A CONSOLATION FOR OUR GRAMMAR SCHOOLS: OR, A faithful and most comfortable encouragement, for laying of a sure foundation of all good Learning in our Schools, and for prosperous building thereupon.  
More specially for all those of the inferior sort, and all ruder countries and places; namely, for Ireland, Wales, Virginia, with the Summer Lands, and for their more speedy attaining of our English tongue by the same labour, that all may speak one and the same Language.  
And withal, for the helping of all such as are desirous speedily to recover that which they had formerly got in the Grammar Schools; and to proceed aright therein, for the perpetual benefit of these our Nations, and of the Churches of Christ.  
LONDON, Printed by RICHARD FIELD for THOMAS MAN▪ dwelling in Pater noster Row, at the Sign of the Talbot. 1622.   

¶ To the Right Honourable his Majesty's Lord Deputy of Ireland, and to the right Honourable the Lord President and Lord Lieutenant of WALES, and the Principality thereof, the Governors of the Isles of GERNSEY and JERNSEY; and to the right Honourable and right Worshipful, the Treasurer, Council and Company for VIRGINIA, and of the Summer Lands; and to all other Governors within his Majesty's dominions, to whom the charge and care of Schools; namely, those of the inferior sort, are assigned: with all true favourers of good Learning, who unfeignedly wish the perpetual flourishing of the Church of God, and of their native Country, I. B. wisheth all happiness in Christ eternally.  
AFter many thoughts to whom I should more particularly dedicate this my hoped Consolation, (right Honourable able and right Worshipful,) the Lord in his wisdom and mercy (I trust) directed me unto yourselves, as those whom it doth in a peculiar manner concern. That like as he hath appointed you to these places, so ye may ever have before your eyes, the special ends for which he hath assigned them to your trust, & for which you must be answerable to his heavenly Majesty. The first and chief whereof (as I conceive) is this, That his pure religion, honour, and true worship, may be set up, and advanced in them; the next, that the wealth and saving of all his poor people in those places, both of their souls and bodies, may be by you procured, so far as in your power shall lie. And these things to be effected principally, by a learned, holy, and faithful Ministry, protected and assisted by a godly Magistracy, and by propagating and spreading all good learning and knowledge amongst them. To this purpose God having ordained schools of learning to be a principal means to reduce a barbarous people to civility, and thereby to prepare them the better to receive the glorious Gospel of jesus Christ; as also for the breeding and nourishing of such a holy Ministry, with a wife and godly Magistracy, and people to be perpetually preserved; your care as I take it, in the next place (that I may speak with all reverence and submission) ought to be for provision of meet schools and Seminaries for them, according to the natures and conditions of the places, and as God shall raise up means thereto. And for those which are already so provided and established, that the best orders may be known and received, for the speediest advancement of the best learning in them, and for accomplishing all the good thereby desired; and withal for supply of what private helps God's goodness shall vouchsafe, for breeding, and nourishing, and also preserving all true piety and grace amongst them.  
The benefit therefore and comfort of such small mites, as his heavenly bounty hath vouchsafed me, which may be helpful hereunto, I do most thankfully and cheerfully, as from his goodness, tender unto you to this end; And more specially to you, right Honour able and right Worshipful the Governor, Council and Company for Virginia, and of the Summer Lands; that planting in a right order, beginning with the Lord, and the careful planting and watering of his sacred Religion, you may find a more happy growth, and increase, and evermore sound and lasting joy to your own souls. First, the mite of my Schoole-labours traveled in, now many years for all inferior and ruder places, whereunto what blessing his heavenly bounty hath given, I leave to the judgement of all true hearted wellwillers unto good learning. Secondly, I desire to commend unto you, for them, and that upon undoubted experience, the help, and benefit of another poor labour, which he of his goodness hath likewise granted unto me, namely of a little Treatise called, The true Watch, and Rule of Life: which having received the witness of sundry godly learned, (of whom I have for many years entreated the examining; and censuring of it, after the public authorising thereof) to be that way of godliness, wherein we all who truly profess Christ's Gospel do agree, and that narrow path, in which all that walk conscionably, and carefully, shall certainly find eternal Life: I dare be the more bold in ●●tie to make tender of, for the furtherance of their perpetual comfort and felicity. And unto the same adjoined the Rule of true Prayer, the second part of the same True Watch; wherein I have followed, (so near as I have been able) the perfect pattern of our blessed Saviour: which two so conjoined, may be for directing privately every soul (which hath grace to use them, and to put them so in practice) as their Sea-card and Compass, to keep them in the right course to their intended Point; that they may not be carried over far, nor fall too short of their desired haven; Yea to perform that for them, which neither Card nor Compass can; to wit, that they may not only be kept from splitting; or dashing upon the Rocks or Sands, but that they may sail securely amongst the most dangerous rocks and perilous tempests. That arriving happily, they may likewise ever after be kep● safe, in the midst of all savage and cruel enemies.  
And finally, what straits or miseries soever they shall come into, either by Sea or land; that but only crying unto the Lord, they may be graciously heard; and mercifully delivered in due time, according to that which shallbe most for the glory of his Majesty and their own salvation, with the good of his people.  
Though the dedication and patronage of my Schoole-labours belong unto our most hopeful and illustrious Prince, and so in like manner of my Watch unto most Honourable personages (to whom I am ever bound) yet I know that the tender of the assured benefit thereof, after so long trial in the right use and practise of them, even unto your Honours and Worships, for these poor souls, and for your more happy execution of your charge, will be most pleasing unto them, as who desire the wealth of all. Yea (give me leave to speak jointly and freely, yet in all humble duty unto you all before mentioned, both right Honourable and right Worshipful) even ye are they to whom the charge of these poor Countries and places are committed in special manner, and the providing for them. If therefore you should not use all holy means for the honour of our God, with the saving and preserving of all those souls, and their posterity, and gaining the very savage amongst them unto jesus Christ, whether Irish or Indian, but only respect your own ends and projects, you could never stand before his heavenly Majesty, to answer his Highness for it; especially, if he most graciously offering you helps thereto, you should not embrace them accordingly, and to your utmost ability see them put in execution. You cannot be ignorant of the woeful estate of all sorts, so long as they remain in ignorance and blindness, without the saving knowledge of our Lord jesus Christ, and much more of all such, as have been nourished long in fearful superstition and Idolatry: and above all other, those who have been bred in a manifest, and most palpable, and even a visible adoring of Satan; nor, how the Holy Ghost hath told us plainly, 
2. Thes. 1. 8, 9  That our Lord jesus will come, in flaming fire to render vengeance to all who know not God, and which obey not his heavenly Gospel. Who must then be punished with everlasting perdition, when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be made marvelous in all them that believe. Oh set before your faces the miserable condition of the damned, and so the danger of all living in blindness, whilst they so remain. If we believe the word of the Lord, and look steadfastly with the eyes of Faith, upon the wretched estate and woeful torment of that rich Glutton in Hell (by whom our Saviour forewarneth all sorts for ever) it will surely cause us to look unto ourselves. 
Luke 16. 24. ●  Or if we set before our eyes the Lake prepared for all the ungodly, 
〈…〉  and where the blood of those souls must be required, if they perish for lack of warning or instruction. And finally, if we consider aright, That the righteous can scarcely be saved, 
1 Pet. 4. 18  as the Holy Ghost witnesseth most plainly, and we may see it by daily experience, (when as m●nie a good soul, which hath been careful to walk with God, yet in distress of conscience, and a little left to Satan's buffeting, for their humbling, endure such misery, and is so hardly rescued from him and from utter destruction) it will surely awake us all to look more carefully to all committed to our charges. Ye are those whom our blessed God hath appointed; under our dread and gracious Sovereign to be as foster-fathers' unto them, and therefore it concerns you nearly, to think seriously hereof; for if that way of godliness, which we profess according to the word of the Lord and our good Laws (which I have long endeavoured to set plainly before, our faces, in that little Treatise, the use and benefit whereof I desire to commend unto you for them) be that narrow way of life, as we are assured from the mouth of the Lord it is; then their contrary courses must needs be the way of death and hell. Though therefore, we should have no commiseration of the poor souls themselves, yet remember the things that may concern your own blessed estate and posterity, and your joyful appearing before the high Tribunal of our Lord and Saviour, and then there will be no more need to move you therein, nor any other whom the charge of souls concerns, who shall consider hereof aright, to do your utmost endeavour for their salvation. There will be no more need to call on you to see the gospel of Christ planted among them, or to provide them of faithful Ministers, and to procure by all possible means all other helps, or that, that which hath been most charitably given, and formerly collected to these ends, may be rightly employed, and whatsoever else the Lord shall hereafter afford for their benefit, chiefly to bring them into and keep them in this narrow path. Woeful is the case of all those, amongst whom Satan reigns, and who worship him instead of Christ, as all such do, who know him not, and much more those poor Indians, among whom he (as is reported) is visibly adored & sacrificed unto, as their God. Marvel not if honest and understanding Christians be so hardly drawn over to these places, as namely into Virginia, or so much as to persuade their friends to such a voyage, when as there are in the same so manifold perils, and especially of falling away from God to Satan, and that themselves, or their posterity should become utterly savage, as they are. This holy care being first had, for their souls and eternal happiness; and withal, that there be no wrong offered to the poor savage there, nor scanned all given to them, there may be a greater hope of a happy Plantation, and that he will in mercy afford a plentiful supply of all good things, and raise up many to be benefactors and furtherers, and give a prosperous success to all your holy endeavours, with assurance of his favour present, and for evermore. But if through the wickedness or offensive carriage of Ministers or people, minding nothing but for their own advantage, these poor souls shall take occasion to conceive evil of the Lord, and his religion, all this hope is utterly overthrown, in the very haven.  
Here upon in my desire of their conversion and salvation, with the saving and preservation of our own countrymen there already, and which hereafter shall go to them, and of all other in these ruder countries and places, I have been bold to tender these my poor travels, upon much hope and confidence: That first even this course of instruction, to be presented unto you, being embraced and rightly put in practice, a most speedy and sure foundation, may be laid for all future good learning, in their schools, without any difference at all from our courses received here at home; and whereby both Masters and Scholars, may proceed speedily, and cheerfully, and with certain assurance of a blessing; and that so from us may be sent continual supplies of teachers to proceed in the same order. The trial whereof I dare (through God's goodness) tender to any by your selves appointed to m●ke full demonstration of it to them, like as I have formerly done to the most learned and fit that I could choose to this purpose, as appeareth in the Examiner's ce●sure, in the closing up of this little Treatise. And withal, to help that we may have by the same, not only the purity of our own language preserved amongst all our own people th●re, but also that it may be readily learned in the Schools, together with the Latin, and other tongues, and so more propagated to the rudest Welsh and Irish, yea to the very heathen & savage, brought up amongst them, the more easily thereby to reduce them all (as was said) to a loving civility, with loyal and faithful obedience to our Sovereign, and good Laws, and to prepare a way to pull them from the power and service of Satan, that they may jointly submit themselves to jesus Christ.  
And for the Watch, being agreeable to the word of the Lord, as I trust every one that tries aright shall find it, I dare boldly a vow, that every soul that shall truly put in practice, first that Rule and Way of life to walk in it, shall find more true comfort by it, then by all the commodities in Virginia, yea more true joy, with all heavenly riches and felicity, than all the golden mines of the Indians can possibly promise unto them. Secondly, for that Rule of Prayer in the same, that every one who shall learn to exercise it, as the Lord jesus hath taught him, shall obtain whatsoever good thing his soul shall desire: and finally, that so watching and praying, he shall be kept safe, even in the midst of Devils and ten thousand other perils, and have the Lord to be unto him, as he was to Abraham, God all-sufficient, whither soever he calleth him, to be seen of him in the Mount, and the inheritance of Abraham, to him and his, so walking, for an ever lasting possession.  
Thus have I presumed to tender unto you (right Honourable and right Worshipful) whatsoever the Lord hath vouchsafed me, whereof I have had hope, that it might help you in your governments and charges, for the good of those poor people committed to you, and specially which might further the happy success of that so much desired Plantation, for the conversion of the heathen, and training them up in good learning, and the fear of the Lord, and that so from the children, it may please God more easily to derive the same unto their fathers, from the younger to the ancients; and so in time, by some of themselves so trained up, to propagate it to all their posterity: which (if after further trial made by you) it shall be as courteously accepted, as it is heartily and cheerfully offered, according to that which I have received from the Lord, I shall not only have more cause to bless his heavenly Majesty, but also be encouraged still to prosecute these poor travels, and to study the further good of them all during life, especially for drawing the poor natives in Virginia, and all other of the rest of the rude and barbarous from Satan to God, and so rest,  
Yours in all humble observance and hearty prayer to God for you, JOHN BRINSLEY.   

