie ar to be receiued , or vpon default , when theie ar to be redressed . Good things The cause why good things ar hardlie planted at the first grow on verie hardlie at their first planting , bycause that profit , which theie promis at their entrie , hath not yet bene proued , and therefor wanteth the commendation of triall , which is the verie best mean to enforce persuasion : and their pretence to be profitable , vpon som probabilitie in sequele , is a great inducement in dede , but to those peple , which can forese ear theie fele , but of small importance to them , which cānotse till theie fele . Good things finde hard footing , when Why reformation is hard lie won . theie ar to be reformed after a corruption in vse , bycause of that enormitie which is in possession , and vsurpeth on their place , which hauing strengthened it self by all circumstances , that can moue retaining , and with all difficulties , that can dissuade alteration , fighteth sore for it self , and hard against redresse , thorough the generall assistence of a preiudicate opinion in those mens heds , which might further the redresse . Which preiudice in opinion being grounded vpon contentment with the acquainted euill , & loth to enter danger for a change of som truble , so bewitcheth the reason of the parties seduced , as drink doth that fellow , which will rather ly in a ditch all night & call for more clothes when he feleth more cold , and bid put out the candle , when he seith the moon shine , then he will cither be persuaded , that he is drunk at all , or else be entreated to get vp & go home : Tho yet at the last som of his wise frinds forseing the danger of som sicknesse like to follow , if he ly there long , get him home perforce . Such a strength is error of being bakt with long ease , which brings ignorance a slepe : and with securitie in persuasion , which neuer bredes but ill . Howbeit for that book , and those persuasions , I must praie my good cuntrimen , to think vpon them well , euen for their own sakes . It is the generall good that hath enforced me to that particular wish . Neither do I repent my self for the wishing therof , tho the speding be far of : as I am also most redie with all pacience to digest all such difficulties , all such thwartings , all such tungstings , as that kinde of wish , being frutelesse for the time , vseth to bring with it , to chek and choke a writer . For I fear not in the end , but that the extremitie of som euill , tho That reformation come once tho most-what late . not the excellencie of som good will enforce a reformation by them , which haue power and autoritie to redresse . At which time my labour shall find frute , tho my self be not found : and my wish shall take effect , tho my self be no partaker . The old man planteth with the one foot in his graue , whose honest labour , tho it yield himself no frute , sauing the bare hope to profit his posteritie , yet God doth so prosper , as the effect followeth , tho he be not to vse it . And the natur of euills , not naturallie euill , which will neuer be better , but euill by abuse , which right vse will better , is so loth to be amended , and so long ear it harken to the voice of redresse , as at the first attempt to haue som redresse , the partie attempter is more wondred at for the wish , then estemed of as wise . Homer the great Greke poët deuiseth a monster , which he nameth Até , and giueth her for 10. Iiiad . surname the Ladie of harm , with whom he ioyns in fellowship thre other staied matrones , which he calleth Litae , and the Ladies of redresse , after harms be receiued . This Até , saith he , is so swift of wing , so strong of bodie , so stirring to do il , as she flyes far before , & harmeth where she lighteth . But the thre good Ladies , being halt & lame , old and crooked , not a step without a staf , cannot foot it so fast , as their fellow can fly , wherevpon it falleth out , that harms be soon caught , but healed at leisur , when the old creping Ladies come to present a plaster , as theie will com at last , tho it be verie long first . This hope haue we wishers , tho we waite long for it . And that good God who made all these things , which we so mar , as he promiseth a renewing , so is he able to perform it , whose pacience in our The cause of this book grounded vpon the former . misses we must follow in our mends . Thus much concerning those arguments , which ar proper to my book , that I name Positions . The other kinde of matter , which is begon in that book , tho not ended there , is such as laieth open , what things ar to be followed in the course of learning , and what I my self do promis to do for the auancement thereof . Those things , which concern the course and training vp to learning , laie their first ground work in the young infants . For whom it is there considered both how to frame their tender wits for the matter of their learning , and how to train their weak bodies for the maintenance of their health . For the preseruing of their helth , there be thre speciall things noted there , as most necessarie thereunto , small diet , thin apparell , 1. health . diet . apparell . exercise . much exercise . Of the which thre I recommend two , their apparell , and their diet , to the parents care , as most proper to their charge , bycause theie concern home most : the third , which is exercise , I handle there at full , both bycause it is a seuerall branch from the matter of learning ; and therefore requireth a seuerall treatise : and also because I would haue that book to haue somwhat worth the seking , euen for present necessitie , besides those discourses of the generall accidents , that belong to learning , which is the verie subiect of those Positions . 