The great Evils that doe Ʋuiversaly spread over the Land, are three, that is to say, Igrorance, Propha­nesse, and Idlenesse.

THe speciall theanes (by God help) to precent thoser evils, is, for to pray. That the Honourable Assembly of Parliament will be pleased to take it into their wise, and grave consideration, that honest and Religious Schoole-masters may be planted in every Parish throughout the Land which is able to maintain one. It is verily be­leeved, that an honest Schoole-master in every Parish will be a special help to a Religio us Minister, in siding with him for the trayning up young Children in godlinesse and manners; which worke no good Christian can deny the setting up; seeing it is a work which much tendeth to the worship of God and the good of the Common-wealth.

It is a great complaint in many parts of the Realme amongst Reli­gious Ministers, to see how little their Preaching and Doctrine have thrived and wrought in the hearts of many young and old people.

One main, reason of this barrennesse in goodnesse is for want of such a member in every Parish, to educate and instruct all the Children in the Parish, as well the poore, as the rich, that so the poor est may be taught to write and reade; (which many wealthy Fathers at this time would give much if they could doe it.) And besides the Children shall be taught to understand the Principles of Religion concerning their Faith and Hope; they being Catechized in such a Catechise as the Learned Synod with the Approbation of the Honourable House; shall think most meet to be raught in all Schooles of the Realme, for the ea­sie and plain understanding of the grounds of Divinity.

If this care be taken in every Parish it will be a great means to keep Men and Women from so many divisions of opinions which are sprung up amongst us, to the great trouble of the Land and distur­bance of many peoples mindes. It is the prayer and desire of many [Page]good people that this charitable work of generall Schooling may take effect in the whole Land, for the restraining of vice, and for the good of poore Mens Children; And besides (by the blessing of God) it will be a great means to work a Reformation in the whole Land and beger a uniformity in Religion among us; which is now much out of joynt, though there is, as the Apostle saith, but one Body, one Spirit in a Man one Hope one Lord one Faith, and one Baptisme:

A second Benefit that will acrue and arise, by having an honest Schoole-master in every Parish, it will be a speciall means to keepe Children out of Idlenesse; for when there is a habit of Idlenesse bred in the bones of little Children, it will hardly go out of the Flesh; for as the Vessell is first seasoned, so it will taste long of the liquor whe­ther good or bad: And this Idlenesle among the poorer sort of chi­dren by playing in the Streets the better part of the Day; rather desi­ring to beg then to worke, this Idle life at length, leadeth poore chil­dren either to become beggers or theeues; and this is one cause why Countries and Cities are so opprest with beggers in many places at this present: and if it happen that these Idle Persons if they cannot get their living by begging, they will adventure to stea'e, and so do much hurt many yeares to many of the Kings Subjects before they be ta­ken: And all this mischiefe to the Land in generall doth greatly arise from the first cruse, which is the want of a Schoole-master in every Parish.

Many Parishes at this time do greatly complain for the want of a Religious Schoole-master to teach their Children, as well, as for a so­ber Religious Minister among them, to teach them.

There are two Objections, which some (malignants) object for the overthrow of this so Religious, and Common-wealth work, for the generall good of the Land. First, they say, Who shall pay for Chil­drens Schooling? And secondly, how shall they be maintained?

The first is answered; If the Law of the Land do enjoyne and rate mens estates, toward the relieving of the poore in their Parishes. The question is asked whether the same Law may not aswell enjoyne a rate upon Mens estates for the maintaining of so charitable a work, which is the publike good of the Land and will be a speciall means to prevent Idlenesse among Children, with beggery and theevery, which are apt to follow Idlenesse as is shewed before, and are great and hea­vie burdens lying on the Land at this time.

Againe, there is another great help for the easie furthering of this work of generall Schooling; they that have no Children, and great Estates, may be somthing more liberall then others that have a charge of Children, seeing the work is so profitable sot the puplike good.