A CONSOLATION FOR OUR GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.  
THE uncomfortable and fruitless toils, 
Occasion of this work.  which the Lord hath left unto men, to humble them thereby, have ever caused many to bend their wits and beat their brains, to find out more plain and profitable ways, both to rel●eue themselves, and to make their burdens more light. Amongst others, myself having first had long experience of the manifold evils which grow from the ignorance of a right order of teaching, and afterwards some gracious taste of the sweetness that is to be found in the better courses truly known and practised, I have betaken me almost wholly, for many years, unto this weighty work, and that not without much comfort, through the goodness of our blessed God. And thence the more earnestly have I pursued this same, for that I have been fully persuaded upon happy experience (I trust) that I could never employ my thoughts and travels more acceptably in any earthly thing, or whereby a greater benefit might redound both to Church and Commonwealth, and in some sort to every soul, then in searching out, and setting forth to the view of all, the shortest, surest, and most easy entrance to all good learning, and how with certain hope of good success all may proceed therein.  
Who knows not the grievous complaints, which (to the disgrace of learning) are made almost in every place, 
The usual complaints against non-proficiency in schools.  for the injuries done to countries, towns, parents and children; because in so many schools, the children, which are the chief hope of parents and posterity, are either spoiled altogether, or else do profit so very little? 
Where good is done, how hardly it is effected commonly.  And for the most part, wherein any good is done, that it is ordinarily effected by the endless vexation of the painful Masters, the extreme labour and ●errour of the poor scholars, with enduring far overmuch and long severity. Now whence proceedeth all this, but because so few of those who undertake this function, 
A chief cause hereof, want of knowledge of a right course of teaching.  are acquainted with any good method, or right order of instruction, fit for a Grammar school? This therefore hath been in my heart, to show my love and duty to all sorts, in seeking for my part to deliver the poor, painful & honest minded Schoolmaster from this reproach and grief, 
The authors desire to help all this.  and to help withal to supply this so great a want. And in stead hereof my earnest desire hath been to procure a perpetual benefit to all estates and degrees, 
And to procure a perpetual benefit to all posterity.  even to every man for his children and posterity; by endeavouring to make the path to all good learning more even and pleasing in the first entrance, then former ages have known; and thereby also in the continual proceeding afterwards, so far as the Lord shall vouchsafe me his merciful assistance in this great attempt. That children being so entered in a plain manner, may strive towards the goal with undoubted certainty of obtaining their desire, with pleasant delight and cheerfulness throughout all their time.  
Concerning the singular benefits and blessings which come by good learning, 
Of the rare benefits of learning no good man ever doubted  like as to every particular soul, and so to whole nations, no man truly wise did ever yet make doubt. No not any one who hath known aright what learning meant; or who unfeignedly loved his country, the souls of God's people, or the Gospel of Christ. For what maketh a nation to be a glorious nation, but that the people are a wise and an understanding people? What is it whereby we come so near unto the Highest, or to that blessed estate from which by our first parents we are so fallen, and to which we must be renewed and restored, if ever we shall inherit again the tree of life, as by true understanding and knowledge, especially if the same be sanctified unto us? Yea, what is it else whereby we excel the beasts, but by this divine reason, with which the more we are enlightened by the spirit of the Lord, through the means of learning, the more we differ, the more we do excel? Or who is he that can give God that glory for which he was created, and redeemed from hell, or can in any measure honour him as he ought to do, to his own salvation, but only he who is endued with right knowledge and understanding? Contrarily, whence is that inhumanity, as amongst many of the Irish, the Virgineans, and all other barbarous nations, but from their extreme ignorance of our holy God, and of all true and good learning?  
If any man should dislike of learning, 
The licentiousness of some learned or abusers of learning, ought not to cause us to think the worse thereof.  or think that there is overmuch of it, for the strange licentiousness and outrageous courses of sundry learned ones, or for that so many do abuse their learning, even to their own perdition, without unfeigned repentance; why doth not the same man dislike also of the light, yea of riches, honours, and pleasures, all which are abused commonly by the self same men, as they have occasion, as much as learning is? Good learning is indeed the heavenly light, the truest honour, the best riches, the sweetest pleasure. Learning is all, and all in all, if we believe that wise Solomon, or any of the grave Sages who have ever lived since the beginning of the world. Neither is the learning of these men the cause of their licentiousness, but this is it in truth; either that being left unto themselves, to humble them thereby, they have put out that light of learning which checked and controlled them, and have chosen, in their courses, to live in darkness rather than in the light; or for that God hath therefore in his heavy displeausre and most just judgement (as we are to fear of many of them) given them up to such palpable blindness in the midst of the shining light of this last age, because they loved darkness rather than the light, 
job. 3. 19 2. Thes. 2. 10.  or at least for that they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  
But wholly to convince all sorts, 
Learning is the glory of man, in the very natural man's account  that learning is the true light, and that principal part of man's glory; let any natural man ask of his own heart, whether if he would have his child brought up to make a worthy man, he would not have him trained up in the most excellent learning, notwithstanding all the abuses of it, and whatsoever can be devised against it. And why should any one who knoweth but the law of nature, much more the divine law of our holy God, (that whatsoever we would that men should do to us even so we should do to them) once grudge or disdain that unto others, which of all other things he most desireth for himself & his? Why should he not as well repine against them for the use of light, seeing the Lord in his rich bounty, in like manner granteth the light of true learning to be communicated to every one, chiefly for his soul, as he shall be capable, as well as he hath the light of the day for the body; and also hath charged all most strictly, to seek after it above all other things. According to that of Solomon: Wisdom is the principal thing, 
Prou. 4. 7.  therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, a●d she shall promote thee, she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her. Wisdom is that one thing without which a man is not in truth a man, nor can ever honour his Creator as he ought.  
Yet to pass over this point, as not so needful (I hope) amongst us, especially the true professors of Christ's glorious Gospel; whereof never any one was a sound favourer, who was not likewise an earnest furtherer of the best learning: & contrarily, they only who have sought the ruin of the Church, as julian, have sought (cunningly at least, and under other fair pretences) the shutting up of the school doors, and the bringing of all good learning into open contempt or base esteem. And the rather do I repress myself herein, for that this point hath been so worthily handled and cleared by some of high place now sundry years ago, and all obiectours put to silence.  
To ret●rne therefore towards our proposed mark, 
The first and principal means of good learning, the schools of learning.  & to consider of the means whereby the Lord bestows this heavenly gift of all true knowledge and good learning; is not the first and principal the right education of children in the Grammar schools, which God hath ordained to be his nurseries of all learning and virtue? In very many of which schools abroad the contrary rudeness is notwithstanding very much to be pitied and laid to heart of all; like as it hath been long, and is at this day too generally complained of, and that to be feared not without just cause. 
In what schools the best learning & nurture are to be found.  Of which sort are all those wherein the scholars are so brought up, as that they are made more unfit for any calling, or so much as to take pains in any profitable employment. But these true nurseries are only such, wherein learned Masters and Ushers, being encouraged with meet maintenance and due rewards, do follow the best & most approved courses, 
A wonderful difference between those schools wherein the best orders are observed, & the rest.  labouring constantly to put the same in ure. For in these a wonderful difference will appear, when they are compared with those other, in which the right means and orders are little known, and less regarded to be put in practice.  
And first to begin with the matter of learning, 
1. The matter of learning easy in such schools.  which ordinarily and in itself, through our natural blindness and dulness is so hard and unpleasant; it is made in these schools most easy, and replenished with all sweet delight.  
Secondly for the manner of proceeding, 
2. The manner of proceeding in a singular order without confusion.  it is in these schools so direct and orderly, to the very highest top of all perfection in the same, that the things taught before do ever give light to those that follow after; and the later do so hang upon the former, as that they have a continual dependence, and also the scholars have a continual help and use of all those things which they have learned before. There is moreover in them a very comely array, as in a well governed army, each knowing his own rank and office, 
The painful schoolmaster may there expect a rich blessing.  without the least disorder or confusion. Whereupon the painful Schoolmaster may, through God's blessing, as certainly expect much comfortable fruit of his labours, as any other man in all the world. That even as the best husbandry bringeth forth usually the greatest increase, the shortest and safest cut in navigation, doth fetch in soon the double gain; so the shortest and fairest way of teaching, shall bring in speedily double learning without any loss or danger. So as it must needs be great folly to go further about with more trouble and peril, where a shorter and more sure line is plainly directed and pointed out upon infallible experience.  
But for the fruits hereof they will be found such, 
The fruit hereof able to encourage each Master to take the uttermost pains to follow the best manner.  as are able to allure and encourage every one, to take the uttermost pains to seek out & to practise the best means which ever God shall afford. For in the meaner schools will soon appear such a change, from raw and rude behaviour, unto all commendable qualities, as if they had been cast in a new mould. 
Hence will ensue a marvelous change in schools.  So that very children will begin to understand, write, speak, oppose and answer, and in all things so to demean themselves, as to gain the hearts of all who shall rightly make trial, and compare them with most others. 
The bringing learning into esteem, and to make it to be desired, & honoured of all▪  Whence it must needs follow, that whereas learning is now commonly so basely reputed of, and so few in the countries abroad regard to set their children to it; yet if the best courses were in use, every one would desire to have his brought up in some learning and nurture, 
The stirring up many benefactors to learning.  and all of the better sort and quality should be provoked to become benefactors to schools, to augment their maintenance and encouragements for the nourishing & increasing of the same. 
Things accompanying a right course in proceeding.   
These things likewise will certainly accompany such a right order of proceeding; both a marvelous freedom of the Masters from their weariness and discontent, 
Delivery of the masters from much vexation and overmuch severity. Of scholars from terror.  and from that overgreat severity which they are enforced to exercise, or else to do little good; and withal a joyful delivering of the poor children from that continual fear, whereby in many schools, the greatest part have been wont to be exceedingly dulled and to be made most unwilling to their books. 
That all things in schools may be done with delight and comfort.  That now contrarily Masters may teach with much delight and comfort, and scholars learn with an ingenuous emulation, like as they recreate themselves in their ordinary sports. And for the time spent in getting learning, 
More substantial learning in such at 7. years▪ then in others atten.  assuredly more true, sound, and substantial learning will be found to be gotten in such places in seven years, then is in others commonly in seven and half seven. For this is a thing notorious, 
State of most schools and scholars of 15. years of age.  that in the greatest part of our common schools abroad, (some few of principal note excepted) the scholars at fifteen or sixteen years of age, have not commonly so much as any sense of the meaning and true use of learning, for understanding, resolving, writing, or speaking, but only to construe and to purse a little, to steal an exercise, and to write such Latin as any of judgement will disdain to read. 
Unfit for the Universities.  That in respect of being fit to be sent to the Universities with credit, that they may proceed with delight and understanding, when they come there, they are commonly so senseless, as that they are much meeter to be sent home again. And if they be admitted into the Universities, it is not without the grief of all who respect the credit thereof. 
Evils in their entrance and continuance in the Universities.  So as that they enter commonly with fowl disgrace, and continue with much contempt, to spend their friend's money & their own precious time, which might have been far better employed. That they become there a great deal more ready to any kind of exercise then unto the study of good learning, the ignorance whereof proves such a reproach unto them. Hence also after sundry years so evilly spent, many of them return home again, almost as rude as they went thither, or are sent abroad to be unprofitable burdens, both of the Church and Commonwealth perpetually. Or if such do light into the hands of painful and conscionable Tutors, 
Tutor's must play the schoolmasters if ever they shall do good.  and fall to their studies, yet their Tutors must then act for them the School-maisters part, which must needs be very harsh and unpleasing, yea rare to be found amongst them. So that in stead of their Academical readings, they must be enforced to supply that which was wanting in the Grammar school. 
Such scholars must use extraordinary pains.  Such scholars must likewise use extraordinary pains and industry, and be of most happy capacities, if ever they shall come to that pitch and height of good learning, which being trained up rightly from the beginning, they might very easily and in shorter time have attained unto.  
Hereof the complaints of the worthiest and most careful Tutors in the Universities give too sufficient testimony. 
And doing best, shall yet ever feel the want of the Grammar school.  And though such scholars prove never so well, yet shall they feel the want of the Grammar school all their life long. But to leave the University a little, and to return to our schools again for the gracing of them. Whereas now in sundry of them, yea some which are of good maintenance, there are to be found some few like unprofitable drones, not by the unaptness of nature, but for lack of better guidance and education; then contrarily should we have all such schools generally, as the little bee-hives, 
If the best orders were had the schools should be as the bee-hives  every one in his own cell, and each knowing his own task, and all gathering jointly to fill the hives with the most excellent life honey. So that taste wheresoever you pleased, you might ever find most sweet contentment; if thus the best courses were alike made known to all, and care had that they might be constantly put in practise every where. Yea than it would come to pass, that whereas now there is little or nothing in very many of them, wherein the eye or ear can take delight, but rather those who come to make trial have enough at the first, and ever take just cause of grief, that there should be such lamentable spoiling of so many toward youths, so reckless misspending of their golden age, with such invaluable and irrecoverable loss and injury to all, 
As the goodly gardens & sweet singing birds.  yet in short time we should see the same as the goodly gardens, & as amongst the little singing birds, in the flourishing Spring; where we still look and hearken after more sweet variety of pleasant flowers, 
And generally excel themselues.  and of melodious tunes. Then should we find by joyful experience, that each mean school would ●ot only excel itself, but be equal to many of chiefer note. And as much as the goodliest garden doth excel the place over grown with briers and nettles, the little bee-hives the nests of drones, so much should these each way surpass those same which now they are. 
That we should as much rejoice in these, as ever we grieved for the other.  That as we have been grieved formerly for the one, we should be rapt with admiration of the other, and think all our pains and cost far too little to be bestowed upon them. Master's should be much more encouraged to go on with cheerfulness, in seeing God's blessing upon their labours, and by hearing the due commendations given to their scholars, then by any other rewards whatsoever. The children should ever likewise have their emulation increased, 
Masters and scholars should proceed with all alacrity.  which of them all should most excel. And to conclude this point, hence it should come to pass, that although all could not be expected to excel in learning, 
Though all should not excel, yet all should be fitted to some good employment, for the benefit of the whole.  (for then should we be left destitute of husbandmen to till the ground, and much more of meet supplies to furnish all other callings; neither is it possible, by all the means or pains in the world, to make such to be scholars, to whom God in their natural constitution seemeth to have denied it; chiefly where parents or teachers themselues are too indulgent or remiss: so that their children are disobedient, much absent from school, come and go at their pleasures, neglect their exercises or the like, or have been spoiled by ill entrance at the first,) yet these things would follow through a right and careful government. That a good part would be found in every form to credit the school: some to store the Universities, others to adorn all other places and conditions of life; that thereby might be had men expert in each kind as necessity should require, for the common benefit and good of all. 
All these ve●ied in some few schools.  All these things we may see verified in some few and rare schools, by comparing of which with most others, and so by considering what a difference there is (only through the better courses practised constantly in them,) we may fully judge of the truth of all that hath been said, and most necessarily be enforced to subscribe thereto.  
Upon the due consideration hereof, 
This endeavour to discharge a debt to all, by making all sorts partakers of the blessings, which he hath vouchsafed.  and upon much and loug experience of divers places, together with the certain assurance of these and the like undoubted benefits, which must needs ensue generally upon the best courses of learning and good education, first diligently sought out amongst all, and then diuulged for the public good, to be put in practice, I have presumed to endeavour to my poor ability, as the Lord hath vouchsafed me mercy, to make all sorts partakers of this blessing, and thus to be paying my debts to all, in communicating the same unto them.  
This travel therefore hath been, 
Duty to all in high place for their children and posterity.  and is my duty and service, first unto you all (ye worthies of the chiefest rank) who are unfeigned favourers of good learning, and more especially to you to whom the Lord hath engaged me and mine; yea my hearty wish (with all thankful acknowledgement) towards you, in your children, and posterity, in whom you are to remain after your departing hence, & by whom you would have your names and dignities still preserved even in the earth. That they may with sporting, in a pleasant kind of recreation, attain unto that heavenly gift of learning, and excel all others therein, according to their places and degrees. And that hereby they may adorn your houses, increase their own honour in every kind, to become principal lights, and pillars of their country, and not to live to the overthrow, or the dishonour of your houses, and names, much less to the evil example, or to the spoiling of the poor people amongst whom they dwell, as those who leave their names for a curse behind them.  
It hath been and is my debt, 
Desire to all parents.  and true desire to all parents, to further their comfort in their beloved children, that they may see before their eyes their children's forwardness in learning and virtue, which may be unto them some recompense, of all their love, care, and cost. And also that being hereby encouraged to bring them up virtuously, they may always have the testimony of a good conscience, to cause them to rejoice, in that they have had this first care to provide them this portion. Hereby they may depart hence with gladness, when they may leave those in their places, in whom they may see just hope, that they shall live still in the earth with worthy reputation.  
And in more especial manner hath it been my study for all such who in their natural and tender affection, 
To all more tender hearted parents.  would have their children brought up in the most loving and gentle manner, as it were in playing, and with ingenuous strife and emulation, without that sharpness which they cannot endure, so much as once to hear of.  
Yea to all likewise of the meaner sort, 
Wel-wishing to the poorer sort.  that even their children may the more easily attain unto learning, that so some of them being advanced thereby, may become a stay to their parents, a comfort to their kinsfolks, a credit to their country which brought them up.  
And to come unto our Schools, 
To the schools themselues.  for whose comfort I have chiefly spent my strength, it is my love unto you all, that you may be such fertile Seminaries, of the best instruction and nurture, as to replenish all places and callings. Such as from which all cruelty and terror may be driven far away; that you may be Ludi literarij, truly so termed; when the Masters may teach with delight, and scholars learn with delight: yea when the greatest delight and comfort may follow in the end, in reaping, and enjoying the fruit of all your travels. When as the meaner schools may be either equal, or at least come near to those of greater name, & the chief may seem as little Colleges, every year sending forth their new supplies, unto our renowned Universities, our Inns of Court, and to all other places of principal note; not only to match our adversaries herein, but also to surpass them in that, wherein they have sought to gain the chiefest credit, & to give our Church the sorest blow.  
It is the debt of my love, 
To the Universities.  and token likewise of my thankfulness to you, famous Universities, by endeavouring that ye may be replenished with the choicest plants, when Tutors may be wholly employed as Tutors ought to be, that so you likewise proceeding in the best courses after, may ever flourish more and more, in all the liberal and worthy Arts, adorned with the sweetest Rhetoricians, the sharpest Logicians, most acute and wise Philosophers, skilful Physicians, holy and great learned Divines; for beautifying and fully furnishing the sacred Ministry, 
Love to all who have lost their learning to repair it, and recover themselves.  to your eternal praise and commendation, and to the everlasting glory of Christ.  
My love to you who have misspent your time, and estate in unprofitable courses, which will be bitter unto you in the end, and who know not how to employ your selves or your talents. That hereby you may retire yourselves in time, and not only recover in a few months, that which you have formerly got in schools, and now have lost, (as experience warrenteth you may in good sort) but that you may moreover grow on forward in the konwledge of good learning, to become at length some way profitable to the Church of God, and your country which bred you. That at least you may betake yourselves, if not to the more fruitful reading of the sacred story with other learned works helping thereunto, to your eternal salvation; yet to the diligent study of the famous and ancient Grecian or Roman history, & their noble wars; to help the better to preserve, and defend your native country; or for the succour of the distressed parts of God's true Church, and the poor members of Christ against that Roman Antichrist, as you now see the Lord to need your help, and call you forth thereto. That thus you may receive comfort to your own souls, of the pardon of your former courses, and of the Lords favour, when you shall walk with him in some profitable calling: which otherwise I can never see how you can attain unto, but that you shall find the flashing of h●ll within you, when your consciences shall be once thoroughly awakened, to consider seriously how unprofitable you have been; and of that fearful doom denounced against the unprofitable servant: Cast that unprofitable servant into utter darkness, 
Matth. 25.  where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This will surely be executed upon you without your unfeigned repentance, and laying lively hold on the Lord jesus Christ.  
Finally it hath been, 
Desi●e to all functions.  and is mine unfeigned desire to all functions and places, and more particularly to every ruder place, as to the ignorant country of Wales, and more especially that poor Irish nation, 
To all ruder places, as to Wales, to the Irish, Virgi●ia the Sommerlland●.  with our loving countrymen of Virginia, or where ever else, if it might please the Lord to cause the light to break forth upon them, which now fit in such palpable darkness, and in the shadow of death, and wholly under the slavery of Satan. To the end to make the way of knowledge more easy unto them, not only to the attaining of the Latin tongue, but also that hereby they may much more easily learn our English tongue, to help to reduce the barbarous to more civility, and so to plant Gods true religion there, that jesus Christ may reign amongst them, Satan's kingdom fall, and they saved eternally, if the Lord vouchsafe them that mercy.  
To this purpose I cannot but oft think of the speech of a worthy learned man whom Cambridge in his time much reverenced, 
Master john Ireton of Legworth in Leicestershire.  who having laboured many years with little fruit, amongst a blind, and superstitious people, was wont much to lament, that he was enforced to labour in a barren soil where salt had been sown: whence he used to affirm that the chief hope of God's church for all such pleaces so nuzzled up in rudeness and superstition, was to come out of our Grammar schools. And indeed for bringing men unto civility, the very heathens saw this to be the only way, according to these verses of the Poet, which are familiar to every child.  
Add quod ingenuas didicisse fideliter arts  
Emollit mores, 
Ouid.  nec sinit esse feros.  
Right learning of ingenuous Arts,  
The savage frames to civil parts.  
This was one chief cause that all the wisest among them did so much prefer, and ever so advance learning, and learned men.  
To shut up this point; 
Discharge of debt to all.  this (I trust) shall bring a blessing in due time to every one, when this way of attaining to learning, shall become so plain and direct, as that each poor man's child may with a little cost and labour get some understanding, to know how to serve the high God, and his own necessary occasions: and that the children, and posterity of those, may come to the knowledge of the truth, who themselves have lived in most gross ignorance, and extreme blindness. By the means hereof every one shall be the better enabled to pay that debt, 
That every one may pay the debt of his birth.  which by his very birth he oweth unto the Lord, and to his native country.  
For we are none of us borne unto ourselves, 
For that none of us are born to ourselves.  but as the heathen Orator could say, Our country doth challenge a part (of our life & service,) our parents a part, our friends a part, etc. So that all the course of the life of every one of us should be bend, to the faithful discharge of this our debt: so to leave to posterity a thankful remembrance of our well deserving of them. If the heathens professed this, how much more should we Christians oft bethink ourselves, how much we owe not only to our country, & to the Church of God in general, but even to every particular soul, and more specially to those whom he hath linked us to by nearer bonds. And to this end ought each of us to seek, as he offereth opportunity, to be always paying this debt of ours; which none are likely to discharge, so well as they, who have been best instructed in their youth.  
Hereupon there shall never be wanting many cheerful advancers of all good learning, 
Learning being in reputation, shall never want multitudes of benefactors.  from which so many blessings do proceed, especially when learning shall come into the right estimation. This also shall be the chiefest glory of all such in the earth, to have been benefactors and furtherers unto the best learning and true piety, and likewise a notable evidence of the eternal happiness prepared for them.  
To this purpose if that heathen Orator could likewise say further, 
The chiefest glory in earth to be advancers o● learning & piety.  even by the light of nature: That to all who have preserved, helped, or any way augmented the happiness of their country, there is a most certain place ordained in the heavens, where they shall enjoy eternal happiness; how much more boldly may we Christians avouch the same, upon certain grounds out of the word of God: That there is indeed a place of everlasting happiness, and glory prepared for all those, who in witness of their love & thankfulness to jesus Christ, and to their countries, shall employ their studies, and their wealth, to the greatest advancement of all heavenly learning, and unto the virtuous education of youth, the hope of the succeeding ages?  
Finally, 
The glory of our nation shallbe increased as learning increaseth.  from all these shall the glory of our nation be enlarged continually, when men of true wisdom & godliness, do both rule and obey every where. A state most certain to endure long. A Prince ten times happy, and renowned to be the head of a people so excelling in all true wisdom and understanding.  
Being thus undoubtedly persuaded of so many and rich blessings to ensue, 
A part of our happiness to show our love in furthering so great a good.  upon the right finding out, and making known the best courses of teaching in the Grammar school, without the least evil that I can surmise, I have thought, that this shall be a special part of my comfort, and a mercy above all other outward favours, which the Lord hath ever vouchsafed me, if I may but do the least service herein, or but show my desire to further so great a good. Hereupon have I been encouraged (as I said) not only to travel thus far in it, but also to tender this my poor service unto all, presuming upon the kind acceptance of it amongst all sorts; which the Lord hath hitherto vouchsafed, so far forth as I know. Because my confidence hath been, from my first entrance into this travail, according to the desire of my heart, that these small beginnings might soon receive such plentiful augmentations, as in time to accomplish all the good which hath been mentioned; and as the Lord having verified amongst very many, will I trust every day more manifest unto all. 
Why this work was the more hastened to the public view.  I also at the first edition of it, hastened it the more, because, as we are borne for all, (as before was said) and receive all our talents for the benefit of every one, to whom they may do good, and are thereby each so deeply indebted unto them, so I have endeavoured since to increase my former experiments, and to make them undoubted, by full, and most certain trial (as I trust and heartily pray:) that all sorts for whom they have been written, 
The uncertainty of our lives ought to make us to do all the good we can whiles we may.  may reap some benefit by them, so long as schools or learning shall remain. And what is my life but a vapour, so that I might have been taken away before the work● had ever come to light, like as some of my fellow labourers in this kind have been, (of whom I received some of these directions, 
M. To●ey. M. Coote. M. Richardson  and those not of the smallest moment) who had been able to have done far greater service in this kind; 
We cannot appear before our ●od, if we have not done our uttermost endeavour to pay our debts, and to employ our talents to bring most advantage to our master.  most of whose worthy experiments in this behalf, were buried with them? Or how could I have ever stood before the Lord, if (being so fully resolved & assured of the good that might come by this labour, and for that likewise, by the bond of the Communion of Saints, all to whom this benefit of it might redound, had interest in it; the Lord also having offered me so fit opportunity,) I should not have sought the discharge of this my debt to the uttermost farthing? Might I not justly have feared, that he would have been displeased for my negligence and loitering in so necessary a work? Why should I not then still communicate from time to time, what he hath further vouchsafed me in my continual travel? Yea why should I not stir up all my loving brethren, to the full perfecting of that, which hath been by his goodness brought thus far forward towards the same?  
Why should we suffer the industry of the enemies to be a condemnation to us, 
Considering well the industry of our enemy.  for omitting our opportunities of accomplishing any service, which may concern the glory of our God, the welfare of this people, and the perpetual benefit of this our dear nation: when they watch all occasions not only to hinder whatsoever good they can amongst us, but to put out for ever the candle of Israel. 
Witness for ever the powder furnace.  When as they will toil day and night with the peril of their lives, to undermine, and blow up our royal King, and Prince, our Nobles, and worthies, with all our glory at once; thereby to make an easier passage to their most bloody and accursed massacres, to murder all who bear any love to Christ's Gospel, yea to destroy utterly all the people of the Lord, even through the whole world, if it were possible, as their furious rage doth at this day proclaim, though with the endless destruction of themselves both souls and bodies, and even of their native country their mother which bred them.  
Notwithstanding, 
This work hath not been set upon rashly, but undertaken by an holy & warrantable calling.  I have not rashly attempted to enter into this so great a work, but, I hope, that I may truly say, that the Lord our loving God, who hath holpen me hitherto, hath called me unto it. And this hath he done, partly enforcing me by necessity, to seek out the easiest, speediest, and best means to manage this my calling, and whereby I might do most good in my place, to be thereby in some sort answerable to the same. Partly by giving me a confident assurance, even from the beginning of this my travel, what a benefit might come to all sorts, by the readiest courses once found out; and more also in this, that I have seemed to myself, by his goodness, to have from time to time gained ever somewhat by my search: & have withal observed how much some few schools have excelled others, chiefly through the better courses which they have followed. Partly by vouchsafing me strength, and cheerfulness to proceed thus far, still adding unto me some new experiments. More specially by causing me to have an earnest desire, and an hope by this means to answer the love of certain worthy friends, in seeking that good to theirs, which I was not able to perform unto themselves. But above all, hath he called me hereunto, by the encouragement which I have received from some principal benefactors to schools, 
By special benefactors to schools such who had authority to command ●y service.  & good learning; who though they might by their authority and favours have commanded all my service, yet knowing my endeavour herein, have both most lovingly cheered me, and withal somewhat supported me to go through with this so weighty a business: 
The ●ight Hon. E of H. M. johnson Archdeacon of Leicestershire.  for the good of their own schools and places, and of all others. Who have not thought it enough to found or bestow the places, and to endow them with meet maintenance, unless they shall also do what may be to leave in them the best means of all good instruction and education. To whom not only myself, but the Church of God (as I trust) shall ever be beholden. 
From his Sovereign Majesty's desire for all his schol=olss.   
But to pass over this point. That worthy desire of our royal Sovereign (whom the Lord long preserve to his glory and the good of all his people) namely to have all good learning to flourish in these his dominions, declared so many ways, & specially in that his gracious incitement to all Schoolmasters (in the conclusion of his Majesty's letters, set before our common Grammar (aught not only to provoke, but to bind us all, who have this function and charge, to endeavour ourselves to the uttermost, to search out still the best means for the most fruitful training up of our Scholars, in all good literature and virtuous conditions, where he so royally assureth us, that as we shall receive reward of Almighty God for the same, so of his Majesty worthy commendations. And therefore whatsoe●er comfort we shall find by our travels therein, to make the same fully known for the general good of all, as God shall vouchsafe us fit occasions thereunto.  
For the manner which I have used in all this proceeding; 
For the manner of proceeding in this work, the Preface to our common Grammar doth direct it.  the Preface to the Reader in the same our common Grammar hath directed me; where having affirmed that the variety of teaching is divers, and always will be, for that every Schoolmaster liketh that which he knoweth, & seeth not the use of that which he knoweth not, and therefore judgeth that to be the most sufficient way, which he seeth to be the readiest means to bring a learner to have knowledge therein; it directeth us thus: Wherefore it is not amiss (saith it) if one seeing by trial an easier and a readier way than the common sort of Teachers do, would say that he hath proved, and for the commodity allowed it, that others not knnwing the same, might by experience prove the like, & then by proof reasonably judge thereof: not hereby excluding the better way when it is found, but in the mean season forbidding the worse. This course have I followed in all directions which I have here observed, & set them down accordingly. Whereas it may be objected and said, 
Though many have written hereof, yet none have proceeded in this particular manner for the help of he meanest.  that sundry have written very learned treatises, concerning the training up of youth: I answer, that it is so indeed; yet (that I may speak in modesty as the truth is) all the learned do well know, that they are such, as do only set down the same in a general manner; or do write of some one piece or two alone, or at most of some few parts of Grammar learning and matters appertaining thereunto; and the principal of them unknown to the common sort of teachers: or else they are beyond the capacity and reach of the meaner sort (for whom this is chiefly intended;) or at least, they have specially fitted their course, for the instruction of two or three alone, to be trained up in private houses, as our renowned Master A●kam. But none whom I know, or have heard of, have in this kind of search and trial, gone through the several parts of our Grammarschoole learning, applying themselves for the weakest, & for the common country Schools, thus leading them as by the hand, thorough all the whole courses thereof, only according to our common Grammar and most approved classical Authors.  
Neither have I in this, 
This work hath not been proceeded in by private conceit.  followed mine own private conceit, but besides searching by reading, trial and observation, I have first for many years inquired further (as I said) the best courses, from the most experienced, who have proved them: even of such as have sent most excellent scholars unto the Universities; as I have been assured from some of the chief in the same. Secondly I have made trial to see a demonstration of every thing. Thirdly I have had (so much as I could) the judgement of all the learned, with whom I could confer or communicate. Fourthly, so far as I have been able, I have procured yearly trials to be made by some of the best authority, learning, and judgement that I could obtain this favour of, & have entreated them to censure all things frankly, and to direct us wherein they found or thought us defective, to confirm and encourage us wherein we proceeded in a right course.  
Neither have I conferred with any loving friend hereof (so far as I remember) who hath not approved of the course, and wished all good success to this my travel. 
Nor posted on, but hastened slowly.  So that I have not posted it forward, but hasted slowly; and used so far as God hath granted me opportuniy, all means of due preparation, and of mature deliberation: thus enquiring of (as I said) and conferring with so many of the best experienced, as either my calling, or greatness of the charges in travel would permit. And moreover before I published any thing hereof in print, I sent some draughts, unto sundry learned, for their help and direction, though not to the hundredth man to whom I desired. For that I was neither able to get copies enough written, nor to procure them written truly, much less to be at the charge to send them abroad into all parts, to many, who I know would willingly have laid to their hands, and added their experiments. Therefore herein also, in steed of sending any more written copies abroad, I after a time, by the counsel of some faithful and judicious well-willers to this work, thought it best to follow that worthy Precedent of most happy labours, Master Perkins; who when he was in hand with his Problem, being advised to send some copies first to his learned friends, answered that he could not get copies enough written, & though he procured some written forth, and by good scholars, yet they were so defective, as that he could not well send them. And for that cause he would print some few of them first, which might go forth to the view of the world, and so he might hear the common censure of all, and receive the help of his friends, and then reform accordingly. Thus did I adventure to send forth the former draught of my Grammar School, with some other parts belonging to the same to the public view of all, that I might the sooner hear and receive the free censures and better directions of all loving friends, and well-willers unto this work, so to be forthwith trying, reforming and supplying, like as I have continued until this day.  
In the whole work, 
The Author assumeth to himself only the wants & errors.  as I promised not any thing but my travel, which I have striven to perform with all the poor ability which the Lord hath vouchsafed me, so I take nothing to myself, but only the wants and errors. The rest is his who hath given this desire, and prolonged my life, granted me understanding, strength, and opportunity to bring it thus far forward. What directions or experiences herein, I have received from others, as yet, or lately living, I would have set down with their names adjoined, like as I have done of some (which I know might have brought much credit to the work, for the authority of sundry of them; and thereby every one of them have had their due) but that they did not think it meet, desiring to be concealed. What I have gathered out of the writings of the chief learned who have revived learning in this last age, as Sturmius, Melanchton, Erasmus, & others, either shortly set down, or plainly pointed at in them; I have omitted likewise to mention particularly; not any way to wrong or detract from them, but partly for that I did not note the places at my reading of them; and moreover for that I thought that labour more troublesome than profitable to the Reader.  
Neither take I upon me any way to prescribe to the meanest, 
Prescribeth not to any.  knowing myself so far inferior to the greatest part, but do begin to think more and more, of this weighty calling, as Paul did of the sacred Ministry, and to break out into that his admiration, who is sufficient for these things? who is meet to have the treasure both of Church and Commonwealth, with the hopes of all posterity committed unto him, and much more to prescribe perpetual rules in this behalf? Much less do I presume to teach them of most excellent gifts; but as a poor fellow labourer for the common good, and a willing learner of all, I do humbly desire the judgement and help of all the chief learned, both for their cause who wish this, and for the universal benefit of the present age, and of all posterity. That I may see still both what they approve in the courses set down, also what they disallow, and likewise upon what grounds; what may be bettered, what is yet wanting, and what is superfluous.  
Thus is my hearts desire, to travel in it still, according as I have begun, until the Lord shall accomplish the whole work, which although it should be seven years more, yea many more before; yet the Lord prolonging my days, I shall ever increase in rejoicing in my undoubted assurance of the rich blessing, which God will give unto it, & think all my labour most happily spent. But herein let not any man expect from me great matters, in a lofty kind of verse or prose, or eminency in declamations, orations, or the like, this I leave to our worthy renowned schools of Westminster, Eton, Winchester, and the rest both in London & elsewhere, and to our Schoolmasters of chief fame, whose breeding & employment in schools hath been accordingly; and who have ancient scholars long exercised in these kinds. Concerning whom I am so far off from envying any excellent learning in them, that I wish all others partakers of the like in their kind. And for myself I content me with this mercy from the Lord, and bless him for it, that I have traveled chiefly for our meaner & ruder schools; and that he hath vouchsafed me this favour, to bring my work so far forward, as to help to direct hitherto, according to the things mentioned in the Contents. Yet this I humbly desire of all such of principal note, for education, gifts and experience, to further us with their better directions in all these exercises and the rest; & now God having so accomplished my desire for the first foundation, and let me see his blessing upon the little on's, I will labour to follow them in what I am too short, as fast as his goodness shall enable, until I shall likewise find by experience, wherein that excellency and comfort of theirs doth consist, and come as near unto them as I can. Though therein, Come in primis non liceat; in secundis tertijsve consistere pulchrum erit.  
For the length of the work in the Grammar school, 
Reasons for the length of the work.  I have in many things contracted very much in this edition. And for those things wherein I may seem over tedious, as namely in the first entrance of children, in teaching Accidence and Grammar, also for construing, parsing, and making Latin, I would have all consider how therein I have contended to direct the careful Master, to incite both himself, and his little ones, as by play, to make the least to love the School and learning; and for that those things being well performed, all the difficulty is past. Yea in all such places I would wish you ever still to remember this, that I wrote not for the great learned, but chiefly for the simplest, & young beginners, both teachers and learners, with whom I cannot be too plain; although I have and do still strive to abridge whatsoever can be, so as I may be well conceived of all, for whom I labour; and in the end of every chapter have usually repeated briefly the sum thereof. And know withal, that I have thought it my duty to set down whatsoever I have found to be profitable, that out of them all, the best may be settled, being confirmed by the trials of many. In which respects some of great learning, who perused the work formerly, have not seen how it could well be any shorter, nor what might well be spared, especially being thus offered to the public censure. Consider moreover what great volumes have been written of some one of these points alone, whereas my endeavour hath been to go thorough them all, showing in every one, what I take to be principally necessary or behoveful. And finally remember that which Marshal wittily and truly affirmeth: 
Non sunt longa quibus nihil est quod demere possis. 
Martial. Epig.   
Things are not long, wherein there is not aught to spare.   
Those for whom it hath been laboured in, who will not vouchsafe it the reading because of the length, would much less have taken the pains, or have been at the cost, to have traveled, searched, and tried to have found it out. Although this I dare constantly avow, and keep within my bounds, that it had countervailed unto me both the labour of an hundredth times reading it over, and as many times the charges, if I had known but the things from my first entrance into teaching, which God hath now thus made known to all; besides the freeing both of my body and mind from much toil and grief. Notwithstanding that I then both read all whom I could get in this argument of teaching, and also had from the beginning for sundry years the advice and direction of 
* Master john Ireton of Kegworth, mentioned before.  one in whose house I lived, who was well known to be inferior to few in all excellent learning, and even in this kind amongst other. Neither do I doubt, but that whosoever he be that would do good in this function, especially of the new beginners, and shall peruse the work with desire to make his benefit of it, shall meet with some one thing alone or other in it, (which if he will practise it aright) he will freely acknowledge to be worth all his labour, as I have done sundry of them at the receiving and trial of them, and much more shall he do the same for all the rest.  
Yet for those who would not read over the whole treatise at large, 
The use of it to the learned, who would not read the whole.  they may see the sum briefly in the margins, & so in the table in the end, to read what they desire, to pass over the rest. But for them for whom I have traveled, I had much rather to be overlong, to the end that I may omit nothing which concerneth their help, 
Better for the learners that the work should be overlarge then too short.  & may be understood of all, then by being over-short, to omit many things, or not to be understood of the greatest part: as it falleth out in most Compendiums. For as I once heard a great learned and holy man say publicly in the University concerning Compendiums, 
D●. 〈◊〉.  that they brought ordinarily but a compendiarie knowledge; so it will be found certainly true, amongst all learners of them in matters of any difficulty, unless they have the help of good readers, or of most familiar Commentaries and expositions, to make them plain. Because commonly the learners do imagine that they have gotten that learning by them which indeed they are ignorant of, and so cease from searching further; although for those who understand them fully, or have means to have them plainly opened, they are of most singular use, for the easy remembering and practice of the things contained in them.  
Moreover howsoever I should not be able to attain to each point aimed at here, and wished, nor to any one of them in the absolute perfection, 
This travel happily employed, if but to effect these things following.  yet I ever thought from the beginning that my travel should be most happily employed, if I might effect but only these things following, or some of them, as namely:  
If I might but set others on work, 
1. If but to set others on work hereby.  to search yet further, or to make trial of these experiments or better, for the full assurance of all sorts, to find out at length, that which is desired.  
Or secondly, 
2. Or to gain more experiments, which men are so hardly drawn to communicate.  if it were but to gain the experiments of some others who have most happily traveled herein. And the rather, for that sundry of chief experience in this kind, are so hardly drawn to impart that which they know; either for lack of opportunities, or lest they should be thought to presume over much, or suspecting the censures of others, or for some like by respects, whereby both Church and Commonwealth are deprived of their due; to wit, of such singular helps as might exceedingly tend to the benefit of them both.  
Or thirdly, 
3. Or to make known sundry most profitable books and helps.  if I might but make known amongst alsorts, sundry most profitable books and helps which God hath to this end provided, both for Masters and Scholars, which have formerly been hid, and are utterly unknown to the greatest part.  
Or fourthly, 
4. To help all desirous to do good, and yet toil without fruit.  if I may but only help such of my brethren as toil without fruit or comfort, wearying themselves in an earnest study to do good, and do mourn and sigh, wishing better directions. And much more those, who never knew any good proceedings, and live as burdens to the public hurt, for lack of direction in this behalf. That so not any one, who maketh conscience of his calling, and will inquire, should be unprofitable.  
Yea five, 
If but to gain one year.  if I might but help the common sort, how to gain but one year only in the getting of learning, 
Though there may be hope of almost double sound learning, to that which hath been in many rude places.  & lessening of charges, chiefly for the poorer. Albeit that my undoubted hope is, that by these courses alone almost double sound and good learning may be gained, in regard of that which hath been and is in many country Schools, for understanding, speediness, certainty and delight. That little children being rightly trained up, may do more at nine or ten years old, then in many places at fourteen or fifteen, as Master Askam saith, concerning the Northern parts in his time; when they went to the school little children, and came away great lubbers; always learning, little profiting, learning without book every thing, and understanding within book little or nothing, as he rightly affirmeth. And for the further evidence hereof, that so much more good may be done hereby, it is very apparent in this. That a great deal may be gained by three or four of these helps alone, 
For that so much may be gained by three or four of these helps alone.  which either are not known, or not practised in the ordinary Schools.  
As first, by winning a year or two in the beginning, by ●etting them to school so soon as they are able to learn.  
Secondly, by causing all things in Schools to be done with understanding. Of the benefit whereof see Chap. 5. of the Grammar School.  
Thirdly, by making the Scholars very perfect, first in their grounds, viz Accidence, chiefly in Nouns and Verbs, after the manner which is showed there; and after likewise in the Grammar itself, for the perfect use, understanding and applying of the rules. This will gain much in time, and more in ease and certainty than can be imagined.  
Fourthly, by making them very perfect in their authors, as they proceed.  
Fiftly, by the knowledge and practice of the rule of construing, and of translations form according unto the same, for all the lower sort.  
Sixtly, by having in all things the most easy, sure, and excellent patterns to follow; which, they being kept unto constantly, must needs come in time to express very lively, or at least come near unto them. To omit the benefit of increasing in our own tongue as in the Latin; and all things for going certainly without staggering or doubting, and much more by their growing in their writing, together with their other learning, & that by one and the same labour.  
Now if by these few so much may be gained, and much more by all the rest together, being constantly practised: then let every man judge what we might certainly expect, if many more learned well-willers, would add still but each his several experiment.  
These same, amongst others, have been the several ends, whereat I have aimed, and thought my labours should be happily employed, if I might in any sort attain unto them. Wherein how far the Lord hath vouchsafed to fulfil my desire, I refer it to every one who hath or shall duly make trial of that which I have written.  
That I do in this work so much account of Grammatical translations, 
Reason of the high account of grammatical translations.  which I so oft mention in the Grammar school, as namely Chap. 8. where I show the manner, use and benefit of them, I hope that this will be found true by experience, that after children have been well trained up in their Accidence, and a little entered and acquainted with them, following the courses directed for them, they will go over their whole Authors so translated, by the help of them, before they could have gone through one third part of them without. And also that they will learn their authors far more perfectly for each good use, and keep them much more surely, with less labour or trouble; besides that they shall continually learn by them to make Latin truly and purely, and to get matter and phrase, aswell as to construe and purse. And furthermore because in all the forms which shall use them, chiefly in the higher, they will be found for the most part to be in stead of the Masters or Usher's labour, and ever certain, teaching English as well as Latin, without any of the inconveniences usually imagined; so that there be a wise direction and oversight, as in all other things, that they be used aright.  
Besides experience, the reasons are most evident, as I have showed in their place; 
Chap. 8.  especially by making all their authors to be so easily and soon understood, and then for the continual practice by them of the Grammar Analysis and Genesis: and finally that by them may be such a daily use of translating both into English & Latin: all which are so highly commended by the learned, for the speedy getting of any tongue. And hereunto the two first leaves of Master askam's Schoolmaster whom I principally esteem and propound, 
Master askam's testimony of the practice of translating.  do give sufficient testimony. He in the very entrance of his book, sharply reprooving the common order of making Latins practised in Schools; and having showed how by that (as it is commonly said) children are utterly marred, and also having given most manifest reasons of the hurt which comes thereof, for the fear that children are driven into: affirming moreover, that nothing hath more dulled the wits, or taken away the wills of children from learning, then that: and lastly how they learn evil choice of words, wrong placing, and ill framing of sentences, and that which they must unlearn again; he afterwards speaks thus, concerning this kind of translating, and the benefits of it.  
There is a way (saith he) touched in the first book of Cicero de Oratore, 
This is well worthy the marking of all.  which wisely brought into Schools, truly taught, and constantly used, would not only take away that butcherly fear of making Latins, but also with ease and pleasure, and in short time, as I know by good experience, work a true choice, and placing of words, a right ordering of sentences, an easy understanding of the tongue, or readiness to speak, facility to write, a true judgement both of his own and other men's doings; what tongue soever he doth use. Then he setteth down the manner, how the child should be taught to translate a piece of Tully, or a like Author thus plainly, & afterwards out of his translation to turn it into the Latin of the Author again; and then by comparing with the Author to see how near he came, and where he miss; so to amend it, still striving until he come to express his Author truly. By this he saith, the master may teach all those things which are most tedious and difficult without any error, and the scholar may learn without any great pain, the Master being led by so sure a guide, & the scholar brought into so plain and easy a way. This is the sum of Master askam's speech.  
Now these Grammatical translations of our lowest School Authors, do perform the same things for all young scholars far more surely and speedily.  
More surely, because the scholar translating into English of himself, unless the Master use marvelous diligence, before in making him very perfect in the true construing of it, and as much after in perusing & amending every thing which is faulty, the child will miss in translating; and if he translate falsely into English, or miss of the Grammatical order, he can not translate into the same Latin again, upon sure grounds and reason, unless he go by rote, as we say. Moreover that labour for so perusing the translations, of every one of each form through a School, would be endless in the greater schools, and much more when they have turned it into Latin, for comparing all with the Author, and reducing each thing into the right order; whereas these being so translated unto their hands, do first guide them certainly how to construe or to translate, to read all things which they learn by them, into a true translation, and consequently to turn them perfectly into the Latin of the Author again.  
These do it also more speedily, 
More speedily.  in as much as they may read over many lines turning them into English or Latin before that they can write one. Although that kind of translating by pen of themselves, both into English and Latin, hath also her due place and singular use, for some special benefits thereof, as writing true Orthography, and the like, as I shall show in the handling of it.  
Furthermore, 
This very course in effect practised by Master Askam.  this very course of translating pieces of Tully or the like good Author, into plain natural English, by the Master himself, and giving them to the Scholar to turn into Latin, to try how near he can come to the Author, and then comparing it with the Author, he sets down in the beginning of his second book, page 2.  
By this means he saw that experience which might seem almost incredible, 
Experience of the singular benefit of it in Master john Whitne●.  in that hopeful young Gentleman (whose death he so much bewaileth) Master john Whitney, in Sir Anthony Dennies house, where the Lady Elizabeth did lie, when he came to serve her; that within less than the space of a year, he had so profited in writing pure Latin, that (as he saith) some in seven years in the Grammar Schools, yea some in the Universities, could not do half so well. So afterwards he saw the like in his happiest Scholar that ever England had bred, our late Queen, who made us all happy; who, as he saith, did so far surpass all of her years in excellency of Learning, 
This way of translating the chief & sure means to attain speedily to any tongue. Master askam's Schoolmaster. Lib. 2. p. 33.  and knowledge of diverse Tongues, that very few of the rarest wits in the Universities could any way reach unto her. And this seemeth evidently to have been the chief means; like as he proveth at large, by the authority of many great learned, this way of translating, to be either the only, or at least the chief, ready, and sure means to attain speedily to any tongue.  
And that I may add but one other testimony of a rare and known experience in this kind. 
A late known and worthy experience in a young Nobleman of rare hope.  At the Commencement of that right noble, and memorable Gentleman, Sir john Harington, (who now rests and reigns with the Lord) having speech with Master Tovey, who had been a Schoolmaster, equal (as he was judged) to most of the chief in that kind; but was then wholly employed for the attendance and tuition of that young Nobleman (with whom he also lives now in heaven,) I desired to know this of him: that whereas I had writ unto him formerly, to have taken some pains, in setting down the shortest and best way of teaching, according to his experience; and now there was a rare fame, that God had given an extraordinary blessing to his endeavours with that young Nobleman, so that he did of a sudden go far beyond most others of his time, (above all former expectation:) that he would vouchsafe to impart unto me, in a word or two, what were the principal means he had used thereto. He acknowledging thankfully, that he had indeed seen much experience of God's mercy therein, told me, that this was the principal and sum of his course: That he had been enforced to begin again, even from the very Accidence, causing him to get the perfect understanding of the Rules, for the meaning and use, though he could not the words in so short a time; and after that, he had caused him to practise continual translating into Latin, after this manner. That he himself had chosen easy places of Tully, and other familiar Authors, which the Gentleman knew not, and caused him to turn them into Latin, and after brought him to the Author, to compare that which he had written, to the same, just according to this last manner mentioned out of Master Askam. After, rounding me in the ear, he said; But shall I tell you, It was by Prayer, quoth he. Hereupon, after my return, I set myself to put all these in practice, yet more seriously then formerly I had done. But for this kind of translating, finding the toil and impossibility of it, first to translate pieces fit for every Form, and after to examine every one's exercise, how he had translated, and to correct them; I wholly bend myself to try how this might be done, thorough the several lower Forms, that they might have most practise of it.  
Thus trying sundry ways, which were overlong to recite, and amongst others, having seen in a chief School in London, good use of verbal translations; amongst some other things, I began to think, that by the means of translations of the first Authors which Scholars learn, this translating might be practised in each lower Form continually. But there were yet two main difficulties, which had formerly hindered me from any such use of them. First, that our usual translations did direct the young Scholars uncertainly, and sometimes amiss, being oft rather to express the sense, than the words in any right order of Grammar; and that the learners must go by memory, and as it were by rote, more than by any certainty of Rule, unless they were of better judgement. And secondly, that for this and other inconveniences, translations were generally in disgrace in Schools. Therefore, this than I thought necessary to be my first labour, to find out some certain rule to follow, according to which to frame these translations, and which might be the guide of all.  
And herein I, 
To whom the finding out of the rule, and of translations thereby is acknowledged.  under jesus Christ, acknowledge myself be holden for the rule of construing and translating, in the beginning of my School labours, now above 30. years ago, first to Master Crusius: since to the reverend and ancient Schoolmaster, Master Leech. Thirdly, after them to that painful, Master Coote, of Hunsden in Essex, now with the Lord. And fourthly, to that learned Go●leuius, and to some other of my acquaintance, who had likewise taken pains in this rule, which they willingly imparted unto me.  
And so from that time until this day, 
Labour to find out the rule▪ and to frame the translations accordingly.  I have still been labouring to find out the rule more exactly, & to frame the translations according to the same. Secondly, this hath been my next study, to seek out the right uses and benefits of these translations, 
And also the right uses & benefits of them.  and so in all things to set them down, as they might be a certain direction, whereby most easily and surely to reap the fruit of them. Lastly I have traveled herein specially to have full trial & assurance in every thing, 
And finally, to have ●ull assurance of every thing.  that as I had gathered these amongst other experiments, for the use of all schools, so upon certain proof by myself, and other of better judgement, I might at length commend them to all learners, and so help to bring in that excellent use of them (which Master Askam advised) even into the Schools, in which they had been so formerly distasted, as that it was thought a Paradox, but to name the use of translations i● them.  
Now upon this rule, 
Upon what things all the chief benefits of these translations depend.  and the expressing every thing in the translations, both in propriety, and also according to the sense and meaning of the author, with variety of other English phrases, and supplying what is wanting, to make up the construction, with the other things observed therein, especially upon the rule, depend all the chief benefits, for a certain Analysis and Genesis; both for construing, parsing, making and tying Latin surely, and sundry of the rest, 
Chap. 8.  as is showed at large in the eight Chapter of the Grammar School.  
By the right practice of these translations, so framed, as I am fully assured, 
Certain benefits of these translations rightly used.  by long experience, through the Lord's mercy and goodness, an increase will be found in learning, far more than can be well conceived, before due trial made, and that with much less trouble to the Master then otherwise: and with far more delight, certainty, ease, and cheerful emulation to the scholar. I have therefore thought it my duty, after my unfallible experience of them, rightly used, so as I have plainly set down the manner in this second edition of my Grammar School, and after my so long and painful travel, to find out the Rule most certainly, with the best, and most profitable uses thereof, to commend them more confidently unto all our Schools, and to all desirous to recover speedily the knowledge of their Latin tongue, or to increase therein. In a certain affiance, that all who shall use them aright, shall see a rich blessing, without inconvenience: yet lest in any thing I should be thought too peremptory, I entreat the learned first to make proof, then to judge hereof according as they find.  
For any further apology therefore for my bold attempt, 
Further apology needless, except, 1. The Author's desire to do all this good.  in these endeavours, I trust that some few of the reasons lightly touched before, may be defence sufficient. And first my unfeigned study to do all this good to all sorts, without the least injury to any one, so far forth as I shall know it, or without inverting any approved course. And that howsoever I have been the unfittest of many of my brethren, to enter upon so hard a task, yet the weaker, the more meet have I been, to have a compassionate feeling of the wants of others; and more like to apply myself to the capacity of the meanest and most ignorant: whereas the great learned and acute do oft times think, that what they themselves understand, all others should presently conceive, though the most of the simple comprehend little or nothing of it fully, as they should.  
Secondly, 
2. The having all these experiments gathered to our hands.  for that in these my poor labours, every one may have the weary travels, and comfortable experiments, of many learned thus gathered into one, and brought thereby unto his hands without labour or charge, which otherwise might have cost them many miles travelling, and some years' trial, as well as myself, and yet they might have failed of many things, which here they may find, and more hereafter, as God shall vouchsafe more supplies unto it.  
Thirdly, 
3. Assurance of each man's affection, to have his child so brought up as is here desired.  because there is no man, having the nature of a wise father, who would not have his child to have some learning, howsoever he purpose to employ him afterward, and who to that end would not have him so instructed, as whereby to get the best learning, in the shortest time, and with the least severity, or who will not give almost double, if he may be assured to have his child so trained up.  
Fourthly, 
4. For the testimony of his conscience to be upright & faithful 〈◊〉 all his work.  for that I have him who searcheth & trieth the hearts, and whose good hand hath been with me in goodness, in all this work, to bear witness unto my conscience, that I have not either in this, or any other my travels, aimed at vain praise or commendation (for that our holy God would turn into shame) or at any other sinister end; but that I have striven with all my heart, so far as in my weakness I have been able, to aim at those very ends alone, which our blessed Saviour hath taught me, in that divine pattern of heavenly prayer, which hath been in all my labours my principal direction. And namely, to manifest my duty & thankfulness to my heavenly father, like as for all other his mercies chiefly in heavenly things in Christ, and for innumerable temporal favours, in his fatherly providence, protection and direction vouchsafed unto me; 
1. Anno 1588.  so more especially for those three great deliverances (to be had in everlasting remembrance) not only of our Church and nation, 
2. The death of Queen Elizabeth, and peaceable bringing in our Sovereign.  & of all other the Churches of Christ with them, but even of myself particularly in every one of them. And this I have desired to do, by seeking first to honour him, 
3. Powder ●reason.  and secondly to advance and enlarge his kingdom, and to these ends searching to know and accomplish all his holy will, tending thereunto, and so all the other subordinate ends, as he hath directed me. Thus have I endeavoured to rely upon that his gracious promise, that thus seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, all these other things should be added unto me, (as an over-measure) so far as should be good. And herein indeed I have felt no breach of promise from his Majesty, but found him faithfully and true; yea, exceeding bountiful, above all that I could conceive, in all things wherein his goodness hath enabled me so to seek him. Upon all these grounds I can nothing doubt, but through the mercy of the Lord, this labour being intended to these very ends, and proved to be answerable thereunto, without inconveniences in the right use of it, as my assured confidence is; I cannot but fully hope, that it will in due time be most welcome, and acceptable to all, that ever shall make trial by themselves or others.  
Lastly, 
5. For willing submission of al● things to the public cen●ure.  for that I willingly submit it, with all my labours, to the loving censure of all the learned, who truly love Christ's Gospel, being ready to be taught of the meanest, who shall in any thing show me my error, or give me clearer light. And though the defects should still be very many (as in so difficult a work it is no great marvel;) yet sith I am most desirous to be continually reforming, every ingenuous well-willer unto good learning, will (I trust) lovingly pardon them, and thankfully accept of that which God of his goodness hath granted. Thus I put forth each first Copy of translations or others, 
And desire to be still learning of all.  as not set forth, but to go more generally to all my loving friends, and wellwishers to this work, to crave of them further help, as I said before.  
To this end, I do still humbly request, every true favourer of good learning, to lay to his hand, that so I may be continually learning, amending, and perfecting, so long as the Lord shall lengthen my days.  
If in any thing, 
The cause of the confi●nt rejoicing in it.  I have or shall seem to rejoice overmuch, yet consider first, that in my general work, in my Grammarschoole, I have thought the form of a Dialogue most fit; wherein more liberty is granted to incite and encourage others. Secondly, that I have not, nor will speak any more, then either what I have seen experience of, or whereof upon good grounds, I am fully assured, and which I take myself bound to relate, only to the praise of our God, & the good of others, to make all others partakers of the comforts, which to that end he hath vouchsafed unto me, following so near as I can, that direction mentioned before, in the Preface before our common Grammar. Thirdly remember that report of Master Askam, concerning Master john Whitney, far greater than all mine are together: and then I doubt not (these things being rightly weighed) but all who are wise hearted, will easily bear with me, in my confident rejoicing, trusting moreover that God will verify all things, to every one who shall duly make trial. And in this affiance, and testimony of my conscience, before his sacred Majesty, I wholly rely myself.  
Therefore, 
Exhortation & encouragement to the weaker teachers.  before I conclude, give me leave a little to turn my speech to you, (my dear fellow labourers,) and namely to all you of the weaker sort, for whom I have and do still chiefly travel, whose hearts are set as mine to do all the good you can, in your several places, all your days. To you all I wish, that as we have been sometimes companions, in fruitless toil, and vexation; so we may be now in rejoicing at, and admiring the new fruits of our labours. What a grief may this justly be unto us, 
Grief to all honest hearted masters, for complaints and murmurings against them.  when one shall come, and cry out of us, to our faces: My son hath been under you six or seven years, and yet is not able so much as to read English well; much less to construe or understand a piece of Latin, or to write true Latin, or to speak in Latin in any tolerable sort, 
Complaints of parents for the●● children not profiting.  which he might have been well able to have performed, if that you had taken that course and those good pains with him which you might have done; for in such a school others much younger than mine are able to do it. Another shall complain; My son comes on never a whit in his writing. Besides that his hand is such, 
Murmurings of Towns for charges ill bestowed and children spoiled.  that it can hardly be read; he also writes so false English, that he is neither fit for trade, nor any employment wherein to use his pen. When all in a town generally, shall murmur against us, in this or the like manner, that their children do no good under us, but lose their time, and spend their friend's money, being brought up idly, made fit for nothing, and therefore what should a school do amongst them? That it were much better to turn the maintenance given to the school, to bear the charges of the town for other duties and services, than so unprofitably to employ it.  
Moreover how must this needs trouble us, 
Some to cry out against our severity.  when many shall cry out of our severity: some shall wish, I would my child had never known him. If he had not dealt so cruelly with my child, he had been a scholar, whereas now he is undone. Or when our scholars coming to man's estate, shall curse us, for that by our blows they were made dunces or deaf (though this oftentimes unjustly) or to hate all learning. 
Scholars coming to man's estate to bewail loss of their time.  Or shall generally bewail the loss of their time under us, complaining as the usual manner is, My Master never taught me any understanding, or right use of good learning, that though I was with sundry, yet I was never the better. I got more sense, and saw more light for the use and excellency of learning, and also felt more sweetness therein, in one half year in the end, with one who directed me in a better order, then in all my time, with all others. The rest deceived my parents, and were my undoing. Or when they shall thus complain: Our Master had not any care of our government and manners. 
That they were not taught any religion.  He never taught us the fear of the Lord, nor made the least conscience to plant any Religion or grace in us.  
Finally, 
Terror for for lack of growth of God's religion.  what a terror shall this be unto us, and what a wounding to our consciences, when we shall but think, how the Lord and all good men, may most justly lay this unto our charge, that the cause hath been chiefly in us, that God's religion, hath not thriven any better in our Land, in so long a time; but that Popery, ignorance, Atheism, and all irreligiousness, have far more grown up in many places? If we had been as careful to season our youth, in the truth of Christ, and to settle them in the grounds of his holy religion, truly professed amongst us, to their salvation, as the Popish schoolmasters are to corrupt them with Idolatry, and superstition, unto perdition, the knowledge and love of God's true worship, and piety, had flourished amongst us, every where long ago, all Popery and Atheism rooted out. And what answer can we think to make to God, for his religion, and people, for so many who have been lost, chiefly through our lack of care? How should these things touch every one of us, even to the very hearts, and cause us to bethink ourselves at length, of this our weighty function, to the end to take away all this reproach, and to begin to recover the credit of our worthy profession.  
You know well, 
The charge committed to us.  that we are they to whose charge that rich treasure, both of Church and Common wealth is committed in trust, (as was said) and the hope of a more happy age hereafter yet to come. We are they who help either to make or mar all; for that all the flower of our Nation, and those who become the leaders of all the rest, are committed to our education, and instruction: that if we bring them up aright, there is great hope, that they shall prove goodly lights, and marks to all the rest of the Land, especially, to the towns and countries where they are; and clean contrarily, most woeful ensamples (as are every where to be seen) if they be spoiled through us, or for lack of our better care. So that we must needs do the greatest good or the greatest evil. As we are before them, so we may expect, that they shall prove for the most part after us. We are therefore the men, upon whom the flourishing of this our Canaan, doth very much depend. We cannot then but know, that as our work and charge are so weighty, and in course of education next unto the work and charge of the holy Ministry, which we also are to help to furnish: so our account must be according to that which our God hath trusted us withal, and our reward answerable; dreadful, if we have been negligent; glorious, if we have been faithful.  
We cannot be ignorant, how our enemies the jesuits, not only in their Seminaries, but also in their lesser schools, do bend their wits, to go beyond us in this very kind. Give me leave to put you in mind of that which was written unto me, from an ancient acquaintance in the University, now sundry years ago, and which I do gladly acknowledge, to the praise of God, that it hath from the first relation put more life unto me in this business. The sum of it was this.  
The Jesuits, 
The combinations of the Jesuits ought to provoke us. October, 28. 1608.  the Popish schoolmasters beyond the seas, do combine themselves together, and all, or at least many schools do read the same books at one time, and the same places, and do change every quarter, and set upon the school doors, the Authors, place, lectures, exercises, every quarter, newly printed, and for this they have great suit made unto them by the Printers. This have I lately learned of certain whom I used beyond the seas to this end. Thus far my loving friend. Whether this report was true in each particular, I cannot certainly affirm, yet for the general, we all who understand any thing, do know that it is most certain.  
Now who are these who thus combine? are they not the principal plotters of the ruin of all the Churches of Christ, and of Commonwealths, as they are cried out of, even in the Popish countries themselves; the arch enemies of Christ and his Gospel, and the chief upholders of the throne of the Beast, to make him king of kings, and Lord of Lords. And what is their purpose in seeking out the most excellent courses of getting most speedily all good learning as they would pretend? Surely their purpose is nothing else, as all the world may plainly see, but by that their learning to out-countenance the heavenly learning, the sacred truth of that everlasting Gospel, and all the learned, who profess Christ jesus throughout the earth: to gain all the flower of the Nobility, and Gentry, yea of all the youth in all places where they come, to bewitch all with an opinion of their learning, the more easily when their time serves to cut the throats of all, who truly and sincerely profess Christ's Gospel, and to possess their places. Yea if it were in their power, or possible, to destroy all the Churches of Christ, to extinguish utterly all true learning, to bring in again all their old learning, as (they call it) their palpable delusions, and abominable Idolatry. 
What our state was almost by them.  We all saw, how nea●e we were to be consumed by their furnace. We with our royal King, our Prince, our Nobles, and Rulers, the Church of Christ, with the glory thereof. Now our God having so miraculously plucked us out, and we all being in a special manner (next unto our Gracious Sovereign, and his royal Progeny, together with these our Nobles and Rulers, the holy ministry and noted professors) designed in their hearts, as flesh for their caldron; let us show ourselves thankful, every one in our places and callings: and in token of our thankfulness, 
Our miraculous preservations, and their deadly malice, aught to put new life into every one of us.  to our most merciful and blessed God (whose name is for this above all other outward deliverances, to be extolled for evermore;) first for our lives, and then for our Religion the life of our lives; let us all be provoked to bend our studies, and even to spend and end our lives, for our Christ, and for our dread Sovereign, under him. By whose hand ●e so (even miraculously) delivered us, the second time, like as formerly he had in a most wonderful manner, at his first coming to the Regal Crown, and his entering in amongst us; whereby all their long hopes, and bloody designs against us were dashed in a moment, and that heavenly light continued to us, and to our posterity (I trust till Christ shall come) which they certainly accounted at both those times, to have put out for ever.  
Let us now chose stir up ourselves, more than ever heretofore, that the light of all good knowledge may break forth, and be as the morning brightness before the Sun rising, to prepare the way to that glorious appearing, and kingdom, when we with all the children of the light shall shine eternally in the heavens: and when all those who have sought devices to bring in again darkness upon all, or but to hinder the glorious light of truth, shall without their unfeigned repentance live perpetually in their place of utter darkness. 
We have no cause to fear our bloodthirsty adversaries, if we will but stick unto our Christ.  Oh that these enemies could think of this, and be warned in time, to turn their thoughts another way, even for the King of Kings, that they might have boldness at his appearing. But to leave them, praying for them, that so many of them as belong to God's eternal election, may have their eyes open to see their misery, and be converted and saved; and to return to ourselves. There is no cause at all for us, why we should fear or doubt of a glorious triumph and crown hereby; if that we will but cheerfully join hearts and hands; provoked by the combinations of these our bloud-thirtie adversaries, and all stick close unto our Lord and Saviour, our Captain and teacher. With them is but an arm of flesh, the spirit of man, of Satan, and Antichrist: 
Our confidence in our Captain.  but with us our Christ, commanding and assuring us. He who is King of Kings and Lord of Lo●ds. With us is he who must reign, until he have utterly overthrown, 
2. Thes. 2. 4.  and abolished that man of sin, (though now exalting himself above all that is called God, or worshipped) and all those his soldiers with him. He will be with us, and guide us, he will direct and bless us. He can make the meanest of his to do more service for the uphoding and furthering of his own kingdom, 
The power of our Christ, with us, & certainty of victory of his side.  which must come with power and glory, and endure for ever; then all their combinations shall do to the contrary. And much more when we shall lovingly and faithfully, as of one heart and soul, unite all our forces, and labours in one, to this so happy and blessed a work, wherein we are sure to prevail, if we will but go on manfully, and stand fast to our Captain, and great Commander. The victory is his, he hath gotten it already; 
〈…〉  he rideth on the white horse, conquering till he have accomplished all his work.  
If we of the weaker so it can for the present, 
〈…〉  but attain near unto those things mentioned in the Contents of the Grammar School, viz. what may be done for speedy & certain attaining to learning in schools, which are also hereunto adjoined; our labour shallbe most pleasing to our God, profitable to all, sweet and comfortable to our own hearts. Even we shall help to restore learning again to her ancient reputation and honour, and ●●ee ourselves from all reproach, being able to live with credit in our places. And that we may come unto them all, 
Assurance that we may come unto them.  make ye no doubt. Myself and many others, have seen so much experience, in as weak means, as most of us have, as whereby to assure us, that by our constant labour and diligence, but in the courses set down in the Grammarschoole, we shall through the help of our good God find them in such sort, 〈…〉  
Let us therefore double our diligence, 
An 〈…〉 to double ●u● diligence  and 〈…〉 we have made trial, in these, or in better, item God have or shall vouchsafe them unto us. You see how much through his merciful goodness I have 〈◊〉 herein (though the unablest of very 〈◊〉) and how far the work is proceeded in; to the end hereby to provoke and encourage you. You who have not better, prove these, which God hereby offereth unto you; or at least so many of them, as you shall most like of, and as your leisure and opportunity well serve; yet not overloading yourselves or your children. That we may approve, what is best, reform what is amiss, and draw every thing still more shortly, ever receiving better, as his goodness shall afford them. And so in time by our joint consent, we may confirm all the surest, both unto ourselves, and to all other whosoever shall succeed. You that have more excellent in any kind, communicate them with us, as we have presumed herein, in duty to tender thus much unto you.  
But let none of us be discouraged though we do not find our desires at the first; 
None to be discouraged, if he see not his desire at the first.  set to it cheerfully, and in due time our eyes shall behold it.  
Thus also our brethren, who are of the most excellent gifts, I mean the Masters of all the principal schools of our nation, and all other sound hearted favourers of good learning, seeing our loving contention, shallbe enforced to join hearts, and hands, and to afford us likewise their uttermost help and countenance; which, in the name of our Lord jesus Christ, and by our appearing before him, as they tender his glory, the good of our Church & their native country, I again humbly entreat at their hands: especially their directions for the best performance of these chiefest and most necessary exercises mentioned, and whatsoever else they find us too short in, for the full adorning of the Grammar School. By this means, shall the work of God prosper in our hands, going forward happily, that we shall undoubtedly find the desires of our s●●les, and wherein the excellency of the speedy attaining to all good learning doth consist, to the endless glory of our most holy and only wise God, the lasting honour of our Nation, & of the Church of Christ, the safe preservation of our lives and religion, with the happiness of posterity, even to match & go beyond our adversaries. Thus finally all true learning shall be had in lasting honour, and all unfeigned favourers and furtherers of the same, shall triumph eternally. Which that it may, let me only adjoin that worthy encouragement, wherewith Christophorus Hegendorphinus incited one of his scholars, now many years ago. 
Christoph. Hegendorphinus L. E. discipulo suo,   
Tu verò in litter as & Graecas & Latinas, ut soles gnaviter incumbe. Nec te deterreat, quod in hoc seculo, tam literae quam literati contemptui sint; redibit, crede mihi, redibit suus honour, & literis & literatis: nam omnium rerum vicissitudo est. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, inquit Sophocles. But apply you yourself cheerfully unto Greek and Latin studies, as you are wont. Neither let this terrify you, that in this age, as well learning as learned men are in such contempt. There will return (believe me) there will return, their due honour, both to learning and to learned men: for there is an intercourse of all things. For unto them that shall live in the last age, pleasant things shall be made bitter, and yet pleasant and beloved afterwards again, as saith Sophocles that ancient Greek Poet.  
Thus far Hegendorphinus, as foretelling (truly I trust) the glory of this last succeeding age, whereto let all hearty friends of good learning ever say, Amen.  

