PAUL may plant, and Apollo may water, but it is God alone which rendreth the increase. The sandy foundation of my building hitherto must be razed, and a firmer timely prepared to erect a new edifice upon. But seeing my particular ruine (with too many in the like Catastrophe) cannot, nay, must not (with times variation) be repaired by the ancient and ordina­ry rules of Law and Justice, which evidently presages an eminent (or imminent) dissolution. And therefore beyond the care of these outward Tabernacles, the eternall mansion of our soules should be thought upon, by a sure laying another manner, and more firme foundation; building and erecting securely on that blessed, and most immoveable Rock, Christ Jesus; by a daily fa­brick [Page 4]and edification of a Theologicall archiete­cture of Faith, Hope, and Charity; which ver­tues are not singly attained by humane endea­vour alone, but through co-operation of Gods holy Spirit (preventing Grace from divine illu­stration perpetually assisting) yet for certain wee may (by industry) enlighten and conduct mora­lity to some speciall degree or apprehension of some hopefull perfection (beginning at youth e­specially) in the future in one, or all, the chiefe whereof is Christian charity; alwayes intending the morrall good and benefit of others, with (and sometimes before) our selves. Now although my former intendment hath prepared ready for the presse, two tracts of another consequence, and more concerning the publique; a taste whereof I have lately set forth in Print, by way of a Re­monstrance, entituled Clericus Mercati; of ano­ther also likewise ready, for the timely expression of Mortification and Repentance. Forasmuch as my unhappy and perfidious yoke-fellowes, and co-partners, both male and female, have con­joyntly made me (some other way not to be men­tioned) more publique then my selfe would have it, or desired; and thereafter framed and suted their intentions and purposes (though not with my consent, as they pretend) quite opposite to these immaculate times (as some too precisely deeme) which need no Repentance now, aswell as no Clericus Mercati; both damned in judge­ment, as uselesse or fruitlesse for Church or Com­mon-wealth; [Page 5]I have therefore laid aside and suspended awhile, both. Tracts and rurall office together, as impertinent, untill the present times mend or end with me and mine, and so patiently refer my cause and needlesse calling, to the Laws supreame, at the last and generall Resurrection. In the meane season (not grow desperate) but as­sume a stedfast resolution (through publique and private distemper) to wade through all temporall disasters; but first, submit and returne to God Almighty, beginning like a yong and hopefull Grammar-Scholar, with Proximus sum, &c. true charity begins at home, &c. Maugre that instance of wisdome and experience, which infallibly de­noteth Cor humile faciemque moestam, & plagam cordis efficit mulier improba; manus remissas & genua soluta, quae non consolatur virum suum in an­gustia, &c. Ecclesiasticus 25. ver. 23.

For as much as time and too late experience hath made me sensible of every sillable of this sacred Text, and sent home to my habitation (e­ven to the very doors and posts of my house) a dolefull commentary thereof, yet in pious consi­deration, that Sampson (though treacherously be­trayed by Dalilah) had strength enough continu­ed in him afterwards, to ruine his enemies by the same meanes they insnared him; and surely the promise (through divine ordinance and provi­dence) is not by the bondwoman, but the free, as our Apostle also inferreth, &c. Gal. 4.24. Let me not therefore (Christian Reader) be deemed too [Page 6]confident or arrogant (amid a conjugall conte­station) to undertake (though not by my selfe alone, being the unfortunate husband of an im­pious and revolted wife) yet by the obsequious helpe of others, pious, vertuous, and expert assi­stants that way of my procurement) to breed up and religiously educate, three dozen at least of pure Virgins, and yet turne and returne them all safe and secure to their severall indulgent Pa­rents, after foure or five yeares exercise of their young and tender inclinations, as chast and pure, and surely more perfect and cleare, then they came or were delivered into my charge, maugre all those imputations of my frozen imbecilitie that way, cast upon me by my lustfull wife, who (after almost twentie yeares experience) declares me scarce so able for her satisfaction as an Evenuch, or for edu­cation (as well as procreation) of youth male or female, more impotent then a dunce or a disguised Schoolemaster, lost utterly for want of wit, or defect of such another rurall office, having al­most consumed his whole substance upon his wives wit, and her two leav'd booke, whereon he hath poared himselfe so dull and blind, that halfe his revenue left can hardly procure right Christall spectacles, to contrive a close, way to pay his debts to her minion, or avoyd the ac­knowledgement of a disguised or discontented Cuckold, unlesse the revolted wife would have [Page 7]timely become a convert to returne on her bare knees to aske pardon of her husbands jealousie, and not her owne impudency, and therefore po­litikely he turned his Clerke out of doores after his rurall office, being first in his debt 500. pound by his wives procurement, that she might (in pi­ous affection of justice) follow after him, well knowing before hand, that her selfe alone, nei­ther could nor would performe the duties of a loyall wife, unlesse the man were sometimes rea­dy provided to take off what the master had layd on; but mistake me not, I meane in dry beating, which she could no longer endure from her hus­band at no time, but rathera threefold bum-bast­ing from the abler man, her husbands Clerke, at all times at home or abroad, more willing al­wayes to steere her floating vessell by her mans Rudder then her husbands Mainesaile or Tack­ling either, which made her at last cut Cables and ride away by stealth in Church time, for feare of too speedy pursuite by an old, lame, and lasie husband. But to avoyd prolixity in this ambiguous and incurable malady, and to congra­tulate with their conjoynt and more feasable de­signes, whatsoever, or wheresoever pretended, or farther intended betweene themselves, or asun­der, as they cunningly seeme to be for a time of future advantage: I dedicate as well to them, as these wavering times, this my rustique muse. Viz.

