VOX POPULI, OR, GLOSTERSHERES DESIRE: WITH, The Way and Means to make a Kingdom Happy (by God's help.) By setting up of Schoolmasters in every Parish throughout the Land generally. Being fit for the help of Religious Ministers in their Heavenly Worke. And for the removing of the three Capital enormities of this Land, viz. Ignorance, profaneness and Idleness. Set forth for the Benefit of all the young Children in the King's Dominions: With Schoole-Lawes and Orders, for every English Schoolmaster, and Family, to have in their Houses. For the training up young Children, both in Godliness and Manners, for the good of the Land. With the confuting of certain Objections that would hinder and make void so good a Worke. By Samuel Harmar.  
London, Printed for Thomas Bates, and are to be sold at hsi Shop in the Old-Bayly, 1642.   

VOX POPULI, on Glostershires' Desire.  

The great Evils that do Vuiversaly spread over the Land, are three, that is to say, Igrorance, profaneness, and Idleness.  
THe special theanes (by God help) to precent thoser evils, is, for to pray. That the Honourable Assembly of Parliament will be pleased to take it into their wise, and grave consideration, that honest and Religious Schoolmasters may be planted in every Parish throughout the Land which is able to maintain one. It is verily believed, that an honest Schoolmaster in every Parish will be a special help to a Religio us Minister, in siding with him for the training up young Children in godliness and manners; which work no good Christian can deny the setting up; seeing it is a work which much tendeth to the worship of God and the good of the Commonwealth.  
It is a great complaint in many parts of the Realm amongst Religious Ministers, to see how little their Preaching and Doctrine have thrived and wrought in the hearts of many young and old people.  
One main, reason of this barrenness in goodness is for want of such a member in every Parish, to educate and instruct all the Children in the Parish, as well the poor, as the rich, that so the poor est may be taught to write and read; (which many wealthy Fathers at this time would give much if they could do it.) And besides the Children shall be taught to understand the Principles of Religion concerning their Faith and Hope; they being Catechised in such a Catechise as the Learned Synod with the Approbation of the Honourable House; shall think most meet to be reached in all Schools of the Realm, for the easy and plain understanding of the grounds of Divinity.  
If this care be taken in every Parish it will be a great means to keep Men and Women from so many divisions of opinions which are sprung up amongst us, to the great trouble of the Land and disturbance of many people's minds. It is the prayer and desire of many good people that this charitable work of general Schooling may take effect in the whole Land, for the restraining of vice, and for the good of poor men's Children; And besides (by the blessing of God) it will be a great means to work a Reformation in the whole Land and beget a uniformity in Religion among us; which is now much out of joint, though there is, as the Apostle saith, but one Body, one Spirit in a Man one Hope one Lord one Faith, and one Baptism:  
A second Benefit that will accrue and arise, by having an honest Schoolmaster in every Parish, it will be a special means to keep Children out of Idleness; for when there is a habit of Idleness bred in the bones of little Children, it will hardly go out of the Flesh; for as the Vessel is first seasoned, so it will taste long of the liquor whether good or bad: And this Idlenesle among the poorer sort of chidrens by playing in the Streets the better part of the Day; rather desiring to beg then to work, this Idle life at length, leadeth poor children either to become beggars or thiefs; and this is one cause why Countries and Cities are so oppressed with beggars in many places at this present: and if it happen that these Idle Persons if they cannot get their living by begging, they will adventure to stea'e, and so do much hurt many years to many of the King's Subjects before they be taken: And all this mischief to the Land in general doth greatly arise from the first cruse, which is the want of a Schoolmaster in every Parish.  
Many Parishes at this time do greatly complain for the want of a Religious Schoolmaster to teach their Children, as well, as for a sober Religious Minister among them, to teach them.  
There are two Objections, which some (malignants) object for the overthrow of this so Religious, and Commonwealth work, for the general good of the Land. First, they say, Who shall pay for children's Schooling? And secondly, how shall they be maintained?  
The first is answered; If the Law of the Land do enjoin and rate men's estates, toward the relieving of the poor in their Parishes. The question is asked whether the same Law may not aswell enjoin a rate upon men's estates for the maintaining of so charitable a work, which is the public good of the Land and will be a special means to prevent Idleness among Children, with beggary and thievery, which are apt to follow Idleness as is showed before, and are great and heavy burdens lying on the Land at this time.  
Again, there is another great help for the easy furthering of this work of general Schooling; they that have no Children, and great Estates, may be something more liberal than others that have a charge of Children, seeing the work is so profitable sot the puplike good.  
