The voyce of the laste trumpet blowen bi the seue[n]th angel (as is me[n]tioned in the eleuenth of the Apocalips) callynge al the estates of menne to the right path of their vocation, wherin are contayned xii. lessons to twelue seueral estates of menne, whych if they learne and folowe, al shal be well and nothynge amise.

The beggers leſſon. WHo ſo would that all thinges were well, And would himſelfe be wythout blame: Let him giue eare, for I will tell, The way how to performe the ſame. Fyrſte walke in thy vocation, And do not ſeke thy lotte to chaunge: For through wicked ambition, Mani mēs fortune hath bene ſtraūge

¶ The Beggers leſſon. IF God haue laied his hande on the, And made the low in al mens ſighte: Content thy ſelfe with that degre, And ſe thou walke therin vpright. If thou I ſaye, be very poore, And lacke thine health, or any limme: No doubte God hath inough in ſtore. For the if thou wylt truſte in him. If thou wilt truſt in him I ſay,Eſai. xl. And continue in patience: No doubte he wyll fede the alwaye, By hys mercifull prouidence. Call thou on hym, and he wyll moue, The hertes of thē that dwell the bye: To giue the ſuch thynges for hys loue As ſerue for thy neceſſitie. When Daniel was in the denne Dani. xiiii.Of Lions, hauing nought to eate: Abacucke was ſent to him then, With a pot of potage and meate. iii. Reg. xvii.And when Elias fled awaye, From Ahab and quene Ieſabell: The Rauens fedde him by the way, As the ſtory of kynges doeth tel. Pſal. cxlvii.And as kinge Dauid doeth recorde, The Rauens birdes lefte in the neſt: Are when they crye fedde of the Lord Though they know not to make requeſt Truſt thou therfore in God aboue, And cal on him with confidence: Pſa. xxxii.And doubtles he wil mens hertes moue To fede the of beneuolence. But if at any time thou lacke, Hebru. xii. Apoca. iii.Thinges nedeful, yet do not deſpayre: As though the Lord did the fo • ſake, Or did to the diſpleaſure beate. But in ſuch caſe call to thy mind What plenty God hath to the ſent Tob. xiii.And thou ſhalt wel perceiue & find That thou ſhalt many thinges miſpent. Then thinke Gods iuſtice could not leaue The vnplaged for that thou haſt: Sapi. xMiſpente the gyftes thou didſt receiue, To liue vpon and not to waſte. Thē muſt thou nedes giue god glory, For his vpright and iuſt iudgement:Luke. xv. And be moſte earneſtly ſory, For that thou haſt his giftes miſpent. But if thou find thy conſcience cleare As fewe men can I am right ſure: Then let Iobs trouble be thi chere, That thou maiſt patiently endure, Yea though thou ſhouldeſt peri • he for fodeLuke. xiiii. Math. v. Pſa ix. Yet be are thy croſſe patien • ely: For the ende ſhall turne to thy good, Though thou lye in the ſtreates & dye. Pore Lazarus died at the gate, Of the riche man (as Luke doth tel)Luke. xvi. But afterwarde in reſt he ſate When the riche glutton was in hel. S • ay thou thy ſelfe therfore vpon Theſe examples confortable:Mat. xi. And doub • les thy vocation Thou ſhal • not thinke miſerable Neith • r ſhalt thou grudge or repyne, That thy pouertie is ſo greate: But ſhalt thy ſelfe euer encline, To Goddes wyll who doeth the viſet. Thou ſhalt not grudge, when yu doeſte craue Of any man his charitie: Though at his hand thou canſt nought haue But ſhalt praye for him hertely. That if he haue this worldely riches, And yet hath not Godly pitye. The ſpirite of God will him poſſeſſe:i Iho. v. Math. xxii Luke. xx. Act x. Rom. ii.And teach hym to knowe hys duty. Thus doing thou doſt walke vpryght In thy callynge thou maiſt be ſure: And arte more preciouſe in Gods ſight, Then men that be ryche paſte meaſure. Thus leaue I the in thy callinge, ii. Timo. ii. Tob. iii.Exhortynge the therin to ſtande: And doubtles at thy laſte endynge, Thou ſhalt be crowned at Gods hand.

¶ The Seruauntes leſſon. BRother come hither vnto me, And learne ſome parte of diſcipline: For I am ſent to enſtruct the, And teach the ſome Godly doctrine. I am ſente to call the I ſaye, Backe frō thy ſtoute & ſtubburne mind: Take hede therefore, and beare away Such leſſons as thou ſhalt here • inde. Fyrſte conſidre that thy callynge, Is to do ſeruice and obey: Luke. xvii.All thy maiſters lawfull biddynge, Bearinge that he ſhall on the laye. If he be cruel vnto the, And ouer charge the with laboure: Call to the Lorde, and thou ſhalte be, Shortely out of his cruell power. Remembre thou Iacobs kynred, That in Egypt were ſore oppreſt: But when they were moſte hard beſted,Exod. i. The Lord brought them to quiet reſt. They coulde not crye ſo ſone but he, Had heard and graunted their requeſte:Exod. i. iii. And ryght ſo will he do by the, And ſe all thy great wronges redreſt. He will I ſaye deliuer the, Out of bondage and ſeruitude. And brynge to paſſe that thou ſhalt be,Math. xxv. Maiſter of a greate multitude. And bicauſe thou didſt walke vpright Shewynge thy ſelfe obedient: Thy ſeruauntes ſhal haue ſtill in ſight,Math. vii. and .xiiii. The feare of God omnipotent. And like ſeruice as thou haſt done, Thou ſhalt haue done to the agayne: For ſence the worlde was firſte begone Neuer true ſeruaunt loſt his payne. Iacob ſerued full fourtene yere, And dea • t truly with his maiſter: As in the Bible doth appeare,Gene. xxi • . And was exceadinge riche after. Fourtene yere he ſerued Laban, Who was made riche by his labour: But afterwarde Iacob began, To groue to muche greater honour, Laban was neuer of ſuch might As Iacob was wythin ſhorte ſpace: For his true ſeruice in Gods ſight, Had purchaſt hym fauour and grace. Thus ſeeſt thou how god doth regard The good ſeruice of ſeruauntes true And howe he doth in them reward The ſeruice that is but their due. It forceth not what maner man 1 Petre. ii.Thy maiſter is, ſo that thou be: In thy ſeruice a chriſtian, Doynge as Chriſt commaundeth the. But if thy maiſter be wicked, And woulde haue the do wyckedly: Then ſe that thy fayth be pitched On thy Lord God moſt conſtauntly Call to thy minde good Daniel, Who ſerued his prince fayethf • lly Notwithſtandynge he was cruel And eke his Lorde Gods enemy. Serue him truly I ſay, for why, God hath bade that thou ſholdeſt do ſo: But do thou nothinge wickedly, Neither for well nor yet for wo. Se thou ſerue him as faythfully, As he were thy Lord, and thy God: • olo. iii. Ephe. vi.Not with eye ſeruice faynedly, Neither for the feare of the rodde. But for the conſcience thou doſt bear, To thy Lorde Gods commaundement. That is for loue, and not for feare, Of any worldely puniſhmente. Do thus and then thou ſhalt be ſure, Thy Lord wil euer proſpere the: And at his good will and pleaſure, Thou ſhalt not miſſe to be made fre. But if thou wilt be ſtill ſturdy, And do thy ſeruice wyth grudging: The Lord ſhal • lage the worthely, With manifolde kindes of ſcourginge. Thou ſhall be put to drudgery, Many a day • , ma grea thine head: A • d be kepte ſtill in ſlauery, Al thy life dayes till thou be dead. And if thou chaunce to renue awaye, Either th • u ſhalt be brought agayne: Or elſe when thou doeſt chaunce to ſtay, A worſe maiſter ſhall the retayne. Once thou • halt be certayne of this, Tha • if thou ref • ſe thy callinge: Of miſerie • hou • halte not miſſe, Th •• gh thou eſca • e ſodayne fallinge. Yea though thou do proſpere a while And ſe •• e to haue fortune thy frende: Yet thou doeſt but thy ſelfe begile, For miſery ſhall be thyne ende. For as thou dideſt thy maſter ſerue, So ſhall al thy ſeruauntes ſerue the: And as thou didſt hys goodes preſerue So ſhall thy goodes preſerued be. And beſide this Gods wrath is bent, Towarde the for diſobedience: Wherefore vnles thou do repent He wyl adde therto vehemence. He wyl plage the here wonderouſly, And at the ende caſte the in payne: Where thou ſhalt lye eternally, And wyſ • he to be a ſlaue agayne. Repent therfore, I the aduiſe, And ſeke thine owne ſaluation: And then thou muſte in any wiſe Walke ſtill in thy vocation. Do thy ſeruice diligently, And ſhewe no diſobedience: Be thou not ſtoute, but ſtil apply, And do all thynges with reuerence. Refuſe nothing that muſt be done, But do it with all redines: And when thou haſt it once begone. Then ſet a ſyde all ſlouthfulnes. Be true, truſtye, and trifle not, Be gentle and obediente: And bleſſyng ſhall lyght on thy lot, For doynge Gods commaundem • nt. To make an ende haue ſtill in minde, Thine eſtate and condition: And let thine herte be ſtill enclinde, To walke in thy vocation.

