The Grammar School, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
Of knowledge of the grounds of religion and training vp the schollars therin.
Spoud.
NOw that we hauehave thus gone thorough all the way of learning, for whatsoeuer can bee required in the Grammar schooles; and how to lay a sure foundation, both for the Greeke and the Hebrew, that they may bee able to goe on of themselues in all these by their owne studies: it remaineth that wee come yet to one further point, and which is as it were the end of all these.Schollars to be trained vp in Religion. That is, how schollars may be seasoned and trained vp in Gods true Religion and in grace; without which all other learning is meerely vaine, or to increase a greater condemnation. This one alone doth make them truely blessed, and sanctifie all other their studies.
Moreouer, they being taught herein in their youth shall not depart from it when they are old. I intreat you therefore to shew me so shortly as you can, how schollars maie bee taught all those things which were contained in the note: As,
1. To be acquainted with all the grounds of religion and chief histories of the Bible.
2. So to take the Sermons▪ at least for all the substance both for doctrines, proofes, vses; and after to make a rehearsall of them.
3. EueryEvery one to begin to conceiue and answere the seuerall points of the Sermons, euen from the lowest formes.
These are matters that I thinke are least thought of in most schooles,This most neglected in schooles. though of all other they must needes bee most necessary, and which our lawes and iniunctions doe take principall care for; and that the schoolmasters, to these ends, be of sincere religion.
Phil.
I feare indeede that it is as you say, that this is ouer-generally neglected.The popish Schoolemasters shall rise vp against vsus. And herein shall the popish schoolemasters rise vp in iudgement against vsus: who make this the very chiefe marke at which they aime, in all their teaching; to poure in superstition at the beginning, first to corrupt and deceiue the tender minds.
But to returne vntounto the matter, how they may bee thus trained vp in the feare of the Lord; I shall set you downe the best manner, so neere as I my selfe hauehave yet learned, follovving the order of these particulars mentioned.
1. For beeing acquainted with the grounds of religion and the principles of the Catechisme;☞ Euerie Saturdaie before their breaking vp the schoole (for … finishing their weeks labours,How to teach them the Catechisme and when. and a preparatiue to the Sabbaoth) let them spend halfe an howre or more in learning & answering the Catechisme.
To this end, cause eueryevery one to hauehave his Catechisme, to get halfe a side of a leafe or more at a time; each to be able to repeate the whole. The more they say at a time and the ofter they runne ouer the whole, the sooner they will come to vnderstanding. This must be as their parts in their Accedence.
In examining,☞ first your Vsher or Seniors of each fourm may heare that eueryevery one can say.Manner of examining Catechisme. Afterwardes, you hauing all set before you, may poase whom you suspect most carelesse.
1. Whether they can answere the questions.
2. In demanding eueryevery question againe, to stand a little on it, to make it so plaine and easie, as the least childe amongst them may vnderstand eueryevery word which hath any hardnesse in it, and the force of it.
Let the manner of the poasing bee as I shewed for the Accedence. The more plainly the question is drawen out of the very words of the book, and into the moe short questions it is diuided, and also examined backeward and forward, the sooner a great deale they will vnderstand it, and better remember it.
Herein also to vse all diligence to apply eueryevery peecevnto them, to whet it vponupon them, to worke holy affections in them; that each may learne to feare the Lord and walke in all his commandements. For, beeing in their hearts and practice, it will be more firmly kept. This also must be remembred for all that followeth.
2. For the Sabbaoths and other daies when there is anie sermon,Taking notes or writing sermons. cause eueryevery one to learn somthing at the sermons.
1. The very lowest to bring some notes, at least 3. or 4. If they can, to learne them by their owne marking; if not to get other of their fellowes to teach them some short lessons after. As thus: Without God we can do nothing. All good gifts are from God: or the like short sentences; not to ouer-load them at the first.
To this end, that the Monitours see, 1. That all be most attentiue to the Preacher.
2. That all those who can write any thing,2. All who can write to take notes. or do but begin to write …oining hand, doe eueryevery one write some such notes, or at least to get them written, some 5. or 6. or moe as they can, as I sayde to bee able to repeate them without booke, as their other little fellowes.☜
But herein there must be great care by the Monitours,Caueat of any noise or disorder in gathering notes. that they trouble not their fellowes, nor the congregation, in asking notes, or stirring out of their places to seek of one another, or any other disorder; but to aske them after they are come forth of the Church, and get them written then.
3. For those who hauehave been longer practiced herein,3. The higher to set downe parts of the sermon more o… derly. to set downe, 1. The Text or a part of it. 2. To marke as neere as they can, and set downe eueryevery doctrine, and what proofes they can, the reasons and the vses of them.
