The schools-probation: or, Rules and orders for certain set-exercises to bee performed by the scholars on probation-daies: Made and approved by learned men, for the use of Merchant-Tailor's-School in London.

The Utilitie and Benefit of these Probations and Trials.

FIrst, they are provocations to the Teachers and Scholars to be very studious, circum∣spect and careful in their several places; that the former by Teaching, and the other by Learning do make good preparation there∣unto.

Secondly, they will mak the Teachers so to instruct their Scholars, that they of themselvs may be well able to practise and make use of whatsoever they teach, that all their exercises be don of understanding and knowledg without the help of any other.

Thirdly, they will caus both Teachers and Scholars every day more and more to surpass themselvs in all things; and namely, that the last exercises be for substance, more to the pur∣pose; for the tongue, more proper; for order better; for writeing, fairer; and in all cir∣cumstance more pleasing the Viewers then the former were.

Fourthly, these Probations and Trials will be to all men infallible and sure testimonies of the Teacher's diligence, and the Scholars profiting; whence

Whence as from a fountain, will flow to the Companie, contentment; to parents, satisfacti∣on; to teachers, comfort; to Scholars, cheer∣fulness; to the School, credit; to posterity, if not matters of emulation, yet patterns of imita∣tation, and occasion of far better exercises.

Fiftly, the Company from the exercises don on the probation-dayes, shall truly be informed, when and how often soever they pleas, which Scholars of the highest Form be absolutely the best, and which simply be the worst; where∣by the Merchant-Tailors, at the Election day, shall the better know which of the Scholars is most fit to be preferred to S^t John Baptist College in Oxford, and not depend so much up∣on others.

Lastly, although the papers of the Scholar's exercises, written on the probation daies, should presently be cancelled, burnt, or converted into any other use; yet shall the Scholar's benefit ari∣sing principally from the making thereof, be the same, as if they were reserved for posteritie. Howbeit, it cannot be denied, but that the keep∣ing of them for the view of posteritie will caussom great care both in the preparation, and making thereof.

WEe, whose names are here subscri∣bed, allow and think very good and necessarie, that the Orders and Exercises a∣foresaid be used by the Schoolmaster, Ush∣ers and Scholars of the Merchant-Tailor's school, for their most profit in learning, and commendation of the School, and Foun∣ders of the same.

John Overall, Dean of Pauls.

John Dove, Doctor in Divinitie.

John Spencer, Doctor in Divinitie.

Nicolas Felton, Doctor in Divinitie.

John Childerley, Doctor in Divinitie.