CONCEITED LETTERS, NEWLY LAID OPEN: OR A MOST EXCELLENT BUNDLE OF NEW WIT, WHEREIN IS KNIT UP TOGETHER ALL the perfections or art of Episteling, by which the most ignorant may with much modesty talk and argue with the best Learned. A WORK VARYING FROM THE nature of former Precedents. LONDON, Printed by B. Alsop, for Samuel Rand, and are to be sold at his Shop near Holborn bridge. 1618. To the judicious Reader. THree things (Iuditiall Reader) make Books, and the puplication of Books above good; excellent, to wit, Necessity, Utility, & Implicity, & where any one of these are figured, no doubt but the Image is most comely, then how much more where all are contained, not Helen's thirty perfections can challenge more admiration, and though it may savour of Ostentation, to say this Pamphlet hath all, yet it shall not be against truth to approve the subject, more than a Master, yea even the sovereign of all: for if writings be the very souls and eternal substances of Time, what writings are so excellent as those which pass from man to man, Religion, Advice, Familiarity, Courtship, and all necessary commercements (by which even the whole state of the world is sustained) being in them (as it were) bound up to outli●e all time, all computation, than what more necessary, for the profit how shall Kings know and communicate their great actions, enlarge their bounds▪ redress their people's injuries, how shall the noble, know intelligence to serve his Country, the Merchant trade, or to his own bring the wealth of many Kingdoms, or any or all sorts of people speak at a far distance, but by the help of Letters only, than what to mankind more rich and beneficial, which Tully better to express, made it the crown of all his labours. Lastly, in these written Heralds, are those employments and brave implications, that whatsoever is excellent or good in man, is to be seen in them, as in a mirror, and so to be implied either exemplarily or judicially, according to the virtues and vices in them contained. If then these virtues shadowed in these Precedents shall give thee that benefit which thine expectation, hopes, or the Authors aim made his level unto, I doubt not but thou wilt love it, read it, and imitate i● so far as to thy private benefit: Farewell. Thine, I. M. CONCEITED LETTERS, NEWLY LAID OPEN. A LETTER TO A FRIEND, to borrow Money. IF borrowing of Money be not a breach of Friendship, let me entreat your pa●tience to open your Purse, a present occasion puts me to the adventure of your kindness, the matter is not much, yet will at this time pleasure me as much as so much may do: the sum five pounds, the time three months, my credit the Assurance, and hearty thanks the Interest. Thus without troubling the Broker, or charging of the Scrivener, hoping my Letter shall be of sufficient power to prevail with your love; I● treating your present answer, in the affection of an honest heart, I commit you to the Almighty. Yours, or not his own D. M. His Answer. IF your Friendship were a follower of Fortune, Love would have but little life in this world, the contents of your Letter hath put me to a strict account with my estate, how I may help you, and not hurt myself. I could make sufficient Excuses, but that they taste of sm●ll comfort: and therefore knowing Time to be precious, and to void delays, let this suffice you, your Request I have satisfied, and the Money I have sent you: and not doubting your Credit, will take your word for a Bond. Now for the Use without abuse, I wish but Requital, upon the like occasion. And so (glad that in this, or any thing in my power,) I may make proof of my love: I Rest in the same. Yours, or not my own. N. R. A Letter to a Kinsman, for News. I Would be glad to hear how you do, how the world goes with you, what news are stirring, what wherligigges are in the brains of mad men, and what rekes Rascals keep among better men, what their opinions are that study the stars of the man in the Moon, and whether honest men among the multitude be not taxed for their wisdom: How far a man's tongue will go beyond his teeth, and do no hurt to his lips, and whether Dalyla be dead that betrayed Samson to the Philistines, How Pride and Patience agree together in ungracious Spirits, How the Devil bestirs him about his villainy in the world: and whether love be not laughed at for a m●trie jest of wit, especially where the weaker sort want the strength of understanding, many such notes may light in the way of thy observation: of which what thou hast in memory, I pray thee put down in a few lines, which shall not be lost in my love, and the sooner the better, for by thy long silence, I doubt of thy welfare, how ever it be keep it not from thy friend, who regards not fortune but virtue: upon which my affection grounded can never be removed: Farewel. Thine or not his own, W. T. GGod C●●zine, you write unto me to know how I do: in a word never worse, both weak● in body, and sick in mind, in brief as near death as may be to live: if you knew my crosses, you would pity my discomforts, the variety whereof is so great, that I think there was never Cart so loaden with Wares, as my heart is with heaviness and woes! Oh this iron Ag● smells of nothing but Rust, whiles the bags of metal eats up the hearts of man: where is kindness, but only among Children for Apples and Nuts? Friendship (I think) is flown away for fear of abuse, and love is among the Saints which are only in Heaven: and if the world be at this pass, in what case are the people: wh●re Men in shape are Monsters in Nature; and where Women (since the Creation,) are become strange Creatures? Whiles howling with sin, and weeping with shame, makes such black ghost amongst tormented souls, as if the Devil had licence to make a Hell upon Earth? Some are all for the Church, and nothing for GOD: other all for CHRIST, & nothing for Charity: and ●est men for themselves, and leave their Neighbours to the wide world. Children are weary of their Parents, before they be parence of Children, and Parents so covetous and unkind, that nature hath forgotten her course. To conclude, the misery of Time is such, as putteth Patience to the utmost trial of her strength, and by the course of the Elements, the Almanack● makers knows not what will become of this world: now for myself, I would I were with him that madeit: but his Will be done, who can mend it at his pleasure: unto whose heavenly tuition, until I see you, I leave you, Yours, or not his own. R. B. A Letter of Challenge. IF I thought that you durst answer me, I would challenge you, yet where the sick of a Fever may burue after a shaking, I know not how shame may make a Coward more desperate, the● valiant: yet once my wrongs I can put up, whiles looking on the object of my Revenge, I become an abject to myself, to think what metal I am to temper with. But in brie●e to lose no more time with you, to Morrow is my day, the h●wer eight in the morning, the pl●co, the Padock● within the Thicket: where the determination of business I hope will be briefer than discourse, and so I end: endless. Yours: as you have made me. T. N. His Answer. IDle humours shows add●● Brayves, where lack of judgement, proves imperfection indiscretion: To challenge a Coward is no balour, but if your Sword were as nimble as your Pen, I should not know how to put by the point: but I think that your fury is but a flash, which between heats and cold, hath made a little thunder, that will go away in a Cloud: to temper with Metals