The reformed school by John Dury.

Concerning their Advancement in Piety.

That they may be advanced in Piety; th•• shall be exercised every day, 1. in Prayers. ••

in Reading the Scriptures. 3. in Cateche∣••icall conferences. 4. And on the Lords day ••n the duties of solemne worship.

Their daily Prayers, reading of Scriptures, ••nd conferences, shall go together in this order.

In the evening when the time of retiring is ••ome, every Usher shall see his Scholars in ••heir Chamber (for if they could be all that ••elong to each Usher made to sleep in one ••rge Chamber like a gallerye, two and two •••• a bed; the way of overseeing, and uniting ••hem in their exercises would be most commo∣••ious:) and when they are going to uncloth ••hemselves, one of their number shall be taken •• his turn according to a List, to go before ••e rest in a short prayer or the Usher himself all do it before they begin to put off their ••lothes; each of them kneeling at the beds-side ••here he is to sleep: and the prayer being ••ded he whose turn it is shall read unto them ••me part of the Holy Scriptures, while they ••cloth themselves; and pray in two or three ••ords for a blessing upon their rest. He ••hose turn it is to do this duty, shall sleep ••at night with the Usher to whose care he is ••mmitted; and in the Morning shall rise with ••m half an hour before the rest; to waken •• fellow-Scholars (at the hour appointed) •• cause them rise, which whiles they are a

doing, and putting on their clothes, and combing their heads; he shall againe with a previous short ejaculation, reade some part of the Scripture unto them; and with a short prayer (every one of the rest kneeling o•• standing by the bed where he slept) thank God for his preservation over them in the night past, and crave his direction, blessing and protection for the day following. This is to be done within the space of half an hour, to be measured by a Sand glasse: after which time, every one shall go abroad for the space of another half hour to stretch, wash, and cleanse himself: till, by the ringing of a Bell▪ the whole family be called together: at thi•• meeting, the Women and Girls shall be in on•• roome by themselves, and the Men an•• Boyes in another, so that they shall not se•• one another, and yet both be able to hear him, who shall be appointed to go befor•• them all in the family-duty. He shall be som•• man of the Association in his daily or weekl•• turn, as they shall appoint it, who shall wit•• a short prayer crave a blessing upon the•• meeting, and read a parcell of the Holy Scrip••tures, and conclude the Reading with a sho•• prayer: all which shall not exced the space o•• half an houre: and the next half hour fo••lowing shall be spent in Catecheticall exerc••ses and conferences according to the ord••••

which the Governour shall settle in that mat∣••er differently towards the different Ages and ••egrees of proficiency in the younger and more ••ged Scholars. As for the members of the As∣••ciation; their conferences shall not be ••inted within such a time, but may be exten∣••ed at pleasure: only the way how they ought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be ordered, that all may profit therby, and ••••nfusion may be avoided; is to be determi∣••ed by the Governour, with their approbation.

At Dinner and Supper-time (which shall ••ot exceed half an houre) one of the Chil∣••en shall in his turn daily crave a blessing in ••••e name of all, upon their food: and read part of the Scripture unto them while they ••e at table; and when they have done, they all jointly sing a stave or two of a Psalme 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thanksgiving.

After supper, before they go to their ••hambers, they shall meet all againe in their ••••verall roomes each sex by themselves, to ••••yn in prayer, and in reading the word, as in ••••e morning they did, for the space of half an ••••ur: and another half hour afterward shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spent in Conferences; wherin the Children ••••ll be encouraged, and accustomed to pro∣••••se Questions to their Teachers, or to one ••••other concerning matters of doubt which ••••y have been incident unto their thoughts, ••••her from the reading of Scripture or some,

other thing observed in the day-time: which being done, they shall all retire unto their se∣verall quarters, and prepare to go to bed.

This Course of daily exercise in Piety is to be continued without interruption, no bod•• is to be exempted from it, but only in case o•• sickness.

On the Lords day, over and above th•• daily sacrifice within doores to be observed the Children shall be brought forth unto th•• public meetings, to joyn with the Congrega••tion of others in the worship of God; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the intervalles of times between the pub•• meetings, and the last Sermon and supp•••• time; Conferences shall be entertained wi•• them, concerning the things which they ha•• heard.

And if those of the Association should e••tertain any Propheticall exercises among themselves, or with others, from without; th•• some of the most advanced Schollars shou•• be admitted to be present with them.

This Care of advancing Piety and keep•• the Lords day, is to be made the Chief ••f things belonging to their Education.