CONTENTS IN GENERAL OF SUCH THINGS AS may (by God's blessing) be easily effected in our ordinary Grammar schools▪  
1. TO teach scholar's how to be able to read well, and write true or orthography in a short time.  
2. To make them ready, in all points of their Accidence and Grammar, to answer any necessary question therein.  
3. To 〈◊〉 without book all the usual and necessary Rules, to 〈◊〉 their Grammar rules; to give the meaning, use, and order of the rules, to show the examples, and to apply them: which being well performed, will make all other learning easy and pleasant.  
4. In the several 〈…〉 and Authors to construe truly, and in propriety of wor●s and sense, and also in pure phrase; to purse of themselves, and to give a right reason of every word, why it must be so and not otherwise; and to deliver the English of the Lectures perfectly out of the Latin.  
5. Out of an English Grammatical translation of their Authors, to make and to construe any part of the Latin which they have learned, or do presently learn; to prove that it must be so, and so to read the Latin out of the English, first in the plain Grammatical order; after as the wo●ds are placed in the Author, or in other good composition. Also to p●rse in Latin, looking only upon the translation; and to all their Poets which they so learn: to do all this without book, which is far the surest, viz. to repeat, construe, and purse with their book under their arm.  
6. To take their Lectures of themselves, except in the very lowest Forms, and first entrers into construction; or to do it with very little help, in some more difficult things.  
7. To enter surely in making Latin, without danger of making false Latin, or using any barbarous phrase.  
8. To 〈◊〉 true Latin, and pure Tully's phrase, and to prove it to be true and pure.  
9 To 〈…〉, imitating Tully and the best A●thors in that kind, 〈◊〉 and pithy, in pure Latin, and familiar.  
10. To translate into English, according to propriety both of words and sense▪ and out of the English to read the Latin again, to prove it, and give a reason of every thing.  
11. To take a piece of Tully, or of any other familiar easy Author, Grammatically translated, and in propriety of words, and to turn or read the same, out of the Translation into good Latin, and very near unto the words of the Author; so as in most, you shall hardly discern, whether it be the Author's Latin or the Scholars.  
12. To correct their faults of themselves, when they are but noted out unto them, or a question is asked of them.  
13. To be able in each Form (at any time whensoever they shall be opposed of a sudden, in any part of their Authors, which they have lately learned) to construe, purse, read into English, and in those Authors, whereof they have translations; forth of the translation, to construe and to read into the Latin of their Author. First into the natural order, then into the order of the Author, or near unto it, and in their Poets to do all this without book, as was said before, and so to give an account, at each quarter's ●nd, what they have learned in that quarter; so from quarter to quarter to do the like.  
14. In Virgil, Horace, and other the chief and most approved School Authors in poetry and Prose, to resolve any piece, for all these points of learning, and to do it in good Latin: 