is fittest for Artistes, but in the rules of honour scorn hath no place. But touching your agony, take heed of an Ag●e, left shame fellows shift, in putting off a Quarrel, with excuse: in brief, there shall nothing fail but yourself; who as you deserve at my hands, shall find me from my heart, Yours, as you mine. R. D. A Love-letter, to a worthy Gentlewoman. Fair Mistress, if I had no eyes, I should not like you, and it no wit I should not love you, for the brightness of your Beauty is for no blind sight to gaz● upon, nor the worthiness of your virtue for no weak brains to beat upon. If you say I flatter you, look into yourself, and do me n● wrong, and if I do you Right, chide not Affection, for a discovery, where truth is honourable, pardon my presumption if it exceed your pleasure, and commend his service, who will make an honour or your favour: So entreating your patience, for answer to my poor Letter, until I hear from you, and always I rest. Your devoted, to be commanded. N. R. Her Answer. Sir; if your wits goes with your eyes, your brains may be on the outside of your head: and th●n if you deceive yourself, I hope I shall not be blamed, Colours are but shadows, and may b●full of illusions, and the worthiness of virtue may be a reach above the worlds reason, yet the discovery of affection may be mor●in words then matter, especially where discretion sounds the depth of desert, though the honour as truth be worth regard. Where there is no faults there needs no pardon, and therefore without trouble of Patience, finding no cause of displeasure, I thus conclude: Love hath a privilege to be at the command of kindness, in which I rest, to wish you much happiness. Your wel-willing Friend. E. S. A Conceited Letter of News. GOod Uncle, I know you look for news, from this plot of our Earthly Paradise, which when you left, it was a place of great pleasure: but since your departure, some wicked Blasts have withered some of our principal Plants, but God be thanked, we have at this time so good a Gardener, that so plucks up the Weeds by the roots, that (I hope) this Spring we shall have a flourishing piece of ground. Hobgoblin and the Fairies, hath brought their believers to the Gallows: where (had not Mercy given grace) they had been almost a● O man in Desperation; But it is an ill wind, that blows no man to good: for Halter-men and Ballet-makers were not better set a work this many a day. Our Sun shows his beams in great brightness, whiles the man in the Moon is fall●n quite through the Clouds: wild Birds put in cages, become tame in little time: but our jacke-dawes will be chattering, whiles they have a tongu● in their heads. Our Turtle-doves are the prettiest fools in the world: but when a Cuckoo counterfeits the Nightingale, there is an ill Close in the Music: Our Peacock was so proud, that he could not leave spreading his tail, but since moulting-time he hath lost many of his Feathers. Our Poast-horses have galled their Riders, and our Asses are kept but only for their milk: in sum, for Men and Women, the best (God be thanked are well, and for the worst God will take order for their amendment, and so with my most hearty commendation, I rest Your ever-loving Nephew. T. M. The uncles Answer. MY kind Nephew, I thank thee heartily for thy merry Letter, in which I like well of thy judgement in writing of News, to meddle with no matters of state: for he that looks too high may have a sudden downfall, and old Countrey-proverbe, may prove a good part of speech; I remember I have heard my Gr●und. Father tell of one that was taught him in his Travel: Let the Horse neigh, know thou thy course and god thy way: and so much for this. Now for your Earthly Paradise, I thought it (when I came from it) a goodly poece of ground, and 'twas pity that any Blast should per●h the least Plant in it: But as it is I am very glad to hear so well of it, GOD bless the owner of it, and the Gardener, that so well wéedeth it. Now for the Birds, he that knoweth not a Cuckoo from a Nightingale, is like unto a Lark-catcher, that having caught an Owl, took her for a fine Hawk, till looking on her face, and fearing she had been aspirite, he let her fly to the Devil. As for Peacocks, they will be proud, till they look on their legs, and jackdaws will prate, it is their nature: and therefore be not angry with a Milke-wenche, if she make not a curtsy like Mistress C●nstable, for there may be difference in their breeding, and so forth. Now for our Countrey-newes, I will tell you what is come to my hands: our Coultes are so lusty, that we cannot keep a Filly in quiet for them, and our Geese are so fat that they wallow as they go: our Sows are so forward, that we shall have a world of ●at Pigs: and our Ewes so suckle our Lambs, that they leave almost no flesh on their backs: our Mill horse hath broken his halter, and laid his load at the Mill door: and our town Bull is so fat, that he shall be baited for the Butcher: our Town is so full of Marriages, that there is scarce Cakes enough for the Bridals. Tom Piper and the blind Harper are hired for these Holidays with my young Landlord, who hath sworn by his Father's soul, that he will whoord up none of his Silver: Other such h●mely stuff there is store about us, but because you have better Wares nearer hand, I care not much if I trouble you no longer with such Trifles. I pray you let me hear from you, of such occurrents as comes in your way: In the mean time always I rest. The most loving Uncle. F. L. A Conceited Love-letter. Sweet Creature, to tell you I love you, were a Phrase of too plain a fashion: and yet when truth is indeed the best eloquence, affection needs no invention to express the care of her content; which being in three Letters, makes a word soon to be read, which being Y: O: V: nothing doubting you● spelling, I hope you will so kindly put together, that a Conjunction of Lo●● shall have no separation daring life: And thus beseeching you to learn this lesson by heart, without a cross in conceit, to hinder the course of loves comfort: Till I hear from you in that nature, that may make me a happy creature, I rest. Yours wholly, and only if you will. M. D. Her Answer. KInd● Sir, to tell you I love you, were too cross an Answer with a comfortable request: and yet when dissimulation is the worst fruit● of invention, discretion may be pardoned in concealing of love. Touching your letter, they are sooner read then understood, while Imaginative hopes may be deceived in their happiness, and yet to avoid all touch of Ingratitude, in that nature of kindness, that may give honour content, as a simple scholar in the art of love, ●●sath● to have that by heart, that may trouble more than my head, when separation of Conjunctions may endanger the death of Comfort, wishing nothing, nothing amiss, to them that mean all well, I rest. Yours, as I may be mine own. E. B. A Letter from ● Lady to a Gentleman, whom she called her Servant, for the preferring of a Gentlewoman unto her. Servant I have often spoken to you for that you must needs do for me: I am going to the Court, and shall have great use of a Gentlewoman to attend me, I know you have many Kinsmen and acquaintance, among whom you may find ●ne to fit me: I will take her at your hand, and regard her for your sake, and if her deserts answers my desires, she shall lose no love in my favour, and therefore leaving this trusty charge to the care of your discreet kindness, as you will expect a greater courtesy at my hands: