The Counsel of a Father to his Son, in ten several Precepts.  
Left as a Legacy at his death.  

The Induction or Preface.  
SON, The virtuous inclination of thy matchless Mother, by whose tender and godly care thy Infancy was governed, together with thy education under so godly and zealous a Tutor, puts me rather in assurance then hope, that thou art not ignorant of that summary bond, which is only able to make thee happy, aswell in thy life as death. I mean the true knowledge of thy Creator and redeemer, without which all things are vain and miserable. So that thy youth being guided by so all-sufficient a teacher, I make no doubt but he will furnish thy life both with Divine and moral documents; yet that I may not cast of the care beseeming a parent towards his child, or that thou shouldest have cause, to derive thy whole felicity and welfare rather from others, then from whom thou receivedst thy birth and being, I think it fit and agreeable to the affection I bear, to give thee such advertisements and rules for the squaring of thylife, as are gained rather by long experience, then much reading, to the end, that thou entering into this exorbitant age mayst be the better prepared to shun those cautelous courses, whereinto this world, and thy lack of experience may easily draw thee. And because I will not confound thy memory, I have reduced them into ten precepts, if thou imprint them in thy mind, thou shalt reap the benefit, and I the contentment. And these are they.   

The first Pecept.  
FIrst, when it shall please God, to bring thee to man's estate, use great providence and circumspection in the choice of thy wife: for from thence may spring all thy future good or ill. And it is an action like to a Stratagem in war, where man can err but once. If thy estate be good, match near home and at leisure: if weak, then far off and quickly, inquire diligently of her disposition, and how her parents have been inclined in their youth. Let her not be poor, how generous soever: for a man can buy nothing in the market with gentility. Neither choose a base or uncomely creature: for that will breed contempt in others, and loathing in thee. Make not choice of a dwarf or a fool: for from the one thou mayst beget a race of Pigmies, the other may be thy daily disgrace. For it will irk thee to hear her talk, and thou shalt find (to thy great grief) that there is nothing so fulsome as is a she fool.  
Touching the government of thy house, let thy hospytality be moderate, according to the measure of thine own estate, rather plentiful then sparing, (but not too costly) For I never heard nor yet knew any man grow poor by keeping an orderly Table, But some consume themselves with secret vices, and their hospitality must bear the blame. Banish swinish drunkards out of thy house, which is a vice that impairs health, consumes much, and makes no show, beside I never heard any commendations ascribed to a drunkard more than the well bearing of his drink which is a commendation fitter for a brewer's horse or a dray-man▪ then for either a Gentleman or Servingman.  
Beware that thou spend not above three of the four parts of thy Revenues, nor above one third part thereof in thy house, for the other two parts will but defray thy extraordinaries, which will always surmount thy ordinaries by much, for otherwise thou shalt live like a rich beggar in a continual want, and the needy man can never live happily nor contented, for then every least disaster makes him ready to mortgage or sell. And that Gentleman that than sells an acre of land, looseth an ounce of credit, for Gentility is nothing but ancient riches, so that if the foundations do sink, the buildings must needs consequently fail.   

The second Precept.  
BRing thy children up in obedience and learning yet without austerity, praise them openly, reprehend them secretly, give them good countenance, and convenient maintenance according to thy ability, for otherwise thy life will seem their bondage, & then what portion thou shalt leave them, they may thank death and not thee for it. Marry thy daughters betimes lest they marry themselves. Suffer not thy sons to pass the Alps, for they shall learn nothing but pride, blasphemy, and Atheism. And if by chance they attain to any broken languages, they will profit them no more, then to have one meat served in divers dishes, Neither by my advise shalt thou train them up to wars, for he that sets up his rest to live by that profession, can hardly be an honest man, or a good Christian, for every war is of itself unjust, the good cause may make it just, beside it is a science no longer in request then use, for soldiers in peace, are like to chimneys in summer,   

The third Precept.  
Live not in the country without corn and cattle about thee, for he that must present his hand to his purse, for every expense of household, may be likened to him that keeps water in a siue, And for thy provision, lay for to buy it at the best hand, for there may be a penny saved between buying at thy need, or when the market, or the seasons do serve fittest for it.  
Be not willingly attended or served by kinsmen or friends, or men entreated to stay, for they will expect much, and do little, neither by such as are amorous, for their heads are commonly intoxicated, keep rather two too few, than one too many, feed them well and pay them with the most. So mayst thou demand service at their hands, and boldly require it.   

The fourth Precept.  
LEt thy kindred and allies be welcome to thy Table, grace them with thy countenance, and ever further them in all their honest actions for by that means thou shalt double the bond of nature, so as thou shalt find them so many advocates to plead an Apology for thee behind thy back But shake of those glowworms, I mean parasites and sycophants, who will feed and faun on thee in the summer of thy prosperity, but in any adverse storm, they will shelter thee no more, than an Arbour in Winter.   

The fifth Precept.  
BE sure thou always keep some great man to thy friend, but trouble him not for trifies, complement him often, present him with many, yet small gifts and of little charge, And if thou hast cause to bestow any great gratuity, then let it be some such, as may be daily in sight, for otherwise thou shalt live like a hop without a pole, live in obscurity, and be made a football for every insulting companion to spurn at.   

The sixth Precept.  
Undertake no suit against a poor man without receiving of great wrong, for therein making him thy competitor, besides that it is held a base conquest to triumph where there is small resistance, neither undertake law against any man, before thou be fully resolved that thou hast the right on thy side, and then spare not for money nor pains, for a cause or two being well followed and obtained, may after free thee from suits a great part of thy life.   

The seventh Precept.  
BEware of suretyship for thy best friend, for he that payeth an other man's debts, seeks his own decay, but if thou canst not otherwise choose rather than to lend that money from thyself upon good bonds, (though thou borrow it) So mayst thou pleasure thy friend and happily secure thyself.  
In borrowing of money be evermore precious of thy word, for he that cares to keep day of payment, is Lord commander many times of another man's goods.   

The eighth Precept.  
TOwards thy superiors be humble yet generous, with thy equals familiar, yet respective, towards inferiors show much humility and some familiarity, as to bow thy body, stretch forth thy hand, uncover thy head, and such like popular compliments. The first prepares a way to advancement, the second makes thee known for a man well bred, the third gains a good report, which once gained may easily be kept, for high humilities take such root in the minds of the multitude, as they are easilier won by unprofitable courtesies, then by churlish benefits, yet do I advise thee not to affect nor to neglect popularity.   

The ninth Precept.  
TRust no man with thy credit or estate, for it is a mere folly for a man to enthrall himself to his friend further than if just cause be offered, he should not dare to become otherwise thy enemy.   

The tenth Precept.  
BE not scurrilous in conversation nor stoical in thy jests, the one makes thee unwelcome to all companies, the other pulls on quarrels, and makes thee hated of thy best friend, Jests when they do savour too much of truth, leave a bitterness in the minds of those that are touched. And although I have already pointed all these inclusive, yet I think it necessary to leave it thee as a caution, because I have seen so many prove to quip and gird, as they had rather lose their friend, than their jests. And if by chance their boiling brain yield a acquaint scoff, they will travel to be delivered of it as a woman with child, those nimble apprehensions, are but the froth of wit.    

LONDON.  
Printed for JOSEPTH HUNT, and are to be sold at his shop in Bedlam, near Moore-field gate.  
FINIS.