2. The next point after _conference_ is the chiefe and best offspring of all wise _conferences_, _certainetie_ in direction, which in all thinges commendes it selfe, but in bringing vp of children it doth surpasse commendation, both for their manners and their learning. This same so much praised _certainetie_ concerneth the limiting of thinges, what to do and what to learne, how to do and how to learne, where, when, and so furth to do that, which fineth the behauiour, and to learne that which aduanceth knowledge. For children being of themselues meere ignorant must haue _certainetie_ to direct them: and trainers being not dailie to deuise, are at once to set downe certaine, both what themselues will require at the childrens hand for the generall order: and what the children must looke for at their handes for generall perfourmance. This _certainetie_ must specially be set sure, and no lesse soundly kept, in _schooles_ for _learning_, in priuate _houses_ for _behauiour_, in _churches_ for _religion_, bycause those three places, be the greatest aboades, that children haue.
1. Concerning _certainetie_ in schoole pointes, and the benefit thereof, I haue delt verie largely in the last title: so that I shall not neede to vse any more spreading in that point, sauing onely that I do continue in the same opinion: as the thing it selfe continueth in it selfe most assurance of best successe, when the childe knoweth his _certainetie_ in all limitable circumstances, whether he be at schoole himselfe to prouide that must be done: or if he be not there, yet to know in abscence, what is done there of course. So that where ignorance of orders cannot be pretended, there good orders must needes be obserued, which ordenarily bringe foorth a well ordered effect. The best and most heauenly thinges be both most certaine, and most constantly certaine, and the wisest men the certainest to builde on, in the middest of our vncertaineties. So that _certainetie_ must needes be a great leuell, which procureth such liking in those thinges where it lighteth. In _schooling_ it assureth the parentes, what is promised there, and how like to be perfourmed, by sight of the method and orders set downe: it directeth the children as by a troden path, how to come thither, as their iourney lieth: it disburdeneth the maisters heade, when that is in writing, which he was in waying, and when experience by oft trying hath made the habit able to march on of it selfe without any renewing: whereunto mutabilitie is euerie day endaungered.