God spede my hartly beloued sister .

oh it is good that thou doest ones come to me , but ye stately folkes in your countre care not for vs poor soules here without . In this countre God thanke the good Iustina , thou arte hartely wilcome vnto me .

My dearly beloued syster . God thanke the , howe canst thou saye , that I am to stately for the , I haue reioyced hartely to come vnto the , thynkest thou also , that I care not for the , notwithstondynge that thou knowest well ynough , that I haue alwayes loued the before other of oure systers , Therfore I come to the nowe , to visyte the , and to se how thou doest , Simplicius thy good man , and thy louinge children .

O howe do verely , I coulde be content to take it better , with vs is nothing but labor and trauayll , and yet haue nothynge for it .

yea , the longer I truste , the lesse I haue . The daye hath ben , that I had somewhat , but now all is gone to the deuyll .

God saue vs from the Deuyll , good syster speake not so waywardely , knowest thou not , that euen as God is beleued and trusted , euen so is he had & founde ? yf thou beleue that he wil preserue the , thy good man and thy children , truely he shall do it , and wyl do it with a good wyll , but yf thou do mistrust hym , and be douteful in the mater , thinkynge that thou must prosecute & brynge it to passe , by thy care , labour , and paines , Prou. than sendeth God scarcite . For whatsoeuer the vngodly feareth the same cometh vpon hym . Thys doth he for thys cause , that we shulde knoweledge that he is almightye , and that we of our owne powers , without hys grace can do nothynge . i. Pet. a Mat. ● c Luc. xi Psalm lv . c. Therfore caste all thy care ( sayth Peter , vpon the lorde , for he careth for vs , he wyl also ( as Dauid sayth ) not alwayes leaue the righteous and them that trust in hym , in tribulacion .

Thou sayest very well deare syster . Thou maiest trust in God wel ynough for thou arte ryche , and hast ynough . But yf the worlde were so hard with the , as it is with me , thou shouldest complayne as well as I. For I se wel ynough , whan I sitte longe still , and care not , or do nothynge , than haue I nothynge , I must surely studye and do for it , no man will bringe me ought at home , Also my husbande is seldom at home , he goeth furth aboute hys busynes , and careth not howe I kepe hous with the children .

With all thy carefulnes and sekynge , shalt thou preuayl nothing , deare syster , remembre the kynde wordes of Christe , and print them surely in thy harte , whereas he saieth . Matth. vi . Luc. xij . Be not carefull for your lyfe , what ye shall eate , or what ye shall drynke , nor yet for your body , what ye shall put on , is not the life more worth then meat , and the body more of valewe then rayment ? Beholde the foules of the ayer , for thei sowe not , neyther reape , nor yet cary into the barues , and yet your heauenvly father fedeth them . Are ye not moche better then they ? Why care ye then for rayment ? Considre the lilyes of the felde , howe they growe . They labour not , neither spinne . And yet for all that , I saye vnto you , that euen Salomon in all hys royaltye , was not arayed lyke vnto one of these . Therfore take no thought sayenge , what shall we eate , or what shal we drinke , or where with shall we be cloteth ? After all these thinges seke the gentyles . Therfore be not lyke vnto the heathen , frettinge and vexinge thy selfe , with suche vnprofitable cares and thoughtes , for the wyse Salomon sayeth , Carefull trauayll hurteth , but blessed is he that trusteth in the Lorde . Mat. vi Christe sayth further in the Chapiter aboue mentioned . Seke ye firste the kyngdome of heauen , & the righteousnes thereof , & al these thinges shal be ministred vnto you , for your heauenvly father knoweth that ye haue nede of meat drynke cloth & all these thinges . Thys conforte shouldest thou truely take to thy hart deare syster , and trust there to . I haue suche a strong confidence in my God , & in these confortable wordes of Christe , that althoughe I wyth my poore fatherles children , had nothinge at al , or as lyttell as thou , howe be it thou hast ynough , and nedest not to complayne , yet do I knowe surely , that he wyll not forsake me , but nourysshe me & my chyldren , as the byrdes of the ayer , & cloth me as the floures & lilyes of the felde . That thou saiest , thy husbande goeth and executeth hys offyce , is 〈◊〉 vnreasonable Pius my deare husbande ( whome God pardon ) dyd so likewise I thought , yf he had not alwayes ben at home , nothynge had gone froward . But nowe I knowe , that he dyd more wyth one worde , than I can do in a hole daye , nowe begynne I fyrst to mysse hym .

