St. Paul saith, "The elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, specially they that labour in the word and teaching." And St. Peter saith, "Obey them that are appointed to govern you, for they do wake and watch for your souls, as men that shall make an account for the same."

Also it happeneth oftentimes that parents do put their children to others, either because they themselves are not able to find them, or teach them handicrafts, or the art of merchandise ; and when this chanceth, then it is the office of children to obey in all things, and to honour, even as their parents, those to whom they be thus committed, and with whom they dwell. For unto such their fathers and mothers have given their power and authority. Therefore St. Paul saith, "Servants, be obedient unto your masters, as unto God," and so forth. But when children grow to man's age, and then refuse to be ruled by their parents, masters, teachers, and curates, and begin to wax wild and wanton, and to hurt others, then the common officers ought to chastise them. And the magistrates and superior powers ought to be honoured and feared, even as our fathers and mothers. For by them we are defended from our enemies, of them we receive laws and statutes, whereby we may live in peace and quietness. Wherefore, we ought to be glad and willing to pay to them tribute, taxes, tollages, and subsidies, whereby they may be the better able to maintain the tranquillity of the common

wealth. Learn, therefore, good children, that they be not only called our parents, of whom we are begotten and born, but they also be called to the honour and title of this name, which help them to bring us up in virtue and learning. Such be they, whom we call our tutors, or guardians, teachers, masters, curates, and officers.

Also this word, "Honour," doth not only contain the outward gesture of making courtesy and putting off the cap, but they do truly honour their parents which do fear and love them, highly esteem them, give place to them, and tender unto them all kind of gentleness and liberality, and yet do not upbraid them, or cast their gifts in their teeth, but do confess that still they be in their parents' debt, and as yet do owe them greater things. And this is a great point of wisdom, yea in worldly policy, to acknowledge that of bounden duty we owe to these persons, above rehearsed, honour and reverence, and that God is highly pleased with this kind of sacrifice; and that he doth send unto us by these men innumerable benefits. Wherefore if you will be counted good and godly children, and please God, then keep this Commandment, obey your parents, and every common officer, fear them, be obedient to their laws and statutes, be subject unto them in all things. Notwithstanding, if the common officer do bid you do any thing expressly against God, then you may not obey him, but say with the Apostle Peter, "We must obey God rather than men..

Wherefore, good children, obey your parents, and magistrates: then you shall prove wise men, able to help both yourselves and others. Then God shall bless you, that you may long continue in the country, wherein you were born and bred, and dwell among your parents, brethren and sisters, friends and acquaintance, many years. Then extreme poverty shall not oppress you, whereby you should be compelled to leave your country, neither the rages or perils of war shall drive you out from thence, so many and so great benefits God hath promised to obedient children. And there is no doubt, but that he will perform that thing which he hath promised. As we feel by experience, that as long as we obey our parents, and suffer ourselves to be governed according to God's will, so long we be brought up in the fear of God to our great commodity and profit. And this is the true meaning of the Fourth Precept, which I pray you deeply to print into your memories, that when you shall be asked how you understand the Fourth Commandment, you may answer, We ought to love and dread our Lord God, and for his sake to honour our parents, teachers, masters, and governors, to obey them, and in no wise to despise them.

KING EDWARD THE SIXTH'S CATECHISM.

Master. Very well. Now hast thou rehearsed unto me the Laws of the First Table; wherein is, in a sum, contained the knowledge, and true service of God. Go forward, and tell me, which be the duties of charity, and our love toward men.

Scholar. Do you ask, master, what I think of the other part of the Law, which is commonly called the Second Table ?

Mast. Thou sayest true, my son that is it indeed, that I would fain hear of.

Scho. I will in few words dispatch it, as my

Moses hath knit it

that with all loving

simple wit will serve me. up in a short sum: that is, affection, we honour and reverence our father and mother. That we kill no man. That we commit no adultery. That we steal nothing. That we bear false-witness against none. Last of all, that we covet nothing, that is our neighbour's.

Mast. How is that Commandment, of the honouring father and mother, to be understood?

Scho. Honour of father and mother containeth love, fear, and reverence: yea, and it further standeth in obeying, succouring, defending, and nourishing them, if need require. It bindeth us. also most humbly, and with most natural affection, to obey the magistrates, to reverence the ministers of the church, our schoolmasters, with all our elders and betters.

NOWELL'S CATECHISM.

Master. Hitherto thou hast well rehearsed me the Laws of the First Table, wherein the true worshipping of God, which is the fountain of all good things, is briefly comprehended. Now, therefore, I would have thee tell me what be the duties of our charity and love towards men, which duties do spring and are drawn out of the same fountain, and which are contained in the Second Table.

Scholar. The Second Table beginneth thus: "Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

Mast. What is meant in this place by this word honour?

Scho. The honour of parents containeth love, fear, and reverence; and consisteth as in the proper work and duty of it, in obeying them, in saving, helping, and defending them, and also feeding and relieving them if ever they be in need.

Mast. Doth the Law extend only to parents by nature?

Scho. Although the very words seem to express no more; yet we must understand that all those to whom an authority is given, as magistrates, ministers of the church, schoolmasters; finally, all they that have any ornament, either of reverend age, or of wit, wisdom, or learning, worship, or wealthy state, or otherwise be our superiors,