It is reported, that some that have but twenty pound per Annum. would be willing to give ten shillings per Annum out of their estates, to raise a competent maintenance, to encourage a Schoole-master to take paines and to wait upon his calling. Also, that Children may be kept out of the streets; whereas now they curse and swear, drawing the vengeance of God upon the Land: And besides, neither Man nor Beast can passe by them quietly; for some are so unhappy, like those Children that meeked the old Prophet Elisha, that neither Men, Wo­men nor Children upon their businesse can passe by them without a mocke or it may be, a stone at them: And as for the poore dumbe Beasts they cannot passe by them; for either they will throw stones at them or else force them into Brooks, or Pooles and so danger them or else force them over Hedges and Ditches, breaking their Legs or brea­king their Necks: so that now let Men judge, whether it be not a ne­cessary, needfull work to set up generall Schooling over the Land; for the reforming of Children from those vices which they Act against God, by belching out dayly fearefull curses and oathes, and also by a­busing and hurting both old Men, and children and dumbe beasts; Tell some Fathers of these ungod y, hurtfull Children, what hurt their Children do they will give you the hearing and chide them and there is all the correction they give, and this will be a means to encourage Children more in their wickednesse against God and Men; whereas if there were a Schoole-master, Children would live in fear to hurt the least Childe that should come by them; for a Schoole-master-would be a terror to the malitious ones, because he would be alwaies resident like a Magistrate, to heare the complaints of any that should com­plain against them, and so the Offender shall receive correction for his offence; but let the punishment to the Scholler be in mercy, the Maste (being enjoyned, not to give above foure lashes with the Rod, that so Children may not be dishartened in going to Schoole, because some Schoole-masters are mercilesse in correcting their Schollers.)

The considerations of these evills are sufficient to encourage People to be liberall; to gain a Schoole-master for the restraining of the great and manifold vices that are in little Children.

The second and last Objection; How shall poore Children be main­tained? Answer. Those that are painefull Parents, and are willing to set their Children to spinning or knitting; or to work upon Hemp or Flax, or any other worke, whereby it may cause plenty of Food and Rayment in a Common-wealth (and to prevent complaining in the streets) do enjoune their Children, to get a Penny, before they goe to Schoole and another when they come home, which is a commendable thing of those Parents that are thus carefull of their Children. If all Children were thus looked unto, to gain two pence a day by their la­bour it would be a good helpe towards their maintenance, and be­sides, an ease to the Parish in their dayly taxations: Whereas on the contrary, playing in the streets againes nothing but poverty in the Land, with thousands of curses and oathes, fightings, and other wicked mischiefes, to the great dishonour of God, and hurt to the Common­wealth; and all for want of a Master over them.

And furthermore, as concerning that Objection. How Children shall be maintained at Schoole for provision? It is common in the mouthes of many poore people. That if, they could be free from the charge of their Childrens Schooling, they would not charge the Pa­rish for their Childrens maintenance. These are sufficient Answers, for the overthrow of the two Objections, which would hinder so cha­ritable a work, and so Religious for the generall good of the Land. Therefore let every good Man and Woman poure out their Prayers to God for the speedy and pure purging of those evils reigning in the Land and threatning Gods Judgement upon us, and the Kings Domi­nions.

And for this end and purpose the Lord Almighty blesse our Ho­nourable House of Peeres and House of Commons that they may take it into their wise and grave considerations speedily; to take Gods cause in hand, which have been theirs, and the Lands mighty preser­ver. And the Lord blesse and preserve their designes and purposes, both for the glory of God and the good of Church and State, Amen, Amen, Even so be it.

WHereas good Lawes in the Land are needfull, and maketh Men and Women Live in Subjection; even so good Lawes in a Schoole amongst Children will make them the better verst and obe­dient [Page]to the good Lawes of the Land, when they shall come to Age Having relation to an English Schoole, and observing the Lawes of the Schoole how easily the Master kept his Schollers in godlinesse and manners (both for the glory of God, and the good of the Land.) which is an admirable Heavenly thing to see in little Children. I thought it good to publish the chiefest Heads, as a Patterne for all Schoole-masters to teach their Schollers, that they may be a meanes (by Gods help, to bring a generall joy and comfort through the Land. For there are many Schoole-masters which take great paines to make their Schollers excellent in humane Learning; but they take little or no care to traine up or teach God inesse and Manners to their Schol­lers, and the Reason is because some of them have but little of it themselves.

Godlinesse and Manners are the very Diademe and Glory of all Learning; What was Herod the better for his Learning when as the People said, It was the voice of a God, and not of a Man? when as he wanted Godlinesse and Manners, in that he was bloudy minded to persecute the poore Saints; as Peter and James, and the rest. There­fore good Lawes and Precepts among Children, may do a great deale of good to their Soules and Bodies.