¶ The Yeomans leſſon. THou that art borne the groūd to till, Or for to laboure wyth thyne hande: If thou wylt do nought that is yl, Deſire not idle for to ſtande. But ſe thou do plowe, plante, & ſowe, And do thy nedeful buſines: As one that doeth his duty knowe And wyl not the Lords wil traunſgres. For what doeſt thou if thou deſire, To be a lorde or gentilman: Other then heape on the Gods yre, And ſhewe thy ſelfe no chriſtian? For Chriſtes ſhepe do heare his voyce Whyche biddeth the worke buſily:Iohn. x. Exod. xx. Sixe dayes, and in the ſeauenth reioyce And giue ſomewhat to the neady. It doeth alſo bid the beware, Of the deſire to be alofte: For he that doeth for honour care, Falleth in Sathans ſnares full ofte. Haue minde therfore thy ſelfe to hold With •• the boſides of thy degre: And then thou maiſt euer be bold That God thy lord wil proſper the. And though the Lord giue the plenty Of corne, cattel, and other thinge:Prou. xxiii. Pſal. lxii. Be thou neuer the more gredy Nor ſet thy minde on gatheringe. But thinke the Lord doth theſe thinges ſend To the as to his ſtuard true: That wilt not his goodes waſt & ſpend, But beſtowe thē where they be due. And if with thy labour thou get Money much more then thou doſt nede: Do not thy minde on rayment ſet Neither on deuity fode to fede. Set not (I ſay) thy minde on pride, Neither vpon deliciouſe fare: Neither forget at any tide, To giue the pore that thou maiſt ſpare. But when thou haſt ſufficient, i. Timo. vi.Of fode and honeſt apparaile: Then holde thy ſelfe therewith content As with the wage of thy trauaile. The reſt if ought remaine vnſpent, Vpon thine owne neceſſitie) Beſtowe as he that hath it ſent, Hath in his worde commaunded the. And if thou finde not written there, That thou maiſt heape thy cheſt wt gold To bye greate liuelode for thine heyre. Ho • e dareſt thou then be ſo bold. Howe dareſt thou be bolde I ſay, To heape vp ſo muche go • lde in ſtore: Out of the due that thou ſhouldeſt paye, To them that be pore, ſycke and ſore? Pſal. v.Wo be to them ſareth Eſai, That heape togither ho • ſe and Land: As m • n that wo • lde neuer finde ſtaye, Til al the earth were in their hand. What, wil ye dwel alone (ſareth he) Vpon the earth that is ſo wyde? Wyll you leaue no parte thereof fre From your vnſacrable pride? Ye nede not to be ſo gready, For the Lord doeth you plainely tell: That greate houſes ſhall ſtande empty, And no man left therin to dwell. And Moſes ſaith that thou ſhalt build Houſes and neuer dwell therin:Deu. xxviii. Thy ſelfe nor leaue them to thy chylde. Nor any other of thy kynne. And why? becauſe thou haſt no mynd To kepe the lordes commaundement. But ſekeſt euer for to fynde. Wayes to encreaſe thyne yerely rent. No maner threatnynge can the let. From purchaſinge the deuel and all It is all fyſhe that cometh • oner. To ma • ntayne thy great pryde with al Well turne agayne • the aduiſe. And I • iue to walke in thine eſtate: And ſet goddes feare before thyne eyes. Leſte when thou woldeſt it be to late. And haue in thy mynde euermore, This rule of thy profeſſion:i. Cor. vii. Whyche is in dede gods holy lore. To walke in thy vocation. But if the Lord do the not bleſſe. In thy labours wyth g • eate plenty Yet thanke thou him neuer the leſſe. Thou haſt more then thou art worthy. If thy Landlorde do rayſe thy rent Se thou pay it wyth quietnes: And pray to God omnipotent, To take from hym his cruelnes. So ſhalt thou heap coles on his head And purchaſe to thy ſelfe great reſt. By the ſame man thou ſhalt be fedde, By whom thou waſt before oppreſt For God who ruleth ech mans herte, Shal turne thy Landlordes hert I ſay: And ſhall al his whole life conuert So that he ſhall be thy greate ſtay. Or els if he be not worthy, To be called to repentaunce: No doubte thy Lorde wyll him deſtroy, Or take from him hys heritaunce. Sure thou ſhalt be he wyll the ſet Fre from thy Landlordes tyranny: For he did neuer yet forget Any that walked orderly. But if thou wilt nedes take in hande Th • ne owne wronge for to remedy: The Lorde him ſelfe wyll the wtſtande, And make thy Landlord more gredye. And where before thou paiedſt greate rēt Thou ſhalt now loſe thy houſe & al: Bicauſe thou couldſt not be content Wyth patience on him to call. In like ſort, if thy prince wyl take, More tribute thē thou canſt well ſpare: Se thou pay it him, for Gods ſake, Whoſe officers all princes are.Math. xii. For in his nede boeth thou and thine, Are his to maintaine his eſtate: It is not for the to define, What great charges thy kinge is at. Yea though thou ſe euidently, That he waſteth much more then nede: Yet pay thy dutye willyngely, And doubtles God ſhall be thy mede. Nowe touchynge thy religion, If thy prince do commaunde the ought: Agaynſt Gods Euangelion, Then pray for hym ſtill in thy thought. Praye for him ſtill, I ſay that he May haue Godly vnderſtandinge: To teach Gods word to ſuch as be, Committed to his gouerninge. And ſe thou do not him deſpiſe, But anſwere him wyth reuerence: And thoughe yu mighteſt, yet in no wiſe, Do thou forget obedience. Take not his ſwerd out of hys hand, But lay thy necke downe vnder it:Rom. xiii. (Yea, • hough thou mighteſt his force wtſtande) For ſo to do for the is fit.Math. xxvi. Thy maſter Chriſt hath taught yu well When he woulde no reſiſtence make: Neither againſt • he powers rebell When men were ſent him for to take. Yet if the Lord haue geuen to the Such knowledge that thou art certaine Of thy fayeth knowynge it to be Of the trueth do therin remaine. For thoughe man may thy bodye kyll Yet oughteſt thou not him to feare: M • t x.For he can do thy ſoule none yll. Wherfore be bold, do not diſpaire. Beholde I ſay Chriſt to confeſſe Wi • hout feare of this worldly paine. For when thou ſhalt be in diſtreſſe Mat. x.Chriſte ſhall acknowledge the againe. Chriſt ſhall acknowledge the I ſay If thou conquere by ſufferyng: Luke. xxi.And do thy ſelfe hereupon ſtaye, That thou muſt walke in thy callyng But if thou do lyf • e vp thy ſworde Agaynſt thy kynge and Souerayne: Math xxviThen art thou iudged by Gods word, As worthy therwith to be ſlayne. Yea, thou maiſt not grudge or repine Aga • nſt thy kynge in any wyſe Though thou ſhouldſt ſe •• laine wt thyne Tha • he were wicked paſt al ſiſe • eyen For it is God tha • appoynteth, Kinges and rulers ouer the route: • roue. viii.And with • is power he auoynteth Them for to be obeyed • o doubte •• . x • x.If they be euel, then thinke thy ſinne, Deſerueth that plage at Gods hande: And ſe thou do forth wyth begynne Thine owne wyckednes to withſtande. Corah and dathan did Rebell,Nom. xvi. And thought yt thei them ſelues coulde point A better prieſt in Iſraell, Then Aaron whom god did annoynte But what came of their fantaſie? Was not