No I can not tell what good he doth , he is nowe so stubborne and waywarde towardes mee & the children , that I knowe not , howe it cometh to passe , or what he ayleth , he fretteth and vexeth hymselfe , in vayne and for nought . I thynke he wyl be starke madde or oute of hys wittes .

O good syster , I beleue that thou arte the greatest occasion of his fretting and disquietynge , thou arte to frowarde and obstinate , agaynst hym ( as I heare ) thou dost not suffer hym a worde , brawlest alwaies with hym , and orderest hym very euyll , notwitstandynge he is an honest simple man , which is loth to fyghte and brawle with the , as other frowarde men do . And also I beleue , and am sure , that he is no dronkarde , hooremonger nor player .

Howe a dronkarde , hooremonger , or player ? yf he were suche one , Oh , then woulde I haue a stomake with hym , I would plucke my selfe with hym , as the one deuyll with the other .

What care I for that ? Although I am frowarde , seynge many spiteful tonges do reporte it by me , so that I am no hoore as some be . Also I knowe very well , that my husbande euery where maketh hys reportes of me , what shulde I do to hym ? shoulde I call hym gracious Lorde ? I woulde rather se hym hanged . Wel wel , I wil one daye begynne a matter with hym , that he shall not thinke .

God forbidde , let not suche euill thoughtes entre into thy herte , but I perceyue that ( as Christe saith ) of the aboundaunce of the herte the mouth speaketh , Mat xij nowe do thy frutes breake forth , nowe arte thou lyke vnto vnblusshed lymestone , whiche whan colde water is poured vpon it bloweth breaketh smoketh and burneth vnnaturally , euen so doest thou also , I haue somwhat gentily admonysshed and frendly reproued the ( howe be it I thought thou wouldest haue taken it for none euill of me ) but thou vsest vngracious wordes , cursest thy good husbande , whome by reason thou oughtest to kepe in honour , be obedient vnto him , as vnto the lorde , and also be not thy husbandes maister ( as Paule teacheth but be styll , shoulde not suche vngracious , yea I will saye also vngodly wordes greue thy good man , and prouoke hym to anger ? Oh be ashamed , I heare no man , that speaketh euill by thy husbande , but that he is good and honeste , gentyll , courteous , & lyueth charitably with al men , without any contention or debate , glad to heare and to reade the worde of God , and to further the same , and that the people are very fauourable and louinge towardes hym .

I knowe that well ynough , that the folles loue hym , and specially some wyues loue hym very wel , thou nedest not to tel me thereof , but yf I may come ones to the ryght grounde of the matter , thou shalt se , what I wyl do , also I passe not for his goynge to churche , hearynge of sermons , or readynge , the more he goeth to Churche or readeth , the lesse I haue , & sence Luther , the newe preachinge , the hereticall bokes and readyng came vp haue I almost loste all that I had , and I thinke I shall neuer haue lucke with hym as longe as he lyueth , woulde god that the deuill woulde shortely ridde hym out of the waye .

