The holy court in five tomes, the first treating of motives which should excite men of qualitie to Christian perfection, the second of the prelate, souldier, states-man, and ladie, the third of maxims of Christianitie against prophanesse ..., the fourth containing the command of reason over the passions, the fifth now first published in English and much augemented according to the last edition of the authour containing the lives of the most famous and illustrious courtiers taken out of the Old and New Testament and other modern authours / written in French by Nicholas Caussin ; translated into English by Sr. T.H. and others.

THE TABLE OF THE Chief CONTENTS of the First Tome of the HOLY COURT.

FIRST BOOK.

Motives to stir up Persons of quality to Christian Perfection.

MOTIVE.	Page.
THat the Court and Devotion are not in∣compatible.	1
I. Name of Christian.	2
II. Nobilitie.	4
III. Eminent Dignitie.	5
IV. Riches.	8
V. Corporal endowments.	9
VI. Endowments of the mind.	11
VII. Courage.	13
VIII. Education.	15
IX. Court a life of penance.	17
X. Gratitude.	19
XI. Example.	21
XII. Punishment.	22
XIII. Reward.	24

SECOND BOOK.

Hinderances that worldly ones have in the path of salvation.

OBSTACLE.	Page.
I. WEak faith.	26
II. Errour in faith & in Religion.	30
III. To live according to opinion.	37
IV. Inconstancie of manners.	39
V. Masked life.	41
VI. Ill mannage of time.	43
VII. Libertie of tongue.	45
VIII. Curiosity in bearing affronts.	47
IX. Carnal love.	49
X. Superfluous Attire.	51
XI. Envie.	54
XII. Ambition and Avarice.	56
Conclusion. A bad Courtiers life is a perpe∣tual Obstacle to virtue.	58

THIRD BOOK.

Practice of VIRTUES.

SECTION.	Page.
I. DEvotion for Great-ones.	60
II. Wherein consisteth all Devotion and Spiritual life.	61
Character of the spiritual man.	ibid.
Character of the carnal man.	ibid.
III. First combat of a spiritual man, against ignorance.	62
IV. Practice of faith.	ibid.
V. Four other lights to disperse ignorance.	64
VI. Twelve Maxims of salvation.	ibid.
VII. Twelve Maxims of wisdom.	66
VIII. Practice of Devotion and Prayer.	68
IX. Necessitie of confession.	ibid.
X. Practice of confession.	69
XI. Practice of examen of conscience.	71
XII. Practice of receiving.	72
XIII. Practice of hearing Mass.	74
XIV. Practice of meditation.	75
XV. Practice of vocal prayer, and spiritual reading and frequenting Sermons.	77
XVI. Second combat of the spiritual man, against pusillanimitie.	78
XVII. Twelve Maxims to vanquish tem∣ptations,	79

XVIII. Remedies against the passions and temptations growing from every vice.	81
XIX. Shame in well doing.	82
XX. Affection towards creatures.	ibid.
XXI. Indiscreet affliction of mind, and sad∣ness.	83
XXII. Third combat of the Spiritual man against impurity.	85
XXIII. Practise of chastity.	85
XXIV. Practise of temperance.	86
XXV. Practise of modesty.	87
XXVI. Practise of prudence, and government in conversation.	ibid.
XXVII. Against another impurity, to wit, de∣sire of having, and first of poverty of the rich.	89
XXVIII. Practise of justice.	ibid.
XXIX. Practise of thankfulness.	90
XXX. Practise of charity.	91
XXXI. The practise of humility and mag∣nanimity.	92
XXXII. Practise of patience.	93
XXXIII. Practise of daily actions.	94
Instructions for Married.
XXXIV. Misery of marriages ill managed.	96
XXXV. Evils of marriage grow from disor∣ders therein committed.	99
XXXVI. Selected instructions for the marri∣ed.	101
XXXVII. Instructions for Widdows.	102
To Maids.
XXXVIII. Praises of virginity, and of the modesty they ought to observe in their car∣riage.	104
To Fathers and Mothers.
XXXIX. Concerning bringing up and instru∣cting children.	107
To Children.
XL. Of piety towards parents.	110
The fourth Book treateth of Impiety of Courts, and Unhappy Policie.	page 114
The fifth Book setteth forth Fortunate Pietie.	page 137