I rest, Your loving Mistress. F. T. His Answer. GOod Madam; you spoke unto me, to help you 〈◊〉 a Gentlewoman, which with my letter I have here sent you: a Woman and gentle, who I hope will not be altogether unworthy of your entertainment: for her Person, she is not deformed, nor her face of the worst feature, she is neither blear-eyed, nor tongue-tied, and for her qualities I hope she can do more than make curtsy and blush: her Parentage is not bare, nor her breeding idle, and for her disposition, I hope it will be nothing vispleasing: to praise her in any perfection, I dare not, but in all will leave her to the trial of your patience: So wishing my dutiful service in this, or what else may lie in my power, so Fortunate as to deserve your savour, and this Gentlewoman so gracious as to gain the continuance of your g●●d opinion, in Prayer for your health, and hearts most wished happiness, I take my leave for thy time, but rest at all times, Your Ladyship's most humble Servant. R. G. A Letter from a kind of Diogenes, to a Courtier. Sir, I hear by some of my acquaintance that you go on apace with the World: I pray GOD you go as fast towards Heaven; but by the way let me tell you, what I think fittest for you, now and then to have mind of, lest you forget the main, while the bye-way deceive you: for what is Honour without virtue? King David tells you, it is but a blast: meaning a proud man: and what is Wealth without Wisdom, but Covetousness? and that is the tool of all evil: and what is Life without Grace, the very highway to Hell? Let therefore Virtue be your Honour: Wisdom your Wealth: and Grace your Life: so that GOD bless●yon, the devil can never hurt you: Let not a little wealth beget a great deal of pride in you, lest a great deal of pride beget you but little wit. Know whence you are: who you are: and where you are: You are from the ●lim● of the Earth, but a Creature on Earth: Be merry with measure, but be not mad in any case: For Patience is the guide, of Experience, where haste makes more waste then good work: To conclude, be loyal to Sovereignty: faithful in Friendship: constant in Love: and honest in all: Farewell. Thine as thou knowest. B. B. A Letter of zealous love, written from a Gentleman to his Brother. BRother, since I last heard from you, I am sorry to hear that I do of you: that you are wound so far into the World, as if that you never meant to get out of it; you know I have traveled far, seen much, and have some understanding: by all the observation of time, in the courses of Nature, I find Salomon's truth in the trial of the World, that there is little of it, but is little worth in it, (when all being but Vanity) there is little Virtue to be found in it: Believe me Brother, we are never in one nature, but differ in another: in the Flesh, but not in the Spiritie; For whiles I contemplate the substance of the Souls comfort, thou art puzzled in the World, among the puddles of the Earth, yea, I fear the nature of thy affect to be as far from the rule of Religion, as the most senseless Creature is from the use of Reason: Oh brother, I know thou hast wronged many, and thyself most, I would thou wert a Zacheu● to write all: but better betimes then to late, look home to the main chance, have a care of thy soul, and thy body will be the better; believe it, there is no rust eateth so fast into any metal, as the venom of Auspice into the heart of a wicked man: Prodigality is the way to penury, but Covetousness is the root of all evil, betwixt both there is a mean, that to hit on, is a kind of happiness, and if thou hast no ears but of Midas, that can hear of nothing but gold, take a heart of Simion, to joy in nothing but Christ jesus. Turn a new leaf, serve God for whom thou wert created, and let not the earth triumph over thee, for whom it was made to tread upon, lift up thine eyes towards heaven, where one joy of the Elect is worth all the Kingdoms of the world: leave the world ere it leaves thee, and love him ever, that will never leave thee: let thy li●e be a Pilgrimage, and the earth but a passage, and the heaven only the home of thy souls eternal happiness, once a day read these few lines for my sake, which if they do that good to thee, which I heartily pray for in thee, till when and ever my heart's love. Thy loving Brother, N. P. His answer MY good Brother, I thank you for your careful and kind Letter, yet let me tell you, that zeal without discretion proves not the best part of Religion: Reports may be idle, and then believe may be erroneous, when mistake by misconstruing may breed abuse of good uses: I know that Riches are Witches to them that make their heaven of this world, but he that hath a leaden wit, will ●euer worship a golden Calf: But since I know Abraham and Lazarus were alike in election, give me leave while I am in this world, by Christ rather th●n Auarise, rather to be a Husbandman, then to be a labourer for hire: if I have wronged any, it is unwillingly, whom if I know, I will satisfy most willingly, and for the wound of conscience, I hope to be so far from Hypocrisy, that I shall be free from that fear, and therefore though travel hath taught you much experience in the world, and having sufficient maintenance to pass through the world, you make the less account of the world, yet when careful thirst breedeth no covetous thraldom, be not jealous of my love, with all the pleasures of the world to make comparison with the least of heavens comfort, I know the highest mountain is but earth, and the lowest valley is no other, and therefore when I carry my footstool on my head, let me walk like a fool or monster. In brief, I know the world and how to use it, and keep account with my cares, how I may most contentedly leave it, but for my love to him that make it, let me live no longer in it, than I love and honour him above it, and so entreating you to blow offill breaths that may abuse my disposition, and to be persuaded so far of my soul's health, that my joy is ever and only in Christ jesus, to his preservation, leaving the happy issue of your hopes in the nature of the best love, till I see you, and always I rest: Your most loving Brother, T. W. A Letter of Love, to an Honourable Lady. HOnourable Madam: if Love were not above reason, it would not be so high in regard: who dwelling only in the spirits of the best understandings, feeds the heart only with the fruits of an infallible resolution: What it is in it own nature hath been diversely described, but I think never known but unto them that inwardly know it. Some hold it a Riddle, that none can interpret, but he that made it: and others a Miracle, that amazeth all that believe it: but if it be as I have read of it, a Child and Beauty begot it: I hope Nature will be herself, and not unkind unto her own breed: How to prove truth, the Honour in your Eyes, that have wrought my heart to your service, shall ●ake known to your favour, in the happiness of your Employment. So craving pardon for my presumption, in my devoted duty, to the honour of your command, I humbly take my leave. Your Ladyships, in all humbleness. R. M. Her Answer. Worthy Knight, if Love be above Reason, it must be either Divine or Devilish, and so regarded accordingly: what it is I think is best known by the effect of it, howsoever idle brains have beaten about the description of it: Riddles are but jests of wit, and Miracles are ceased for being seen in our Age, but if it be a Child (though of a strange Parentage,) surely