deſtruction their ende? God dyd deſtroye them ſodenly Becauſe they would his workes emēde. Let thys example ſuffice the. To kepe them obedience To ſuche as god ſhall ſet to be Ouer the in preeminence. If thou do th • s, thou ſhalt beſure That god thy lorde wyl euer ſe That though thy rulars be not pure Yet they ſhal euer defend the. Contrary wyſe, if thou Rebel. Be ſure the lorde wyll the deſtroye Which thing hath bene declared well. Within thys realme verye lately. For notwithſtandinge that our kyng And eke our rulars euerychone Be merciful in their doynge Yet haue the Rebelles cauſe to moue. And why? becauſe no rebelles ſhall Eſcape goddes hand vnpuniſhed For god him ſelfe doeth princes cal Hys Chriſtes and his annoynted. Who ſo therfore doth them reſiſt Roma. xiii.The ſame reſiſteth God certaine For god him ſelfe doeth them aſſiſt Agaynſte them ouer whom they raigne. If thou therfore fynd the greued Wyth men ſet in authoritye. Seke not thou to be auenged Eccle. xxviii.But let God take vengeaunce for the. Let me take vēgaunce (ſayth the lord) Rom. xii.And I wil paye them al their hyre Do thus, and ſcripture doeth recorde That thou ſhalt haue all thy deſyre. Thou ſhalt haue thy deſire, I ſay Vpon the wycked maieſtrate If thou wylt kepe thy ſelfe alway Within the boundes of thyne eſtate, Thus leaue I the, wyth threatenyng To the thy ſoules damnation If thou miſlikynge thy callynge Wylt nedes chayng thy vocation.

The lewde or vnlearnned prieſtes leſſon. THou that arte lewde wythout learnyng Whom commonly men cal ſyr Iohn, Geue care for I wyl ſay ſomethynge Concerning thy vocation. Thou art a man voyde of knowledge And eke of all good qualities Only mete for to diche and hedge Or elſe to plant and gra • ſe mens tres. Thou art not as yu wouldeſt be calde An offerar of ſacrifice • or though thy cro • ne were .iiii. times balde Yet canſt yu not ſo beare our eies. For it is playne in holy write That none can offer ſacrificeHebru. •• For ſynne, either in fleſh or ſpirite Though he be both learned and wyſe. For Chriſt was once offered for al To ſatiſfie for all out ſynne And hath made fre that erſt were thrall The faythful floke of Iacobes kinne. To offer ſacrifice therfore Thou arte not cald I tell the playne For Chriſte lyueth for euer moreRom. vi. And can no more for vs be ſlayne. Thy ſtate therfore and thy callinge Is none other b • t for to wyrckeGene. iii. • oh. v. And not to lyue by forſtalling. And name thy ſelfe one of the kyrcke If thou therfore wylt liue for aye And reigne wyth Chriſt for euer more Deſyre no moe maſſes to ſay But get thy fode with laboure ſore.Exh • . iiii. Geue ouer all thy typpillinge Thy tauerne gates, and table playe. Thy cardes, thy dice and wine bibblingEph • . • . And learne to walke a ſober waye. And if thou haue any liueing i. Timo iiii.So that thou nedeſt not to laboure Se thou apply the to learninge Wyth al diligent endeuour. But to this ende ſe thou ſtudie That when thou haſt the trueth learned Thou maiſte profit other therby Whom in time paſt thou haſt harmed. And ſe thou go not Idlely From houſe to houſe to ſeke a place To ſay men a Maſſe ſecretly Their fauour therby to purchaſe. Put not the ignorant in hope That they ſhall ſe al vp againe That hath bene brought in by the Pope And al the preachars put to payne. But if thou canſt do any good In teaching of an A. B. C. A primer or elſe Robinhede Let that be good paſtime for the▪ Be euer doyng what thou can Teaching or learnyng ſome good thing And then lyke a good Chriſtian. Thou doeſt walke forth in thy callinge. But if thou wylt knoweledge reiecte And al honeſt labours refuſe Then arte thou none of goddes elect Rom. • vi.But art worſſe then the curſed Iewes. Repent therfore I the aduiſe And take wholeſome counſel by tyme And take good hede in any wyſe That knowledge double not thy crime. Thus leaue I the, makyng promiſe To make for the peticion That thou mayſt leaue the popiſhnes And walke in thy vocation.

The Scholars leſſon. COme hither yonge mā vnto me Thou that arte broughte vp in learnyng. Geue eare a whyle, I wyll teache the. How thou ſhalt walke in thy callyng. Firſt marke wherfore ſcholes were erect And what the foundars dyd intend And then do thy ſtudie directe For to attayne vnto that ende. Doubtleſſe this was al their meaning To haue their contrie furniſhed. Wyth all kindes of honeſt learninge, Whereof the publike wealth had nede. Call thou therefore to memory, What knowledge thy contrey doeth: And apply the ſame earneſtly, By al the meanes that thou canſt make lacke And when thou arte determined What knowledge thou wilt moſt apply Then let it not be loytered, But ſeke to get it ſpedily. Spend not thy tyme in Idlenes. Nor in vayne occupacyon But do thy ſelfe wholely addreſſe To walke in thy vocation. Se thou do not thy mynde ſo ſet On any kynde of exerciſe: That it be either ſtay or let To thy ſtudie in an wiſe. To fyſhe, to foule, to hunt or halke Or on an inſtrument to playe And ſome whyles to comune and talke No man is able to gayne ſaye. To ſhore, to bawle, or caſte the barre To playe reuiſe or toſſe the ball Or to • enne baſe lyke men of war Shall hurie thy ſtudy nought at al. For all thoſe thynges do recreate The mynd if thou canſte hold the meane But if thou be affectionate Then doſte thou loſe thy ſtudy • eane. And at the laſt thou ſhalt be founde To occupye a place only As do in Ag •• me ziphras rounde. And to hinder learnyng greatly For if thou hadſt not the lyueyng An other ſhould that wold apply Him ſelfe to ſome kynde of learnynge To profite his contrey therby. If thou therfore wylte not be founde Worthy goddes indignation Make thy ſtudie perfect and ſounde And walke in thy vocation. Let not tyme paſſe idelly Loſe not the fruite of any houre Or elſe ſuffer him to ſupply Thy place that wyll hym endeuoure Thou doeſt but rob ye cōmone wealth Of one that would be a treaſure Better thou were to lyue by ſtelth Then for to worcke ſuche diſpleaſure, But haply thou wilt ſay agayne Shall I ſurrender my lyuynge? Shall I not thervpon remayne After I haue gotten learnynge? Yeſſe thou maiſt kepe thy liueyng ſtyl Tyll thou be called otherwiſe But if thou wylt regard goddes wyllLuke. xix. Thou muſt thy ſelfe ſtyll exerciſe. When thou arte thorowly learned Then ſe thou teache other thy ſkyll If thou wylt not be reconed For a ſeruaūat wycked and IllLuke. xix. Teach them, I ſay, that thou doeſt ſe Wyllinge to learne thy diſcipline And vnto them ſe thy lyfe be A boke to laye before theyr eine. Let them neuer ſe the Idle Nor heare the talke vndiſcretly And by all the meanes poſſible Let all thy doinges edifye. Rom. • iiii.Th • s leaue I the, wyſhinge that thou Maiſt by this admonition Henſf • rth deſier (as I do nowe) To walke in thy vocacion.