In  
Construing, to give propriety of words and sense, and also to expound in good phrase.  
Scanning the Verses, and giving a reason thereof.  
Showing the difficulties of Grammar.  
Observing the Elegances of Rhetoric in Tropes and Figures.  
Noting Phrases and Epithets, with other principal observations.    
15. So to read over so much of the chief Latin Poets, as Virgil, Horace, etc. and of other the best Authors, as shall be thought necessary, by that time, that by reason of their years they be in any measure thought fit, for their discretion, to go unto the University; and to be able to go through the rest of themselves, by ordinary helps.  
16. In Greek to take their Lectures of themselves, to construe perfectly, and purse as in the Latin; to read the Greek back again, out of a translation, Latin, or English; also to construe, purse, and to prove it out of the same.  
17. In the Hebrew to be able to construe perfectly, and to resolve so far as is necessary for the Grammarschoole; and to read the Hebrew also out of the translation; which practice of daily reading somewhat out of the translations into the Originals, must needs make them, both very cunning in the Tongues, and also perfect in the Texts of the Originals themselves, if it be observed constantly; like as it is in the daily reading Latin out of the translation.  
18. To answer most of the difficulties in all classical Schoole-Authors; as in Terence, Virgil, Horace, Persius, juvenal.  
19 To oppose scholarlike in Latin of any Grammar question necessary, in a good form of words; both what may be objected against Lilies rules, and how to defend them.  
20. To write Thames' full of good matter, in pure Latin and with judgement, and how to invent matter of themselves.  
21. To enter to make a verse with delight, without any bodging at all; and to furnish with copy of poetical phrase, out of the best Poets.  
22. So to imitate and express Ovid or Virgil, as you shall hardly discern, unless you know the places, whether the verses be the Authors or the Scholars: and to write verses ex tempore of any ordinary theme.  
23. To translate forth of English or Latin into Greek. Also to write themes or verses in Greek.  
24. To pronounce naturally and sweetly, without vain affectation; and to begin to do it from the lowest forms.  
25. To make right use of the matter of their Authors, besides the Latin, even from the first beginners: as of Sententiae, and Confabulatiunculae Pueriles, Cato, Aesop's fables, Tully's ●pistles, Ovid's Metamorphosis, and so on to the highest. To help to furnish them with variety of the best moral matter, and with understanding, wisdom, and precepts of virtue, as they grow; and withal, to imprint the Latin so in their minds thereby, as hardly to be forgotten.  
26. To answer concerning the matter contained in their Lectures, in the Latin of their Authors, from the lowest forms and so upward.  
27. To construe any ordinary Author ex tempore.  
28. To come to that facility and ripeness, as not only to translate leisurely and with some meditation, both into English and Latin, as before in the sections 10. and 11. but more also, to read any easy Author forth of Latin into English, and out of English to read it into Latin again, as Corderius, Terence, Tully's Offices, etc. To do this in Authors and places which they are not acquainted with, and almost as fast as they are able, to read the Author alone.  
29. To write fa●re, in Secretary, 〈◊〉, Gre●ke, Hebrew; 〈…〉.  
30. To ●aue all the principal 〈…〉 Latin, Greek and Hebrew, with the etymologies both Latin and Greek: 〈…〉 worthy helps and means to be had in the Universities.  
31. To be acquainted with the grounds of Religion, and to have the sum, and all the chief Histories of the Bible. To take all the substance of the Sermons, if they be plainly and orderly delivered: and to set them down afterwards in a good Latin style, or to read them extempore into Latin out of the English. To conceive and answer the several points of the Sermons, and how to make a brief repetition of the whole Sermon without book.  
32. To be set in the high way to attain to the purity and perfection of the Latin tongue by their further labour and practise in the University: having both the rules & grounds thereof, and also variety of the best phrase meet and necessary for them.  
33 To grow in our own English tongue, according to their ages, and growths in other learning: to utter their 〈◊〉 in the same, both in propriety, and purity; and so to be fitted for divinity, law, or what other calling or faculty soever they shallbe after employed in.  
34 Finally, thus to proceed together with the tongs; in the understanding and knowledge of the learning, or matter contained in the same, to become alike expert, in all good learning, meet for their years and studies; that so proceeding still, after they are gone from the Grammar Schools, they may become most exquisite in all kinds of good learning, to which they shall be applied.  
These things may be effected in good sort, through God's blessing, in the several forms, as the scholars proceed, by so many in each form as are apt and industrious, only by the directions in the Grammar school constantly observed. If the Master's being of any competent sufficiency will take meet pains: and the Scholars being set to school, so soon as they shall be meet, be kept to learning daily, without loitering, having books and other necessary helps and encouragements: and by their parents' care caused to do their exercises at home, and be ever kept in meet awe, and submission to their Masters. But out of these I will extract only those which I take most necessary and profitable for schools (not to trouble with over many) and set them down briefly in the Grammar School. That so all scholars of any towardness and diligence, may be made good Grammarians and every way fit for the University by fifteen years of age, or at least by that time that they shall be meet by discretion and government, which is commonly sixteen or seventeen. And all this to be done with delight and certainty, both to Masters and Scholars; with strife and contention amongst the Scholars themselves, without that usual terror and cruelty, which hath been practised in many places, and without so much as severity amongst good natures.  
How greatly all this must needs tend to the furtherance of the public good, every one may judge; which it will d● still, so much the more as the Lord vouchsafeth a further supply, to the several means and courses after set down, by adjoining daily more helps and experiments, especially of the learned. Of whom my hope is still, according to my earnest desire, that they will lend their helping hands, to the full perfecting of so profitable a work.  
For the undoubted certainty hereof, and of each particular, first read and consider of the means aright, then try according to the directions in their several places in the Grammar School, and so give sentence.  
For mine own self, I trust (God assisting) to be ever able to make such plain demonstration of every thing, as to give full satisfaction to any one indifferently affected, that by labour and diligence all may be in good sort accomplished, so far as shall be requisite. Or wherein I shall be found too short, I am resolved (God willing) never to give over, during life, until I shall therein likewise see the desire of my soul, unto his glory, and the general good of all.   

