The gold[n] book of christen matrimony most necessary [and] profitable for all the[m], that…The golde[n] boke of christen matrimonye moost necessary [and] profitable for all the[m], that…

Children where unto they be apt, let them learn that science or handy craft.

Chyldren wher vnto they be apte, lette them learne that science or handye crafte.

Consider well whereunto thy child is naturally inclined. And unto that occupation let him be put to: many men now a days all be it they see their children apt unto let ters & good learning having substance enough to find them thereat, yet will they not suffer them to continue thereat, because them selves can not favour it, or else they see no advantage worldly f• low, but great trouble & •secuciō, which worldly men in thus doing declare them selves ungodly destroyers both of them selves their children & of all common weals & congregations. For what public weal, town, city or parish can be well governed, without y• Prince, ruler, priest, or bi ¹shop be learned in gods law, Prophets and in his gospel? what is the cause of all this dissension cruel persecution, tyranny, evil laws making unjust acts, false religion, wicked ordinances & ungodly decrees & institutions, but only the blind ignorance of unlearned rulers? which mea sure all thing after their own fond fleshly affects and reason besides all scriptures: & would have their own carnal wills to stand in the stead, yea rather to be above God & his laws. In times paste, when men saw so many spiritual promotions unto rich bishoprics, benefices, ⟨p. lxxiii⟩deaneries, Abbeys; Priories, chancellorships. &c, then they did set fast their children to school, to make them popish priests, idly to live by other mens sweats, but now they see how laborious and perilous an office it is to preach and to teach Gods word purely, freely and faithfully. And how unthankful an office it is to rule commonalties after justice and equity, and what an heavy intolerable labour it is to minister justice and judgement after Gods word, looking for no advantage, but to be a common servant for the common wealth sustaining such intolerable burdens, labours and perils, as the office duly ministered asketh, no man is glad to have his child learned unto such unprofitable and laborious ends. It was once an holy sacrifice to God for a man to dedicate his daughter or son unto Frances, Clare, Benet, Thomas, Austen, Mary. &c. idly to live in all filthiness, wham riches, dignities & worldly vain worship and private profit followed or rather when they greedily aspired and followed it.