The learned mans leſſon. THou learned man, do not diſdayne, To learne at me a ſymple might Thy g • eate abuſes to refraine And in thy callyng to walke right. Thou arte a man that ſitteſt hie In the ſimple mens conſcience To lyue therefore diſſolutely Thou ſhouldeſt be vnto them offence. Offence, I ſaye, for they ſhould thinke All that thou doeſt to be godly Wherfore do not at this thyng wyncke But do emend it ſpedely Emend thy wicked lyfe I ſaye And be (in dede) a perfect light As Chriſte our ſauiour doeth ſay Math. v.And let thy workes ſhyne in mens ſight For it is thy vocation i. Corh. i • .To leade other the ready way How great abominacion Arte thou then if thou go aſtraye? But therin lieth the whole matter To knowe which waye yu ſhouldeſt them leade Wherfore I wil the not flatter But tel the trueth wythouten dreade. Thou muſt thy ſelfe humiliate, And acknowledge thy wicked ſynneMath, vii. And ſtriue to enter the ſtraite gate Where fewe men do fynde awaie in Thys way thou cāſt not walke ſo lōg As thou wylt trauayle ſea and land And frame al the wordes of thy tonge To get promocion at mans hand. Thou muſt humble thy ſelfe I ſay And not aye ſeke to be aloſt, For he that walketh in rough way And loketh hie, ſtumbleth ful ofte. Thou muſte acknowledge that yu arte Through ſynne vnworthy thine eſtate And that thy diſcipline and arte Can not bringe them at that gate. Thou muſt, I ſaye, ſtriue to enter And not to get promotion Thy life thou muſt put in venterIhon. x. For Chriſtes congregation. How doſt thou walke in thys calling When thy mind is earneſtly bent: To gather vp eche mans fallynge, By all the waies thou canſte inuent? Geue eare I ſay, therfore thou fole, And learne thy firſt leſſon againe: Enter into Gods holi ſchole.Math vii And do not hys docrtyne diſdayne. He wylleth the fyrſt to apply uke. vi.Thy mynde to knoweledge and to take The greate beame out of thyne own eye And thyne abuſes to forſake. And then he woulde that in no wyſe Thou ſhouldeſt be ſtacke or negligent To pycke the motes out of mens eyes Teachyng them how they ſhould repent If thou wylt that they do repent Tite. ii.Repēt thou fyrſt, that they may ſee That the whole ſome of thyne intente Is to make them like vnto the. For if thou wylt them to refraine Murther, theſſe, whoredome and Inceſt If they ſe thefe thynges in the raygne They wyll all thy doctryne deteſte. If thou forbyd them gluttony And wyll them the fleſh for to tame They myll defie the vtterly If they ſe the not do the ſame. If thou tell them of apparayle Or of ought wherin is exceſſe. Then wil they ſaye, thou doeſt but raile Vnleſſe thou be therin faltneſſe. What ſhouldeſt thou ſpeake of vſurie, When thou doeſt take vnlawful gaine? Or rebuke men for Simonie. When nothyng elſe doeth in the raygne Maye not the lay man falſly ſaye, I learned of the to by and ſel, Benefices, which to this day Thou canſt put in practiſe ful wel? Whye ſhould not I, as wel as thou Haue benifices two or thre? Sence thou haſt taught me the way how I may kepe them and blamleſſe be? I can ſet one to ſerue the cure That ſhall excel the in learninge More then thou doſt me I am ſure And alſo in godly lyueynge: I can kepe hoſpitalitye And geue as much vnto the pore In one yere as thou doeſt in thre And wyl performe it wyth the more Alas that euer we ſhoulde ſe The flocke of Chriſt thus bought & ſolde Of them that ſhould the ſhepperdes be. To leade them falſly to the fold. Repent this thinge I the aduiſe And take the to one cure alone And ſe that in moſt faythfull wyſe Thou walke in thy vocation. Then ſhal no laye man ſay by ryghte That he learneth hys myſſe of the For it is playne in ech mans ſyght That thou doeſt walke in thy degre. More ouer, if thou chaunce to be Made a prelate of highe eſtate To thine office lo •• e that thou ſe And lea • e not thy flock deſolate. And fyrſt before all other thynges Timo. v.Seke thou to fynde good miniſters And appoynt them honeſt lyueynges To be the peoples enſtructers. Let none haue care wythin thy See In whom any great vyce doth raygne Timo. v.For wher myſſlyueyng curates be The people are not good certayne. zach. xxxiii.And for them al that do periſh Through thy defalte, thou ſhalt anſwer Wherfore I do the admoniſh To loke erneſtly to thys geare. Loke vnto it thy ſelfe I ſaye And truſt not to a trifellar That wyl allowe al that wyl paye Sonne what vnto the regeſter. Se that they do enſtructe the youth Of ech parri he diligently And trayne them vp in the lordes • ruth So much as in theyr powre ſhal lye. Nowe if ſo be thou be called To be thy princes councellour Be ware thou be not corrupted By the vayne deſyre of honour. Be not carefull howe for to holde Thy ſelfe ſtyl in authoritie But to ſpeake truth be euer bolde Accordyng to goddes veritie. Wyncke not at faltes that thou ſhalt ſe Though it be in thy Souerayne But do as it becometh the Exhorte him al vice to refraine. If thou perceiue him ignorant In any poynte of his dutye Se thou do him not checke or taunt But tel him wyth ſobrietie. Tel hym his falt, I ſay, playnly. And yet wyth al ſubmiſſion, Leſt thou do ſeme to ſpeake vainly. For gettynge thy vocation. Thus haue I told the as I would Be told if I were in thy place. To the intent that no man ſhould Haue cauſe to tell the to thy face. Thus do I leaue the wyth wyſhynge To the a wyl for to aduaunce Goddes glorye by godly learnynge And not thy lyueyng to enhaunce.

