Disciples asking the solution of what was allegorically deliver'd prescribe Rules to the Scholar of a modest liberty in propounding his doubts apposite to the present lesson and subject in discourse as also to the Master of a gentle condescension in resolving those doubts that he think it not grievous to repeat to inculcate his instructions with regard to the difficulty of the matter in debate or slowness of the Learners comprehension Thus have many Teachers been improv'd by forming an apt answer to pregnant questions propos'd by their Auditors And for our Instruction doubtless was the child Jesus found in the Temple sitting in the midst of the Doctors both hearing them and asking them questions This work hath been carried on by exercise or Books As for Sundaies and Festivals Verses upon the proper Gospel or Psalms reading sacred Poëms Dialogues Epistles Meditations Confessions and such like pieces which have been set forth in a small form fitted for the use of young Learners In divers Places the Statutes require over and above decent attendance on the publick worship that the Scholars be call'd to render an account of what they were taught When S t. Chrysostome upon occasion had prest his Auditors to the repeating at home what they had at Church heard that every House-keeper being return'd would spread a double Table the one of bodily food the other of the word of God and the Husband to recount what had been there spoken the Wife to learn the Children also to hear nay the very servants not to be debarr'd from that repetition Make thy House saith he a Church as being accountable for the Souls of thy Family as the Minister stands charg'd with those of the whole Congregation the people of Antioch hereupon broke out into loud Acclamations which that Father accepted not as an empty Applause but as the pledge of their obedience As to the religious conduct of youth I shall onely add upon this Head that there is extant a Treatise of the same Fathers anciently styled the Golden Book of Education brought to light by the learned Combefis and render'd into English by M r. John Evelyn a person whose fruitful industry hath oblig'd his Country nor ever to be mention'd by me without much honor §. 40. Further as care is taken that the Masters Salary be duely paid so because the Tenure is not Frank-almain as was that of Abbies and may that of Hospitals be call'd but what implys a duty to be perform'd which gives Title to the Reward in many places besides the Governors special Visitors are appointed whether some Gentry by the designation of the Founder thought fit and willing to oversee the discharge of the trust or some three or four Neighbor Ministers who annually at certain prefix'd time or times preside over the sollemn exercise of the Scholars and from their proficience estimate the abilities and diligence of the Master After all which the Bishop as general Visitor both superintends the Master and is Head of the Commission for charitable Uses Indeed subordination and Dependency is the form of Bodies collective without which nothing is strong nothing is beautiful The more immediat concern of the Church Organical successive is commended to the Bishop not onely by the Holy Scripture but by the ancient Canons by Canon-Law and by the Statutes of this Realm and practise of all Ages and places Christian the Ordinary gives licence to the School-Master and exacts his duty but withall the same with other Commissioners by him engag'd vindicates School-Revenues detain'd by Executors or interverted by Trustees As much fond as any are of Liberty no man surely envys the greatness of that power which he apprehends for his own Interest And Interest in the highest Prelate may the poorest School-Master assure by assiduity and vigilance over himself his small flock I shall onely add upon this Head that such seeming not to have consider'd enough their own weakness draw upon themâ—â—â—â—es the low rate and esteem set upon this Profession and gratify that whether overt hatred or inconsiderate policy of others in impeaching the growth and flourishing of the state Scholastick whosoever do not with humble gratitude embrace that superabundant strength which God hath vouchsaf'd them from the Kings Majesty the common Nursing Father of publick Schools in his gracious Letters Patents from the High and Honorable Court of Parliament in Laws made for their Immunity and Vindication from worthy Neighbors or worshipful Companies of the great City their vigilant and faithful Governors from many of the Nobility Gentry or Neighboring Ministers often their special Visitors lastly from the Right Reverend their Diocesan and Spiritual Father always their general Visitor §. 