It is reported, that some that have but twenty pound per Annum. would be willing to give ten shillings per Annum out of their estates, to raise a competent maintenance, to encourage a Schoolmaster to take pains and to wait upon his calling. Also, that Children may be kept out of the streets; whereas now they curse and swear, drawing the vengeance of God upon the Land: And besides, neither Man nor Beast can pass by them quietly; for some are so unhappy, like those Children that meeked the old Prophet Elisha, that neither Men, Women nor Children upon their business can pass by them without a mock or it may be, a stone at them: And as for the poor dumb Beasts they cannot pass by them; for either they will throw stones at them or else force them into Brooks, or Pools and so danger them or else force them over Hedges and Ditches, breaking their Legs or breaking their Necks: so that now let Men judge, whether it be not a necessary, needful work to set up general Schooling over the Land; for the reforming of Children from those vices which they Act against God, by belching out daily fearful curses and oaths, and also by abusing and hurting both old Men, and children and dumb beasts; Tell some Fathers of these ungod y, hurtful Children, what hurt their Children do they will give you the hearing and chide them and there is all the correction they give, and this will be a means to encourage Children more in their wickedness against God and Men; whereas if there were a Schoolmaster, Children would live in fear to hurt the least Child that should come by them; for a Schoole-master-would be a terror to the malicious ones, because he would be always resident like a Magistrate, to hear the complaints of any that should complain against them, and so the Offender shall receive correction for his offence; but let the punishment to the Scholar be in mercy, the Mast (being enjoined, not to give above four lashes with the Rod, that so Children may not be dishartened in going to School, because some Schoolmasters are merciless in correcting their Scholars.)  
The considerations of these evils are sufficient to encourage People to be liberal; to gain a Schoolmaster for the restraining of the great and manifold vices that are in little Children.  
The second and last Objection; How shall poor Children be maintained? Answer. Those that are painful Parents, and are willing to set their Children to spinning or knitting; or to work upon Hemp or Flax, or any other work, whereby it may cause plenty of Food and Raiment in a Commonwealth (and to prevent complaining in the streets) do enjoune their Children, to get a Penny, before they go to School and another when they come home, which is a commendable thing of those Parents that are thus careful of their Children. If all Children were thus looked unto, to gain two pence a day by their labour it would be a good help towards their maintenance, and besides, an ease to the Parish in their daily taxations: Whereas on the contrary, playing in the streets against nothing but poverty in the Land, with thousands of curses and oaths, fightings, and other wicked mischiefs, to the great dishonour of God, and hurt to the Commonwealth; and all for want of a Master over them.  
And furthermore, as concerning that Objection. How Children shall be maintained at School for provision? It is common in the mouths of many poor people. That if, they could be free from the charge of their children's Schooling, they would not charge the Parish for their children's maintenance. These are sufficient Answers, for the overthrow of the two Objections, which would hinder so charitable a work, and so Religious for the general good of the Land. Therefore let every good Man and Woman pour out their Prayers to God for the speedy and pure purging of those evils reigning in the Land and threatening God's Judgement upon us, and the King's Dominions.  
And for this end and purpose the Lord Almighty bless our Honourable House of Peers and House of Commons that they may take it into their wise and grave considerations speedily; to take God's cause in hand, which have been theirs, and the Lands mighty preserver. And the Lord bless and preserve their designs and purposes, both for the glory of God and the good of Church and State, Amen, Amen, Even so be it.  
WHereas good Laws in the Land are needful, and maketh Men and Women Live in Subjection; even so good Laws in a School amongst Children will make them the better versed and obedient to the good Laws of the Land, when they shall come to Age Having relation to an English School, and observing the Laws of the School how easily the Master kept his Scholars in godliness and manners (both for the glory of God, and the good of the Land.) which is an admirable Heavenly thing to see in little Children. I thought it good to publish the chiefest Heads, as a Pattern for all Schoolmasters to teach their Scholars, that they may be a means (by God's help, to bring a general joy and comfort through the Land. For there are many Schoolmasters which take great pains to make their Scholars excellent in humane Learning; but they take little or no care to train up or teach God inesse and Manners to their Scholars, and the Reason is because some of them have but little of it themselves.  
Godliness and Manners are the very Diadem and Glory of all Learning; What was Herod the better for his Learning when as the People said, It was the voice of a God, and not of a Man? when as he wanted Godliness and Manners, in that he was bloody minded to persecute the poor Saints; as Peter and James, and the rest. Therefore good Laws and Precepts among Children, may do a great deal of good to their Souls and Bodies.  

