The cities aduocate in this case or question of honor and armes; whether apprentiship extinguisheth gentry? Containing a cleare refutation of the pernicious common errour affirming it, swallowed by Erasmus of Roterdam, Sir Thomas Smith in his common-weale, Sir Iohn Fern in his blazon, Raphe Broke Yorke Herald, and others. With the copies of transcripts of three letters which gaue occasion of this worke.

The Contents of this first part.

• 1 THe present question very important for many great cau∣ses. Two Crowned Queenes of England, & much of the Nobility parties to it. Bullen & Calthorpe L. Majors of London; their interesses in royall blood. What Quaestio status, and what the least capitis diminutio is. Only the base neglect it. Honour a faire Starre. Disparagement odious. Preuention of mischiefes by determining this question. Proud Citie-races vnworthy of the Citie.
• 2 The Cities Honors in Armes proued out of ancient Monu∣ments. The L. Fitz Walter, Standard-bearer of London. Claurie and Biallie two termes in old blazon.
• 3 The transcendent power of opinion. To derogate from the splendor of birth, reputed a wrong. Whence comes the pre∣sent question of Apprentiship.
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• 4 The maine reason why some doe hold, that Apprentiship extinguisheth Gentrie. Apprentiship no bondage ei∣ther in truth, or at all. The case truely propounded. The skill of honest gettings a precious mystery. What kinde of contract that seemes to be, which is betweene Master and Apprentise.
• 5 An obiection that Apprentiship is a kinde of bondage. The fine folly of Erasmus in his Etymologie of an Appren∣tise. The comparison betweene Seruus among Ciuilians, and Apprentises among Englishmen, holds not. What the word Apprentise meanes. Sir Thomas Smiths error in confounding seruitude and discipline.
• 6. 7. 8. Particular points touching Seruus. Sanctuarie at the Princes image. Manumission, and Recaptiuitie by Law. None of those points concerne Apprentises more then Souldiers, Schollers, or religious nouices.
• 9. 10. The finall cause denominates the action, and proues Apprentiship not to be base. The contrarie opinion perni∣cious to manners, and to good Commonweale among vs, chiefly now. The different face of both opinions in daily experience.