41. There remains another advantage of publick Schools the greatest benefit to Learners after the Master is a good Library Before the Art of Printing was discover'd when Books all written by hand were rare and however less correct and compleat to be purchas'd at excessive rates those that set up Schools in the Provinces of the Empire Greek and Latine Heathen or Christian provided themselves ordinarily with some store of Copies to promote the common studies of their Scholars with themselves And even in that affluence of Books which this present Age daily furnishes although a Parent can afford to provide his Son of such as are cheap and portable for his present use as he proceeds in Learning yet there are voluminous Authors Pillars of a Library which would highly advance Study yet are not the purchase of every one that is most studious and therefore best able to use them In which regard a Library would even at the present be reputed a necessary Member of a School-House This would not consist of promiscuous Books English Histories Treatises in Faculties of Law Physick and Divinity unseasonably read intervert the time due for other studies preparatory to the Scholars daily exercise and therefore Universities lay a prudent restraint on Artists according to their several progress in the Facultie to keep some years in Seats at the entrance of the publick Library under Books of those Arts about which they are for that time conversant Some having been question'd how it came to pass that former Ages who fram'd the very Theoremes of those Sciences in compiling and transforming the Systemes whereof we so much glory could advance so far have been ready to attribute it to the fewness of their Books upon this very account not without some appearance of reason though how truly I list not here farther to enquire Be therefore onely proper and organical Books hither admitted and few of that sort would be excluded He is a good Workman that can use every Tool Even those writings that are earnestly censurd as hindrances to Scholarship allow'd with careful directions in their time and place prove helps to proficiency Better were it for the peace and comfort of Life if it fell out in matters of higher consequence
laid on the judgment of former Founders leaves small encouragement to the Devout Rich to dispose their charity upon a subject avow'd unnecessary or suspected by the state Now because the public Peace and increase of Commerce are desirable to any Nation and Parents in particular make it a principal concern that their children be brought up to sound principles and employment which may be hopeful of an honest livelyhood it may be convenient to call under examination whether the Free Grammar Schools of England be so notoriously multiply'd beyond their occasion as is demanded we should believe if first their usefulness can be evinced to reasonable satisfaction §. 2. It is agreed on all parts that Education is absolutely due to man either as in his imperfect or corrupt estate Did not our early follies require diâ—cipline and restraints yet knowledg is Gradual and Habits of good not at once contracted Add hereto snares and discouragement from abroad the necessity of nurture and manudâ—ction in a â—ight and steady course especially for those of unripe judgments and in the slippery paths of youth is yet more evident Good inâ—â—itution prevents or reforms vice nor doth it improve particulars only but seasons Families and communities whereby it mightily promotes the common Peace and Proâ—perity both of Church and State §. 3. Now this wholesome Breeding allow'd nâ—cessary for all so far as it respects those that are born in a lower condition some would have understood only what may train them up to work for as to what is commonly call'd Learning and which would engross the name of Education the same effects either on Policy or Religion are not so universally accorded to belong to the general propagation of it There are places and have bin times these observe abounding with a people very devout and tractable to all commands of superiors that â—ever sâ—te years at School have heard few sermons nor were ever trusted with reading the Bible Light is indeed pleasant but in its full luster scarce suited to our weaker sight discovers blemishes in others even the most beautiful objects disturbs rest in all in what regions it makes the longest stay is there accompanied with least heat the Scythians ignorance being found more innocent then the Athenians knowledg Discourse and Reading entertain but working supports life Arts and labour are the poor mans Indies the surest fond of a Nation the inexhaustible Mine of Princes Trade is that stock from whence not only private necessities are plentifully supplied but also the public charge defray'd and a portion by the thankful separated for uses truly charitable in a just and pious offering Letters indeed may without much difficulty be admitted as to the faculty of reading and writing for thus far they minister to commerce to which all Arts and Labor in their issue refer But to make a Profession of teaching obsolete Languages Poetical Fancies or what hath more appearance of gravity the Art of Suiting colourable Arguments whereby to hold any question in matters sacred or civill eitherwaies indifferently to set up Schools throughout a Land to this purpose and by rewards take off the Youth from following Labor to sedentary studies while the fields say they want hands to till them is this a benefit to the publick or grievance to be encourag'd or redrest For if the providence of the state hath thought fit at times and places by sumptuary Laws to limit the Rich in spending their own with much more reason doth the Government take cognisance whether such as have no visible estate for their support take to some calling §. 