Nature will not suffer the Mother to be cruel to her own breed, but if it fall out to be an ungracious Father, what then will be thought of the Children? yet least in misconstruing a conceit, I may mistake a content, since in the secret of Nature may be a sense of strange understanding, I will suspend my judgement, till I have made proof of my opinion: when Eyes and Hearts meet together in discourse, I hope the business will be soon ended, (that is) referred to indifferent judgement: So till occasion be offered of the performance of Employment, hoping that Virtue and Honour will soon agree upon sure grounds, till I see you, I rest, Your loving Friend. M. W. A Letter from a Knight to a Nobleman, for the entertaining of a Secretary. NOBLE LORD, I hear that your Secretary hath lately taken his leave of this world, in whole place (if you be not provided) let my love prevail with your Honour, for the entertainment of this bearer, a Gentleman and a Kinsman of mine, in whose commendations I dare thus far use my credit, his heart shall be as fair as his hand upon any occasion of your Employment, and for his wit it is both in Caput and Copie-holde, for he hath read much, and observed more than a little, his descent hath been from the loins of an honourable Line, and for his disposition every way, I hope you shall find it no way displeasing, not to trouble you with long circumstance, leaving your happiness to your acceptance, with my service to your command: in all humble love I take my leave for this time. But rest during lif●. Your Honour's devoted, to be commanded, W. R. The Lords answer. MY kind Knight, I have received your letter, fulfilled your request, and entertained your kinsman, of whom I am already so well persuaded, besides the assurance of your knowledge, that I think a little matter shall not make square in our loves: I find what you writ of him, and shall have much employment for him, I thank you for him, and if he continue his carriage, which I doubt not, he will be of better fortune than my favour, and yet somewhat the more for your sake, I will take such a care of him, that ere many months pass you shall find my love in him, so till I see you at my house, where you shall make your own welcome. I rest, Your most assured friend, E. S. A Letter of a simple man to a Scholar, that was determined to play the Wag with him. WOrshipful Sir, I understand by my honest friend and Schoolfellow in our Parish church, that your Worship hath a great knowledge in casting of Nativities, and telling men's fortunes, to tell you truly what years I am, my Grandam says I was at lawful age to enter upon my Father's Farm at Lent last, and then your Worship may guess much about the time, the the day and the hours I do not well remember: But to the purpose, I hear say that in your Study among the Stars, you have gone by all the Planets, and ten to one if your Worship will go over them, but you shall find me in one of them, and if you ask of them that dwell in those house's, some of them may tell you that of me that all the world is not acquainted with, I pray you Sirlet me entreat you to take a little pains for me, and chiefly, what good hap or ill is like to before me, as well among men as women, and when I come for my note, I will better consider your pains, in the mean time I have sent you a piece of gold that saw no light this many a day: so till I hear from you, which I pray you let be as soon as you can, I commit your Worship to God. From my house at Columsbery this second day of july, 1615. Your Worships to command, jenkin Hoguiskine. His Answer. MY good Friend, I received your Letter and your kind Token, and though I love n●t to show my skill in those secrets, yet ●or your Schoolfellows sakes I have taken a little pains for you: I will tell you what I have found among them all: if you were borne upon the Sunday, Sol is a hot Planet, and you will be much subject to sunburning, especially (if you go to Plough bore headed: if upon the Monday, the Moon is full of water, and if you ●●ll your brains too full of Drink, you may grow Lunatic, and so be in danger of Bedlam: if upon Tuesday, Mars is a bloody fellow, and if you go to Fisticuffes, you will hardly be without a bloody nose: if upon Wednesday, you must wear ● Nightcap, and be ever at your book: especially (if you can write and read) and be in any Office in your Parish: if upon the Thursday, you will be as proud as a Beggar, especially (if you wear your best clothes) on a working day: if upon a Friday, beware Wenches, lest they make thee a poor man, especially (about Cuckoo time:) and if upon a Saturday; Oh you will be so froward that (if you Marry) your Wife will never endure the house with you, especially (if she be of the breed of a Scholar:) and therefore not yet having heard any news in any of the houses of you: until I hear from you again, I can say no more to you, and so I rest, Your assured Friend. T. W. A Letter to a Friend, on the otherside of the Sea. DIstance of placo must make no difference of minds, Love and Life amongst hearts make an end together, I have long longed to hear from you, and if I had known whether, I had ●are this written unto you: but now having met with him that meaneth shortly to see you, I have thought good to let you know, that I yet live to love you, and forget net to pray for you, that all happiness may befall you; Glad I would be to see you, and in the mean time to hear from you, how the world goeth there about you, whether all birds be of one feather, and how they fly together, what blazing stars have been lately seen, and what your Astronomers think what will follow of their appearance, whether your wine be watered before it come over, & how youth and age agree upon the Conjunction Coplative: how the great Fish and the little agree together in your seas, and how your Rabbits escape the Kite abroad, and the Polecat in their burrows, how the fexes and wolves pray upon your Geese and Lambs, & what sport your Swallows make with the Flies in the air. I wish you not to write of any Wonders, because they are incredulous, nor of matters of state, for they may be perhaps ill taken: but only how honest men thrive, and knaves have their rewards, how Wise men are honoured, and Fools laughed at, and how the weaker sort hold their strength with the stronger, when Wenches eyes pull out men's hearts out of their Bellies, their wits out of their braives, and their money out of their purses, and such matters of no moment, then must needs if you will take a little pains so set down in a little Paper, I shall be glad to look upon them, and in my love to requite them, for our World to hear it, were a world to think of it: But the Messengers haste not giving me time to write of it until the next Post, I will say but this of it, God bless the best, and mend or end the worst, grant all honest hearts good lives in it, and a joyful departure when they are to leave it, to which prayer, hoping you will say Amen, till we meet, and always, I rest, Yours, or not mine own. I. G. His Answer. MY long acquaintance, and worthy beloved friend● I have lately received your letters, wherein I find your desire to hear of the passages in the world on this side the salt-water. Now to satisfy in as much as I can, let me tell you that I find some difference in the natures of Nations, but touching their di●sions, I think they are much alike thorough the whole World, for on the one side, I ●inde the powerful, imperious: the ambitious