• 1 The first cocerning God and his Sabbothes.
• 2 The second is, concerning the dutie and love that Children owe to their Fathers and Mothers, and their Superiours.
• 3 Their Love to their Brother, Sister, Servant, Schoole-fellowes, and Neighbours.
• 4 Their care to their Writing and Reading, and to keep their Apparell handsomely and whole about them; that so they may not offend their Ma­ster and Parents; which if they observe and keep, they shall be acconnted good Boyes and besides, gains great Love from their Masters, Parents, and Guardians, which have the tuition and charge of them.

The Lawes of the Schoole, fit to acquaint young Children with dayly; that so when they come to be Men, they may be the better fitted to observe the good Lawes of the Land.

BUt before I come to shew them, I purpose to propose and put forth one question.

Whether Lords or Gentlemen if they intend to make them faire Orchards, whether they doe usually plant ouer their ground old Trees, or young pleasant plants or stocks?

It is to be granted that old Trees may grow when they are Planted; But neverthelesse there are foure things why great Men, and Gentle­men, doe not Plant their faire Orchard-ground with old stocks.

• 1 Because old great Trees are cumbersome to deale withall, and one or two Men cannot doe it.
• 2 The Windy stormes hath a greater stroak at great Trees to over­turne them more then it hath at a young plant or stock.
• 3 Old Trees will cost much charge and labour to prop them up, which every gust of Winde endangereth, either to overturne the bo­dy, or at least shake the roote.
• 4 And lastly, if the Lord, or master desireth to make an Arbour to his Orchard for his pleasure; Old trees are not so apt to bend as young Plants or stocks for that worke.

This I make by way of comparison and doe with all humility set it forth for the glory of God, and for the generall good of the Land, that the Lord and Commons of both the Houses of Parliament, will be pleased to take it into their wise and grave consideration carefully to Plant Orchards of young stockes meaning young Nurseries of gene­rall Schooling in every Parish throughout the Land, with a carefull Gardner or Grafter over them put in trust to foster and cherish them up, by taking away the hurtfull sprouts and syences of wickednesse, that hinder the good growth of them, that so at last England may be­come an admirable Orchard, full of fruit-Trees being made fit for the service of God and good Trees and Members for the Common, wealth.

There are many Clarkes and others that have no imployment, would be glad to keep Schoole, if they might have maintenance.

As good Lawes doe keep and preserve Peace in a Land for the [Page]good of all the Subjects, to keep them in Subjection.

So good Lawes sowne among Children dayly in the Schoole, will be a speciall meanes to keep them in Subjection, both for the glory of God; the good of themselues and the joy and comfort of their Ma­ster, that have the tuition of them.

Religious and Morrall Precepts of the Master to his Schollers, called the Lawes of the Schools, davided into foure Parts.

The first concerning God and his Sabboths. The second is of the Childs Duty and Love that he oweth to his Father his Mother, and his Superiours. The third sheweth how he should have his tongue so tipped with good words that he may minister grace or yeeld a good example of grace to the hearers. Fourthly and lastly, sheweth how a Childe should order himselfe to gaine Learning and to keep his Ap­parell handsomely in the sight of People.

First, That the Childe take heed that he swear not (in every vaine talke) by the God that made him.

Secondly that he swear not by our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer.

Thirdly, swear not by Christs blood and wounds nor by any part of his body; because the Lord saith For the very cause of Oathes the Land shall [...]ourue. Therefore take head to thy Tongue, that you pluck not a Plague and Judgement upon thy selfe and the whole Land for thy sake as Achan did upon Israel.

Likewise beware of lying, which is a srnit of the Tongue. A com­mon Lyar is an Enemy to the God of Truth; And the Scripture saith that God is the God (and Father) of Truth; but the Devill is the Father of Lyer; these Offences against God deserves fovre lashes on the Hand with the Rod.

Againe it is a speciall Duty belonging to God and the very Life of Reigeon that a Child sanctifie and keepe holy Gods Sabbothes. Therefore beware of Gameing Gadding and wanton pastime, which draw the heart away from Gods service. The Christian Sabboth is the [Page]day of their Saviours Christs Resurrection; which they keep holy a­bove other daies: For Christs Resurrection is the Faithfull Christians Justification, as the Apostle sheweth saying. Christ was delivered for our Offences, and raised againe for our Justification. Therefore Christsi­ans observe that day to the Lord; for if Christ had not risen, both Jewes and Gentiles had all come short of the glory of God: he that shall prophane this day deserveth foure lashes with the Rod, on the Hand.