❧ Helps for attaining to those things mentioned in the Contents.  
THese helps God hath provided for our Grammar-schooles, more than in former times, or at least more than are commonly known and used in them: whereof experience teacheth, that there may be excellent furtherance in a right use of them, for all the several parts of good learning in Schools, for obtaining the same more speedily, easily, surely & profitably: and namely for thus running through all our ordinary classicall-schoole authors, and attaining to the best exercises and faculties in Schools, as any one shall have occasion to use them.  
First, for the more speedy and right reading of English, and so leading the child as by the hand to the Grammar school, as a preparative thereto.  
The English-schoolemaister, of that honest and painful Master Coote.  
There is also a little Brief, of a sheet of paper named, A Plain Method for speedy learning to read, by john Merest: of whose directions there might be very good use, if his Rules and style were amended by some Scholar, and brought to perfection.  
Other directions and helps for teaching to read, see in the Grammarschoole, chap. 3. For further growth of young Scholars in our English tongue, to express their minds in propriety and purity, for their proceeding therein, as they proceed in Latin: and also for them who would teach strangers our language, or learn it. See after.  
Secondly, for better learning the Accidence and first grounds of Grammar (whereas children are usually very long in getting their Accidence, and oft, when they have done it, are little the better for it, especially for the understanding and right use of it) to the end that the learner may get it sooner & more profitably: for a right understanding and use thereof, and for answering any necessary question belonging to it, and for better keeping all in memory, to be able thereby to proceed most speedily, pleasantly and certainly in their construction, is provided the Book called  
The posing of the Parts. as also  
M. Leeches questions of Accidence and Grammar.  
Other helps, especially for directing the Masters, see in the Grammarschoole, Chap. 6.  
Thirdly, for more speedy construing the Latin Grammar, to save much labour therein, and for keeping the same with ease, which is otherwise very hard to the children, and over troublesome to the Master, Lilies rules construed.  
Fourthly, for better conceiving, understanding, applying, and making use of all our Grammar rules.  
The Grammar of this last Impression having the sums of the Rules in the margins more perfectly and fully then formerly, and in the Syntax, the words noted wherein the force of each ensample lieth. In the first Impression of them many things were mistaken and corrupted in the printing.  
Fiftly, 
2. For the speedy and profitable learning all our first and lowest school authors, Gram. translations.  For speedy and profitable learning of all our first and lowest Schoole-bookes and Authors, (whereas children are commonly very long in learning some little piece of them, as of Sententiae pueriles, Coufabulatiunculae, Cato, etc. and so the rest; and when they have learned them through with much toil to themselves and their Masters, they are commonly little the better for them, for any good use, and do after presently forget them, for the most part;) to the end that they may soon run thorough all of them, or so much as shallbe thought good, and that for construing, parsing, understanding, reading them forth of Latin into English, or forth of English into Latin; for making the same Latin, and proving it; and finally, for leading the learner by the hand with delight, until he be able to go of himself by ordinary helps, 
Books grammatically translated.  with much less trouble to the Master, are provided Grammatical translations of them, as namely; first, of Sententiae pueriles: Confabulatiunculae pueriles: Corderius dialogues chiefly for the ready help of speaking Latin of ordinary matters in a very good and pure phrase.  
Cato's moral Distiches, with the Sentences adjoined, and also Isocrates ad Daemonicum, translated into latin by Rodolphus Agricola: part of Esop's Fables: the first book of Tully's Offices: part of Ovid's Metamorphosis: Virgil's Eclogues, with that excellent book De Aptbus, of the government and ordering of Bees.  
All these are made so plain, 
Plainness & readiness of these translations.  as that children, if they be any thing studious, and well trained up in the first grounds of Grammar, by the former helps, may with a little direction, ever prepare their lectures aforehand at home overnight: such pieces (I mean) as they are to learn in lectures; and that, as was said, fo● every good use, without need of other Commentaries in any of them, or so much help of the Master as is usual. So that they will, by the help of them, fall to their private studies of themselves. And for things to be learned without book, namely their Authors in verse so translated, they will be able thereby so to keep them, as by the means thereof, and their other helps, from quarter to quarter, to say them without book, construe, and to give all the chief difficulties of them, with a very little private labour, thus to keep them better in memory, and have use of them continually.  
Hereof I might give you instances of experiments, according to which you might judge of them; but I pass them over, standing upon so evident grounds of reason, as hath been showed before, and as I shall more fully manifest (God willing) in the Grammarschoole, chap. 8. where I shall set down the use of them, with th● benefit in a right practice.  
If you desire a praxis of all or most of the chief rules of the Syntax or construction shortly comprised, take Master Leeches Dialogues, 
For a practice of the chief rules of construction, Master Leeches Dialogues  set down in the end of his Grammar-questions: which Dialogues are so contrived of purpose for children to that end: and so likewise translated into English, as they may be gone through for each good use so soon as any of the former.  
By that time that children have gone through these books so translated, and have by this practice attained unto the knowledge and right use of their Grammar rules, especially that golden rule of Construing: for construing, parsing, etc. they will be able, easily, with much less toil of the Master, to go through all other classicall-Schoole-Authors, by such helps and means as God hath further provided.  
For speedy running over the rest of the lower school 
For the rest of the lower Schoole-authors, other translations.  books, which are not so translated grammatically: first, the other translations of them may be of very good use thus far forth. As namely, first to give the learners some light for the right understanding & meaning of the Authors (which understanding of the matter is a main foundation for the speedy attaining to any such learning, especially for getting the Languages, as I have showed elsewhere) as also for resolving the Authors, and affording some good English phrase, with variety thereof to express their minds. And withal, that by the right use of such translations, they may the more easily learn the manner of our usual translating of Authors, or any other work, respecting only the matter and intent of the Author, whereof our commonest use is: and so for reading forth of Latin into our own tongue, to express the sense only, not directly, verbatim, or grammatically, but observing perfect sense, good phrase, and purity of our tongue, and so back again out of the English into a good Latin style in like manner. For the right learning of these Authors doth not so much consist in the construing and parsing of them, as in getting by them the matter, phrase and style of the Author, and to these ends and purposes amongst others, as I take it, they have been translated, and are many of them unknown to most.  

