=Hereunto accordeth the proofe of all common societie, wherein men onely of those that know them are iudged as they be, but in generall reckoning, are euer censured according to the goodnesse or badnesse of those, with whom they liue familiarlie. It followeth therefore, that |Who so will no euill doe, must doe nought that longs thereto|, for in good men it is not alwayes inough of themselues wittinglie not to haue committed anie euill, but hee that desireth to be good indeed, ought not so much as to become an occasion or slander of euill. If men would but throughlie enter into the weight of their estates, and trulie consider with themselues what of dutie appertaineth to verie reputation indéede, they would not then think it ynough to be in this credite, or that place, or thus countenanced, or that waie enriched, arming themselues onelie thereby with vainglorious titles, but therewith would also deepelie imprint, that them likewise behooued by certaine especiall insight had into their owne wayes, so to order and direct themselues, as therby deseruedlie they might beare the selfe same account whole and vnblemished, which in opinion they haue caried, the which cannot anie wayes bee, without in all their outward and inward actions, they doe beare an especialleie to the matter of their owne credite. And what one thing is there in the world (to him that by true degrées of |vertue| endeuoureth to be aduaunced) more charie then the account and estimate had of his name and fame? What one good more excéeding, nay what life can be more precious? Much therefore ought the regarde hereof be in choice vnto our |Secretorie|, as that which as an action most singular I haue iudged fit to be exposed in this place vnto him.=
=Hitherto haue we endeuoured in person and behauiour to find a man méet and conuenient to the purpose hereof, wherein my intent hath béene not to omit anie thing which to that place and calling might anie wayes be adiudged necessarie. Now the circumstance of these procéedings leadeth vs next to consider of our |Secretories| abilitie.=
=In this consideration, it falleth out, that for asmuch as his |Office| and |place|, calleth him altogither, or for the most part to the handling of deepe and weightie affaires, wherin his capacitie shall sundrie wayes be exercised, and his wits throughlie tryed, it behooueth he therefore be furnished with |Skill| and |knowledge =accordinglie, whereby the better to be adapted, vnto the ordinarie vsage and employment thereof. To this end it befitteth that he bee well studied, especiallie in the |Latine| tongue. It is likewise conuenient that herewithall he haue a ripe and quicke conceit, aptlie to receiue, what on a sudden shall be to him deliuered, and that he retaine with himselfe a sound and good memorie, for the conseruation of those things that vnto his charge shall daylie bee committed. He ought for his owne furniture and instruction to bee a man not altogither vnexperienced, to be well languaged, to bee sufficientlie read in |Histories| and |antiquities| of times passed, to haue notice both by reading and conference, of the situations, customs, maners & conditions of men, cities, countries, & common weals, to haue familiaritie with strangers, and men of diuers nations, whereby the better to bee ascertained of their humours, behauiours, and dispositions: and wiselie to worke vnto himselfe a peculiar insight into their estates, counsels and iurisdictions, béeing there withall warie that this association with such kind of people, worke not vnto himselfe, or the affaires wherewith he shall bee credited anie matter of preiudice.=