to look after the poor children,and train them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, it is necessary to have teachers and preachers.
If old peopledo not wish these they can alwaysgo to the devil.
But when the youth are neglectedit is the fault of the authorities,and the land will be filledwith lawless people,who not only disobeyGod's commands, but bringus all into dire distress.
But now that the Papal rule is at an end in your Highnessesland, and all the cloistershave reverted to you as the head, then these bring obligations with them
" the settingof them in order " duties which devolve on you, and which no one else should take up.
Having discussed all this with your Nicolas,we think it will be necessary that you, being appointedof God for such a purpose, arrange for four persons to visit all the country
" two who understand business matters, land and interest {Zinzen)^and two who understand teachingand preaching " so that they,by your
Serene Highness'scommand, may establish and see to the maintenance of schools and Church livings.Where any town or villageis able, then your
Grace can compel them to maintain churches, manses, and schools.
If they are not willing to do so for the sake of their future well-being, then your Highness, as guardianof the youth and all who requireit,is quite justified in compellingthem to do it,even as the law obligespeopleto make bridges, roads,etc., for the public benefit.
Now, the most necessary of all is to educate those who come after us and are to bear rule.
Should this press too heavilyon the people,then there are the cloister possessions, which were founded mainly for this purpose, and still can be appropriatedfor the common weal.
Electoral Highness can well imaginethe outcry which would through time arise were the schools and benefices to be permittedto run waste while the nobility were appropriating the riches of the cloisters, which, it is said,some are alreadydoing.