The substance of Christian religion soundly set forth in two bookes, by definitions and partitions, framed according to the rules of a naturall method, by Amandus Polanus professor of diuinitie. The first booke concerneth faith. The second concerneth good workes. The principall pointes whereof are contained in a short table hereunto annexed. Translated out of Latin into English by E.W.

Hitherto we haue spoken of vertue which is referred to our selues: now concerning vertue towards others.

Vertue towards others, is that which by

outward actions doth spread it self abroad to the vse of others, or of our neighbor, as we say

Our neighbour is euery man, whether he be our friend or enemy, rich or poore▪ either domesticall or a stranger: and especially those which stand in need of our helpe. Lu. 10.36.37.

Vertue towards other, is either humanity, ciuility, & brideling of the inordinat motiōs of the mind: or else christian loue and iustice.

Humanity is a vertue, when any signifieth his good will towards men by gestures and conuenient words.

To it is contrary, lightnes & inhumanity.

Ciuility, is a moderating of outward man∣ners & gestures, that so they may agree with nature. By an other name it is called a speci∣all comlinesse.

Ciuility pertaineth to Vertue towards o∣ther, for it cannot be exercised but amongst others.

To it is ioyned graciousnesse.

Graciousnesse is a vertue, when any doth so striue vnto the elegancy and nature of man∣ners, and gentlenesse of speach, that he may be gracious to others thereby.

To ciuility is contrary toyishnesse and clownishnesse.

Ciuility standeth either in modesty and grauity, or else in elegancy of manners, and cleanlinesse of attire.

Modesty is that, by which we in the mo∣tion of the whole body, do shun those things

which do not become vs.

To it is contrary impudency.

Grauity is that, by which any sheweth a comelinesse and a conuenient dignity in the course of his life.

And that is either in speech, apparell, or gesture.

Grauity in speech is either the right vse of the tong, or taciturnity & stilnesse of speech.

The right vse or moderating of the tong, is a grauity when we so vse the tong, as when neede is▪ we speake fitly and in place such things only as belong to the glory of God, & edification of our neighbour.

And it is either in serious, or merry spech.

Serious speech is when necessary thinges are spoken, and that so farre forth as pertai∣neth to the good of others.

Merry speech consisteth in pleasantnesse.

Pleasantnesse is a modest dexterity, or quickenesse in pleasant speeches, and comely iesting: the Greeks call it pleasant table talke.

Scurrility is diuerse from it: and lumpish∣nesse is contrary to it.

To the right vse of the tongue is contrary the abuse of the tongue, when any doth with his tongue speake peruerse things. Prou. 10.31. that is to say, when any abuseth his tong to execrations, cursings, blasphemies, or to lie, to spread abroad false opinions, to scurri∣lity and filthy speeches; to slander, to seduce, to giue euill counsell, & so forth. To speake per∣uerse

things, is to subuert the trueth, iustice, good maners, to deceiue, blaspheme, backbite.

Taciturnity or silence, is a grauity, when we cōceale things which might incur the re∣prehension of such as are able to iudge iustly.

And it is either honest or necessary.

Honest taciturnity is a silence, whē we ab∣stain & hold our peace from speaking, thē es∣pecially, whē it doth not become vs to speak.

Necessary taciturnity is a silence, whereby without the hurt of our cōscience, we cōceale secrets, least they might be spred to hurt any.

Grauity in apparell or attire, is that by which we obserue in our apparell or clothing a conuenient adorning of nature.

To it is contrary, lightnesse in apparell.

Grauity of gesture is that, by which we do so gouern the outward gestures of the whole body & seuerall members therof, that it may appeare therby that the mind is well ordered. Gentlenes in speach is that, by which we shew our selues easie, affable, & tractable: otherwise it is called popularity, affability, facility, &c.

That in our meetings & conuersatiō, bring∣eth forth pleasantnes in our words & works.

To gentlenes in speech is contrary, ouer∣much care to please others, and morosity or way wardnesse.

Elegancy of manners is that, by which we endeuour for excellent manners.

Excellent manners are those, which agree with the customs of the mē with whō we liue

Those customes are either of our own coū∣trey, or of strāgers, in the vse whereof we must obserue a comlines, namely, that they be there vsed where they are of force. For they which bring strange customes into their own coun∣trey with them, and by them set out them∣selues, they are worthily ridiculous, and in∣deede to be laughed at.

Cleanlines of attire, is that, when we carry our selues cleanly in attire and rayment.

Notes

• Humanity.
• Ciuility.
• Modesty.
• Grauity.
• The right vse of the tongue.
• Gentlenes in speech.
• Elegancy of manners.
• Cleanlinesse of attire.