¶ The Phiſitians leſſon. GEue eare maiſter Phiſition, And ſet a ſide thyne vrinal: And that with expedition For I, the laſt trumpet do cal Geue care I ſay, and marke me well. And printe al my wordes in thy minde: For eche thynge that I ſhall the tell Thou ſhalt both true and certaine fynd. God made the to ſuccour mans nede. As Ieſus Sirach wrytteth playne ••• lt. xxxviii.But by due proofe we know in ded That many thouſandes thou haſt ſlaine. But nowe am I ſent from the kyng Of powre and domination To call the from thy murtherynge To walke in thy vocacion. Fyrſt, where thou dydeſt her to fore vſe To haue reſpect to the ryche man I would not nowe thou ſhouldeſt refuſe To helpe the pore man if thou can. Helpe him I ſaye thoughe it be poore And hath nothynge wherewyth to paye For his maiſter hath yet in ſtore Iacob. ii.A crowne for him at the laſt day. And if thou do on him thy cure For his ſake yt ga • e herbes their ſtrēgth Thou ſhalt vndoubtedly be ſure He wyl rewa • de the a • the length. This maiſter of his doth regard Mercye ſo much that he hath told Al his that thei ſhal haue reward Matt. ix.For geueynge water thin and coulde. And thynkeſt thou that he wyl not Reward them that geue medicine? Thou haſt no ſuche miſtruſt I woe In his promies that is diuyne. I ſay therefore, if thou canſt cure The pore mans ſo • e or maladie Of thy reward thou ſhalt be ſure If thou wylt ſhew on hym mercye, But if thou ſuffer him to lacke Thine healpe becauſe he lacketh goulde No doubt whē thou ſhalt a compt make Thy confidence ſhalbe ful colde. Then ſhewe thy writting if thou can Wheron thou beareſt the ſo bolde. That thou wylt viſer no ſicke man That canno • lyue thy purſſe with gould Bringe forth thy writting then, I ſay If thou haue any ſuch in ſtore Whereby thou mayſt require ech daye A noble of goulde, or elſe more. And ſhew by what ryght yu maiſt take Two penſe for the ſyght of water Whē thou knoweſt not therby to make The ſycke man one farthyng better. Yea if a man ſhould try the wel To proue what thy coūtyng can do He ſhould fynde that thou canſt not tell Whether the man be ſycke or no. I graūt the water ſheweth ſomething But not ſo much as thou doſt crake Neyther is thy labour condyngue That thou ſhouldeſt money for it take. But if ſo be thou canſt eſpye. By the water what is a myſſe Teache hym how to ſeke remedie And worthy ſome reward, that is. But if thou do but geſſe, as doth The blynd man that doth caſt hys ſtaffe Though thou by chaūce hit one the ſoth Thy labour is ſcraſe worthy crafe. Thou doeſt burgeſſe money to wyne And wt ſtraunge wordes make mē agaſt And yet thou thynckeſt it no ſynne To cauſe pore mē theyr goodes to waſt. But no • e I ſaye to the, • epent And do thy ſelfe henſforth employe To vſe the gyft God hath the ſente To the profyt of thy contrere. Let not lucre make the profeſſe Before thy knowledge be perfect For he that miniſtreth by geſſe Shal not ſo ſone heale as infect. Apply the earneſtly therfore To get phiſickes perfection, That thou maieſt eaſe the ſicke and ſore And remedy infection. And ſhut not vp thine helpe from ſuch As ſtande in moſt nede of the ſame: And certes thou ſhalte gayne as muche By them, as by men of greate fame, Math. xxvi. Luk • . x.For God hym ſelfe hath promiſed To make for them a recompence: Wherefore doubte not to be paied, Both for thy labour and expence. But if thou wilt not take my read, But folowe after lucre ſtyll: I wyll put the out of all dreade, Thy laſt rewarde ſhalbe full yll. For when cruel death ſhal the ſtynge, And thy lyfe from the ſeperate: Then ſhalt thou ſe thou haſt nothing, Thy ſilly ſoule to recreate. Wherfore I muſt nedes greatly fear That in that extreme Agony: Thou wilt of Gods mercy diſpayre And ſo periſhe eternally. Take hede therfore, take hede bi time Let not ſlyppe thys occaſion: But ſpedely repent thy crime, And walke in thy vocation.

¶ The Lawyers leſſon. NOw come hither thou manne of lawe, And marcke what I ſhall to the ſaye: For I entende the for to drawe, Out of thy moſt vngodly waye. Thy callyng is good and Godly, If thou wouldeſt walke therin arighte. But thou art ſo paſſynge gready, That Gods feare is out of thy ſight. Thou climeſt ſo to be alofte, That thy deſire can haue no ſtay: Thou haſt forgotten to go ſofte Thou art ſo haſty on thy way. But nowe I call the to repent, And thy gredines to forſake For Gods wrath is agaynſt the bent If thou wylt not my warnynge take. Fyrſte call vnto thy memory For what cauſe the lawes were fyrſte made And then apply the buſily, To the ſame ende to vſe thy trade. The lawes were made vndoubtedlye That all ſuch men as are oppreſt: Might in the ſame fynde remedy And leade their lyues in quiet reſt. Doeſt thou then walke in thy callyng When for to vexe the innocent: Thou wylt ſtande at a barre ballyng With al the craft thou canſt inuent? I ſay ballynge, for better name, To haue it can not be worthy: when lyke a beaſt wythout all ſhame Thou wilt do wronge to get money Thyne excuſes are knowen to wel Thou ſaiſt thou knoweſt not the matter Wherfore thou ſayeſt thou canſt not tel. At the fyrſt whoſe cauſe is better. Thou knoweſt not at ye fyrſt I graūt, But why wylte thou be retained Of plaintife or defendaunt Before thou haſt their cauſe learned? For ſuch a plea I blame the not, When neither parties right is knowen But when thou thy ſelfe doſt wel wot Thy client ſeaketh not hir owne It were a Godly way for the, To know the ende ere thou began But if that can by no meanes be To make ſhort ſuite do what thou can If thou be a mans atturney In any court where ſo it be: Let him not wayte and ſpend money If hys diſpatch do lye in the, Apply his matter earneſtly And ſet him goynge home agayne, And take no more then thy dutyLuke. iii. For God ſhal recompence thy paine. If thou be calde a counſellar. And many men do ſeke thy read: Se thou be founde no triffellar Either for money or for dread But waigh mens matters thorowly, And ſe what may be done by ryght And further as wel the neady As thou wo • ldeſt do the man of might Se thou haue no reſpect at all To the perſon but to the cauſe And ſuffer not ſuch trueth to fall,Leuit. xxx As thou findſt grounded on good lawes If any man do th • deſire Him to defende in do • nge wronge Though he wo • ld giue the tri • le hire Yet geue none eare vnto his ſong. Fere not his power though he be king A duke, an earle, a Lorde, or kinght: But euermore in thy doynge ii. Par. xxii.Haue the Lordes feare preſent in ſight. If thou be iudge in commune place, In the kynges bench, or Eſchequier Or other court, let not thy face Be once turned to the bryber. Beware yt bribes blinde not thy ſight Deu. xvi. Eccle. xx.And make the that thou canſt not ſe: To iudge the pore mans cauſe aryght, When it is made open to the. Why ſholdeſt thou ſtil admit delaies, In matters that be manifeſt, Why doeſt thou not ſeke all the wayes. That may be, to rid the oppreſte To thine office it doeth belonge, Leuiti. xix.To iudge as iuſtice doth require: Though the party that is to ſtronge Would giue the houſe and land to hire. I haue no more to ſay to the, But warne the that thou be con • ente To lyue onely vpon thy fee Fearynge the Lorde omnipotent. And for to ſe that no man wreſte, The lawes to do any man wronge: And that no pore man be oppreſte, Nor haue hys ſuite deferred longe. Now if thou be Lorde Chauncelour, As Cenſor ouer all the reſte: Se thou do thy beſte endeuour, To ſe all open wronges redreſt. And of this one thyng take good hede That among them that do appeale: Thou do not for fauour or mede Suffer any falſelye to deale. Beware of them I ſaye that vſe, Firſte for to tempt the commune lawes And yet the iudgement to refuſe When they be like to loſſe their cauſe, Beware of them, and let them not Abuſe the courte in any wiſe: To wery ſuche as by iuſte lot To clayme theyr ryght do enterpriſe. When they ſhall make peticion, Examine them diligently: And graunt not an Iniunction To eche falſe harlot by and by. Graunt thou not an Iniunction To hym that doth nought elſe entende: But by ſubtyle inuention His owne falſehode for to defend. I n • de not to tell any more, Of thy duty thou maiſte it ſe: In Gods ſacret and holy ſore If thou wylt thereto apply the. Thus leaue I the thou man of lawe▪ Wyſhynge the to be as willynge: To folowe as I am to drawe The backe againe to thy callynge.