The Translations are these.  
1. For the rest of Tully's Offices, 
For the rest of Tully's Offices not translated grammatically, M. Grimmalds' translation.  which are not translated grammatically; as namely the two latter books, Master Grimmald his translation, which yet would be much more profitable to this end, to them who would make use of it, if the English were separated from the Latin, set in a book by itself, as the Grammatical and other translations usually are.  
2. For Tully De Amicitia, Senectute, etc. Thomas Newtous translation. 
For the other parts adjoined to the Offices, Tho. newton's translation.   
3. For the rest of Ovid's Metamorphosis, Arthur Goldings translation in very good English meeter.  
4. For Ovid de Tristibus, the translation hereof in English meeter. 
For the rest of 〈…〉   
5. Ovid's Epistles, the like.  
6. For the rest of Virgil's Georgickes, not translated grammatically, Master Abraham Fleming's translation in English meeter, coming next to the Grammatical translations.  
7. For Virgil's Aeneidos, Master Phaer 
Virg. aeneid Master Phaer.  in English meeter.  
8. For Terence, 
For ●erence Master B●rnards translation.  if you think good, and especially to furnish with English phrase to answer the Latin, and by reading out of the English into Latin, to help more speedily to obtain the Latin phrase and style, Master Barnard's translation.  
Provided always, 
Caution to be used in this and other authors.  that this be with great caution, for avoiding all danger of corrupting their manners by lasciviousness or otherwise; considering the proneness of our nature, like to tinder or gunpowder, if never so little a spark fall into the same. The like caution is to be had for other, as Horace, juvenal, Persius, Martial, etc.   