4. In the highest fourmes,4. In all the highest fourm… to set downe the substance exactly. cause them to set downe all the Sermons. As Text, diuision, exposition, or meaning, doctrines, and how the seuerall doctrines were gathered, all the proofes, reasons, vses, applications. I meane all the substance and effect of the Sermons: for learning is not so much seene, in setting downe the words, as the substance.
And also for further directing them,☞ and better helping their vnderstanding and memories,Manner of noting for helping vnderstanding & memorie. for the repetition thereof; cause them to leaue spaces betweene eueryevery part, and where neede is to diuide them with lines. So also to distinguish the seuerall parts by letters or figures,☞ and setting the sum of eueryevery thing in the margent ouer against each matter in a word or two.Helps for memory in the margent, & for vnderstanding. As, Text, Diuision, Summe.
First Obseruation or 1. Doctrine, Proofes, Reasons 1. 2. 3. Vses 1. 2. 3. So, the 2. Obseruation or doctrine, proofes, reasons, &c. so thoroughout. Or what method soeuer, the Preacher doth vse, to follow the parts after the same maner, so well as they can.
Direct them to leaue good margents for these purposes:☞ and so soone as euer the Preacher quotes any scripture,To leaue good margents. as hee nameth it,To set downe quotations as they are spoken. to set it in the Margent against the place, lest it slip out of memorie.
And presently after the sermon is done, to run ouer all againe,To set downe the heads of all in the margents after. correcting it, and setting downe the sum of euerie chief head, faire and distinctly in the margent ouer against the place, if his leasure will suffer.
By this helpe they will be able to vnderstand, and make a repetition of the sermon,Benefit of this. with a verie little meditation; yea to doe it with admiration for children.
After all these,To turne it after into Latine for the next daies exercise. you may (if you think good) cause them the next morning, to translate it into a good Latine stile, insteed of their exercise the next day (I meane, so many of them as write Latine) or some little peece of it according to their ability.
Or rather,☞ (because of the lacke of time, to examine what eueryevery one hath written) to see how they are able out of the English,Or to read it into Latine ex tempore. to read that which they hauehave written, into Latine, ex tempore, each of them reading his peece in order, and helping others to giuegive better phrase and more variety, for eueryevery difficult word; and so to runne thorough the whole.
This I finde that they will beginne to do,Experiēce how soone they will do this. after that they hauehave beene exercised in making Latine a twelue monethmonth or two, if they hauehave beene rightly entred, and well exercised in Sententiae pueriles; especially in the diuine sentences in the end thereof, and in Corderius with other bookes and exercises noted before, chiefly by the practice of reading out of the translations.
Spoud.
But when would you examine these?Examining the sermons.
Phil.
For the reading into Latine, I would hauehave it done the next day at 9. of the clock for their exercise, or at their entrance after dinner; that so they might hauehave some meete time to meditate of it before: and for examining of it in English, to do it at night before their breaking vp, amongst them all shortly, or before dinner.
Herein also some one of the higher fourmes might bee appointed in order to make a repetitiō of the wholeserm on without book,One to make a short rehearsall of the whole first. according as I shewed the manner of setting it down; rehearsing the seueral parts so distinctly & briefly, as the rest attending may the better conceiue of the whole, and not exceed the space of a quarter of an howre.
After the repetition of it,To aske questions of all things difficult. if leasure serue, the Master may aske amongst the highest som few questions, of whatsoeuer points might seeme difficult in the sermon: for by questions as I hauehave said, they wil com to vnderstand any thing.
Next to appose amongst the lowest,To cause the least & all sorts to repeate their notes. where he thinkes good, what notes they took of the Sermons, and cause them to pronounce them; and in appoasing to cause them to vnderstand, by applying all things to them in a word or two. Thus to go thorough as time shall permit.
Spoud.
This strict examining will be a good means to make them attentiue?
Phil.
It will indeed;Benefit of this strict examining. so as you shal see them to increase in knowledge and vnderstanding aboue your expectation: And besides it wil keep them from playing talking, sleeping and all other disorders in the Church. To this end therfore poase diligently, all those whō you obserue or suspect most negligent▪ as I hauehave aduised: then you shall hauehave them to attend heedfully.
Spoud.
But how will you cause them to be able so to repeate the Sermon? Mee thinkes that should bee very difficult.
Phil.