Notwithstanding all the insultant premises of an ungracious wife; I have had by two wives, six children; though now (through lazie negligence or other accidentall impediment) I have so sel­dome, and timerously frequented the two-leav'd fore-dore of my stately habitation; that my pre­sent wife (with some other of that fleeting sex) hath been unwillingly constrained to run tho­row the back-yard of Concupiscence behinde her husbands great house, to perswade her lusty man to perform his Masters office at home and abroad, that she may the better enjoy her owne husbands company, who hath been hitherto de­tained from her, and bated of her own and due benevolence, three quarters, at least, of every whole yeare, for almost twenty yeares together. Besides, to aggravate the long tyranny she hath endured in that kinde or nature, she hath to sun­dry persons desperately sworn and vowed to re­turne no more (like a loyall and obedient wife) without her man to wait on his old Maher for re­demption of his former neglects and escapes, [Page 9]within his first covenant, without a livery of two Laces behind and before, as the Clerke of the Markets man, proudly and reproachfully taunted some of the Justices of the peace in Cornewall, as also (not long since) nearer hand at London. But wot you the reason (courteous reader) of so suddaine and strange alteration of late betwixt me and my wife; my associat in office and fellow Clerke, it is (may it please you) as well double as doubtfull, the one, if her husbands rurall office with its rustique authoritie, should rise in judge­ment against her and her minion, for their con­joynt, corrupt, or indirect making the slave away at an under value, without her husbands privi­tie, being his sole and onely substance; then albeit the office never returne more in statu quo, &c. she is sure of a more loving husband in posse, then ever the present, or preterimperfect tense, of her Verbe could yet decline, or indeed ever meanes hereafter, in her husbands well appoin­ted new female schoolehouse, in the Latine (or lackwits) tongue especially. A second reason may be inferred (ex congruo) for apt and seeming complaint with her husbands purpose and lauda­ble designe in present agitation, to teach the young Damsells and Gentlewomen (bourding schollers in her husbands house) to write true English or French, in a bastard Komane hand, her selfe having so long time approved his cha­racter to be very legible, and so contiguous to discipline and good nurture of Pupils (or rather [Page 10]puppets) that in very deed, she can hardly (though her lame husband may still if he list) be well or ill understood without him. Neverthelesse, dread not you, my tender, innocent, and feminine schol­lers, let not the thought of these disasterous times, or triviall suggestions affright you, nor your in­dulgent or timerous parents; for I have under­taken next under the Almightie) the sole tuition and safe protection of every one of you, and am steadfastly purposed to trust neither of them (him or her, nor any other of their party or confederates) with any your writing tackles, much lesse any o­ther instruments of your discipline, mine own pen (I praise God, how ever depraved by them and their complices onely) hath yet incke and vertue enough to supply some particular defects of my hired teachers (beside superintendency) to guide your right hands to the untainted paper of chast integritie and sinceritie of life and example; while both your interiall and exteriall faculties are se­verally exercising their severall functions and operations by turne and course, assiduously pur­suing those ends and exigents, for which you came, and particularly your parents acquire, and your selves hope and aspire unto; whereof I pur­pose (for the publike good, as for my owne and childrens better subsistance) according to a more succinct subscription & description, God assisting by my selfe and others, to be a vigilant and sedu­lous professor; and therefore by this succeeding [Page 11]breefe, or intimation, I referre the well desposed, to try if they lust,

THere is lately erected, within a private, healthfull, and pleasant house, situate in Kingstone upon Thames, in the County of Surrey, a private Schoole or Nursery, for the ge­nerall education of female youth only, at, or from the age of eight yeares, or thereabouts, with all convenient and delightfull appurtenances there­unto belonging, and therewithall provided of men and women, expert, as well for the teaching of Latine, French, and writing by Letters and Cyphers, as also for other Morrall, Civill, and Religious discipline, with the teaching of sundry sorts of Needle-work, Tent-worke, or the like, Musicall instruments, and Dancing. If any per­son of what estate or degree soever, be thereunto disposed, may have their daughters placed, boarded, and taught, at, and for answerable rates or rents, per annum; and shall be also therewith­all daily supplyed (with much safety and securi­ty) by other needfull and fruitfull accommoda­tions.

IN which disasterous and untimely accident, the husband of the foresaid wife retiring him­selfe within his house, since the beginning of October last; at which time this Authors wife wilfully departed from her husband and children to follow her man, they both yet conspiring a­gainst the husband; neverthelesse to avoid dis­content, or fatall despaire (the issues of her desire) the husband hath spent his time since, in the com­posure of these severall Tracts, ready prepared for the Presse; the severall arguments and con­tents whereof hereafter more amply ensueth: viz.