The Laws are set down in Four Heads.  
1 The first cocerning God and his sabbaths.  
2 The second is, concerning the duty and love that Children own to their Fathers and Mothers, and their Superiors.  
3 Their Love to their Brother, Sister, Servant, Schoolfellows, and Neighbours.  
4 Their care to their Writing and Reading, and to keep their Apparel handsomely and whole about them; that so they may not offend their Master and Parents; which if they observe and keep, they shall be acconnted good Boys and besides, gains great Love from their Masters, Parents, and Guardians, which have the tuition and charge of them.    

The Laws of the School, fit to acquaint young Children with daily; that so when they come to be Men, they may be the better fitted to observe the good Laws of the Land.  
BUt before I come to show them, I purpose to propose and put forth one question.  
Whether Lords or Gentlemen if they intent to make them fair Orchards, whether they do usually plant over their ground old Trees, or young pleasant plants or stocks?  
It is to be granted that old Trees may grow when they are Planted; But nevertheless there are four things why great Men, and Gentlemen, do not Plant their fair Orchard-ground with old stocks.  

1 Because old great Trees are cumbersome to deal withal, and one or two Men cannot do it.  
2 The Windy storms hath a greater stroke at great Trees to overturn them more than it hath at a young plant or stock.  
3 Old Trees will cost much charge and labour to prop them up, which every gust of Wind endangereth, either to overturn the body, or at least shake the root.  
4 And lastly, if the Lord, or master desireth to make an Arbour to his Orchard for his pleasure; Old trees are not so apt to bend as young Plants or stocks for that work.   
This I make by way of comparison and do with all humility set it forth for the glory of God, and for the general good of the Land, that the Lord and Commons of both the Houses of Parliament, will be pleased to take it into their wise and grave consideration carefully to Plant Orchards of young stocks meaning young Nurseries of general Schooling in every Parish throughout the Land, with a careful Gardner or Grafter over them put in trust to foster and cherish them up, by taking away the hurtful sprouts and syences of wickedness, that hinder the good growth of them, that so at last England may become an admirable Orchard, full of fruit-Trees being made fit for the service of God and good Trees and Members for the Common, wealth.  
There are many Clerks and others that have no employment, would be glad to keep School, if they might have maintenance.  
As good Laws do keep and preserve Peace in a Land for the good of all the Subjects, to keep them in Subjection.  
So good Laws sown among Children daily in the School, will be a special means to keep them in Subjection, both for the glory of God; the good of themselves and the joy and comfort of their Master, that have the tuition of them.   

Religious and Moral Precepts of the Master to his Scholars, called the Laws of the Schools, davided into four Parts.  
The first concerning God and his Sabbaths. The second is of the Child's Duty and Love that he oweth to his Father his Mother, and his Superiors. The third showeth how he should have his tongue so tipped with good words that he may minister grace or yield a good example of grace to the hearers. Fourthly and lastly, showeth how a Child should order himself to gain Learning and to keep his Apparel handsomely in the sight of People.  
First, That the Child take heed that he swear not (in every vain talk) by the God that made him.  
Secondly that he swear not by our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer.  
Thirdly, swear not by Christ's blood and wounds nor by any part of his body; because the Lord saith For the very cause of Oaths the Land shall ●ourue. Therefore take head to thy Tongue, that you pluck not a Plague and Judgement upon thyself and the whole Land for thy sake as Achan did upon Israel.  
Likewise beware of lying, which is a srnit of the Tongue. A common Liar is an Enemy to the God of Truth; And the Scripture saith that God is the God (and Father) of Truth; but the Devil is the Father of Liar; these Offences against God deserves four lashes on the Hand with the Rod.  
Again it is a special Duty belonging to God and the very Life of Reigeon that a Child sanctify and keep holy God's sabbaths. Therefore beware of Gaming Gadding and wanton pastime, which draw the heart away from God's service. The Christian Sabbath is the day of their Saviour's Christ's Resurrection; which they keep holy above other days: For Christ's Resurrection is the Faithful Christians Justification, as the Apostle showeth saying. Christ was delivered for our Offences, and raised again for our Justification. Therefore Christsians observe that day to the Lord; for if Christ had not risen, both Jews and Gentiles had all come short of the glory of God: he that shall profane this day deserveth four lashes with the Rod, on the Hand.  