The schollars will doe it very readily,How they may be able to repeat the whole sermons without booke. where the Preachers keep any good order; when they hauehave so noted euerything as I directed before, and set downe the sum in the margent. For then, first meditating the text to hauehave it perfect: secondly, meditating the margents to get the sum of all into their heads, and the manner how it stands: thirdly, obseruing how many doctrines were gathered and how, what proofs, how many reasons & vses of eueryevery doctrine; they will soone both conceiue it, and be able to deliuer it with much facilitie after a little practice.
But herein the principall helpes are vnderstanding,Principall helps for it. by getting the summes, and margents; obseruing the order, and constant practice. Vnderstanding will bring words: practice perfection.
If those who are weaker or more timorous,☞ hauehave their notes lying open before them,Helpe of notes for assurance. to cast their eye vponupon them here or there where they sticke, it shall much embolden them, and fit them after to make vse of short notes of any thing: I meane of the briefe summe of that which they shall deliuer.
Spoud.
These are surely very good exercises for the Saturday for catechizing, and the daies after the sermons for repeating of the sermons: but would you hauehave no exercises of religion at all in the other daies of the weeke?
Phil.
Yes. As there is no no day but it is the Lords, and therefore it and all our labours to be consecrated to him by a morning & an euening sacrifice, I mean praier & thanksgiuing morning & euening; so there would no day be su… fered to passe ouer, wherin there should not be some short exercise or lesson of religion: which is both the chiefe end of all other our studies, and also that, wherby all the rest are sanctified. And to this end, one quarter of an hower or more might be taken eueryevery euening before praier, though they were kept so much the longer, that it might not hinder any other of their daily studies: Although in this, no losse will euer be found, to any other studie, but the Lord wil bless so much the more; That also to be in such a course as none could any way dislike, & which of all other might be both most sure and profitable.
Spoud.
What such a course can you find which is so profitable, and which all must needes so approue of, which might be so short?
Phil.
To go thorough the history of the Bible, eueryevery day a history, or som peece of a history: I meane, some few questions of it in order, as the time will permit.
To this purpose,EueryEvery night to go thorough a peece of the historie of the Bible. there is a little book called the history of the Bible, gathered by M. Paget: wherin if you cause them to prouide against eueryevery night a side of a leafe, or as you shall thinke meet, of the most easie & plaine questions; and to examine them after the maner of examining the Catechism;Manner of examining the history. you shall see them to profit much, both for the easinesse of the history, and the delight which children will take therein.
Wherein also if first you shall shewe them or aske them what vertues are commended in that history; what vices are cōdemned; or what generals they could gather out of that particular; or what examples they hauehave against such vices, or for such vertues; and thus examine them after the same maner, so going ouer & ouer as the time permits, you shall see them to come on according to your desire.
Spoud.
But me thinks that you would not hauehave them to take eueryevery question in that booke before them.Not to trouble them with eueryevery question.
Phil.
No: I would hauehave only those histories which are most familiar for children to vnderstand, and most to edification; and so those questions only to be chosen. There are sundry concerning the Leuiticall lawes, which are beyond their conceit, and so in diuerse other parts. For that shuld euer be kept in memorie, that things wel vnderstood are euer most soone learned and most firmly kept: and we should euer be afraid to discourage our children by the difficulty of anything.
Spoud.
It is true indeed. And moreouer, howsoeuer it is most certaine that all holy Scripture is profitable, and all to be knowen: yet som parts are more easie and as milk, meet for the weakest and youngest children to be taught, and which they may vnderstand and conceiue of easily; others are as stronger meate, and more obscure, wherewith they are to be acquainted after. But as in all other learning, so it is here, eueryevery thing is to be learned in the right place. The more plaine and easie questions and places will still be expounders and masters to the more hard and obscure.
But yet,Obiection, cō cerning them who would not hauehave their children taught any religion. howsoeuer I like very well of all this, you know that there are some who would not hauehave their children to be taught any religion, nor to meddle with it at all.
Phil.
There cannot bee anie such who either louelove or know the Gospell of Christ, or regarde their owne saluation, or the sauing of their children.
The rest are to be pittied and praied for, rather then to be answered.
The Popish sort know the necessitie hereof: and therefore they labour principally to corrupt the youth, and offer their pains freely to that end. They shal be the Iudges of all such.
Spoud.
But it will take vp ouer-much time from their other learning.
Phil.
I directed you how to cut off all such exceptions:How to deale that this may not hinder any other learning I would take the time to that purpose ouer and beside their ordinarie. It is but mine owne labour, for a quarter or halfe an howre in the day at the most, keeping them a little longer. Although if it should be part of the schoole time, there would neuer be found any losse therein.
Spoud.