By thy frutes it is knowen , what maner of tree thou arte , o , doest thou not truste thy husbande ? & standest in feare of him , for other good women ? god saue me , I take pitye vpon the , that thou arte such a wilde and stubborne woman , what wilt thou shewe thy selfe ? of a trueth I woulde not haue beleued it , if any man had tolde it me , but thou comest forth thy selfe with suche vnmanerly communication before me , whereof by reason thou shouldest refrayne thy selfe , what doest thou then before other folkes ? Oh nay deare syster do not so , knowest thou not that euery man is hys wyues heade , Ephe. v i. Co. xi i. Pet. iij and we wyues ought to be obedient and subiect vnto our husbandes in all thynges , euen as also God , hath geuen vnto the man in Paradise , the rule ouer the woman , whereas he saieth . Gen. iij Thou shalt bowe before thy husbande and he shall haue the rule of the. This is the cause also ( as Paule sayth ) that we go attyred and haue a power vpon our heades , i. Cor. ij whereby we shoulde remembre , that we must lyue vnder the power and subiection of the man . And therfore must I nowe ( for as much as my louynge husband , of blessed memory , is dead ) lette hange my power or vayle downewardes from my heade , whereby is signifyed that I am a wydowe , hauynge no power or husbande that nowe hath rule of me . Thou sayest also that thou doest not passe vpon thy husbandes goynge to Churche , hearynge of sermons , or readynge , notwithstandynge that we haue nothinge in earth more blessed more profitable , and better , then to heare and reade the worde of God , Matth. iiij . Deute . viij we are also nourysshed , and lyue by euery word that procedeth oute of the mouth of god , and not onely by bread . Nowe yf thy husbande also shoulde not heare or reade the worde of God , where by all thinges are sanctified , and be so frowarde , wilde and vnmanered as thou , whiche fearest not God , & canst agree with no body . Oh , what alyfe shoulde that be ? And beleue me truely , that thou , thy children and the hole hous , is sanctified and preserued of God through thy vertuous husbande , Co. vij as Paule saieth , that the vnbeleuyng wyfe is sanctifyed by the husbande , or els shoulde all thinges go to wracke with the.

What shoulde he sanctifie me , if he myght drowne me in a spone full of water , he woulde do it , he kepeth me some tyme lyke a dish cloute , thinkest thou , that I suffer it ? No I warraunte the.

Truely , thou haste a ryght name Seropia or Serapia , seldom or very littell good , thou haste euen the name with the deade . But this I knowe of a trueth , & haue perceyued it , that thy husbande , is but the gentyll to good , simple , & kynd , and geueth the no strypes , kepeth the reasonably & honestly ( wherfor he may well be called Simplitius ) & when he doth all thinges for the best , & intreateth the moost gētlyest of all then doest thou soberate hym with spiteful wordes , that it is shame , shoulde not this greue hym ? shoulde not this frette & vexe him ? Pro. xij . euen as also Salomon saith , that such a shamefull , vngentill , vnmanered , waiward woman , is a corruption in her husbandes bones . And in another place sayth he . A froward woman , woundeth the harte , to wounde the harte , truely greueth a man sore sayth Salomon and geueth counsayl , saienge that it is better to dwell in a very bare lande , then with such a chyding , Ireful and froward woman . In lyke maner he speaketh also of the good women sayenge , that a resonable meke and vertuous woman , Pro. xij . is a crowne vnto her husbande . Suche a good and discrete woman geueth god , & in another place sayth he . A gentyll wyfe maketh her husband glad , and nouryssheth hys bones , yea she is hys wysedome . Proue . xviij . And whosoeuer ( sayth he ) findeth such a wyfe , findeth a good thynge , and receyueth a holsome benefite of the lorde . Therfor deare syster , let not suche vngodlines and wickednes be spoken of the , for it is a great synne before God , and before the worlde great shame , take the good women of the olde Testament for an example , be pacient as Lea , frendly as Ruth , true vnto thy husband , as Michell , the wyfe of Dauid , measurable as Iudith , meke as Hester , chaste as good Susanna , and obedient vnto thy husbande , as Rebecca , Remembre that thy husbande is thy lorde , i. Co. xi Ephe. v and thy head euen as Christe is the Lorde and heade of the congregation , i. Co. vij and that thou hast no power ouer thy body , but thy husbande , and put thy trust in God . And be of a lowly spirite , that thou mayest be called a doughter of Sara .

yf I knowe the not , I shoulde thinke , that thou were a waylysshe woman , because that thou canst talke so well , thou shouldest serue well for a preacher , thou arte well sene in scripture , and depely learned , what hath my husbande geuen the , that thou thus doest chapter me , thou doest it not of thy selfe .