4. Here it may be seasonable to interpose whether there be not a General as well as Particular calling All ages sexes ranks relations in every condition all capacities ly under some Duty towards God and Man Now that any Persons can be too early instructed in this Duty or too often admonish'd of it that any Nation can be too universally learn'd in the laws of well-living would be positions hard to be conceiv'd were they not the Dictates of safe Guides men reputed wise and honest Particular callings may through different Providences at least in the timely retreats of old Age from business be decently laid down but the General runs parallel with life This regulates the better part of man and looks forward to eternity Now could it be made out that this duty requir'd of us were a common notion spontaneous in our Nâ—ture and sufficiently clear in all its parts to the light of our reason in its present condition there were less need of teaching Then might the scriptures without much danger remain unsearch'd the Preacher betake himself to some calling necessary and beneficial to the Community and Schools for Catechiziâ—g to better account be converted into Work-Houses Indeed morality the Law written in our hearts needed not to have bin learn'd out of Books it was to man in his first institution Catholic Religion and however those Characters be defac'd remains inseparable from the rational Nature But the Doctrine of Faith being an ingrafted word not from nature but by culture needed to be reveled to be couch'd in Holy Wâ—itt exhibited under Sacraments and entrusted to Dispencers not only faithful but able also Foâ— reason irradâ—ated with the Light of supernatural Truth ceaseth not to be rational Again of those that admit Revelation some argue that whatsoever is Prophecy cannot be acquired thereupon disclaim Reading Meditation and whatsoever other Methods preparatory for the Ministery were recommended to the Apostolical men Others of opposite judgment contend that whatsoever is acquir'd cannot be Prophecy These are scandaliz'd that the Minister should demand audience of the people in the name of God or pretend to speak with demonstration of the spirit Neither of them I think duely distinguishing between extraordinary Gifts and a standing Office both furnish'd by the same spirit suitably to the different exigences of the Church for the Bread of Canaan was no less the Gift of God then the Manna in the wilderness Further of those that could allow Schools of the Prophets all have not equally favor'd popular enquiries into the rule of Faith and Manners Some Persons who have taken up for a Principle that Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion and Obedience are wont to magnify the peace and prosperity of those days wherein knowledge was not yet vulgar and cheap while the Priest and the Oracle were inseparable nor examin'd but obey'd since as admiration so no less hath Reverence of the Clergy decreas'd in the mean time dissembling that those parties which at present divide Christendome truly date their original not from the breaking out of any clearer light but from the blindness of former Ages whil'st what opinions practises were then insensibly admitted must now be studiously maintain'd It may indeed so fall out that people may owe a temporary quiet to the not searching in to their state through an entire acquiescence in long obtaining customs A
such as the Master should propose this in process of time would furnish such places at least with the more necessary helps and leave a standing Treasure to the House not to be despised by the Town In divers late Foundations a room for Books hath been annex'd to that of the School elsewhere desks or Presses for indeed without a certain Repository provided all utensils are expos'd either to be lost or injur'd nor are there Presidents wanting of this sort of gratification if it might be conducing to provoke beneficence in this nature I would not pass over what hath fall'n under my notice more particularly upon occasion The Right Honorable my L. Crew was content to sever two Books from his own Library they were Hen. Stephense's Thesaurus of the Greek Tongue in 4 Volumes and Athenaeus his Dipnosophists with the Notes of Isaac Casaubone in 2 Volumes and give them to the use of Northampton School and Master at a sole request made by the means of that School Master One of the present Honorable Secretaries of State conferr'd a set of excellent School-Books such as the Master signifie to have been there wanting a decent respect to that Borough which had elected him their Burgess of Parliament The Worshipful company of the Merchant Tailors of London at the motion of their worthy School-Master erected a fair Library and replenish'd it with store of choice Books some contributing 50 pounds others too very considerable sums towards it These Books were through the great industry of the Master preserv'd as to the main in the fatal Conflagration of that City and remain a monument of the Donors munificence still