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¶ Containing Rules of good aduise for our Christian and ciuill carriage.
I Grant, Breuitie where it is ney∣ther obscure nor defectiue, is very pleasing, euen to the daintist iudg¦ments. No mar∣uaile therefore, if most men desire much good coūsel in a narrow room;
as some affect to haue great persona∣ges, drawne in little Tablets, or, as we see worlds of Countreyes described in the compasse of small Mappes: Nei∣ther do I vnwillingly yeild to sollowe them; for both the powers of good aduice are the stronger, when they are thus vnited; and breuitie makes counsell more portable for memorie, and readier for vse. Take these there∣fore for more; which as I would faine practise, so am I willing to commend. Let vs begin with him who is the first and last: Informe your selfe aright concerning God, without whome, in vaine do we know all things: Bee ac∣quainted with that Sauiour of yours, which paid so much for you on earth, and now sues for you in heauen; with∣out whom, wee haue nothing to doe with God, nor he with vs. Adore him in your thoughts, trust him with your
selfe: Renew your sight of him euerie day; and his of you: Ouer-look these earthly things, & when you do at any time cast your eyes vppon heauen, thinke, there dwels my Sauiour, there I shall be. Call your selfe to often rec∣konings, cast vp your debts, paiments, graces, wants expences, imploiments, yeeld not to thinke your set Deuoti∣ons troublesome: Take not easie de∣nialles from your selfe; yea, giue pe∣remptory denials to your selfe; Hee can neuer bee good that flatters him∣selfe: hold nature to her allowaunce; and let your wil stand at curtesy: hap∣py is that man, which hath obtained to be the Maister of his owne heart: Thinke all Gods outward fauors and prouisions the best for you; your own abilities, and actions the meanest. Suf∣fer not your minde to bee either a Drudge or a wanton; exercise it euer,
but ouerlay it not: In al your businesses look throgh the world, at God; what∣soeuer is your leuell, let him bee your scope: Euery day take a view of your last, and thinke either it is this, or may be: Offer not your selfe either to ho∣nour, or labour; let them both seeke you: Care you onely to be woorthy, and you cannot hide you from God; so frame your self to the time & com∣panie, that you may neyther serue it; nor sullenly neglect it; and yeeld•• so far, as you may neither betray good∣nesse, nor countenance euil. Let your words bee few, and digested; It is a shame for the tongue to cry the heart mercie, much more to cast it selfe vp∣on the vncertaine pardon of others eares. There are but two things which a Christian is charged to buy, and not to sell, Time and Truth; both, so pre∣cious, that we must purchase them at
anie rate. So vse your friends, as those which should be perpetuall, may bee chaungeable; while you are within yourselfe, there is no daunger: but thoughts once vttered must stande to hazard. Do not hear from your selfe, what you would be loath to hear from others. In al good thinges giue your eye and eare the ful scope, for they let into the minde; restraine the tongue, for it is a spender▪ fewe men haue re∣pented them of silence: In all serious matters take counsel of daies, & nights and friends & let leasure ripen your purposes: neither hope to gain ought by suddennesse: The first thoughtes may be confident, the second are wi∣ser. Serue honestie euer, though with∣out apparant wages: she wil pay sure, if slow: As in apparell, so in actions, know not what is good, but what be∣comes you: how manie warrantable
acts haue mishapen the Authors. Ex∣cuse not your owne ill, aggrauate not others: and if you loue peace, auoide Censures, comparisons, contradicti∣ons: out of good men chuse acquain∣tance, of acquaintance, friends, of friends; familiars▪ after probacion ad∣mit them, & af••e•• admittance cha••ge them not. Age commendeth friend∣ship. Do not alwayes your best; it is neither wise, nor safe for a man euer to stand vpon the top of his strength▪ If you would be aboue the expectation of others 〈…〉〈…〉 your selfe. 〈…〉〈…〉 after your p••••••••; not after your minde▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 To where you may deny; except vpon Confidence of de∣••••••••, or hope to require▪ Eyther fre∣quent ••••li••s, or complaints, are weari∣some to any friende: Rather smother your griefes and wantes a•• you may, then be either querulous, or impor∣tunate.
Let not your face belye your heart, nor alwaies tell tales out of it; he is fit to liue amongst frends or eni∣mies, that can be ingenuously close: Giue freely, sell thriftily: Change sel∣dome your place, neuer your state: either 〈…〉〈…〉 conueniences, or swal∣low them, rather theen you should run from your selfe to auoide them.
In al your reckonings for the world, cast vp some crosses that appeare not; either those will come, or may: Let your suspicions bee charitable; your trust fearfull▪ your censures sure, Giue way to the anger of the great: The Thunder and Cannon will abide no fence. As in throngs we are affraid of losse; so while the world comes vpon you, look wel to your soule; There is more danger in good, then in euil: I fear the number of these my rules; for Precepts are wont (as nayles) to driue
out one another: but these, intended to scatter amongest many: and I was loath that anie guest should complain of a niggardly hand; Daintie Dishes are woont to be sparingly serued out; homely ones, supply in their big∣nesse, what they want in their worth.