¶ The Marchauntes leſſon. NOwe marcke my wordes thou Marchaunte man, Thou yt doſt vſe to bye and ſel, I wyl enſtruct the if I can, How thou maieſt vſe thy callynge wel. Fyrſt ſe tho • cal to memory The ende wherfore al men are made And then endeuour buſily To the ſame ende to vſe thy trade. The ende why all men be create As men of wiſdome do agre Is to main • ayne the publike ſtate In the contrey where they ſhal be. Apply thy trade therfore I ſay To profit thy contrey wythal: And let conſcience be thy ſtaye That to pollynge thou do not fal. If thou venter into ſtraunge landes, And brynge home thinges profitable: Let pore mē haue them at thine handes. Vpon a price reaſonable. Though yu maiſt thy money forbeare Til other mens ſtore be quire ſpente Yet if thou do ſo that thy ware May beare high price, yu ſhalt be ſhente Thou ſhalt be ſhent of him I ſay That on the ſeas did proſpere the And was thy guide in al the way That thou wenteſt in great ieopardye. For he gaue the not thy richeſſe, To hurt thy contrey with all, Neither gaue he the good ſucceſſe That thou ſholdſt therbi make mē thral But thy richeſſe was geuen to the That thou mighteſt make prouiſion: In farre contreys for thinges that be Nedefull for thine owne nation. And whē by Gods helpe yu haſt brought Home to thy cōtry am good thing Thē ſhouldſt yu thāke him that al wrought For thy proſperouſe returnyng. Which thing thou cāſt not do in dede, Vnles thou walke in thy callyng And for his ſake th • t was thy ſpede Content thy ſelfe with a liuynge But oh me thinke I write in vayne, To marchaunte men of this our time For they wil take no maner paine. But onely vpon hope to clime. So ſone as they haue ought to ſpare, Beſide their ſtocke that muſt remaine: To purchaſe landes is all theyr care And all the ſtudye of their braine. Ther can be none vnthrifty heyre Whō they wil not ſmel out anon And handle him wt wordes ful faire Til al his landes is from him gone The fermes, the woddes, and paſture That do lye roūd about Lōdon Are hedged in within their mowndes, groūds Or elſe ſhall be ere they haue done They haue their ſpyes vpon eche ſide To ſe when ought is lyke to fall: And as ſone as ought can be ſpied, They are ready at the fyrſt call. I can not tell what it doeth meane But white mea • e beareth a greate price Which ſome mē thinke is by the meane That fermes be found ſuch marchādice For what is it when the pore man That erſte was wont to pay but lite Muſt now nedes learne (do what he cā) To playe eyther double or quite? If ye aſke of the coliar Why he ſelleth hys coles ſo dere: And ryght ſo of the wodmongar They ſay marchaūtes haue all in fere. The wod (ſay thei) yt we haue bought In tymes paſt for a crowne of golde We can not haue if it be ought: Vnder ten ſhyllynges ready told I am aſhamed for to tell, Halfe the abuſe that all men ſee: In ſuch men as do by and ſell, They be ſo bad in eche degre. I wyll therfore do what I can To make plaine declaration How thou that arte a marchaunt man, Maiſt walke in thy vocation, Apply thy trade as I haue tolde, To the profit of thy contrey And then thou maiſt euer be bolde, That thy Lord God wil guide thy way Thou ſhalt not nede to purchaſe lāds Neither to take leaſes in groundes That whē thou haſt thē in thine handes Thou maiſt for ſhyllinges gather poundes Thou ſhalt nor nede to bye or ſel Benefices which ſhould be fre: To true preachers of Gods goſpel To helpe thē wyth that hel • les be. No more ſhalt thou nede for to lende, Thy goodes out fo • vnlawfull gayne In ſuche ſorte that by the yeres ende, Thou maiſt of one ſhilling make twainLuke. v • Thou ſhalt aye haue inough in ſtore For the and thine in thy degree: And what ſhouldeſt thou deſire more, Or of hygher eſtate to be? Let it ſuffice the to marye Thy daughter to one of thy trade: Why ſhouldſt thou make hir a Lady Or bye for hyr a noble warde? And let thy ſonnes euerychone Be bounde prentiſe yeres nine or ten To learne ſome art to liue vpon For why ſholde they be gentilmen? There be already men mowe That beare the name of gentil bloude Tel thou me then, what nede haſt thou, So vainely to beſtowe thy good? • or thou canſt not promote thy ſōne But thou m • ſt bye him lande & rent Wherby ſome muſte neades be vndone To bring to paſſe thy fonde entent. Some man perchaunce, nede doth cōpell To morgage hys land for money And wilt thou cauſe him for to ſell, The liuelode of his progenie? Tel me if yu wouldſt haue thy ſonne, (If haply he ſhould ſtande in nede) To be ſo ſerued when thou art gone Of marchauntes that ſhal the ſucced? Do thou as thou wouldſt be done by As very nature doeth the reach Math. vii.And let thy loue and charitye Vnto all the Lordes creatures reache. And if any man ſtande in nede Lende him frely that thou maiſte ſpare Luke. vi.And doubtles god wil be thy mede And recompence the in thy ware Math. v.Be iuſt, plaine, and not deceitfull, And ſhew mercy vnto the pore: And God that is moſt merciful Shal euermore encreaſe thy ſtore. And in the ende when nature ſhall, Ende thy peregrination: Thou ſhalt haue Ioye emong them all, That walke in their vocation. But if thou do refuſe to walke, In thy callynge as I haue tolde Thy wyſdome ſhalbe but vayne talke, Though thou be boeth auncient & olde Say what thou wylt for to defende Thy walkynge inordinately: Thou ſhalt be certayne in the end To be damned eternally.Mat. vii. For in the worlde there can not be More greate abhomination To thy Lord God, then is in the Forſakynge thy vocation.

