Hit was in auncient tyme used that suche practik and lernyng of the custumes and law of a lande shulde onlie be comytted to suche parsones of demure contenaunce that were holden vertuous and welle disposid, thoughe he were descendid but of esie birthe to occupie in in suche facultees, and to mynistre duelie and egallie the statutis and custumes of the law to youre peple, bethout meintenaunce ayenst justice. And the saide officers and ministrours of the law to be protectid and meyntened by the princes, lordis, and men of worship when the case shalle require, namelie tho that oughte defende yow and youre {79} roiaume that halden theire londis of you by that service onlie, and gyven to that entent by youre noble auncestries. And over this that they be lerned and introducid in the drede of God, and not presumptuously take upon hem to offende theire law, for the whiche, and in example to this purpose, it is wretin in the .36. chapitre of the prophete Jeremye, because that Joachym king of Juda despraised the admonestementis, advertisementis, and the doctrines of God, that Jeremie had doo set yn certein bookes and quaiers, the whiche he made to be cast in the fire and disdeyned to hire theym, but usid after his owne wilfulnesse and hedinesse and without counceile, therfor God seiethe by the mouthe of the prophete that of hym shuld issew ne come none heire to succeede ligneallie that after hym shulde enjoie and holde his roiaume, and overmore that he shulde visit hym by punisshement, and that aswelle his kynne as hym that had suffred and caused to be so eville inducid. And so it fille after the prophesie. O ye than in the same wise puttithe away the delites of sensualitees of suche inconvenient occupacion as before is specified frome the children of noble men. And late theym be inducid and lerned of youthe that in thingis [of noblesse[179]] that apparteynithe and belongithe to theym to lerne, as in excercising[180] of armes and to suche occupacions of worship. These thingis provyded and ordeined oughte not be long delaied, but incontinent stedfastlie to be persevered, that then doubte not but that God, whiche is most mercifulle and allway in every necessite to relief us, despraisithe not the humble and contrite hertis, but that he of his infinite goodenesse wolle accept and take in gree and his grace oure good entent, and shalbe withe us in alle oure gode actis and dedis. How over gret cost and pomp in clothing shulde be eschewed.