Thou callest it Chapterynge but knowest thou what Chapterynge is ? In tymes past was it , and is yet the vse amonge the freares , that euery frydaye before dyner , they gathered them selues togeher in the chapiter house , where as euery one seuerally was constrayned to shryue hymselfe and confesse hys fautes openly , whiche he had committed thoroughoute the holy weke . After that dyd the Abbot or Priour geue a good discipline or correction , with roddes vnto suche as had deserued it , for their faultes , And if the Abbot or prioure had perpetrated ought themselues they were fayne to suffer it in lyke maner &c.

The holy saynt Paul , wryteth vnto the Romaynes , Corinthians , Galathians , Ephesians &c. certayn Epistles , whiche are diuided into Chapiters , wherein he teacheth the faythe in Christe , and the loue towardes our neighbours , after that he admonysheth them of the doctryne , whiche they had hearde of hym , at the last doth he also reproue them for certayne errours that were amonge them , euen as I do nowe to the , but I trust that my chapiter shall not be kept in vayne vpon the , but that thou shalt there by be amended , and waxe good and vertuous . I haue also receyued no gyftes of thy husbande , that I thus rebuke the , but I am bounde in conscience , & of charitable loue , vnto the and to all men , in thys case or in other lyke cases , yf I se any man erre , that I shal rebuke , and chapter hym for it charitably , yf any heare me and amende for it , than haue I wonne hys soule , In lyke maner arte thou and al men bounde to do the same also , and yf thou knowe any lack faute or errour in me ( where of I am not fre ) thou must also chapter me for it . I wyll followe the , and take it well in worth and amende my faulte .

Diddest thou alwayes talke so gently with thy husbande ? diddest thou neuer anger hym ? nor curse hym ? I knowe that thou haste an hasty anger raigninge in the. I am surely , thou diddest not alwaies bake pancackes for hym .