For higher Authors.  
For the more profitable, 
For higher Authors, as Caesar's Commentaries, Sir Clement Edmunds his translation. This author, with those which follow next, are worthy works for Noble Gentlemen and all other, who would do service to the Church of God; and their native Country, to bestow some of their travels and idle hours in.  easy, and speedy reading over Caesar's Commentaries (concerning the Roman war achieved chiefly by Caesar) to the end not only to give light: first, for the true understanding of the Author, but also to express the same in the best and fittest words in a pure English phrase; and likewise for notable observations for war, gathered all along out of it, which is one principal use of the book.  
The translation of it by Sir Clement Edmunds, Clarke of the Council.  
This book, as it is well known to be the purest style, and an excellent history for matter of war and martial affairs, and therefore most necessary for our days, for the better helping to preserve the Church of God and our native country; so it is difficult for children, in regard of the subject, viz. matter of war, which they are not acquainted with. Yet by the Translation rightly used, it is made so plain & easy, that children of twelve or thirteen years of age, rightly trained up, may be able to go through it for all the uses mentioned in short space, and much more others of riper judgement. So that it were great pity, in regard of the benefit that may come by it to all sorts, that so worthy a work should lie hid as it were, being unknown to the greatest part.  
The like we may say for these following. For Lucan's Pharsalia 
For Lucan's Pharsalia Sir Arthur Gorge.  of the like argument in verse, viz. of the war between Caesar and Pompey, Sir Arthur Gorge in English meeter.  
For Livy his Roman history, D. Holland's translation. 
For Livy D. Holland's translation.   
For that excellent part of the Roman history by Cornelius Tacitus his four Books, 
For Cornelius Tacitus, Sir H. Savill.  translated by that worthy favourer and rare promoter of all good learning, Sir Henry Savill.  
For Florus 
Florus.  his Roman history, from the foundation of Rome to Tratanus, the translation of it, dedicated to the Lord marquis of Buckingham.  
For Seneca, 
Seneca.  that admirable Moralist and sweet Latinist, the translation of it by Master Lodge.   

Commentaries.  
Besides these Translations for the ordinary schoole-authors, 
Comments▪ on all O●id. For the Metamorphosis Sabine.  there are also Commentaries for them who desire their help; as, for all Ovid, not only that large Commentary of sundry together, but more particularly, For Ovid's Metamorphosis, Sabins Morals briefly.  
Also Raphael Regius, a large Commentary.  
For Virgil, 
On Virgil, Servius Donate, etc.  besides the large Commentary of Servius and Donate, with the Annotations of sundry other, set out by Frabricius: see,  
The Analysis of Ramus on the Eclogues and Georgics for the Logic and Rhetoric thereof. 
Ramus, on the Eclogues and Georgickes.   
A very sweet paraphrase of Friskiline on the Eclogues and Georgickes. 
Friskilines' paraphrase.   
Meins Annotations on Virgil. 
Meins.  So for the use of the Masters, and all of riper years and understanding:  
Taubman on Virgil, a very profitable work.  
Moreover, 
For the rest of the ancient Poets short and pithy commentaries.  for the speedy and more profitable reading of all the rest of the chief ancient Poets, are provided short and pithy Commentaries, or Annotations, containing the substance and whatsoever is of worth in all the ancient and large Commentaries, and the same made so plain, as that very children, rightly trained up, may be able, by them, to read their Lectures of themselves, or with very little help: whereas formerly they were over crabbed and obscure for the Masters in many places to understand; as namely,  
Master Bonds Commentary on Horace and Persius. 
Master Bonds▪   

Master Farnabee on 
Master Farn.   
juvenal,  
Persius,  
Lucan,  
Senecaes' tragedies.  
Marshal.   
Also, 
For the Roman histories and antiquities Master Goodwin his Anthologia.  for the more clear and full understanding of these and of all the Roman history and Antiquities; Romanae historiae Anthologia, viz. a short and very plain Exposition in English, of the Roman Antiquities, by Master Goodwin of Oxford, for the use of Abingdons' School.   

Thames.  
For helps for Themes both for matter and manner, besides the understanding of Aphthonius common Places, 
For Themes M. Vicars his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for invention and manner.  and the chief heads of Invention by Ramus and others, see Master Vicars his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Manuductio, leading the scholar (as by the hand) to the use of Rhetoric; especially for making Themes, Declamations, or Orations.  
For matter, viz. for short, witty, and easy Sentences for the younger sort, 
For matter, Bibliotheca scholastica.  Master Drax his Bibliotheca scholastica. Flores Senecae.  
Epitome sentent. Stobaei.  
For store of the best examples for Themes both Roman and foreign of most moral matters, 
Exampls, Valerius Max.  in stead of new, they may use Valerius Maximus.  
This is made plain for the better help of the teachers where need is, by two ancient Commentaries together, the one of them by Oliverus Arzignanensis, the other by Badius Ascensius, expounding every thing clearly, and almost grammatically, besides the Annotations of others.  
For further help of Themes, 
Stobaei Anthologia.  both Latin and Greek, Stobaeus sentences, or his Anthologia of the largest: a most excellent work, gathered & digested by him Common place-wise, in Greek, out of all the famous Greek Authors, translated into Latin by Gesnere that learned Physician, having the Latin set overagainst the Greek, and may be singular for acquainting the higher and better sort of scholars, with the best moral matter of sundry kinds.  
For phrases in general, 
Phrases for Themes.  Master Drax his Cilliepeia.  
For Epithets, Ciceroniana Epitheta.  
For some select Phrases to this purpose, 
Drax his Calliepeia, Master Farnabees Phrases.  and the like, Master Farnabees phrases.   

Epistles and Letters.  
For patterns of short Epistles and pithy letters of all sorts of matter; 
Patterns for Epistles, Laconicae Epistolae.  see the laconical Epistles, to wit, the shortest and pithiest gathered out of Tully, Manutius, Politian, Erasmus, and many others, comprised by Buchlerus in a little volume of purpose to this end.  
For examples, 
Examples for imitation of Epistles of all sorts, Flores & Sententiae scribendinque formulae illustres.  serving and directing for imitation of sundry kinds of Epistles, both Consolatory, Gratulatory, and also Hortatory, with all the rest of the kinds of Examples: see Flores & Sententiae scribendique formulae illustres.  
For pure phrases more peculiarly belonging to Epistles, see Manutius phrases.   

Orations.  
For Orations: 
Orations, Melchior junius.  The Orations of sundry, and those of diverse kinds of Moral matters, and upon sundry occasions, gathered and set forth by Melchior junius.   

Examining of Phrases in Prose.  
For help in examining of phrases, 
Examining phrases in prose.  and so for observing propriety and purity therein.  
1. Godscalcus' his observations of the Latin tongue digested alphabetically. 
Godscalcus.   
2. Schorus phrases, 
Schorus.  showing also the manner how to observe phrases in the reading of Authors.  
3. Erasmus his Epitome of valla's elegancies, 
Erasmus Epit. of valla's elegancies, Popma.  of the last Edition.  
4. Popma de Differentijs verborum.  
For flourishing and amplifying in Prose, see Ciceroniana Epitheta, Antitheta & Adiuncta.   

Poetry.  
Besides Textoris Epitheta, 
In Poetry. Text. Epith. Buchleri Thesaurus poëticus.  See Buchleri Thesaurus poëticus, a book of notable use for each scholar: for helps of Epithets and Poetical phrases: and also for his direction of the right manner of making a pure verse, with other things belonging thereto.  
For quantities of Syllables, 
Smetius.  Smetius his Prosodia.   

Dictionaries.  
For both English and Latin, 
Dictionaries.  especially for finding out the fittest Latin words to the English, and most natural; and according to propriety first, together with the Etymologies or notations of the Latin words, 
Rider.  Rider's dictionary of the last.  
For giving the Greek to the Latin, and for supply of sundry of the best Latin phrases expounded, 
Thomas Thomasius.  and the use showed, Thomas Dictionary of the last.  
For a short comprising of most Latin Primitives in Sentences (except those which belong to the several Arts and Trades &c.) and so to furnish with most words of all sorts, 
For a short comprising of the Latin Primitives, janua linguarum.  for reading of any ordinary author belonging to the grammar school, or otherwise, janua linguarum, a book in twelve hundred sentences containing the most of the ordinary words, to be even as a Dictionary in the children's heads, translated into English, to the end it may be more easily and speedily gotten.   

Analysis or resolving of Authors.  
For a plain and easy resolution of the matter of Authors meet for young scholars, 
For resolving authors, Gram. trans. of etc.  see the grammatical translation of the first book of Tully's Offices.  
Also of the first book of Ovid's Metamorphosis.  
And withal, the like translation of the first and last Eclogue of Vìrgil, and of his fourth book of the Georgics De Apibus, some of these in the inmost columns, others in the outmost.  
For a more learned Analysis in Latin, both Logical and Rhetorical, see Ramus Commentaries on the Eclogues and Georgickes, and also upon all the Orations of Tully, on which he hath commented. Also Piscator's Analysis of Tully's Offices.  
For a short and methodical Analysis of the several books of the Scripture, and of each chapter therein, see Gemma Fabri.   

Disputing scholarlike of Grammar Questions, and to prepare for more learned Disputations in the Universities.  
1. In English, 
Disputation of Grammar questions, in English; Posing of the Parts.  by way of Questions and Answers to make children perfect in the Accidence and Grammar; The Posing of the Parts.  
2. In Latin, 
In Latin, M. Stockwood's disput.  for the better scholars in a more large and scholarlike dispute, Master Stockwoods' disputations of Grammar.  
3. For the like dispute in Tully's Offices by Questions and Answers, 
Disputing of moral questions, master Brasbridge questions of Tully's Off.  the better to understand the rare and almost divine matter, for direction of manners, in that book, Master Brasbridge his Questions of Tully's Offices.   

Proper words for several Arts and Sciences.  
To be able to get and remember words appertaining to Arts, 
For words belonging to History, Trades, etc. Stanbridg. vocabula.  Trades, Sciences, histories of diverse kinds, and the like, as any one desireth them; first Master Stanbridge his Vocabula in verse. These verses are some of them amended already; the rest so purposed.  
After him, where he ends, others may be adjoined, in the end of Hunter's cosmography, in verse likewise.  
For words belonging to Astronomy and Cosmography: 
Hunter's cosmography.  and also the ancient proper names of places, as Countries, Cities, and Rivers, etc. Hunter's cosmography in verse.  
If the names of the places, 
How this might be more profitable.  rivers, etc. as they are termed at this day, were set directly over the heads of each of the ancient names there, after the manner of Stanbridges Vocabula, it might be of most excellent use, and soon gotten, or set on the opposite page directly against them.  
All other words of like nature, belonging to the several histories, or whatsoever else, might be thus comprised in verse, after the manner of Stanbridge or Hunter, or otherwise, they might be set down in a short narration, in form of a Dialogue grammatically translated, after the manner of Corderius Dialogues, wherein he sets out, to the like purpose, a very sumptuous banquet in an historical narration, in the 22. Dialogue of his fourth book.  
Such a book might easily be compiled by a judicious scholar, 
How such a work might be easily compiled.  of a pregnant wit, having meet leisure, by the help of Hadrianus junius his Nomenclator; and the special Dictionaries for several uses, and so any such words be very readily gotten, by studying and reading them oft forth of English into Latin: as experience teacheth in the like.  
But all these would be gotten much sooner, 
How best learned.  if being thus verbally translated into English, the English were set by itself, so to study it out of them, like as the Grammar translations are.   

Greek.  
Whereas there is nothing in any tongue for the perfect obtaining of it, 
For speedy attaining to the Greek.  but Grammar, words, and practise of them in a right composing and setting them together: I mean, first, the knowledge of the Grammar rules, belonging to that tongue; words to express the mind, and practise of both in reading Authors, and in writing; for most easy and speedy attaining to the Greek tongue, which hath been wont to be so difficult and tedious: God hath provided these ready helps.  
1. For the Grammar, 
For the Grammar Master Camden's most profitable for us.  Master Camden's is of all other most easy and profitable (as I take it) like as for Westminster, so for all our schools; for that it follows the order of our Latin Grammar most directly, chiefly in the Syntax, wherein many of the rules are the very same, or near unto them. The Anomalies in the Verbs being set alphabetically, so as they may be found very readily; and the Dialects set directly after the order of the Declensions and conjugations, that by it alone well studied, most difficulties may be easily understood and answered.  
For all other difficulties, 
For other difficulties concerning Grammar, Cleonards Gram with Ant●sign.  and wherein it seems to fail; see Cleonards Greek Grammar, with Antesignanus, set forth by Sylburgius, wherein by the help of the large Index, you may be resolved of most doubts.  
Hereunto adjoin, 
The short abridgement in the eud of Scapula.  if need be to inquire further, the Anomalies, Dialects and other difficulties set down alphabetically in the end of scapula's Dictionary.  
Secondly, 
For speedy attaining the greek Primitives.  for attaining very speedily to all the Greek Primitives or Radices; which being had, all the rest are easily and plainly learned, as derived from them, God hath provided,  
1. The Clavis linguae Graecae, 
Clavis 〈◊〉 Graecae.  by Lubine. In which little brief, all, or most of the Greek Radices are included in some seven hundred little sentences, in imitation of janua linguarum, with a double Index adjoined, viz. both Latin before the Greek, and Greek before the Latin; whereby they may be soon gotten, and easily kept, or recovered being forgotten.  
2. For the more full understanding of the tongue, 
For a more full knowledge of them, Fundamentum linguae Graecae, sive Epitome Lexici & Etymologici graeci proschola Br●mensi.  for propriety and right significations, Notations or Etymologies, Derivations, and the like, see Fundamentum linguae Graecae; a little epitome gathered briefly of purpose, according to the order of Scapula. For the larger explication of the same, with phrases and use of words; see Scapula.  
For practise in reading some usual Authors. 
Authors in verse, Theognis, etc. with Sylburgius.  The fittest for young scholars (so fair as I can judge) after they have run through their Clavis, if you will begin with Poetry, that they may learn to make a verse in Greek, is  
Theognis his sentences with the other Poets joined with him; as namely Phocilides, Pythagoras, etc. with the Latin translation and annotations thereof, set forth by Silburgius. Some whereof being learned without book perfectly, is a special help that scholars may have quantities, phrase, and apt moral matter for verse.  
2. If you please to read hesiod his Opera & Dies, 
hesiod with Ceporine & Melancth.  you may use Ceporine and Melancthons' Commentaries set forth by johannes Frisius Tigurinus; and the new translation of it by Erasmus Schemidt professor at Wittenberg.  
Or if you desire to read Homer, 
For Homer.  which is most generally approved of all, as the most excellent Poet: besides the Latin Translations, especially that which expoundeth it most nearly and properly.  
For the better understanding and expressing of it in English, 
Master Chapman in English meeter.  Master Chapman's translation in English meeter; whom we may rightly call, the English Homer.  
To these you may add, 
Eustathius.  if you will, Eustathius, and the large Commentary of Spondanus. 
Spondanus.   
For the best and fittest Authors in Prose to be read in Schools, 
For prose▪ Isocrates translated by Wolphius. Schorus his translation with annotat.  as namely Isocrates ad Daemonicum, are the translations of Wolphius: and also of Rodolphus Agricola: and like wise the translation of Antonius Scorus, with his annotations adjoined to his book De ratione discendi▪ linguae Graecae.  
2. For Zenophon, 
zenophon's Cyropaideia.  the translation of his 3. first books de Cyri vita & disciplina.  
For more speedy reading the Greek Testament, 
For the Greek Testament, Pasors dictionary.  Pasors Dictionary gathered of purpose to that end. What is defective may be supplied by the Fundamentum, Piscator and others.   

