WHosoeuer is desirous of his owne saluation , and coueteth to prouide well for himselfe : and whosoeuer in this life , affecteth with diligent watch and warde , boldly and confidentlie to withstand such imminent casualties and discommodities , as doe violentlie assaile vs euerie moment ; let him fasten his eies vpon God our heauenlie father thorough Christ , and let his mind be alwaies erected towards him , from whom as from a most plentifull fountaine it was first deriued , and let him not elsewhere looke for or followe after anie other helpe of his saluation , but lette him trust and leane to this God alone , let him worship , reuerence , and loue him , and let him in confidence and faithe of his Sauiour , require from him all things that appertaine to his saluation . Afterward , let him earnestly sifte and attentiuelie meditate with himselfe , what liberalitie God hath vsed towards mankind , with what ornamentes and guiftes of Nature hee hath adorned him , with what dignitie and authoritie he hath set him out , and to what honour and glorie he hath exalted him , that was formed but out of the earth .

AS the form and external shape of mans bodie ( being lostie and boult vpright towardes heauen , whereby hee may learne to lifte vp his eies to that place from whence he had his beginning ) is more notable and more artificiallie and comelie made then anie other liuing creature whatsoeuer : so his inwarde shape doeth so wonderfullie adorne him , that hee is conformed and made like to the verie Image of God himselfe , that is , hee doeth represent and resemble the verie essence of his maker , yea and approcheth verie neere the Nature of his Creator . Which excellent and infused power from aboue , consisteth wholie in his minde and soule : which was drawne out of his first patterne , euen the treasurie of Goddes owne Diuinitie . By which heauenlie guift man obtained to bee indued with reason , 1 Cor. 3 iudgement , and vnderstanding , was made capeable of heauenlie doctrine , and was vni●ed vnto him by the knowledge of him , and faith in him , and so is wholie transformed into him . And this chiefly aboue all other notable prerogatiues hath man obtained : that seeing God hath made all other creatures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is altogither dumbe and destitute of speech and vtterance ; God hath giuen vnto man the guift of speaking , whereby to communicate with others the thoughtes of his minde , and to be able to shew the conceiptes of his heart . And ( which is chiefe of all and moste acceptable to God ) with his voice to magnifie his Creator , and to honour him ( whose knowledge hee hath conceiued by faith in his heart ) with al praise , laude and glorie . For by this meanes not onelie the Maiestie and glorie of Gods name is extolled , but also ( as farre as mannes wit is able to stretch ) he rend●●th all thankes for benefites receiued : shewing a testimonie of a thankfull and readie minde towarde so liberall and louing a father . Psal. 15. For seeing God hathe no need at all of our goods , he requireth nothing of vs but loue and thankefulnes .

BVt as God is not onelie especiallie affected towards manne , and hath adorned his soule & mind ( in which his Diuinitie shineth ) with manye and notable Ornamentes : but also furnished and garnished it aboundantlie with externall guiftes and large possessions of those things that nature ( as the minister of god ) doth plentifullie poure vppon him , and hath giuen vnto him power and authoritie ouer the whole earth , Cenes . 1 yea euen to the poorest Cobler and meanest man in the world ; who doth no lesse enioye the liberalitie of his Creator , and the visible pleasure of the whole worlde , then any King abounding in wealth and riches : so that hee is not conuersant in the large Theater of this worlde as a stranger , or tenant that is alienated from the possession of worldlie goods , Cosmopolites but as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , a Citizen and free holder of this world , and lord of all things that the earth bringeth forth . For to his vse , profit and obedience , were al things created vnder the Cope of heauen , or within the compasse of Sea & lande . Which Dauid wondring at , confesseth the workes of God in these verses . Psal 8. O Lord our God how wonderfull is thy name through all the worlde , because thy glorie is exalted aboue the heauens . What is man that thou art so mindfull of him , and the sonne of man that thou so carest for him ? Thou hast made him but a little lower then God or his Angels , thou hast crowned him with glory and honor , and hast made him ruler ouer the workes of thy hands , thou hast brought all things vnder his feete . Wherby he sheweth what estimation God hath of man nexte after Christ , and how he regardeth him , to whom all the worlde is seruiceable and obedient : Rom. 8 so that not onlie all thinges created were made for his vse and commoditie , but also Christe was subiect to death for his sake , by whose grace and merites the father giueth vs all things abundantlie .