Herken my dearly beloued syster , I wyll tel the , howe I led my lyfe with Pius , my good man , ( whome God pardon ) and howe he be stowed his lyfe with me Whan the almighty God , after hys godly ordinances had coupled vs bothe together in mariage , I htought lykewyse . Nowe must we labour , care , scrape , and scratche , that we may gette our lyuinge in this spitefull miserable worlde , I fared with my good man and familie very hardely in meate and drynke . I comme seldome to any preaching , to heare the worde of God . I woulde lende nothing to no man , and thought alwayes , that I must bryng it to passe by my carefulnes , laboure & trauayll to waxe ryche , I thought not that God dyd care for me , or made me ryche . Also I knowe not the godly sayenge of Salomon , where he sayth . It is very easy , and a lyght thyng vnto the Lorde , to make a pore man ryche , neyther had I at that tyme so muche knowledge , and trust in God ( whiche I wil speake thanked be god , withoute any boaste ) as I haue nowe , but whan Pius my louinge husbande sawe , that I was so earnest and sparyng , & thoughte by myne owne prouision , withoute the helpe of god , to be made ryche , he spake vnto me gently with kynde wordes . My louynge Iustina , I se a great lacke and faute in the , It pleaseth my not that thou louest not to go to the sermon , to heare the worde of God , hast no trust in God , arte vnwillinge to lende to any man , kepest the house and familie to harde , and wilde be ryche al to hastely , it will not frame so , Paul saith to hys disciple Thimothee . i. tim. vi They that wyll be ryche , fall into temptacions and snares , and into many foolishe and noysome lustes , which drowne men , into perdition , and destruction , for couetousnes is the rote of all euyll . Thou shouldest not be able to stande before God , nor yet before man . But thus must thou do . First I will haue of the , that thou shalt lose neuer a sermon , that thou be desirous to heare the worde of God , and when thou hast heard it , that thou pray vnto God for grace , that he will vouchesafe , to geue vnto the fayth , and the frutes therof , that thou maiest amende thy lyfe , forgeue thyne aduersary , be willinge to lende vnto thy neighbour . Although that thou thinkest that thou shalte haue nothynge for it . God is able to se the payde agayn , be in charite with all men , stryue with no man be not lichtely prouoked to anger ( euen as we wyues are sone displeased ) and kepe not thyne owne hous , children and familye , to streighte , than shalt thou se and fynde , that god wyll dayly blesse the , and make thy partaker of hys blessynges and benefites , as the wyse Salomon sayth . The blessynge of the Lord , maketh ryche withoute trauayll , the same blessinge shall be confortable & profitable vnto vs in soule , body , honour , and goodes . &c. By suche frendely wordes was I moued , that afterwarde I folowed hym gently vntyll hys departynge , after that I went gladly to the preachyng , whan I had hearde the word of god , I been sought god ( as Dauid ) & sayd , Psal. li. O my god make me a cleane hert , and renewe a ryght spirite within me . Caste my not awaye from thy presence , and take not thy holy spirite from me . Then did god heare me , and made me another woman than I was afore , we lyued merely together god gaue vs goodly children , and goodes ynough for them , in somoche also that I knowe not fro whence it came . Then dyd I perceyue and se , that all oure care , labour & trauayll ( without the blessing of god ) is lost and in vayne , wherby we thinke to waxe ryche , whereas god geueth not , there hath no man ought , as Dauid sayth , Psalm. cxxvij It is but lost laboure , that ye haste to ryse vp early , and so late take rest , & eate the breade of carefulnesse . For vnto hys frendes , and vnto these that he fauoureth , and also vnto suche as truste in hym , doth he geue it slepinge . Wherfor gentell syster folowe not thy ne owne mynd and brayne , but folowe thy husband , euen as I knowe that he is ready alwayes to instructe the gently , with the worde of God , & other charitable wordes . Feare God . Be willinge & glad to go to the sermons , and to heare the worde of God , beseeche God for grace , euen as I haue done , be not waiwarde and angry at home with thy husbande , children and familie . Be long sufferinge , patient , and stryue not with thy neyghbours , and do vnto euery man , as thou wouldest be done to , than shalt thou se playnely before thyne eyes , and fynde , that God almightye shall sende & powre hys blessynge vpon the , & vpon thy hole house , & shall geue the more , then thou shalt nede .

yea thou speakest well , yf I had alwaies leasure to go to churche , aswell as thou and my husbande , but I haue somewhat elles to do , I can not ones go to churche , but there is some hurte or myschiefe done at home , or els I lose somewhat , or somwhat escapeth me , whiche might fynde me the hole weke .

Haste thou not hearde a prouerbe , whiche soundeth thus . The hearynge of a sermon loseth nothynge , geuinge of Almes impouerissheth nothynge , and euill gotten goodes enrycheth nothyng . And thys prouerbe is true , as other godly scriptures are . Thou sayest , that thou losest moche , and that thou endurest hurte and damage by thy goyng to churche , that is euen as moche to saye , as what haue I to do with god , hys worde or preachynge , I must do my busynes , preferrynge thy doynge , and carefulnes before the worde of god , as though thy cause were more necessary . Oh naye deare syster , thou hast heard that nothing is lost , by the hearynge of a sermon . And beleue me truely , yf thou were desyrous and willynge to go to the sermon , and diddest commende al thy mater at home to God , it shoulde go better with a great deale , and more shoulde be done , then when thou doest scratche and rake so long at home . For we must first seke then kyngdome of God , and as then shall all other bodely necessaryes be ministred vnto vs , but whosoeuer is ashamed thereof ( sayth Christe ) & heareth not me wordes , of hym wil I also be ashamed before my heauenvly father . Nowe haue we nothynge vpon yearth to do more necessarye , neyther is there any thynge commaunded vnto vs more highly . Also we ought to accepte none occasion to hynder or let vs from the hearinge of the worde of God , for therein are we taught , the fayth in God , and in Iesus Christe hys sonne , and the loue towardes our neighbour but howe can we beleue , saieth Paule , yf we heare not the worde of God ? how canst thou beleue , & put thy truste in god ? loue thy neyghbour , forgeue thyne enemyes , or howe wilt thou be saued , yf thou heare not the worde of god ? but yf thou wilt obtayne al these thinges , then go willingly to the sermon , and heare the worde of god attentyuely with diligence .