growing to the advantage of the Foundation Other examples of Bounty in the same kind not wholly unknown to me though in themselves worthy of honor I yet forbear here to specifie since multitude of instances rather overwhelm then excite the Reader in a word these gifts are a multiply'd benefit to the Giver when contributed by divers among many they yet all remain entire to each particular After due endeavors to provide the next care is to preserve such Library The Library-Keeper to be charg'd with a threefold Book the Register of Benefactors the Catalogue of Books and a Note of what of them are lent out and on what day the same to enter into these respective records what shall be needful nor would he be requir'd to open and shut the door at its hour daily without some salary to engage his watchfulness and constancy A piece or 2 yearly chargeable upon the community for this occasion is incident onely to Schools of some note will betimes acquaint him with the just and advantageous connexion of Work and Wages He would be taken out of the uppermost form the more studious faithful and discreet that will undertake such trouble studious that he be acquainted with the use of what he hath in charge faithful for it is a trust and discreet because on him chiefly would rest the execution of those Orders which should concern the Students or Books in the Library Those Laws would not be so rigid as to debar all lending forth of any Book as if it disappointed others since in the place but one can read the same Author at once nor yet so laxe as without occasion without memorial to part with them and for time unlimited Again they would not be so loose as to receive the wounds or flourishes of every malicious or wanton pen nor yet so strict as to prohibit the Masters occasional Animadversion the very trace of whose hand is suppos'd to leave some useful direction §. 42. Before the conclusion of this Discourse it may perhaps fall under some observation that in this loose range of enquirys a most material point hath been omitted Writing an universal advantage ought certainly to have place in publick and Free Schools For though perhaps it be not the principal benefit of that Education yet to write is in common life necessary and to write well commendable The truth is in petty Schools and such are the most in every County no small regard is to be had to it that the Master bring his Scholar to a fair engrossing Secretary or the neat Italian cursive and if he be design'd for the Law to acquaint him with the large exemplifying Court hand and the lesser wherein old Rolls are written with their Abbridgements would be of singular use to him I do not say that in the greater Grammar-Schools Masters can much attend to that business yet there also is exacted that the Child bring his exercise written fairly as he can without blots and without dashes the marks of precipitate negligence That censure heretofore ordinary as if a bad hand were the property of a good Scholar may seem to have receiv'd its original from such like occasion In former times when Books were rare Scholars took in notes their Masters Dictates which that they might more readily dispatch they practis'd Abbridgements and fell into deficient Characters This habit improv'd the learning but withal impair'd the writing of those Ages A legible hand endeavor'd seems to carry with it some respect to the Reader and easy flourishes in their place add grace and distinction sometimes dignity but though it be useful for all to write it is not therefore necessary for all to embellish yet in Schools destin'd to farther Operations the place for writing though it be not a distinct room would be furnish'd with proper Instruments and so more solemn and also for the general Works of Numeration Whatever of this be needful as to the question in debate none I think in these days are of opinion that the skill and practise of this Art can be too universally propagated some may with reason fear it is by many perverted from its noblest end when emploid to the discouragement of other more excellent Arts and Sciences or restrain'd in a manner wholly to the service of secular advantage §. 43. Rather to sum up what hath been alledg'd on the present occasion whatsoever opinion any may have entertain'd concerning the multitude of Schools the multitude of Scholars in England before they pass any peremptory sentence to withhold their own Charity or to discourage the benevolence of others upon this Subject they would be desir'd withal seriously to consider several Millions of inhabitants in this Land in the Plantations in Factories abroad the Subject of Pastoral cure then to set before their eyes with such compassion as the matter requires the provision remaining for many Vicarages afterwards to descend in their inquisition into the manifold Exigencies of the State in offices and Professions requiring men not illiterate Whether they retain upon the Ministery of Justice in either Law or upon the Profession of Physick or other polite Arts. The Nation would be reputed as it is ample the traffick copious the course of Justice regular the Cities and Country populous Now when youth is multiplied should we