BEcause Baptisme or the holie washing , is the first entrance , doore and porche into the Congregation and companie of the faithfull , it bringeth vs to the truste and hope of our saluation . For by faith and repentance ( that is , the detestation of our former life ) our bodies being mortified and mindes renewed , wee are ingrafted into Christ , who washeth away , cleanseth , and abolisheth the spottes and sinnes of our soules with the vse of this externall signe , by pouring into our mindes the holy Ghoste , wherby the certaintie of our saluation once conceiued , wee boldie cry Abba father . Which prayer or inuocation beeing doubled and oftentimes repeated , is so forceable and present at hande to helpe , that it obtaineth all thinges of our bountifull father : so that we direct our prayers , vowes , requests , and sighes , to him thorough Christ . 1 Iohn 5 Iames 1. For vnder this captaine and Mediatour which hath assured his Grace vnto vs with his bloud , we shall obtaine all things that are profitable for vs , and our prayers shall neuer returne vnto vs fruitelesse and in vaine . For the eares of so bountifull a Father are not stopped at their praiers , for whose redemption he hath bestowed his onelie sonne .

NOwe as our loue towardes GOD ought to be so great , Deut , 6 Leuit. 7 Mark . 12 Luke , 10 that we shoulde owe all thinges vnto him , and that all humaine powers of our mindes and harts , or soules and spirites , should be poured out towardes him : so ought there no lesse intire loue and charitie to be shewed towardes our Neighbour ( that is , euerie one of our owne nature and condition ) then wee shewe vnto our selues : to the ende all of vs may perfourme our duties cheerefullie to God .

And if at anie time neede require , and occasion bee profered ( which we ought quicklie to catch ) to helpe the poor , and to ayde him both with counsell and money . For this is the chiefest fruit of faith , and the moste sounde and certaine testimonie of christian Religion .

GIue no lesse honour to those maisters that instruct and garnish thy minde with learning , then thou doest to thy parents . For thus did Iuuenal commende his forefathers and prayed for them , because they honoured them with no lesse loue and kindnesse then they did their parents , saying :

Which is word for word :

( Which because it smacketh so much of Heathenisme , whoe were woont to burne their dead corps , and put their ashes into a potte , I haue thought good to turne it after this sort into the best Christian sence and rime I could . God grant our ancestors may come to graue in peace & rest , And at their resurrection with heauenli●●oyes be blest : Who made their sons to reuerence their ma●sters with like feare , Which they expected for thēs●lues how ●●ch so ●re they were .

And Fabius admonisheth his disciples , ●●b . 2 cap. 10 that they shoulde loue their maisters no lesse than they doe their studies , and esteeme them to bee parents , not of their bodies , but of their mindes . For to be borne and to be instructed , are equals and almoste of the same nature : for the one bringeth foorth the bodie , and the other fashioneth the mind . Now , if the parentes indued with all knowledge of humanitie , doe take the paines themselues to instruct and teache their children : or if they themselues be destitute of those helpes , and hire a learned maister to instruct and helpe to bring them to learning and wisedome : they can bestow nothing on them more profitablie , then by that meanes to decke and adorn them with vertue . For by framing their liues after this forte , their mindes are not onelie beautified with excellent vertues ; as soundnesse of life , honestie of manners , chastitie , mee●●enesse , placabilitie , modestie , curtesie , iustice , temperance , and familiaritie : but also willinglie bringeth them , or almost against their wil carieth them to wealth , dignitie and honor , to which learning openeth them the waie .

SEeing that as Paule also teacheth , Rom. 13 euery one ought to bee honoured according to his calling and degree : so ought we chiefelie to performe this dutie to olde age ( whither wee all hasten ) to the graye headed , and such as are wel stricken in yeares . For so saith Moses by the commandement of GOD : Leuit. 19 Before the gray headed arise , and honor the person of the aged . Lycurgus also the Lawgiuer of the Lacedemonians , decreed the same to be kept , willing vs to giue greatest honor , not to the riche and worshipfull , but to those that were aged and stricken in yeares . And surely olde age was neuer so muche honoured as then . Hitherto must also bee referred all magistrates , counsellers & gouernors , by whose wisedome and authoritie the safetie of the Commonwealth is maintained , and all thinges are gouerned quietlie and peaceablie . Rom. 13 To these wee may adde , all such as are of approoued honestie , men of ripe age , Gentlemen sprung from a good house , and men indued with the studie of letters , and ornamentes of learning . But to such as are resident in the office and ministerie of the Church , and do take great paines in framing the mindes and correcting the wic●ed maners of men : to them doe I yeeld the greatest and chiefest honour . 1 Tim. 5. For Paule biddeth vs account those elders worthie double honor , who in grauitie for maners , age for wisedome , Rom. 12 , 13 Phil. 2 and integrity for liuing , doe shine before the flock and feed them with holsome doctrine , and the pure & syncere food of the word of God : giuing and bestowing on them all thinges more ampli●● and plentifullie , not onelie reuerence in regard of their age , but prouision sufficient to man●taine their liues , and such things as are necessary for their houses .