Although men go to the church moche and heare sermons dayly , yet do I se none that amendeth there by , the one can not aforde to the other , that the sunne shyneth vpon hym , & the worlde waxeth worse and worse .

Meruayll not at it that the world waxeth euil , thou mayst not put the faute in the preachyng , or in the worde of god , but in the hearers of it , which beleue it not , nor amende themselues for it . But let the worde of god be preached , whan and where occasion shall serue , for it goeth not forth ydel , it findeth some men , that beleue it , and are amended through it , as the Lorde god sayth hymselfe , Esa. lv . lyke as the rayne and snowe cometh downe from heauen , & retourneth not thyther again , but wathereth the earth maketh it fruteful & grene , that it may geue corne vnto the sower , & bread to him the eateth . So the worde also , that cometh oute of my mouth , shal not tourne agayn voyde vnto me , but shall accomplyshe me wil , and prospere in the thinge , where vnto I sende it . Wherfor let it not moue the although the hole world be offended at it , heare thou the word of god gladly & earnestly . Pray vnto god for the faith , lyue & do thereafter , & forgeue thy neighboure , so shalt thou prosper also , as the Lorde saith , & al thinges shal amende with the.

I coulde be content to se an amendement . But to be at one with them , and to speake louingely vnto those , that put me to hinderaunce , and help to begyle me . I wil not , I would rather se them at the deuill , I will nor can not forget it , vntil I be auenged on some of them .

There do I perceyue , that as yet thou arte no Christian , for thou wilt not , neyther canst thou speake kyndly vnto thy neyghbour , nor be at one with hym .

Secondly , thou doest asscribe thyne aduersitye and misfortune vnto men , and not vnto God , as though it were not the good and gratious pleasure of God , that all thynges succede not alwayes after thyne owne braynes , Thirdly , thou wilt not forget , nor forgeue thyne aduersary , but desyrest to be reuenged vpon hym .

I praye the heare me . I am at one with many folkes , that do good vnto me & I agayn vnto them , but that myne aduersitye should come from god , that can not I beleue , in no wyse I shoulde be in rest longe ynough for oure lorde god , yf wicked people woulde let me alone . Also a wyse woman hath tolde me my fortune , that many wicked people shall trouble me , and that I shal haue no good fortune as long as me husband lyueth , yet I must be at one with certeyne persons for my husbandes sake , vntyll a tyme conuenient , that I maye be euen with them , for the shrewed tournes , whiche they haue done me .