2. Learning . knowledge behauiour . For the matter of their learning , that is there deuided into two parts , the one whereof is knowledge , to encrease vnderstanding , the other is behauiour to enlarge vertew . As for behauiour the precept and teaching thereof is reserued to Behauiour . the master , whose profession smels of iudgement , and giues abilitie to direct : but the chefe performance & practising there of is committed vnto parents , as of nearest care & most certain autoritie ouer their own children . For the moning childe hath verie manie waies to shift from his teacher , vpon verie many small and verie light occasions , God he knoweth : but he hath no mean at all to shake of his parents , without losse of his liuing . Wherfor as often change doth weaken autoritie in masters at will , so necessarie obedience doth strengthen autoritie in parents perforce , and thereby chargeth them with their childerns maners . And yet euen that tiklish obedience , which masters haue , which is roming still , and neuer but remouing dischargeth not them , so far furth , as their commandment will reach . As for knowledge , whereby to encrease the childes vnderstanding , Knowledge . that is assigned to the teacher alone , as proper to his office without participation of anie parent , tho a wise and a learned parent be the verie best part of the verie best teacher . Now both to help parents in their vertewous performance , My promis . and to assist teachers in their learned direction , that both deliuerie in the one maie procede with order , and receit in the other , maie profit with delite , I profered my seruice in generall to them all , but first of them all to the elementarie teacher and his tall scholer , as whose labour doth first call for aid , to whom I promised this Elementarie institution , wherein I entend to handle all those things which young children are to learn of right , and maie learn at ease , if their parents will be carefull , a litle more then ordinarie . The thinges be fiue in number , infinite in vse , principles in place , and these in name , reading , writing , drawing , singing , and playing . Why & wherefor The Elementarie matter . these fiue be so profitable and so fit for this place , it shall appear hereafter , when their vse shall com in question . In the mean while this is most trew , that in the right course of best education to learning and knowledge , all these , & onelie these be Elementarie principles , and most necessarie to be delt with all . Whatsoeuer else besides these is required in that age , either to strengthen their bodies , or to quiken their wits , that is rather incident to exercise for helth , then to Elementarie for knowledge . Thus I haue shewed both why I begin at the Elementarie , and wherein it consisteth .

Cap. II. That this fiuebranched Elementarie is warranted by generall autoritie of all the grauest writers , and all the best common weals .

IN persuading & admitting euen the verie best things , there be two other points , besides the pretended goodnesse in the thing , which theie haue still in eie , that ar to be persuaded . Whereof the one is , what countenaunce he carieth , which is the persuader , and what mean he vseth to work his persuasion . For both the thing , which is in question , must make shew of some good , ear it will be receiued : and the partie that persuadeth , must be of good credit , if he think to be beleued : and the mean whereby his persuasion must take place , must be stronglie appointed with the best kinde of proufs , both for autoritie in persons , and probabilitie in things . For who will allow , but where there is a why ? or who will hear him , which is , he knoweth not who ? or what force can that haue to procure it self place , which neither wise man praiseth , nor wise reason proueth ? That this fiue branched Elementarie , which The goodnesse of the thing . I seke to persuade , is verie profitable and good , there be manie priuat presumptions in our common experience , besides the generall proufs , which shall follow hereafter . First , bycause the most of these principles be in vse with vs alreadie , tho not with all persons , yet sure in all places , where the liking of these things , and the abilitie to bear charge do concur in parents . Secondly , bycause euen those which haue them not , yet do wish theie had them , when theie fall in thinking of them , vpon som either pleasant or profitable obiect , which theie finde wrought by them : tho vpon som priuat respect either to sparing or to precise , some kinde of people either care not for getting them at first , or for wishing them at last , least theie might seme to condemn their own selues , if theie did wish for that , which theie wold not once , as contemning that of passion , which theie allow of in iudgement . Besides these two , there be The autoritie of the persuader . a number mo , which our dailie experience doth bring furth , whereby the goodnesse of this argument , is euidentlie confirmed . And maie it not seme likelie to anie resonable censur , that I my self wold not so force them on publiklie , if theie were not in dede excedinglie well warranted , with more than mine own autoritie ? For who am I to persuade the liking of so full an Elementarie , not allowed of the most , neither tried of the best ? A simple teacher . And yet that teaching name is not plane nothing , in a matter of school . A mean companion . That is a great somthing , where the persuaders countenance , is to carie awaie