Writing in Greek.  
For writing exercises in Greek, 
For writing in Greek, Clavis, Thomas●●s, Garthius. Poselij Calligr. Elegantiae graecae.  or translating into Greek: beside, the Clavis linguae Graecae for words, and also Thomas his Dictionary, for phrase you may use Garthius his Lexicon: and withal for prose Poselii Calligraphia: Elegantiae Graecae by Vollandus.  
In verse for Epithets and Authorities, 
In verse for Epithets and authorities, Dinnerus.  Dinnerus his Greek Epithets.  
For moral matter in Greek, 
For moral matter out 〈◊〉 best Greek Authors, Stobaei Anthologia, Cornucopia.  with excellent sentences and discourses out of all the ancient and best Greek Authors, for the use of Translations, Themes, Verses, Declamations or Orations.  
Stobaei sententiae, called Anthologia; or Cornucopia of the largest.   

Speaking Greek.  
For speaking of ordinary matters in Greek, 
For speaking Greek, Poselius'.  Poselius' his Dialogues.   

Hebrew.  
For a most speedy attaining to the Hebrew.  
1. For the Grammar, 
For Hebrew Grammar.  though every one may take for his own use what Grammar he hath learned, or is most familiarly acquainted with, and supply out of others what is wanting therein; yet for him that is newly to begin, or desires most easily to teach or direct others 
Martinius printed by R●phalengius at Berne.  I take (under better judgement) Martinius to be the best. My reasons are,  
1. For that it is most methodical, 
Reason of it.  proceeding according to the right order of Nature and rules of Art.  
2. For that it hath answering unto it, Master Vdals Hebrew Grammar in English, being in effect a mere translation of Martinius, only leaving out some things which he thought less necessary, and making most things in Martinius very plain, in stead of a Commentary, as the translations do the Authors.  
3. For that the Martinius Grammar printed by Raphalengius and by Abrahamus Weerlinus at Berne, have a Praxis adjoined, for the parsing of three Psalms, viz. the 1. 25. and 68, like as Master Vdal's hath in English: which Praxis is so orderly for the right examining or analysing of every word according to the order of nature and art, and according as all things are set down in the Grammar in order of the Chapters, that they lead the learner directly, as by the hand, to the plain parsing and resolving of those three Psalms; and by them, avy other part of the Hebrew Bible.  
And lastly, for that Master Udal's Grammar, (which I commend as a short Commentary to it) hath also a brief Epitome of the Hebrew Lexicon adjoined, for the more speedy finding out any word, and so attaining the tongue.  
Or in stead of Martinius, 
Master Udal's Grammar.  Master Udal's Grammar itself, which I find to be far more easy for the learner, and much sooner gotten, for the use of it, and also may be readily delivered and uttered in Latin, at least by comparing with Martinius.  
For the best Lexicon or Dictionary, 
Lexicon Buxtorphius.  Buxtorphius his Epitome for continual use: and also his Thesaurus for more exquisite knowledge: or,  
For giving the Hebrew words to the Latin; Lexicon Latino-Hebraicum, in the end of the Epitome of Pagnine by Raphalengius.  
For help for construing, and so reading privately, and knowing the Radices.  
The Interlineal Bible, by Arias Montanus.  
For the Psalms, 
Tossanus.  Tossanus may afford some help.   

English.  
Concerning our own language, 
For our own tongue to grow in propriety and purity.  whereas some great learned, have much and long complained, that in most Schools there hath been little care, to teach Scholars to express their minds readily in propriety and purity of speech, so to help to adorn our own tongue; whereof we have continual practice, to the end that they may grow herein with the Latin and other learned tongues, God hath provided these helps.  
1. The use of the grammatical translations (having to that end, 
1. Grammatical translations for all the first beginners.  both propriety and also variety of words and phrase to express the mind) may be a good entrance for the younger sort.  
2. After them, 
2 Other translations.  all the other translations, used only in such sort, as hath been and shall be further showed in the Grammar school; so to ascend to those who have written most exquisitely in that kind of Translation.  
3. Dictionaries, 
3. Dictionaries.  where fit words are wanting, to make choice of those English words in them which best agree to the matter in hand.  
4. Adjoine to these, 
4. Best authors in each kind for English.  for them who would grow to more exquisite perfection, the books of such as have written the purest style in English in each faculty, which they purpose to exercise themselves in.  
For strangers, 
For strangers.  who understand the Latin tongue, at least in some sort, and would learn our tongue themselves, or would teach it unto others publicly or privately, besides the former helps for reading English.  
1. The English Grammar, 
The English Grammar.  called Grammatica Anglicana, a little Epitome written according to the rules of Art, by P. Gr. printed at Cambridge Anno 1594.  
2. Logonomia Anglica, 
Logonomia Anglica.  by Master Gill Schoolmaster of Paul's.  
3. Translations, first grammatical; which lead the Scholar directly to learn our tongue; after other translations, 
Translations.  and so the best English Authors and Dictionaries as before.   

Rhetoric.  
For Rhetoric, 
For Tropes and Figures briefly in use, Master Fa●nabees tropes and figures.  so far as shall be necessary for the Grammarschoole.  
1. For Tropes and Figures of Rhetoric, and so for other figures of Grammar, Master Farnabees Tropes and figures, so shortly comprised in verse, as that they may be most easily gotten in a very little time, and so likewise kept in memory, to serve for every good use.  
2. For a more full understanding of that little book, 
For a more methodical tractate▪ M. Butlers Rhetoric.  and of all other matters belonging to Rhetoric, as for a methodical handling, and short comprising of the whole Art, by precepts, illustrations by examples, and the like.  
M. Butler's Rhetoric of Magd. college in Oxf. with a short commentary adjoined, now the 4. time printed.  
3. For the use of Rhetoric, 
3. For the use of Rhetoric, Master 〈◊〉, Manuductio ad artem Rhetoricum.  viz. for the practice thereef in Themes, Declamatious, Orations, etc.  
The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Manuductio ad artem Rhetoricam, by Master Vicars of Queen's College in Oxford.   

Religion.  
Concerning Religion; 
Religion, for laying surely the grounds 〈◊〉.  for laying surely the first grounds of our holy Religion in Schools, according to our good laws; and for seasoning the first and tender years of our children therewith: (wherein the Jesuits shall rise in judgement against us, being far more vigilant and industrious to destroy, than we to save; to overthrow the Gospel, than we to propagate and spread it.)  
1. To the end that Scholars may speedily get and ever keep in fresh memory with ease and delight, 
For knowledge of the history of the Bible, Bibliorum summula.  the whole sum of the sacred story, viz. the holy Bible, (being the sole foundation of our Religion,) and so the sum of every Chapter therein; whereby they may become sound Christians, and in time (through the Lord's blessing) admirable Divines, God hath provided a little Book called Bibliorum summula, which compriseth the arguments or sums of every Chapter of the whole Bible in Distiches, viz. each Chapter in two verses, beginning alphabetically, that they may be more happily committed to memory, and recalled more easily when they are forgotten.  
This book is most painfully and profitably composed in a familiar and easy verse, by Master Shaw, according to the contents of the several Chapters. 
A more brief abridgement Memoriale, Biblicu●.   
Hereunto is adjoined in the end, for further help of memory, the same contrived far more briefly, viz. in a very few verses: as namely Genesis having fifty Distiches in the Summula, according to the fifty Chapters, is comprised in ten verses, every verse whereof comprehends five Chapters, & almost every word notes a several Chapter; thus notably devised by Math. Martinius.  
2. For the first principles or iudiments in Religion, 
For the principles besides those by law appointed, Master Perkins ●ixe Principles expounded.  to be taught in Catechising; and for building sound upon the sacred Scriptures, according to the doctrine of our Church: besides our ordinary Catechisms by Law established, for a further unfolding and demonstrating of the principles out of the express texts of the Word, Master Perkins six Principles expounded, with many other, and chiefly such brief ones, as by their oftest printing do testify the greatest liking, and most general approbation of the godly learned.   

Writing.  
For fair writing in our own, 
For fair writing, Copy books for Secretary, Roman, Greek, Hebrew.  and all the chief learned tongues.  
Copy books, prepared of purpose for the Grammar-schooles, as in Secretary for our English, so for the Latin, Greek and Hebrew, together with directions for writing in the beginning of them, printed by Master Thomas Man; whereby all Scholars, well entered and practised from their beginning, every day a little, may come to write commendably, and many of them very fair every of these hands, without hindering their learning, as is proved by experience.   

Memory.  
For the help of Memory, 
For Memory.  besides all directions for brief sums of every matter, as are set down in their places in the Grammar●schoole and others; and beside diverse good rules and precepts for memory in a little book called The Castle of Memory, 
Master Willies Mnemonica.  Chap. 6.  
Master Willies his book of Memory, called Mnemonica sive Reminiscendi, are gathered out of the best who have written thereof: out of which the most profitable things may be selected and used by them who are judicious.    

Other Books and helps, 
Books prepared for the Press.  some of them ready for the Press, others in good forwardness to be soon prepared, if they shall be generally desired, and the desire signified to the Stationers, as necessary or profitable for the ends for which they have been traveled in, as namely;  
1 FOr furnishing with fit matter for Themes in Prose or Verse, 
Help for matter for Thames.  Latin and Greek, which so troubleth young scholars, and discourageth them, 
An Index gathered out of the fittest Schoole-authors and others, with references to the places.  for that they know not where to find such fit matter for them, and must needs be very difficult before a great deal of reading and practice; there is an Index or book of References, gathered out of their Schoole-authors and others, only pointing at the places where to find them.  
2. For patterns for Themes, 
Tully's paradoxes translated grammatically for patterns for Themes. The laconical Epistles translated.  Tully's Paradoxes translated grammatically, with a short Analysis in the margin, whereby they may be learned more perfectly, and understood more fully to that end.  
3. For direction and patterns for writing pithy and short letters in English, which is amongst us, both most commendable, and of principal and daily use. The laconical Epistles, translated into a good English style, with the Grammar order and propriety in the margins.  
4. For the more speedy and profitable learning the janua linguarum for every good use; 
4. For the more speedy & 〈◊〉 learning 〈…〉 it is prepared to be 〈◊〉, printed as to supply what is wanting or Grammar order, propriety, declining, quantities, and Etymologies.  whereas now, the English, in many places keepeth only the sense, but varieth both from the verbal and Grammar order, and also from the propriety of the words in the Latin, whereby the learners are oft exceedingly puzzled and carried amiss: there ●s provided a grammatical translation to be set in the margins in the English, to carry the learner aright, both for propriety and Grammar. And also in the Index or Table, are set down the declining of the Nouns and Verbs, with the Genders of the Nouns, to serve in 〈◊〉 of a Dictionary for all of them: and withal, both the doubtful quantities, and likewise the Etymologies or notations of the words briefly, being examined by comparing the best Authors in that kind, and conference with other learned.  
So that the learner may soon run through it, to get both English by the Latin, and Latin by the English, with certainty, and for the other uses mentioned.  
For furnishing with Terence ●phrase, with the best matter, Terentianus Christianus, translated grammatically.  

For the Greek.  
1. For getting speedily the Greek Radices or Primitives, 
For speedy getting the Greek Primitives, Clavis linguae Graeca●, made much more plain.  the Clavis linguae Graece is made much more plain, easy and profitable; first, by the Latin set in the margin, according to the Greek, answering word for word in such places where it now differs, and the whole Latin sentences to be placed in the page opposite to the Greek, to lead the learner rightly by the hand to the knowledge of the Greek, whereas now many of the Sentences in Latin do only express the sense, and so set the learner at a stand, or carry him quite amiss.  
2. By the principal Etymologies set in the margin of the Greek Sentences, directed with letters to know them speedily.  
3. By a grammatical construction of the same in English, answering the Greek so near as may be, adjoined in the end of the Clavis, with propriety and variety of the sense in the margins. By the h●lpe whereof (as experience will soon show) all the Sentences may be gotten in a very little time, both for Latin and Greek, by studying them out of the English, only helped by looking upon the Greek and Latin, as need requireth; to be able thereby to give the Greek and Latin words to the English, and contrarily, so to serve for any good use thereof: and ever easily by this means to keep all perfectly, without any trouble or charge of memory, through the help of the perfect understanding of it by this translation.  
Also for the easier entrance of the young Scholar to run cheerfully and speedily through the best Greek Authors in prose, 
For entrance in the speedy the running through the best Greek Authors in prose, Grammatical translations of Isocrates ad Daemonicum.  as well as in verse, is prepared Isocrates ad Daemonicum, translated both in Latin grammatically; and also with another translation in a more pure Latin style.  
So likewise the first book of zenophon's Cyropaideia in like manner.  
Which three books being well gone through, 
The first 〈…〉 Z●nophons Cyropaideia.  scholars will easily and speedily run through all other Greek Authors, by the ordinary helps of translations, and the like means which God hath so bountifully provided for this last Age, especially if they have said a good foundation in the Grammar first.   

Hebrew.  
For laying speedily a sure foundation; 
For the speedy and sure attaining all the Hebrew Radiees, are preparing a sword and a 〈◊〉 thereunto like 〈…〉 and Greek.  first, for the right knowledge of all the Hebrew Primitives in their first and proper signification; secondly, by what Tropes their significations are changed into other senses: and so thirdly, by what reasons or notations all their derivatives and issue come thereof: and finally, for getting speedily all the Hebrew Primitives without book; and with the getting of them, to learn also so much of the Hebrew Bible in most profitable matters and sentences, there hath been long thought of, and is now in preparing.  
First, a brief Hebrew Lexicon, after the manner of the Fundamentum linguae Graecae.  
And secondly, another little book after the manner of Clavis linguae Graecae, wherein all, or most of the Hebrew Primitives are to be comprised, in certain choice sentences of the sacred Scriptures, of sundry kinds of matter.  
This may be called fi●ly janua linguae Hebraicae; the other, the Clavis unto it.  
As these two may be of notable use, to make speedily perfect Hebricians, and likewise to help to prepare the way to the calling of the jews thereby, so they require the cunningest workmen for the more curious framing and finishing of them: whom God hath also provided, if some noble minded favourers of good learning, and of the Church of Christ, will but a little lay to their helping hands, for defraying the charges of their maintenance, till they shall be able to go through the work, to bring them to perfection, for the full accomplishment of all the good therein desired.  
For all these books and helps more particularly, 
For all these helps more particularly, and the right use of them: the Grammar school in this last Edition.  and for the right use of every of them, and how to avoid all the abuses and other in conveniences; and so for attaining all those parts or learning mentioned in the Contents, see the Book called 〈…〉, or the Grammarschoole in this second Edition: where, in a familiar Dialogue between two Schoolmasters all these things are full discussed and set forth, and yet the book in many things abridged, and made less than before.  
For matter of charges to provide so many helps, 
Matter of charge, and all objections there answe●●●▪  the gaining of one years' learning will plentifully recompense, if we use only the necessary: and all the other benefits be a sufficient overplus.  
For all other objections, I refer you likewise to the Grammarschoole, where (I hope) you shall see yourself well satisfied in all. And what is still wanting, I trust the same good hand of our God will, in his due time, f●●ly supply.  
FINIS.     

❧ The Examiner's Censure: March. 16. 1620.  
WHere as this Author, still desirous to communicate all the new comforts, which God hath vouchsafed him in his long and painful travels, for the general good, and specially for our Grammar-schooles; and fearing lest in any matter he should deceive himself or others, hath entreated us to make some further trial of the things which he hath written herein, for the better confirmation of himself and of all others; we could not deny his so honest a request. Therefore 〈…〉 Labours in this kind, by 〈…〉 of Worcester, at the first 〈◊〉 of his Grammar-school, as appears in the 〈…〉 Preface before it, and by other 〈◊〉 since; yet now that it is to come forth 〈…〉, much more complete and perfect after so much long travel and experience) we have hereupon made new and further trial accordingly. In which we have found so much content in every form, from the lowest to the highest, for the time which we then had, as persuaded us of the truth of whatsoever he hath written concerning the same; and gives us withal much assurance of a very great blessing to be hoped for, both to Church and Commonwealth in all places for which he hath traveled, by these his happy Labours rightly put in practice: which all well-willers to Religion and Learning are to wish to their Country, and by all means to promote, for the good of the present and of all succeeding ages.  
JAMES USHER Doctor and Professor of Divinity in the University of Dublin. DANIEL FEATLY Doctor of Divinity, and Chaplin in house to his Grace of Canterbury.