The good lorde saue me , doest thou also beleue southsayers , and olde miscreaunte witches ? i. Re. xxviij . d Truely it is highly prohibited of God in the scripture . In so moche that kynge Saull sped very euil , for as moche as he forsoke god , and asked counsayl of a witche , whiche had a southsayenge spirite . In lyke maner was also serued kynge Ahasia , whiche soughte counseill at hys Idoll Beelzebub wherfore beware , that thou geue no credence to any sothsayers , or sorcerers . Nowe herken vnto me , I can not forbeare but that I must answere to these thre poyntes . Fyrst thou sayest , that thou arte at one and at peace with them , that do good vnto the & that thou doest also good vnto them , what maner of vnity is that ? where by a man may perceyue , that yf any of them , with whome thou arte nowe at peace , shoulde displease the , thyne vnity & concorde should loue be at an ende with them . mat . viij Luc. vi . And it is euen as Christe sayth , yf ye loue them , whiche loue you , what rewarde shall ye haue ? for the Publicanes and very synners loue theyr louers . And yf ye do for them which do for you , what thanke are ye worthy of ? for the very sinners do euen the same . But I saye vnto you ( sayth Christe ) loue your enemyes . Do good to them which hate you . Blesse them that curse you . Praye for them whiche wrongefully trouble you . Blesse and curse not sayth Paull . Nowe concludeth Christe saynge , vnto him that smiteth the on the one cheke , offer also the other . And hym that taketh thy goune , forbidde not to take thy coate also . Geue to euery man that asketh of the. And of hym that taketh awaye thy goodes , aske them not agayne . He will not haue that we shall onely agree with them , which do good vnto vs , but also with them , that Imagine all mischief agaynst vs , and hurte vs , and that vnto them we shoulde do all good . Secondarely , thou beleuest not , that thyne aduersitie and misfortune cometh from god , whiche causeth al good thynges and euil thinges , as the lorde god sayth hymselfe , I am the lorde , and none other , whiche make the light , and cause the darkenes , which geue peace and cause the euyll , I am the lorde whiche doth all these thinges . Seinge god doth al these thynges , howe darest thou then put the faulte vnto the wicked people , which notwithstandinge , withoute the will of God are able to do nothinge , god doth also conforte vs whereas he saith , I am your conforter , who arte thou then that arte afrayed of men ? which notwithstondyng are mortall , and of the children of men , whiche are deliuered vp as heye , & forgettest the lorde , whiche created the , whiche spred oute the heauen , and grounded the earth . Euen as also no man was able to hurte or endamage the good Iob , vntyl god gaue power vnto Satan to proue hym . Christe sayth also , Mat. x. that we shoulde not feare them , whiche hurte or kyll the body , for al the heares of our heades are nombred and none of them falleth on the grounde without the wyll of the heauenly father . He careth for vs , and loueth vs so moche , that he saith , He that toucheth vs , toucheth the appel of hys eyes . for whatsoeuer happeneth vnto vs , be it good or bad , cometh al by thy good & gracious will of God . But who can ( sayth Paule ) resiste his will Therfore hath Christ taught vs to praye vnto the heauenly father . Mat. vi Thy wyll be done in earth as it is in heauen . Therfore nedest thou not to asscribe vnto any man the good or euill whiche happeneth vnto vs , but onely vnto God , whiche because of oure synnes sendeth vs aduersitye . Thyrdely , thou canst that she was throwen down from a wyndowe & eaten of dogs . Me thinketh also , that thou arte to fearce & desyrous of vengeaunce against euery man , & specially agaynst thyne own children , for when any of them doth any thynge , which pleaseth the not , them doest thou auenge by and by , & beatest them to sore & out of due tyme , wherof the children become dulwitted & fearful .

I haue suche frowarde children , I beleue that there are no worse in al this land , yea I thinke verely that they are euen yonge Deuyls , for none of them wyll take any nourture , nor correction at my hande , neyther doth any of them regarde me , I can not tell howe to do with them , yf it were not for my husbande , whome they dreade sore . For yf I shoulde brynge them vp alone , truely I woulde beate them all awaye from me .