THou shalt perfectlie learne the soundnesse of manners and the most profitable waie to leade a good life , out of the decrees of our Sauior Christ , to whom we are incorporate and to whom we haue giuen our names , whose doctrine doeth so much the more forceablie affecte and transforme mennes mindes , in that it is deliuered by the inspiration of the holie spirite , and hath no dregs of this world admixed with it : it sauoureth nothing of old wiues superstitions ( which is but a shadowe and certaine shew of Religion ) but ( which of all thinges is most profitable ) is remooued farre from al kinde of Idolatrie : that is , from the adulterous and pernicious worship of anie other God . Wherefore to what kinde of life soeuer thou addict thy selfe , or what kind of studie soeuer thou doest enter into , wherin thou thinkest to abide and continue , thou mayest exercise thy selfe in the word of God and in his commandements : and from thy verie infancie imbrace this doctrine . For the mind of man indued from his tender yeares with the word of God , and defended by him as with a hedge , shall boldlie and powerfullie defend it selfe againste al lustes and monstrous vices . Threnor . 5 Hence it came , that Ier●m comfortablie saith : It is a good thinge for man if hee haue taken vnto him the yoke of God from his youth . For as Salomon saith : Pro. 22 Looke what waie a young man entreth into in his youth , that ware wil he not forsake when he is old . To which that saying of C●p●ian agreeeth : That cannot be sodainlie and vpon a stomach forsaken , which alwaies vsed in youth waxeth olde with the aged . For what thing soeuer a man vseth in his infancie , the same in olde age can hardlie bee lefte off . Hence comes it , that by continuall custome , we see so manie olde drunkards , Lechers , and lasciuious men ●uerie where , Iob 20 in such sort , that as Iob saith : Their very bones are corrupt with the vices of their youth : that is , they haue liued so lasciuious and wanton beyond decencie and regard of their age , that their vices are growen to such a greatnesse , that they can by no meanes shake them off .

But there are some , who when young yeares begin to be abated , and their wanton heate is somewhat aswaged ( for that age to wantonnesse is verie subiect ) they leape backe and giue themselues to thriftinesse , and blamelesse conuersations . So saieth Cicero in his Oration for Celius : There haue beene many most excellent and honourable men , in ours and our ancestors memorie , whose lustes of youth when they began to waxe colde , became in olde age men of excellent vertues . But as there be manie to whom this happeneth , who either are cloyed with the loathsomnesse of their former liues , or by a secret inspiration from aboue , or else by their friendes admonitions and exhortations stirred to more discretion : yet are there manie whoe carried awaie headlong with their owne opinion , are altogither frustrate of amendment of life : so that delay to them is dangerous , and the occasion of repentance profered them slippeth awaie , before such time that with the hatred of their vices , they can lay hold on the profitable instructions of life . Wherefore it is better , all delaie set apart , to bestow some labour in the polishing of our liues , and in our youth rather to accustom our selues to the best waie , then by procrastination delaie the occasion of a better life . Ephes. 5 Colos 4 The Apostle Paule vrgeth this in many places , and counselleth vs in the course of this life to walke warilie and circumspectlie not as fooles , but as wise redeeming the time , for the daies are euill . In which wordes , Galat. 6 he warneth all sortes of people in this life not to let slippe the oportunity of our saluation , but at all times to take it when it least an●e and to redeem it with the losse of al other things whatsoeuer , least at vnawares contrarie to our expectation , we chance to be ouertaken in our carelesnesse . Moreouer , Matth. 13 Luke , 12 Christ doth also stirre vs vp in manie places , awaking the negligent and carelesse to watchfulnesse , diligence and carefulnesse ; exhorting them by manic examples to attend to their saluation , as valiant and couragious souldiors , who placed in their corps of guard , stand alwaies readie girte and neuer forsake their watch , least anïe at vnawares breake into the campe . Cap. 2. Abacuc vseth the same metaphor , saying : I will stand vpon my guarde or watch tower , and I will set my foot vpon my munition , and wil consider what the Lord saith vnto me . Hee taketh on him the person of a watchmanne , which secretlie obserueth the attemptes and ambushes of his aduersarie , fixing his minde and cogitations vpon God , in whose trust hee opposeth himselfe against the enemy of mankinde the Diuell , and stops the entrance of him and his complices . Luke , 12 Matth. 24 1 Thes. 5 2 Pet. 3 Math. 25. Our Sauior Christ bringeth fit similitudes wherewith hee admonisheth euerie one of vs of our duties : namelie , from a guarde or scout in an army , from the theefe and oppressor by night , from the sodaine anguish of a woman in trauaile , from a bridegroom preparing his mariage : M●●ke 2 Luke 2. from the secret comming of a master of a samilie : from the approch of war and destruction : from famine and imminent danger : from a figge tree bringing forth wilde figs : from the day of death and iudgement : with manie other wherwith he plucks vs by the eares , and makes vs attentiue to heare the works of our saluation . We haue a notable example deliuered to young menne to frame a good life by in Christ himselfe when he was at that age : who grewe vp both in age and wisedome before God and men ; whose modesty in good maners , made him gracious and fauorable amongst al men : whom it becommeth vs chiefly to imitate , and by his example to approoue our pains & diligence both in citie & countrey . Now bicause our Sauior Christ at 12. yeares of age , shewed great note of his towardlines amongst wise men , and spake manie things earnestlie and to purpose , & when he was asked a●●e question would answer mildlie and modestly without any shewe of arrogancie or pride , which vices are wont to bee in the ouerhastie , foolhardie and rashe wits of youth : I interpret Christ to haue great reason in this action to do it , to the end our yong men following his example , should shew some sign of their towardlines in their youth , & giue some hope to their parents and others , that they are like to become vertuous . But because they haue need of a conductor which as a guide may shew them the waie , I wil shew them the path wherin they shal go , & what examples of life they shal follow , and to what authors they shall addict themselues , wherby they may come to perfect knowledge , or at leastwise come neare vnto it .