envious, the covetous never satisfied, the licentious idle, and the foolish unprofitable: on the other side Majesty gracious, Honour virtuous, wealth charitable, Thrift wealthy, 〈◊〉 all, and Religion loyal, and Labour commodious. Now looking into the danger of Greatness, the charge of Honour, the care of wealth, the misery of want, the ●●lly of wantonness, and the beggary of idlenese: I have chosen the mean for my part of music, where I shall neither stra●n my voice, nor stretch my strings, but with little charge keep my instrument 〈◊〉 tune: The passages are here as in other places, when january and May meet in conjunction, there are strange kinds of countenances that show not the best content. And when Winds are highest in Summer, the fruit shall fall 〈◊〉 they be ripe, Many idle exercises are more costly than comfortable, much talk and little truth, & gay outsides have poor insides, rathest and lies as common as Highways, and painted images make feels idels, honest men thought more silly than the wise among she Wizards of the world, and the Devil among the Brokers daily hunted with beggars, murmuring of war among unquiet Spirits, and Peace guarded for fear of a close stratagems. In sum, such variety of business, that every man's brain is ●ul of humours: and for women they are of such force, that they put men to great patience: for my sel●e, I see the world at that pass, that I think him happy that is well out of it: in sum, God bless the best while the worst mend, and sen● us his grace, and health with a happy meeting: so till I hear from you, which I wish often with my heart's love that shall never end but with life, with my hearty commendations I commit you to the Almighty. Yours as mine own. R. G. A Letter from a friend in the City to a Scholar in the University. HOnest Ned, since I left the blessed place wherein thou dwellest, I am come into a world that doth amaze me with imaginations, how Nature could so juggle with the world as to make men become shadows, women picture: but near the end of days I see the Devil labours hard about his harvest, else could madness never so overrule, as to turn wisdom out of doors. The disloyalty of Subjects to most gracious Princes, unthankfulness of servants to most bountiful masters, unthankful hearts to best deserving Spirit, disobedient children to most careful parents yea most ungracious creatures to the most gracious Creat●r, makes me fear a ne●● dealing upon the earth, to cleanse the World from iniquity, the Devil is feared in his colours, but followed in his conditions, and heaven more spoken o●, th● looked after, charitable mouths have other meanings in their heart, and ●●thes are so common that they are little in account, the cup of 〈◊〉 is top full to the brim, 〈…〉 to the health of the Devil: Reason 〈…〉 to the World, that A. T. to much in the world ●akes him a woeful Scholar that keeps that lesson in his heart, jack a Lent scarce a Gentleman will ride on Cockhorse, like a rascal, and Io●e Fiddle in a French hood will be a Lady before her Mistress. Prison is become a practice of policy to deceive the witt● with a plot of villainy: The breath of some man is deadly, especially upon a capital offence: when justice impartial weeds the land of the unnatural: The Pruner of the three trees hath gotten● much by unwholesome fruit, who when he hath pared the outside, puts the rest in an earthen pi●. Believe me Ne●, I shall not be at rest till I be with thee, where I may walk to the well that yields the Spirit a sweet Water. Shortly I hope to see thee, in the mean time, let me hear from thee that upon the least of thy wish, I may the sooner be with thee. Farewell. Thine if his own. R. D. His answer. Kind Francke, in perusing of thy Letter, I find no little touch of passion, and that thy brain is not a little distempered with the cares of this world, which though they touch not thy person, yet being a Christian, thou canst not but hate a jew: far mine own part, I have read of many idle passages in times past, but I am most heartily ●ory to hear of the sinful occurrents of this age: I have read in the Discourse of Sin, that Envy is a pestilent humour in a pestiferous spirit, and that Pride is the fore-horse of Follies, that draws the devils Car into hell: I have read likewise, that Queen Helen's lust was the spoil of Trey, and that her name will never be blotted out of the black book of Infamy: I have read of many things, of which I have taken some notice, as of the Cuckoo ●illing the Sparrow that hatcheth her, and the Turkey cock beating his hen when he hath trod her, but a Dog to be too saw●ie with a Lion: fie upon it, there is almost no beast can abide it. I read likewise, that upon a time, that sin was grown to such a a height that the Devil laid about him like a great Lord, but God be thanked, there was an Angel that had authority over him, seeing his ●●●kes, quickly weakened his force, fetched him into his precinct, and kept him so fast locked in his chain, that he could not pass beyond his ●●●its, but what is all this to thee, no more but a 〈◊〉 of thy kindness, as thou writest what thou hast seen, so I what I have read, when set the Hare against the Goose giblets and there would be a strange ●ish of didlums: well, when thou art weary there, come hither, and as we may, we will be merry together: Farewell. Thine, or not his self, W. R. A Letter to a Scholar that took upon him the Interpretation of Dreams. SIR I hear by a kinsman of mine, among other your deep judgements in many other learned points of Art, of your excellent judgement in the interpretation of Dreams, and being persuaded much of your kindness, by such as hath conversed much in your company, I am bold to entreat your opinion upon some apparitions that lately troubled me in my sleep, and though I will not be frighted with Furies, nor will trust unto flatteries, yet if I may have some notice of the issue of these night troubles, I shall take it for a kindness, that I would not bury in oblivion. First, me thought I saw Phaeton in the sky, sitting in Sols glorious Car, and many fiery drivers about him, but on a sudden giving his horses the bridle, for want of holding they run with such a speed, that the Car was overthrown, Phaeton fell down and all his drivers with him: with the sudden noise whereof I awoke, when I fell a sleep again, I saw, me thought, certain great Stars mounting above the Sun, but coming near his heat they were suddenly dissolved, hang a while in the air, and at last fell into the bottom of the earth, with the fall whereof I awoke, now toward morning, taking a little nap, me thought I saw a kind of Fury or she Devil let out of hell with charms or poisons to do much hurt in the world, but a gracious power came from heaven, for the good of the world, and with the breath of his mouth made her so vanish away, that I never heard more what bec●me of her. These were the three dreams which troubled me in my sleep, the interpretation whereof, leaving to the description of your kind patience: I rest. Your loving friend, R. I. His answer. SIR, though my profession be not to interpret night troubles: yet at the request of your friend, I am content to tell you mine opinion of your strange apparitions. Touching your first dream, it should seem you are somewhat Poetical, and having the day before read of the fiction, were troubled in the night with a fable: for your mounting Stars, I guess you were the evening before at the Star or the Moon, or some such elemental