the thing . Nay a newfangle . That is very odious , where the old currant will not lightlie be changed , and the opinion of right hath both the countenance of the best , and contentment of the most , wherevpon to make staie . To me it maie be replied , you medle in this matter alone , you do but truble your self : you can not turn the course , which is ordinarie & old , and therefore verie strong for you to striue against : this thing which you commendis not euerie mans ware : it will not be compased : do you let it alone : if you will nedes write , turn your pen to other matters , which the state will better like of : which this time will soon allow : which you maie persuade with credit , if theie be new , and sutable : or confirm with prase , if theie be old , and nede the file . If these and such obiections were not allwaie ordinarie euen to euerie one , in all attempts of turning , either from the ill to good , or from the good to better , I wold answer them with care , but now I nede not , bycause to win a resolute good , he that wisheth to haue it must think to wrastle for it , both with words and writing , against corruption of time , against the alonenesse of attempt , against the preiudice of parties , against the difficulties of performance , & whatsoeuer else . Neither must he be discouraged with anie ordinarie thwarting , which is a thing well known to well trauelled students , and of least account where it is best known , how fearfull a thing soeuer it seme to weak fantsies , by crossing of corruption to striue against the stream . For both the stream will turn , when a stronger tide returns , and if there be no tide , yet an vntired trauell will still on against it , vntill he be aboue it . And more honorable it were for som one or som few to hasard their own credit and estimation for the time in fauour of such a thing , as theie know to be of credit , tho not in account , then by to timorous a conceit , to sore afraid of a popular opinion , not alwaie the soundest , tho most of most swinge , to leaue excellent arguments either destitute of defence , if theie be pleaded against , or defeated of deliuerie , if theie fortun to be cald for . For maie it not fall out , that such a thing , as this is , maie be cald for hereafter , tho presentlie not cared for thorough som other occasion , which hath the rudder in hand ? I had therefor rather that it were redie then , to help when it were wisht for , then for fear of misliking at the first setting furth , to defraud the posteritie of a thing so passing good . And what if the want of conuenient books , appropriate to persons , applied to things , apt for ech purpos , both hath bene , and be the hinderer of such helps , which would be ventered on , if men had such volums ? And in good sooth , I know not anie book in this Elementarie kinde so thoroughlie fitted for such a purpos , as I hope this shall pròue . What there be in other kindes I will then shew mine opinion , when I com to their placing . But for this present , bycause there maie be such counterbufs , as I haue said before , against my countenaunce in this persuasion , notwithstanding the good , which is more then half confessed to be in the thing , I haue therefor by waie of mean to work persuasion , fenced my hole The mean to work persuasion choice in all these principles , with the best autoritie of most allowed writers , who commend the vse of them in one hole traine , and with the greatest weight of most apparent reasons , which maie persuade vs thoroughlie to entertain them so , as their desert is worthie , and as their worthinesse deserues . Which two proufs , I thinke maie verie well persuade anie reasonable man , both to beleue me , and to embrace them . But will ye hear the writers them selues speak ? theie shall not nede to be many bycause the testimonie of a few is sufficient enough , where the truth of a thing is called in question , and those few in that kinde be held for most trew , the kinde it selfe being such as concerneth not religion , but onelie common policie , tho the policie be but simple , where the religion is but small . Besides this all such writers as saie the same with them after their time , be but quils of that cundit , whereof theie ar the head : or if theie were before them , theie are so confirmed by them , as the second confirmers be of more estimation then the verie first founders , both for their owne valew , for the credit of their countries , and the euidence of their time . For when theie liued , there were so great broods of most learned men , as would not haue let them go vncontrolled , if theie had missed the cussion . Therefore I must nedes think , that theie did not misse , and so much the rather , bycause theie name all the principles , which argeweth aduise : & shew , for whom theie fit , which proueth a good forecast . Whereby theie direct vs also not onlie in the choice of matter to The best writers opinion concerning these principles . Plato 2. & 3. Polit. learn , but also in the choice of wits fit to learn. First of all Plato a man in these arguments verie well thought of among those that be learned examining of purpos what things be nedefull for the first education of young children , findeth out gymnastik for the bodie and Musik for the minde , where he constreweth Musik a great deall larger then we commonlie do , comprising vnder that name speche , and harmonie : and therewithall implicatiuelie he comprehendeth writing & reading for the benefit of speche , as singing and plaing for the vtterance of harmonie . A thing not gathered in him by me in natur of anie consequence , but vttered by himself , in the waie of his discourse . In the same place freing poetrie from fabulous and vnsemelie arguments , and pictur from wanton & lasciuious resemblances , which two be the generall branches of naturall imitation , where he fineth both he refuseth neither : but as by clensing poëtrie he proueth grammer to be but an Elementarie principle , so by clearing pictur , he proues drawing to be another . Whereunto he might be the sooner moued , bycause Pamphilus master to Apelles . Pamphilus the Macedonian , master to the famous Apelles about the same time procured throughout al Grece , that drawing should be held for the first degre of liberall science in the training vp of childern , and that no bondman should be admitted to vse the pencill . Wherevpon Plinie saith , that he neuer red of , neither yet euer saw anie excellent pece of work painted Plin. lib. 35. Cap. 10. by a bondman , tho manie by wemen . It should also seme that Aristotles plane speche concerning drawing did take hold of that act procured by Pamphilus , who examining , as Plato Aristotle . 7. 8. Polit. did , in what things childern were to be trained vp , setteth down all the fiue principles by name and allegeth great reasons , why the minde is to be fashioned by them for learning , as the bodie is by gymnastik for exercise . He spendeth also the most part of the eight of his politiks to clear Musick from blame , and to proue it nedefull euen for bettering of maners besides vndouted pleasur . Quintilian also a Rhethorik master Institut. Or. 1. among the Romanes , and of no lesse account in his cuntrie then he was of cunning , and so estemed of among vs , in the framing of his best orator , first nameth writing and reading , and with som earnest chalenge taketh vpon him the protection of Musik , whose two arms singing and plaing be . And in the same place vsing the same fauour to Arithmetik and Geometrie , which perfit the pen and pencill in Apelles his opinion , as the pen and pencill be their principles in common sense , he could not but allow the one , admitting the other , as Plato did before him not refusing where he fined . I will rest content with the assured credit of these thre onelie , as principall among all , whether philosofers , or other , whereof there is none , but he doth allow of those principles , which these thre appoint , and I haue chosen . Neither is there anie other of either valew or account , which handleth this argument of childrens foretrain , whether in Greke or Latin , whether of purpos or by passage , whether Christian or prophane writer , but he ioyneth with them and me herein , tho in som after learning , and fear of som misuse , theie somtime dissent , and wish rather that the principles were wanting then the perills should take place , which vnwise peple seme to be subiect vnto , by dealing to far with them , a false slander to good principles , tho a iust reproche to ill peple . The best appointed common wealls also , in the best & most florishing times for all kinde of learning embraced the same train , a thing as easie to be proued , by all the best writers , in most plane terms , if I thought it nedefull , as it is roundlie said in these few words . For it is not my resolution to vse manie names , tho I know the men , saue in those cases , where I must haue som companie of known note , to satisfie som humors , or else seme my self to be of either none , or but of verie small account . Neither is it anie discredit for a Christian writer in cases of learning and education , such as these be , where Christianism maie furnish the matter , tho prophanism yeild the form , to follow the president of prophane common wealls , & to cite the testimonie of old philosophers , from whence we fet the most part of our learning . Neither can anie Christian state , or anie relligious consideration tho neuer so precise , but think verie well of these Elementarie principles , which the panims do , allow if theie be aduisedlie considered , and not he dilie renounced , by either raptnesse in conceit , or rashnesse in iudgement , before theie be well weied . For the same principles of learning , & the same faculties being learned , did arm the Christians to ouerthrow , which armd the infidels to assail , as the learned diuines know to be most trew , by both the old greke writers , as Iustine the martir Eusebius the storier , and who not of that race ? & by the old latin autors to , as Lactantius and Austen , and who but of that crew ? whose names I wold not spare , if that were best for spede . And why not Agar beloued in obedience to hir mistresse , as banished for hir stomak ? seing it pleased Philo to make fre Sara the type of right religion , & bond Agar the type of other leaning . For the ills which ar pretended to come by them which be the chefe , naie the onelie causes why som honest but to credulous naturs do mislike som of them : the common wealls which shall admit them & the parties which will learn them for their profit sake , must take hede therevnto , least a more perillous harm do chance to crepe in vnder the colour of profit : seing the falts wherewith theie ar charged procede not from the things as naturallie euill , but from the persons , as naturall abusers , euen of what so is best . Which point in waie of their iustification shal be laid verie plane in the particular discourses of euerie principle . Well then , thus do all writers , thus do al estates , thus do all relligions esteme of these principles for the number , & goodnesse thereof , for where allowance of number is , the allowance of their good is granted before hand .