Part 28

Aristotle, the this worthy saying writ, philosopher,

That “manners in a child more requisite are

Than playing on and other vain pleasure; instruments

For virtuous manners is a most precious treasure.”

Let not this saying in no wise thee offend,

For playing of he doth not discommend, instruments

But doth grant them for a child necessary,

Yet manners much more, see here he doth vary.

Refuse not his counsel, nor his words despise;

To virtue and knowledge by them may’st thou rise.

HOW TO ORDER THYSELF IN THE CHURCH

When to the church thou shalt repair, Kneeling or standing, to God make thee prayer. All worldly matters from thy mind set apart, Earnestly praying, to God lift up thy heart. A contrite heart He will not despise, Which He doth count a sweet sacrifice. To Him thy sins show and confess, Asking for them grace and forgiveness. He is the physician that knoweth thy sore, And can to health again thee restore. Ask then in faith, not doubting to have; The things ye desire, ye shall them receive; So they be lawful of God to require, He will thee hear and grant thy desire. More merciful He is than pen can express, The author and giver here of all goodness. “All ye that labour and burdenéd be, I will you refresh in coming to Me.” These are Christ’s words, the Scripture is plain, Spoken to all such as here suffer pain. Our wills to His word then let us frame, The heavenly habitation thereby we may claim. In the church comely thyself do behave, In usage sober, thy countenance grave. While you be there, talk of no matter, Nor one with another whisper nor chatter. Reverently thyself order alway, When to the church thou shalt come to pray. Each thing hath his time, consider the place, For that is a token of virtue and grace. The Lord doth call it the house of prayer, And not to be used as is a fair.

The Fruits of Gaming, Virtue, and Learning (sic). How to Behave thyself in Talking with any Man. How to Order thyself, being sent of Message. Against Anger, Envy and Malice. The Fruits of Charity, Love and Patience. Against the Horrible Vice of Swearing. Against the Vice of Filthy Talking. Against the Vice of Lying.]

A PRAYER TO BE SAID WHEN THOU GOEST TO BED

O merciful God, hear this our request,

And grant unto us this night quiet rest.

Into thy tuition, O Lord, do us take,

Our bodies sleeping, our minds yet may wake.

Forgive the offences this day we have wrought,

Against thee and our in word, deed, and neighbour, thought,

And grant us thy grace henceforth to fly sin,

And that a new life we may now begin.

Deliver and defend us this night from all evil,

And from the danger of our enemy, the devil,

Which goeth about seeking his prey,

And by his craft whom he may betray.

Assist us, O Lord, with thy Holy Sprite,

That valiantly against we may ever fight, him