sign, studying some Tavern Astronomy, that your brain being in the altitude of Canary. taking the candles for stars, seeing one of them by mischance 〈◊〉 with his candle stick down to the ground, being a little troubled with it to bedward, brought out this strange vision in your ●●●pe, For the third, if you come to Furies, she Devils, or such kind of Spirits, I have nothing to say to them, nor will trouble my thought with them. And therefore leaving such as love Hell to deal with such Hags, Beseeching God to bless me and thee, and all honest hearts from all such horrible creatures: I rest, Your loving friend, L. T. A Letter of a Patient to his Physician. MAster Doctor, your Patient commends him to your patience, to bear a little kind chiding for your too long absence: my disease holds his own, and my pain nothing diminished, and if you come not the sooner your Physic will be past working, for my stomach is weak, and my heart groweth faint, and yet I feed, though my 〈◊〉 be not the best, loath I am to languish if I may have hope of comfort, but your absence makes me doubt of my recovery. I pray you therefore haste you unto me, and let me be assured of your coming jest you come too late, you know my disease and are acquainted with my body, for my cure I leave it to God and your conscience, and so entreating your present answer of your Speedy presence, I commit you to the Almighty. Your sick loving Patient, T. N. His answer. MY good Patient, I fear your impatience hath by some passion increased your pain, I know the force of your disease cannot but be weakened, if you be not mor afraid than hurt, you will not die of this malady, if my business were not great, I would see you, or if your need were great, I would not be from you: but knowing every erampe is not a con●ultion, nor every stitch at the heart: I will only wish you to put off melancholy, to take heed of cold, to have mind rather of heaven than earth: Eat good meat, but not too much: Drink good wine, but measurably: be in charity with all the world, but not too far with any, especially with the feminine gender: use metion for natural Physic, 〈◊〉 let a merry heart be your best Physician, for conceit is hurtful, if it be not contentive, and it is passed the reach of my reason to eure a corrupted mind: shortly, and God willing, I will see you, in the mean time imagine I am with you, for indeed I will not be long from you: and this let me tell you, that to put you out of fear, I have no fear of you, but that you will be past Physic ere my hope fail of your cure; and that will not be in haste, and so hoping that you are not so week in spirit, but that you can endure a little pain with patience in hope or assured health, till I see you, and always I rest, Your Physician and loving friend: W. R. A Letter from a young Gentleman to an old Captain. MY good Captain, having of late no little disposition to martial disciplino, and in the field of blood to adventure life for honour, I am to entreat your advice as one long experienced in that course, for what you shall think fit ●or my furniture for such service as may deserve regard, and how I may so carry myself in all companies, that I may not be ●anished the best: and i● it please you shortly to go over to your Company, that you will let me serve under your Colours: and so beseeching your present answer, that I may the better determine of my desires, leaving to your kind discretion the care of my instruction, protesting in my best endeavours to show my love in you service; till I hear from you, I rest. Your affectionate friend, B. R. His answer. SIR, your desire I mislike not, if your body will answer your mind, your book wars yield n● blows, and therefore seem sweet in reading, but come to the trial of the business, and you will find it full of bitterness, but if resolution have taken root with you, and not easily to be removed, I will tell you what I think shall most behove you to carry with you; a good heart, a stayed head, and a strong stomach, a purse to de●ray necessary charge, and a care in laying out of expenses, neither offer nor take wrong, at least not much: borrow little, pay all, observe the wise, love the honest, be not idle nor ill exercised, beware of forfeits, play and wanton pleasures, for thy furniture, thy armour and pike, thy piece and thy sword, shall be sufficient to make thee a Soldier: serve God, and fear not the Devil, let thy enemy see thy face, and not thy back, and be not proud of any honourable action; but give God the glory of all: when I go, which will be shortly, I will give thee notice, in the mean time see me, and I will love thee: Farewell. Thy assured loving friend, B. W. A dogged Letter to a displeasing Companion. AFter my hearty commendations, hoping that you are in good health, as I was at the writing hereof, when my head ached, wishing you no better comfort, than a Scold to your wife, desirous to hear from you, that I may never hear more of you, and sorry with my slefe to be troubled with the thought of you, assuring you that there is no man cares less for you, for the vileness I know in you, and the villainy I hear of you, wishing all honest men to beware of you, no wise man to trust you, hoping, if that God do not the sooner m●nd you, the Gallows will and you: to deal plainly with you, as a Rakehell I found you, so a Rakehell I leave you. Yours as you see by your good service. T. M. His answer. O Man in desperation, how are thy wits out of fashion; it seems by thy spite, thy Spleen is full of corruption, for thy wishes they cannot hurt me; nor thy words trouble me, ●ory I am that thy wits are a w●●ll gathering, or gone God knows whither: what ill soever you think of me, I knew better than you think of me, if your head ache, you should better binds up your brains, then let them fly so near Bedlam, to rail without discretion, upon a causeless imagination: but while the wise note your folly, and the honest pity your ●urie, I shall be the less sorry for you, because I will have nothing to do with you: if your breath be as 〈◊〉 as your pe●ne, no Christian will abide you, and so 〈◊〉 nothing but as an idle humour followeth you, a worse plague than a scolding wife, which is as near hell as may he, will torment you: as a Woodcock I know you, and a Dawcock I hold you▪ and so 〈◊〉 I see better of you, to you● mad fits I leave you, and so rest as you see by the course of your own cards. Yours, as you mine, D. R. A Letter of Reconciliation. HOnest Daniel, I thought to try the virtue of thy love in thy patience, but I see we are all weak, when rage gets up to his height. Reason is a poor man, if thou didst think I was mad, thou mightest have been sorry and not angry, and if well in my wits, thou mightest have thought it an humour of jest to try a friend in earnest: only lovers have not been of a little continuance, and shall a conceit of unkindness break the knot of our friendship, ●acre be it from both and either of us, thou knowest thine own desert, and my disposition and mightest therefore suspect my distemper of brain through the 〈◊〉 of the same disease, then fall into colour upon 〈◊〉 of male content: But since I began a 〈◊〉▪ I will end the combat, and all causes set aside, love thee in spite of all spite, and therefore let us be as we were, and ever will be, one mind in two bodies, and so with hearts shaking hands, and shaking of all ill humo●rs, that may make the least breach into our loves till I see thee, And always I rest: If not thine, not mine