2 Precept commandeth the Childe to be loving and dutifull to his Father, Mother and his Superiours, and Elders, being as ready to doe their will in good things as the Servants of the Centurion which when their Master bid them go they stirred in a moment and went with speed; when he bid them come they came not carelesly but willingly; and last of all when he bid them do this, or that thing, they did it faithfully readily, and with speed which is a commendable thing in a Scoller to doe the [...]ike; the neglect of this duty, and love, deserves three lashes on the Hand.

I have read of a Child possest with the Devill at the Mothers curse, because it frowned and fumed and would not doe as the Mother bid it; a warning to Children not to be idle and mothers not to be too hasty of their words.

3 Beware of cursing & rayling against any one which is a filthy thing in the Tongue of any Man, Woman or, Childe. The Angel of God did not raile against the Devill; and King Dauid did not raile against Shemei; and Christ Jesus the very mirrour of humility and patience, did not raile nor revile at his persecutors, but committed his cause on­ly to God; who saith, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay it; and againe, he giveth to every Man according to his doing, whether good or bad.

Likewise beware of setting nick names upon any Mans Person be­ing deformed, or upon any Mans po [...]ession, be it never so base; if he b [...] needfull in the Common-wealthe: for God despiseth not foolish things not base things nor weak things if they stand with the Lord and take his part; therfore do not thou set nick names upon them, if thou dost thou shalt have three lashes with the Rod on the Hand.

And lastly, sheweth a Child how to order himselfe to gaine Lear­ning, and to keep his Apparell.

First, a Childe must take heed that he keep his stops in Reading, [Page]that he hackle not, nor hamble his words in a humming, snaffling way through the Nose.

Likewise that he be carefull to keep his Book clean from blots; that he write not crooked out of the line, that he keep his Letters even, and streight together, keeping a distance betweene every Word, and not linking words together like a chaine from one end of the line, to the other, and so make a confusion, that the Reader can make no sence of it; which is a fault amongst many writers writing to their Friends, in that they cobble all their words together.

The next thing a Childe must see to is his Apparell he must take heed that his Apparell be cleane from dirting whole from tearing; that his Stockings be kept gartered, his shooes pointed, and like a neate Scholler behaving himselfe in such a civell manner, that he may be a companion for his betters; then shall his Master love him, and commend him,

Likewise, he must be courteous to all Men, and when he meeteth his Elders, that he put off his Hat, and give them them the time of the Day; this Scholler-like courteous carriage, shall not onely gain their Parents love, but also Neighbours and strangers will love them and commend them; the neglect of this behaviour, will deserve three la­shes on the Hand.

Other things there might be put in, to warne children that they doe it not as [...]ea [...]ing fighting, hurting one another in jest or earnest, all which are breaches of Peace; wherefore for the rest which I have omitted, I leave it to the wisedom of the wise Schoole-master, to adde more Lawes or better: according as he shall see good; but this is the end of my de [...]re: who I hope, there are many more of the same, I should be glad to see little children trained up in a Religious and ci­vill way of life, which is the Grace of a Family of a Towne or City, when the children belonging unto those places are well educated and brought up.

The Voice of the Parliament may doe very much in this thing, a thousand Preachers cannot compare with them for the duelling of sin at this time; I pray God to give them a time, in his good time, to bring every good work to passe for his glory, and the Kingdomes good, and theirs.

Now if these Schoole Lawes or the like, might be compelled to be read in every English Schoole twice a Week, like a Lesson of Instru­ction, [Page]it would be a speciall meanes (by the held of God) to bring a very great reformation in little childrens Hearts for the Law being onely read is a terror; and a Rod to milde children that have a filiall feare in them; though they see none corrected for breaking the Law.

Now when these filiall children that have the Law in their Hearts, with much fear lest they should offend; those (I say) will be a speciall meanes (like little Preachers) to rebuke and perswade other children, that are of a servile add obstinate Nature, that they come not in the compasse of their Masters correction and so by this meanes (and Gods blessing with it) the stream and tide of wickednesse, which one car­ried many thou [...]ands headlong to wickednesse shall not run so vio­lent as it hath done in times past, but shall be asswaged with the low and humble ebbe of Godlinesse and goodnesse; for with the meek and lowly the Lord is pleased to dwell, and such as delight in goodnesse, the Lord is pleased to delight in them; according as the Holy Ghost faith Those that Honour me, I will Honour. So praying to God for a good successe in these things, desiring every good Christian to do the same; for it is goodnesse that will make us happy, and not greatnesse onely; for greatnesse cannot deliver one in the Day of the Lords wrath; but goodnesse will make a Man happy and joyfull, through Christ Jesus, at the Houre of Death, Psal. 112.7.8.