But how will you teach your children ciuility & good manners? which is principally required in Schollars.
Phil.
Religion will teach them manners:How to teach the schollars ciuilitie. As they grow in it, so they will also in all ciuil and good behauiour. The word of the Lord is the rule and ground of all, to frame their manners by; that is therefore the first and principall meanes.
Secondly, out of their Authours which they reade, you may still take occasion to teach them manners; some of their Treatises being written of purpose to that end: as Qui mihi, Sententiae pueriles, Cato, Tullies Offices, &c.
For the carriage of youth, according to the ciuility vsed in our time, and for the whole course of framing their manners in the most commendable sort, there is a little booke translated out of French,The Schoole of good manners, or The new Schoole of vertue for ciuilitie. called The Schoole of good manners, or The new Schoole of vertue; teaching youth how they ought to behaue themselues in all companies, times, and places. It is a booke most easie and plaine, meet both for Masters and Schollars to be acquainted with, to frame all according vntounto it; vnlesse in any particular the custome of the place require otherwise.
Spoud.
How would you hauehave the children acquainted with this?
Phil.
The Master sometimes in steade of the History, or if he will (at some other times) might reade it ouer vntounto them al, a leaf or two at a time, & after to examin it amongst them. It is so plaine that they will easily vnderstand it.
Spoud.
But if I could thus teach them Religion, and Latine all vnderunder one; it were a most happy thing, and I should cut off all quarrell and exception.
Phil.
I will shew you how you may doe it.☜ Cause your Schollars to reade you a Chapter of the New Testament,How to teach Religion and Latine all vnderunder one, by reading each night a peece of a Chapter. Practice this constantly and carefully, and trie the experience of Gods blessing in it. or a peece of a Chapter, as time will permit, about twentie verses at a time, in steed of the History mentioned. One night to reade it out of the Latin into English; reading first a verse or a sentence in Latine to a Comma, or a full point, as they can: then Englishing that, not as construing it, but as reading it into good English; so throughout: the next night to reade the same ouer againe forth of an English Testament, into the same Latine backe againe.
Thus eueryevery one of those who are able, to reade in order, each his night; all the rest to looke on their owne Testaments, English, Latine, or Greeke, or to harken. Let them beginne at the Gospell of Iohn, as was aduised for the Greeke, as being most easie; or at Matthew if you please; and you shall soone finde that through the familiarnes of the matter, they will so come on both wayes (both in reading the Latine into English, and English into Latine) as your selfe will maruell at, and their parents will reioyce in; and acknowledge themselues bound vntounto you for to see their little ones to be able to reade the Testament into Latine.
Besides that, it will be also a notable preparatiue to learne the Greeke Testament, when they are so well acquainted with the English and Latine before.
Spoud.
But what Latine translation would you vse?
Phil.
Such as my Schollars hauehave: Erasmus or Beza; but chiefly Beza, as the more pure phrase, and more fully expressing the sense and drift of the Holy Ghost. Therein your selfe, or your schollars marking the peculiar Latine phrases, when they reade first forth of the Latine into the English, they will be able of themselues (when they reade them the second time forth of the English into Latine) to giuegive the same phrases againe, and to imprint them for euer.
Spoud.
But what time should I hauehave then for the History of the Bible, that little booke which you mentioned; wherof must needes be very singular vse: would you hauehave me to omit it?
Phil.
No, in no case: one quarter of an houre spent in examining it before prayers in the forenoone,When the History to be repeated. a side or a leafe at a time (as I said) may serue for that; and another quarter or not much more, before prayers at the breaking vp at euening for this; and so neyther to lose time, nor to omit any thing necessary for their happy growth herein. In this reading of the Chapters so, you shall finde that they will get as much Latine, and goe on as fast as in any other exercise whatsoever; and also will doe it with ease, when they hauehave beene first well trayned vp in the Grammaticall translations, and that each knoweth his night to looke to it aforehand.
Spoud.
But at this kinde of reading the Chapter, the lesser sort which vnderstand no Latine, will get no good.
Phil.
Yes very much.How all the least may profite by reading of the Chapters▪ If after that the Chapter is read, you vse but to examine some two or three, as time will permit; asking them what they remember of that which was read, or how much they can repeat without booke of it: you shall see that in a short time they will so marke, or so looke to it afore hand, as they will (almost any of them) repeate you a verse or two a peece. If you vse to appose ordinarily for example, some one whom you know can repeat a great deale, it will much prouoke the rest, to marke and take paines; and especially if (as in other things) you vse to appose aduersaries, whether can repeate the more. And thus much for that, how they may get Religion and Latine together.