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To the Reader.
AFter that I had finished this small trea∣tise (gentle and louing Reader) being mooued thereunto partely for mine owne pleasure and increase of know∣ledge, and then againe vrged by the earnest instigation of some friendes, for our countries cause (which stādeth in great need of the godly and whole∣some documents, with the graue coun¦sels & pithie preceptes in this litle vo∣lume contayned.) And herewithal calling to mind that worthy & notable saying of the Diuine Philosopher Plato, cyted by Cicero in his first booke of Offices. Non nobis solum nati sumus: ortus e∣nim nostri, partem patria vendicat, partem parentes, partem amici. I was heereby incited, stirred, and procured, to make this more fa∣miliar and openly knowne vnto thee, beeyng a matter so profita∣ble and necessary for all parents, maisters, children, and seruants, Wherein as in a most cleere glasse they may plainly see, what doth appertayne to their seuerall dueties.
And albeit I haue vsed a playne and simple stile in this my trās∣lation: yet well beseeming the matter (I trust) though perhaps not to eche mans lyking. For it is truely saide of Terence, Quot homines tot sententiae. Or: Quot capita, tot sensus. So many men, so many mindes. Or: So many heades, so many wittes. So that I thinke it an impossible thing to please euery mans iudgement, neither is it my purpose and meaning. But I haue offered this vn∣to thy viewe, aswell for the discharge of my conscience, as also for the entire loue I beare vnto my natiue countriemen, let the cu∣rious cauiller say what hee will.