That thyne , myne and other mennes children , are wilfull , and stubborne , is not to be meruayled at . For it is geuen vnto all men euen by nature from Adam , that all the myndes thoughtes and Imaginations of theyr hartes are euyll , and more inclined and prone to that which is euyll then to that which is good . Therfor hath God ordeyned and geuen to the children parentes , fathers and mothers , and also to all men Superiors , for to breake our wilfulnes , and oure owne myndes , and to drawe vs to the feare , & honour of God , and to all vertue and that we shoulde lyue vnder theyr obedience . Therfor deare syster instructe fyrst thy children truely in the commandementes of God . accordynge as thou arte bounde vnto them , and be gentyl to them . for whan they are kept so harde & streighte and are brought vp in suche great feare , them become they fearfull , wilde and stubborne people , when they growe to age whiche neyther care for father , nor yet for mother , and yf they growe vp so , thei are also disobedient to all hyer powers . Paule teacheth also , that we should not bringe them vp , Eph. vi Coll. iij. so straighly , and be not so harde vnto them , moue them not to wrath , & rate them not least thei be of a desperate mynd , but bring them vp with the nourture and information of the Lorde . Thou mayst not also be to softe for them , nor suffer them to haue the brydell to large , that they waxe not wylfull , and despyse the and thy husbande , as it was sene by Absolon , and more other wicked children . Therfore hath Salomon taught often , that we shoulde kepe oure children vnder correction , not sparynge the rodde where as nede requireth , saynge . Pro. xiij He that spareth the rodde , hateth hys sonne , but who so loueth hym , chasteneth hym betymes . And in an other place sayth he , Ecl. viij and xxx yf thou haue sonnes , bryng them vp in nourtoure and learninge and hold them in awe from theyr youth vp . Moreouer the scripture doth set before vs for an Example and a warnynge , that which happened vnto the prieste Ely and vnto his children , i. Re. iij because that they were obstacle agaynste their father , and he was to slacke in correctynge of them . for it was their death , and destruction . Also thy correction must be measurable , & not to harde nor tyrannous , but fatherlyke & motherlyke as Sal. saith . Pro. xix Chasten thy sonne whyle there is hope , but let not thy soule be moued to slay hym . for great wrath bryngeth hurte , therfore delyuer hym , then mayest thou correcte hym more . Of such harde and vnmeasurable correction , do we reade an Example in Titus Liuius , of a certayne Senatour of Rome called Lucius Manlius , which dyd set furth a commaundement , that noman shoulde presume to fyght with the enemyes without a furder commaundement , which hys owne sonne transgressed , ouercame and disconfited the enemyes . Wherfore hys father caused hys head to be striken of openly , not regardynge that he therby had done good seruice to hys natiue countree , and obtayned victory , honour and peace for it . Accordynge as we reade , that Saul was also very harde vnto hys sonne Ionathas , for an vnreasonable cause etc. Thou shouldest also sette them to scole or els kepe them at theyr worke , and let them not go ydell , whereby they may be occupied and taught to forgette Idelnes in theyr youth , for whan a man goeth Idel , then doth he learne al euyll , as lyenge , deceyuyng , drinkyng , playenge , dicyng , louyng , and such lyke . Therfore shouldest thou alwayes be doyng with them , and lette them thereof , and specially thy doughters , that they do not chaunce some where amonge euill company , and come to a shamefull fall , euen as it happened vnto Dina , Eccl. vij the doughter of Iacob . And the wyse Salomon sayeth and teacheth , Genesi . xxxiiij . yf thou haue doughters , kepe theyr body and shewe not thy face cherefull towarde them . But where as thou sayest that thou arte not able to rule thy children , and to bryng them vp without thy husbande , there strikest thou thy selfe with thyne owne swearde , thou saydest afore , that thou haddest nothyng to do with thy husband , & dyddest not care ( as I vnderstode it ) though he were dead , for the whiche I pray God , preserue hym longe . O good syster , what a poore lyfe shouldest thou leade with thy small children , thou knowest not yet , that a good man ( euen as thou hast ) is suche a costly Iewell in a housse , neither beleuest thou that a wydowe with many children , though she be neuer so ryche is such a poore desolate woman . Truely thyne vnprofitable & vncomly wordes wyl moue me to be angry , & to fal out with yt.