own. W. T. His Answer. MY most worthy Beloved, and never to be removed kind Wilkin, believe me it: I can be angry and ●ke with kindness to meet with humours in their kind, only to be out of your dept for a few good words. I took a little pains to blot a little pa●er, which if you will put to the fire, mine shall soon consume to ashes, and to avoid all memorial of mad humours: I confess Nature is subject to imperfection, yea and Reason is sometimes weak in discretion, but love is ever himself, where he lives in the Spirits of understanding. Think therefore of me as of yourself, who rather embrace kindness then believe madness, and leaving all humour of jest, have a heart that will ever love you in earnest. So patting off all thought of quarrel, where the combat is but a conceits of kindness in the irremovable resolution of infringeable affection: I rest as I have been and can now be none other. But thine what I am mine own. I. G. A letter written from an old man to his son before his death. MY Son, thou art now coming into the world, that I am going out of, and yet before my departure out of it, let me tell thee what I hold needful for thee to have care of in it, I know thou wilt not break thy bread all in one house, seed always of one dish, nor live always in one place, and therefore let me read thee a short Lecture for thy carriage in all courses, the Court is a place of charge more than ease, the City gauds of more price then worth, and the Country sports of more pleasure than profit, yet is there no service to the King, no dwelling to the City, nor pleasure to the Country, but all the weight of the worth of them is in the hand of Wisdom, who in the knowledge of the use of them makes the best esteem of them: but least long Lessons may overcharge thy Memory, take this one Rule for thy learning in all, and thou shalt find it good in more than a few, wheresoever thou goest, note the best, choose the best, & keep the best, be not, buried in earth before thou comest to thy Grau●, nor build Castles in the Air, lest they fall down upon thy head, Let not thy eye abuse thy heart, nor thy tongue discredit thy Will, and let Reason govern Will in all the passages of Nature, be neither needy nor ungrateful, uncourteous, nor unkind, and examine thy Conscience in the care of thy content, ground thy love upon Virtue, the hope upon reason, and thy happiness upon grace, live as a Stranger in the world, and make all the hast thou canst into Heaven, be loyal to thy Prince, natural to thy Country, faithful to thy friend, kind to thy neighbour, and honest to the whole World, So shall God bless thee, the best love thee; and the worst not hurt thee. And thus so weak in body, that the Spirit fainteth in forced to express the full of a Father's love unto thee, with my Prayers to the Lord of heaven for thy preservation in this World, and eternal happiness in the World to come, with my loves blessing, and therewith what I am able to leave thee, to the merciful guard of heavens glory I commit thee. Thy most loving Father, W. I. His Answer. MY most loving Father, this Legacy of your love, for the direction of my life, how much I prise in my heart's thankfulness, the eye of your judgement shall beh●ld in my observation, and give me leave to tell you, that in this little time that I have spent idly in this World, I have had some taste of the meat that you have given me, where I find that the best meat may be spoiled in the dressing, while a cunning Cook will make a rich service of small cost, and though giddy heads are in love with gauds, yet since the better sort of opinions esteem a small Diamond before a great sapphire, I care not if I rather adventure far for the honour of virtue, then lessen my estate, by breach of arms, & since there are so many counterfeits, that the best jeweller may be mistaken, I will meddle with no such wares as may call repentance to an after reckoning, while my heart looketh toward heaven, I hope the earth shall not blind mine eye, nor the vain delights of nature prevail against the virtue of Reason: but alis in the power of powers, by whose grace being guided, I shall be ever so preserved, that howsoever my heart be wounded, my ●aith shall never be confounded, in hope whereof, and prayers for which, beseeching the almighty either in health to prolong your days, or in the Election of his love to call you to a better life, more esteeming these precepts of your love, than all the portion you can leave, ●aning your blessing, I humbly take my lea●e. Your most loving and obedient Son, W. R. A Letter to a Kinsman that came from the University to the Court, was given much to study. MY good Cousin, I hear since you came from the University to the Court, yo● are inclined much to Melancholy, your mind only delighted in reading and study, and among many variety of matters of import, that you take much delight in searching out of Petigrees, and Heraldry, the knowledge whereof I hold both honourable and profitable: but the use thereof requires a heedful care, ●or in discoursing of matters unfit, may be brought within the compass of folly: but as a friend to give you a caveatinal your course of that study, take my adui●● for the bettering of your understanding in the best of your Coats: ●ee not too busy with the Crown, and of all beasts beware of the Lion, if he sleep, wake him not lest you trouble his patience, and in his walk cross not his way, lest his frown grows wrathful, for other beasts think of them as your reason will give you leave: where you find honour's, note if you can the deserts of them, and for bought Coats, consider of them in their kinds, times alter and natures in them, and therefore in the setting down of Angiquities, there may be much deceit thorough the corruption of the Writers or directors for strange Cotes, as to see an Eagle have a Fly in her mouth, and a Mause bite a Cat by the tail, or a Goose keep a Fox in his den: Wonder at it, but make no words of it, and if you see a black Swan in a blue field, and an E●le in her belly, running out at her tail, or a Peacock pulled out of his feathers, & making his Perch upon a cross bar, smile at the conceit, but keep the censure of it to yourself. To conclude, Read much, but believe little: Think much, but speak little, and know much but meddle little, but in meddling with other men's coats, look that you lose not more than your own jerkin: And so wishing your Studies as profitable as pleasing to you, till I see you, I commit you to the Almighty: Your loving C●nse●, W. R. His Answer. Sir, I have read your Letter, and considered of the contents: To the answer whereof, give me leave to tell you that I am not determined to hurt mine eyesight with too deep looking into a Millstone, nor to believe Antiquity f●●th ● then Reason may carry my understanding, and whatsoever I find of ●●tes, I will so carry my due and true allegiance to the Crown, that I will 〈◊〉 all touch of dis●o●altie: For the Lion, I will neither trouble him, waking nor sleeping, and for his walk, wish no beast to be so f●●lish, as to cross his pleasure in his passage: for your mercy conceits of strange Cotes, I will only smile at my contecture of them, and so long as I know a Falcon from a Buzzard, an Eagle from an Owl, and a Nightingale from a Cuckoo. Let me alone to judge of the Natures of Birds, and how they are borne, and when I look into the nature of Honour, whether by purchase, favour or desert I note the time with the persons, and so go on with