2 Precept commandeth the Child to be loving and dutiful to his Father, Mother and his Superiors, and Elders, being as ready to do their will in good things as the Servants of the Centurion which when their Master bid them go they stirred in a moment and went with speed; when he bid them come they came not carelessly but willingly; and last of all when he bid them do this, or that thing, they did it faithfully readily, and with speed which is a commendable thing in a Scholar to do the ●ike; the neglect of this duty, and love, deserves three lashes on the Hand.  
I have read of a Child possessed with the Devil at the Mother's curse, because it frowned and fumed and would not do as the Mother bid it; a warning to Children not to be idle and mothers not to be too hasty of their words.  
3 Beware of cursing & railing against any one which is a filthy thing in the Tongue of any Man, Woman or, Child. The Angel of God did not rail against the Devil; and King David did not rail against Shemei; and Christ Jesus the very mirror of humility and patience, did not rail nor revile at his persecutors, but committed his cause only to God; who saith, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay it; and again, he giveth to every Man according to his doing, whether good or bad.  
Likewise beware of setting nick names upon any Man's Person being deformed, or upon any Man's possession, be it never so base; if he b● needful in the Common-wealthe: for God despiseth not foolish things not base things nor weak things if they stand with the Lord and take his part; therefore do not thou set nick names upon them, if thou dost thou shalt have three lashes with the Rod on the Hand.  
And lastly, showeth a Child how to order himself to gain Learning, and to keep his Apparel.  
First, a Child must take heed that he keep his stops in Reading, that he hackle not, nor hamble his words in a humming, snaffling way through the Nose.  
Likewise that he be careful to keep his Book clean from blots; that he writ not crooked out of the line, that he keep his Letters even, and straight together, keeping a distance between every Word, and not linking words together like a chain from one end of the line, to the other, and so make a confusion, that the Reader can make no sense of it; which is a fault amongst many writers writing to their Friends, in that they cobble all their words together.  
The next thing a Child must see to is his Apparel he must take heed that his Apparel be clean from dirting whole from tearing; that his Stockings be kept gartered, his shoes pointed, and like a neat Scholar behaving himself in such a civil manner, that he may be a companion for his betters; then shall his Master love him, and commend him,  
Likewise, he must be courteous to all Men, and when he meeteth his Elders, that he put off his Hat, and give them them the time of the Day; this Scholarlike courteous carriage, shall not only gain their Parent's love, but also Neighbours and strangers will love them and commend them; the neglect of this behaviour, will deserve three lashes on the Hand.  
Other things there might be put in, to warn children that they do it not as ●ea●ing fight, hurting one another in jest or earnest, all which are breaches of Peace; wherefore for the rest which I have omitted, I leave it to the wisdom of the wise Schoolmaster, to add more Laws or better: according as he shall see good; but this is the end of my de●●re: who I hope, there are many more of the same, I should be glad to see little children trained up in a Religious and civil way of life, which is the Grace of a Family of a Town or City, when the children belonging unto those places are well educated and brought up.  
The Voice of the Parliament may do very much in this thing, a thousand Preachers cannot compare with them for the duelling of sin at this time; I pray God to give them a time, in his good time, to bring every good work to pass for his glory, and the Kingdom's good, and theirs.  
Now if these School Laws or the like, might be compelled to be read in every English School twice a Week, like a Lesson of Instruction, it would be a special means (by the held of God) to bring a very great reformation in little children's Hearts for the Law being only read is a terror; and a Rod to mild children that have a filial fear in them; though they see none corrected for breaking the Law.  
Now when these filial children that have the Law in their Hearts, with much fear lest they should offend; those (I say) will be a special means (like little Preachers) to rebuke and persuade other children, that are of a servile add obstinate Nature, that they come not in the compass of their Master's correction and so by this means (and God's blessing with it) the stream and tide of wickedness, which one carried many thou●ands headlong to wickedness shall not run so violent as it hath done in times past, but shall be assuaged with the low and humble ebb of Godliness and goodness; for with the meek and lowly the Lord is pleased to dwell, and such as delight in goodness, the Lord is pleased to delight in them; according as the Holy Ghost faith Those that Honour me, I will Honour. So praying to God for a good success in these things, desiring every good Christian to do the same; for it is goodness that will make us happy, and not greatness only; for greatness cannot deliver one in the Day of the Lords wrath; but goodness will make a Man happy and joyful, through Christ Jesus, at the Hour of Death, Psal. 112.7.8.  
FINIS.