¶ The Gentilmans leſſon THou that arte borne to lande and rente, And art clipped a gētilman: Geue eate to me, for mine curent Is to do the good if I can. Thou art a man that God hath ſette To r • le the route in thy contrey, Wherfore thou hadſt nede for to getEccle. vii. Good knowledge rather then money. For ignoraunce ſhall not excuſe When all men ſhall geue a rekeninge. And the iudge will money refuſeMath. xvi. Rom. ii. And iudge after ech mans doynge. Fyrſt I aduertiſe the therfore, And require the in Chriſtes name: That of knowledge thou get the ſtore, And frame thy liuynge to the ſame Get the knowledge I ſay and then Thou ſhalt perceyue thyne owne degre: To be ſuche that amonge all men, Thou haſt moſt nede learned to be. Thou ſhalt perceyue yu haſt no time To ſpare and ſpende in banketyng For though thou watche til it be prime, Thou ſhalt haue inough to doynge. Thou ſhalt not finde any leaſure Math. xiiTo dice, to carde, or to reuell: If thou do once take a pleaſure In vſynge thyne owne callyng wel. For parckes of Deere thou ſhalte not care Neither for coſtuous buildyng: For apparel, or for fyne fare Or any other worldly thynge. Thy mynde ſhall be ſtyll rauiſhed With the deſyre to walke vpright. And to ſe all vyce puniſhed, So muche as ſhall lye in thy myght. Thou ſhalt delite for to defen • e The pore man that is innocent: And cauſe the wicked to emende, And the oppreſſour to repent. Thou ſhalt haue delite in nothyng Sauynge in doynge thy duty: Whych is vnder God and thy kyng To rule them that thou doeſt dwel by. Thou ſhalte not thinke yt thou mayſte take Thy rent to ſpend it at thy wyl As one that ſhoulde no recknyng make,Rom. xiiii For ought that he doth well or yll. But thou ſhalt fynde yt thou art boūd And ſhalt anſwer much more ſtraightlyLuke. xii. Then the pore men that tyll the ground If thou regard not thy duty. ¶ Thou ſhalt not fynde that thou maiſt reiſe Thy rent or leauy a great fyne More then hath bene vſed alwayes For that only is called thyne. For as thou doeſt hold of thy kynge So doeth thy tenaūt holde of the And is allowed a lyueynge As wel as thou in his degre. If thou therfore wouldſt not thy king Should take of the more then hys due Whye wylt thou debate the lyuyng Of thy tenaunt and cauſe him rue. For knoweledge wil tel the that thou Muſt • do as thou wouldeſt be done byMath. vii. And ryght ſo wyll ſhe tell the howe Thou maiſte diſcharge all thy dutie She wyl teach the to be content Wyth that thou haſte by heritage And eke to lyue after thy ren • e And not to falle into outrage. If thou maye diſpende. xl • li, Thou maieſte not lyue after .lx. Neyther maiſt thou encloſe thy ground That thou maiſt make it yerly more. For knowledge will teach the to ſeke Other mens health more thē thine own And rather to fede on a leke Then one houſe ſhould be ouerthrowen. Thou ſhalte by hir learne that yu arte A father ouer thy contrey And that thou ough • eſt to play the part Of a father both nyght and day. Thou ſhalt by knoweledge vnderſtād Pſal. lxxxii.That thou muſt ſuccour the neady, And in their cauſe ſ • ch men wtſtand, As ſhewe them ſelues ouer gready. In fine knowledge that is Godly Wil teach the all that thou ſhalt do Belongynge to thyne owne duty And other mens duty alſo. Get the knowledge I ſay therfore That thou maiſt be worthy thy name: For without hir thou maiſt no more Be calde a Gētilman for ſhame. For without knowledge thou ſhalt be Of all other moſt out of frame: Bicauſe there is nothinge in the That may thy luſte chaſtice or tame. Without knowledge, yu wylt folowe Thy fleſhe and fleſhly appetite: And in the luſtes therof wallowe Setting therin thyne whole delite Without knowledge yu wilt oppreſſe Al men that ſhalbe in thy power. And when they ſhall be in diſtreſſe Thou wylt them cruelly deuoure Without knowledge thou wilt araie Both the and thine paſt thy degre And eke maintaine outragiouſe play Til thou haue ſpent both land and fee. To make an end, vnleſſe thou haue Knowledge remayninge in thy breſte Thou ſhalt be worſſe then a vile ſlaue That doth al honeſty deteſt. Get the knowledge therfore I ſay, And eke the feare of God aboue: And let thy ſtudy be alwaye To knowe what thing doth the behoue. But fyrſt before all other thynges Sette the Lordes feare before thy face:Pſa. xxxiii. To guide them all thy doynges That thou delite not in treſpace. For he that doth delite in ſynne, Shal neuer gouerne his life wel: Nor any Godly knoweledge wyn, For wiſedome wil not with hym dwell.Sapie. i. Then ſeke for knowledge buſily And leaue not of ty ſhe be found And whē thou haſt hir perfectly To the Lordes feare let hir be bound And let theim two beare al the ſwea, In thy doynges early and late: Let them agre and ende their plea Before thou do appoint the ſtate. By their aduiſe ſuruey thy Lande And kepe thy courtes doeth farre & nere And ſe they do faſte by the ſtande, In thyne houſekepynge & thy chere Gaue them preſent before thine eyes, In all thy dedes what ſo they be: In ceſſions and eke in aſſiſe, Let them not be abſent from the. Let them rule al thy familye And eke enſtructe thy children yonge: That they may thyne office ſupply When wt his dart death hath the ſtonge And laſt of al, leaue them to guide Thy chyldren and theyr families: That thine houſe and ſtocke may abide, And r • le the route in godly wyſe. No more to the haue I to ſay, But that thou kepe Gods feare in ſight And make it the guyde of thy way As wel by bright day as by nyght. So doynge I dare the aſſure That in the ende thou ſhalt obtayne: The blyſſe that ſhal euer endure Wyth Chriſte our maiſter for to raigne.

¶ The Maieſtrates leſſon WHo ſo thou be that God doth call To beare the ſwerde of puniſhemente. Marke well my woo • des, & take thē all Accordyngly as they be ment. When thou art in Authoritie And haſt the bridle raine in hand Thē be well ware that Tyranny Do not get the within hir band. Loke not vpon thy ſword alwaye But loke ſome tyme on thy balaunce And ſe that neither do decaye In the tyme of thy gouernaunce. For, to puniſhe wyth equitie Is and aye ſhall be byſemynge Where as to • ewe extremitie Is founde rather a bloud ſuckeynge. If any man be accuſed Se thou heare him indifferently And let him not be puniſhed Tyl thou know his cauſe thorowli If he haue wrought againſte ye lawes So that i • ſtice wolde haue him dye Then • n thy balaunce laye his cauſe And iudge him after equitie If he did it of ignoraunce, Of nede or by compulſion Or elſe by fortune and by chaunce Then muſte thou vſe diſcretion Conſyder what extreme nede is And home force may the weake compell And howe fortune doeth hyt and myſſe When the intent was to do well And though the euidence be playne And the accuſares credible Yet calle to mynde the elders twayne Dani. xiii.That Daniell founde reproueable And if thou fynde them falſe or vayne Forged to worcke theyr brother yll Then let them ſuffer the ſame paine That he ſhoulde haue had by their wil Much myght be ſayd in this matter Out of the workes of writters olde And for to proue it the better Many late ſtories myght be tolde But I leaue this to the ſtudie Of them that haue had exerciſe In iudgment, in whoſe memorie It is as ſtyll before their eies. I thought mete to touch it only That thou mighteſt haue occaſion To call to mynde the chiefe dutie Of thy ſtate and vocation. Which is to ſcanne the euide • ce And eke to trye the accuſars all Though thei be men of good credence Leſte haply the iuſte be made thral. Moreouer, it behoueth the If thou wylt walke in thy callynge To ſe that all good ſtatutes be Executed before all thynge For to what ende do ſtatutes ſerue Or whye ſhould we holde parliamente If men ſhall not ſuch lawes obſerue As in that courte we ſhall inuent? And what thynge ſhal a realme decay So ſone as when men do neglecte The wholſome lawes, as who ſhould ſay They were in dede to none effect? For in that realme the myghtie ſhal Worcke after theyr fancie and wyll For there the pore may crye and call For helpe and be oppreſſed ſtyll. Se thou therfore to thy duttie In this behalfe boeth daye and nyght And let none breake ſuch lawes f • ely But let thē knowe yt lawes haue myght Let them all knowe I ſaye that thou Art ſet to miniſter iuſtyce And that thou madeſt therto a vowe At the takeynge of thyne offyce. Wincke not at thinges yt be to plaine Leſte godli knowledge fle the fro And thou flyt into endleſſe payne At ſuch tyme as thou muſt henſe g • . For if thou wylt not miniſter Iuſtice to them that do oppreſſe What are the people the better For the, when they be in diſtreſſe? The heauenli houſband man therfore Who planted the vice to ſuppreſſe Shall drye thy ro • e for euer more And geue the vp to wyckednes.Ihon. xvi Be ware of this vengeaunce betyme Leſte it come on the ſodainly When yu wouldeſt faine repēt thy crime But ſhalt diſpere of goddes mercie: For what thing cauſeth men diſpeire Of gods mercie at their laſt ende But their cōſcience that ſayth thei were Tolde of their fault & would not mende. If thou therfore doeſt ſe this thinge And wilt wincke at it willingly I ſaye that when death ſhal the ſtinge Thou ſhalt diſpeyre of gods mercy. Yet ha • e I more to ſaye to the Concerning thy vocacion Which if it growe ſtyl muſt nedes be Double abhominacion. For he that byeth, muſt nedes ſell Thou knoweſt alreadie what I meane I nede not with plaine wordes to tell If ſinne haue not blynded the cleaue. Se vnto it I the aduiſe And let not offices be ſolde For god wyl puniſhe in ſtraite wyſe Suche as with him wyl be ſo bolde. He wyl not aye ſuffer his flocke Of wolfes to be ſo deuoured Neither ſhall they yt would him mocke Eſcape his handes vnpuniſhed. Exo. xiiii.His arme is as ſtronge it was When he plaged Kynge Pharao In Egipt, and can bringe to paſſe All that he liſteth now alſo. He ſpent not all his power vpon The • ynge Nabuchodonozer He ſhall neuer be founde ſuche oneDani. iiii. That he ſhould not haue might in ſtore. Take hede, take hede, I ſaye therfore That thou fall not into his hande For if thou do thou art forlore Thou canſt not be able to ſtande.Hebru. x. Yet one thing more I muſt the tell Which in no wiſe thou maiſt forget If thou wylt profeſſe gods Goſpel And thine affraunce therin ſet. Thou muſt not couet imperie Nor ſeke to rule ſtraunge nacions For it is charge inoughe perdie To aunſwere for thine owne cōmons. Let thy ſtudie therfore I ſaye Be to rule thine owne ſubiectes well And not to maintaine warres alwaye And make thy contrei lyke an hell. Let it ſuffiſe the to defende Thy limites from inuaſion And therin ſe thou do entende Thine owne peoples ſaluation. For, marke this. If thou do inuade And get by force commoditie The ſame ſhall certeinly be made A ſcorge to thy poſteritie. This haue I ſayde, to call the backe i. Reg. xiii.From the Philiſtines ſtation Truſtynge thou wylte my counſell ta • And walke in thy vocacion.

