ABSTRACT
Batty’s The Christian man’s closet (pp. 182-3) was translated into English in 1581, with a dedication to the translator’s patrons, Thomas and Brian D’Arcy, which argued that one of the purposes of the translation was the circulation of training and instruction through the agency of fathers:
And for that your worships are fathers of many children (which I am persuaded are daily beloved unto you), and masters of great families, whereof I know you have care to be virtuously instructed, guided, governed and trained up in the fear of God.