TAke vnto thee such choice Authors , that ▪ thou mayst set them before thee as most honest to read , and profitable to follow . For it is a verie foolish thing in imitation or emulation , not to follow the best patternes . Sowing hath taught vs that in the verie nature of it , in which we are wont to commit the best and finest wheat to the furrowes of the earth . The same also is wiselie regarded in grafting , in which we take the best and fruitfullest siens or shootes , and graft them on another tree . Yea and which is also wont to be obserued and kept in painting , Musick , Poetry & Oratorie : in al which the curious aemulator doth desire to imitate the perfectest patterns & such as are don at an inch . 1 Cor. 12 And this doth Paul also teach vs to obserue in those things that belong to godlinesse and the giftes of the spirit , that wee might attaine and come to those things that are most powerfull and excellent . For whosoeuer frameth either his studie or course of life after this sort , shall neuer repent himselfe of his labour & paines bestowed theron . This also is a common practise amongste them , that addict themselues to anie kind of superstitious liuing , and of such also as are ●ude of speech , which because it is not in vse among the learned , are forced to take great pains to vnlearn their Barbarisme . In which practise , methinkes the mother and nurse of good learning , Italie and the learned Greece are much to be praised : whose custome France & the Low countries cease not to followe , in that they laie before their youth the best patterns of learning . For by this means it falleth out the●r youth are not onely indued with puritie of words , and elegancie of speech , but also quicklie attaine to the knowledge of the matter .

ALbeit there bee manie vniust iudgers of causes , which doe exclude and hisse out of al schooles prophane Authors ( as they improperlie call them ) and will not that any examples , either to file the toung , or frame a good life to bee fetched out of them : yet are there Poets and Orators , both comical , tragicall , and historicall , which may helpe the studious youth to the knowledge of words and matter , to the noble and liberall Sciences , and to sounde and perfect discipline : yea , they doe open a speedie and easie passage to all of them . Deseruedlie therefore and for great cause , are these studies renowmed , with the names of humanitie and more excellent learning , because they doe indue our tender and young youths with curtesy , meeknesse , and pleasing conditions . From these studies also , men of more yeares and riper discretions , do gather honest delightes , and shake off the troubles of this life which are readie to ouerwhelme them in their businesse . And hence it came , that Saint Basil surnamed the great , inuited and willed his cousins , not onelie to read holie and sacred writers , but also earnestlie to peruse the workes of Orators and Poets .

HOw exact an instructer of toung & maners an Orators kinsmanne a Poet is ( by which name is meant a teacher of the liberall artes and of good life ) Horace in these verses following sheweth : Os tenerum pueri balbumque poeta figurat , Lib. 2. ●d August . Torquet ab obsoenis iam nunc sermonibus aurem , Mox etiam pectus praeceptis format amicis , Asperitatis , & inuidiae corrector , & irae , Recte fact a refert , orientia tempora notis Instruit exemplis , inopem solatur & aegrum . which is : The Poet frames the tender mouth of euery stutting child , He turns his cares ●●om filthy words & makes his speech more And after that he frames h●s hart with precepts a● a friend , ( mild ) His churlish speech , his enuious looks , and angry heart amends , His good deeds tels , his youth instructs with patterns that be plain , He comforteth the needie man , and him that pines with paine ,