The womans leſſon. WWho ſo thou be of woman kinde That lokeſt for ſaluation. Se yu haue euer in thy mynde. To walke in thy vocacion If thy ſtate be virginitie And haſt none houſband for to pleaſe Then ſe thou do thy ſelfe applie i. Cor. vii.In chriſten maners to encreaſe If thou be vnder a meſties Se thou learne hir good qualities And ſerue hir wyth all redines Haueyng goddes feare before thine eies If thou ſe hir wanton and wylde Then ſe thou call vpon god ſtyll That he wyll kepe the vndefylde And kepe from the all maners yll Auoyde idle and wanton talke Auoyde nyce lokes and daliaunce And when thou doeſt in the ſtretes walk Se thou ſhewe no light contenaunce. Let thyne apparayle be honeſte Be not decked paſte thy degre Neither let thou thyne hede be dreſte Otherwiſe then beſemeth thei. Timo. ii Let thine heare beare the ſame colour That nature gaue it to endure Laye it not out as doeth an whore That would mens fantacies allure Paynt not thy face in any wiſe But make thy maners for to ſhyne And thou ſhalt pleaſe all ſuch mens eies As do to godlines enclyne. Be thou modeſte, ſober and wiſe And learne the poyntes of houſwyfry And men ſhal haue the in ſuch price That thou ſhalt not nede a dowry Studye to pleaſe the lorde aboue Walkynge in thy callyng vpright And god wil ſome good mans hert moue To ſet on the his whole delyte. Now when thou arte become a wife And haſt an houſbande to thy minde Se thou prouoke him not to ſtryfe Leſt haply he do proue vnkynde Acknowledge that he is thyne headei. Co • . xi. And hath of the, the gouernaunce And that thou muſt of him be led Accordyng to goddes ordinaunce Do all thy buſynes quietly And delyte not Idle to ſtand But do thy ſelfe euer apply To haue ſome honeſt worcke in hand And in no caſe thou maiſte ſuffer Thy ſeruauntes or children to playe For ther is nought tha • may ſoner Make them deſyre to tenne awaye Se thou kepe them ſtyll occupyed From morne tyll it be nyght agayne And if thou ſe they growe in pryde Then laye hand on the brydle rayne But be thou not to them bytter Wyth wordes lacking diſcretion For thyne houſband it is fytter To geue them due correction But if thou be of ſuch degre That it is not for the ſemely Emonge thy maydens for to be Yet do thy ſelfe ſtyll occupye Do thy ſelfe occupy I ſaye In readynge or heary • g ſome thynge Or talkynge of the godly waye Wherin is great edifiynge Se thy children wel nurtered Se them broughte vp in the lordes feare And if theyr maners be wycked In no caſe do thou wyth them beare. And if thyne houſbande do outrage In any thinge what ſo it be Admoniſh him of his laſte age Wyth wordes mylde as becometh the. And if he do refuſe to heare Thy gentle admonition Yet ſe if thou can cauſe him feare Goddes terreble puniſſion Do what thou canſte him to allure To ſeke god by godly lyueynge And certenly thou ſhalt be ſure Of lyfe that is euerlaſtynge For though the fyrſte woman did falli Timo. ii. And was the chiefe occaſion That ſynne hath pearſed through vs all Yet ſhalt thou haue ſalluation Thou ſhalt be falſe I ſay, if thou Kepe thy ſelfe in obedience To thyne houſband, as thou dydſte vow And ſhewe to hym d • e reuerence But in fayth muſt all this be done Or elſe it doe • h nothynge auayle For wythout fay • h nought can be woneHebr. xi. Take tho • neuer ſo greate trauayle. Thou muſt beleue and hope that he Tha • bade the be obedient Wyll be ryghte well • leaſed wyth the Becauſe thou holdeſt the content Nowe, if thyne houſband be godly And haue knowledge be • ter then • hou Then learne of him all thy dutie And to his doctryne ſe thou bowe Se thou talke with him ſecretly Of ſuch thynges as do the behoue And ſe thou obſerue thorowlye All ſuch thynges as he ſhall aproue Seke to pleaſe hym in thyne araye And let not newe tryckes delyte the For that becometh the alwaye That wyth hys mynde doth beſte agre Delyte not in vayne tatyllars That do vſe falſe rumours to ſowe For ſuch as be greate babbelars Wyll in no caſe theyr duetie knowe Theyr commynge is alwaye to tell Some falſe lye by ſome honeſt man They are wroſſe then the deuell of hell If a man would them throughly ſcanne They wyl fynde faute at thyne araye And ſaye it is for the to baſe And haply ere they go awaye They wyll teach the to paynt thy face Yea if all other talke do fayle Before the idle tyme be ſpent They wyll teach the howe to aſſayle Thyne houſbande with wordes vehemēt Thou maſte ſwere by goddes paſſion That longe before thou ſaweſt his heade Thou hadeſt ech gallant faſſion And wylt agayne when he is deade Thou muſt tell him that he may heare Wyth a lowd voyce & eke words plaine That yu wilt ſome time make good chere With ryght good felows one or twaine. I am aſhamed for to wryte The talke that theſe goſſepes do vſe Wherfore, if thou wylt walke vpright Do theyr cōpanie quyte refuſe For they are the deuelles miniſtres Sent to deſtroye all honeſtie In ſuch as wyl be theyr hearars And to theyr wycked reade applye But thou that arte Sarais daughteri. Pet. iii. And lokeſte for ſaluation Se thou learne thy doctrine at hir. And walke in thy vocacion. She was alwaye obedient To hir houſband, and calde hym lorde As the boke of goddes teſtamentGene. xviii. Doeth in moſt open wyſe recorde. Folow hir, and thou ſhalt be ſure To haue as ſhe had in the ende The lyfe that ſhal euer endure Vnto the whych, the lorde the ſende Amen.