my opinions to the judgement, I keep to my 〈…〉. Your very loving Kinsman, T. D. A Letter of unkindness upon a conceit of ill carriage in a Friend. THere are two ill qualities in a Woman, and two worse in a man: In the first unkindness and inconstancy, in the second, unfaithfulness and unthankfulness: and will you bear both the imperfections, that none may exceed you in evil, wha● my deserts have been at your hands you know, and what your requital hath been to me, I would I knew not: but what shall I think? is every man only for himself, and let the world go as it li●t, hath virtue abandoned the earth, and is wisdom so rapt up in the misty clouds of concupiscence, that she can scarce show any glimmering of the light of live grace: God forbid, for virtue hath her working in all the children of her love: of which I would you were one, that I might joy as much in your conversion, as I fear your confusion: be notangry though I seem bitter, for I am touched to the quick, yet write I more out of love then hate, for I will suspend my opinion until your answer give me satisfaction, that I shall shortly with your presence clear my thought of your indignities, till when and always I rest, Yours as you know, and shall know, T. M. His Answer. WHat women are I Know, but what men should be I know, and what I am you shall find, always one and the same, in i●remoueable affection to an assured friend. Virtue I know hath her working in the hea●ts of the honest, and I hope you will not tax me of a contrary condition: but if a miss report breeds a miss belief, an ungracious conceit may work a grievous unkindness; if your deserts, and my requital were weighed together in an even Ballens, I hope there would not be much in equality: but let humours bleed their last, and better thoughts will follow: I am content to make a bitter sweet of an angry love, shortly I will see you, and then so satisfy you that the old Proverb shall come new in proof. The falling out of Lovers is the renewing of love: in which I will rest without all doubts, Yours as I have been, and ever will be, R. D. A fantastic Love Letter. Mistress if you were not a witch, your eyes could not have so wrought in my heart, as to make me think of nothing but your love: and if your words were not char●●es they could not so command me from myself, as to sever me wholly to your service: but if it be so that you are borne a Creature only to craci●●e my spirit, I must only pray for patience to mitigate my passion, finding your nature as ●arre from pity, as my hope is from happiness, that if there be any spa●ke of grace in you, let it kindle a coal in your kindness, to warm the life of my love, that I may not die in the col● fear of disdain: but reviving in the virtue of your favour, I may honour you above the whole world: so leaving my life to the answer of your own love, I rest, Yours what you will, T. R. Her answer. Servant, if you were not a fool, you would not run so from your wits, as to write you care not how, upon an imagination you know not what: mine eyes be mine own, and if your heart be not yours, shall I wink because you are wilful? No such matter; and my words have made a metamorphosis of your wit, I am sorry my breath should blow away your understanding; yet lest you should think I am past grace, in the pity of perplexities, let me entreat you not to fear your own● shadow: walk temperately in the Sun, and the heat will do you no hurt. So wishing you better than you wish yourself, not to trouble your head with idle humours: I rest, as I have reason, Your loving Mistress, M. T. A Letter of grief to a fair creature, that was separated from her second self, for playing false with a third person. SWeet soul that once was, now the most wretchedest creature that is, how have you made a metamorphosts of yourself, when you were virtuous, you were fair; now you are vicious, you are foul: when you were w●e, you were honoured; now you are foolish, you are scorned: when you were gracious, you were beloved; now you be wicked, you are hated. Oh strange alteration, from virtue to vice, from wisdom to folly, from grace to ●inne, as to make the creature so offensive to the C●●ator: what shall I say unto you? but only that I am sorry for you, but cannot help you, and only pray for you, that your sin may be forgiven, that your shame may be forgotten: and so beseeching the Highest, whom you have offended most in the mercy of justice, to show the glory of Majesty, in the sorrow of humanity and Christian charity, with a broken heart to think of your wounded soul, wishing your true repentance to be a precedent for the conversion of all such unhappy creatures: I rest, Your friend, and no further, but in prayer for your soul's health, T. R. Her answer. MY once kind friend, now worthily far off from the title of such comfort, with sights let me write that which I seal with the tears of my heart: I now find the wound of conscience so deep cut into my heart, as comes too near the danger of my soul, and were not Faith the strong hold of Hope, Patience would be too ●ull of fear: I confess shame to be a gentle punishment of ●inne, and repentance a true pleader for mercy, for none ●ees the angry face of sin, but the repentant sinner. For the world, I hate it, and myself most in it, for my sin, I loathe it, and abhor myself for it, and for my life, I am weary of it, that I care not how soon I were rid of it: but all things to God's pleasure, to whom I beseech you in Christian charity to pray for me, that the Enemy of Christ may not prevail against me, that whatsoever befall me, I may not fall for ever. So with a bleeding heart in the bitterness of grief, as full of sorrow as a sinful soul can hold: I rest, Your worthy, forsaken friend, E. R. A Letter to a friend for his opinion in divers points of considerations. MY honest Ned, I pray thee write me word by this ●earer how thou dost, thy opinion of the world, of life and death, honesty and wit, and what comes into thy head, when thou hast leisure to be idl●, I long to hear from thee, to read thy conceits, which if they be of the old fashion, are better than of the new form: ●ee what will be, to me it shall be welcome, and thyself better whensoever I may see thee: for dull wits and 〈◊〉 heads, so beat about the market in this Town, that I had rather go a mile wide, then keep way with such wild: geese: and so loath to trouble thee with trifling news, to no good purpose, in the affection of a faithful heart, I rest▪ Thine what mine, B. W. His answer. KInd Henry, to answer thy request, in a few words let me tell thee, for the world I find it a walk that soon wearieth a good spirit, this life is but a puff, and death but an abridgement of time. Now for some notes I have taken of the world, and divers things in it: let me tell thee, that if all the wealth in the world were in one chest, it would not buy one hour of life, if all the henesty of the world were in one heart, it would not buy ●ne bit of bread and if all the wit in the world were in one wicked pate, it would not buy one jot of grace: and therefore it is meet with death at a meaner price, and to carry money with honesty, the better to go to market, and to join grace with wit, to find the high way to heaven. This is all for this time I have had leisure to think upon as more comes in my head, I will make you acquainted with it, in the mean time, mark what I have written, and it will do thee no hurt in reading: Farewell. Thine, or not mine own W. F. FINIS.