A LEGACY TO HIS SONS. Digested into Quadrins. By HENRY DELAUNE. Baudius Virtus decore sat nitet suo, neque Vulgus moratur, pluriumque gratiam, Contenta semet, atque paucioribus. LONDON: Printed for Henry Seile over against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. 1651. TO PARENTS. THese Precepts (Parents) which Paternal Love Gives to mine Own, and to their profit serve; May no less useful to your Children prove, If you take Care they learn them, and observe. I send 'em You; That Good (if Good) may flow To All, and, Common, may the more be so. TO THE HONOURABLE and virtuous Lady, THE LADY KATHERINE SHIRLEY. MAdam, To You, whose sublimated Mind, When 〈◊〉 Things sink to Mischief, soars to find The shortest way, to Goodness; and whose Sage, Sweet, Stayed Comport, in th'April of your Age, Is of so high Example, As from whom, The gravest Matrons, that 'ere graced Rome, Might have received a Copy, and no Shame In th' Imitation; 'tis to you I aim, And in more special manner dedicate This small Essay: Yet Such, as may instate Those hopeful Scions, whom your fruitful Womb Gives to the World, In Virtues, that no Tomb Shall 'ere eclipse. At This you most aspire. And, That so be, (Madam) is the Desire Of Your Ladishps much humble Servant, H: DELAUNE. TO THE READER. HAd I had (Reader) confidence, To Beg, 'tis not unlikely but a Cap and Leg Had gained a Verse, or Two, or More; To raise This Pigmy upon Stilts: And by some Praise (How undeserved soe'er) have teazed on Thy better Part, to Expectation Of something worth thy Labour. But, in troth, I Love plain Dealing so, as I am loath To put Cheats upon Men. Pray take, thyself, The pains to sift what is Here, Pearl, or Pelf. If Bad; I know, Thou wilt soon make a Tush: If Good; Thou knowst, No good Wine needs a Bush. THE PERMIT. NOr Momes, nor Critics, do I, Hence, Avaunt: All may have fair Access; And after chant As to them Best shall seem. What's Good, is Good; And being, So; will, So, be understood By Them that understand: What's otherwise; I leave to be corrected by the Wise. Errata. In Quadrin 42. line 1. read Ant, for Ape. Q 45. l. 3. r. fare, for face. qu. 75. l. 2. r. semblance. qu. 87. l. 4. r. Praises, for praise: and slanders, for slander. quad. 112. l. 1. r. noise. and l. 2. r. immaterial. qu: 116. l. 3. r. made, for make. qu. 121. l. 4. r. Herostratus. qu. 171. l. 3. at Pray, point; for? qu: 173. l. 3. r. sinks. qu: 183. l. 3. r. have little Flame. qu: 251. l. 2. r. your, for the: and Heaven, for Heaven. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. OR, A FATHER'S LEGACY TO HIS SONS. 1. SProuts of my Stem, and Deeds of my Defects, (In whom the frailties of our Being reign) When I am gone (for Age my way directs) Let these few Precepts in my stead remain. 2. God, your great Maker, see you duly fear, And daily pray, and praise his holy Name: Who by this Compass, steadily doth steer, Shuns Rocks of Earthly, and Eternal shame. 3. Be sound in Faith, and in Religion fixed; G●d not to change, nor fangled Fancies own: God doth reject a Worship that is mixed; He must have All, or else he will have None. 4. Honour your Mother, both in Word and Deed; So shall you bring a blessing on your head. Have special care, in her old age, to feed Her, her, by whom you have in youth been fed. 5. Have Peace among yourselves; Let each provoke Each unto love: Banish all strife and wrong. Faggots, of smallest sticks, are hardly broke. And Cords, of many Twines, are very strong. 6. Implore the blessing of the God of might, Upon each work you set your hand unto: But set your hand to nothing but the right. Pirate do pray, that they may mischief do. 7. Think not to scale the spheres, with strain-tear-Eyes; A mimic face, and the long wound Art. Fervent ejaculations catch the skies: God looks not on your Lungs, but on your Heart. 8. Wear no Mausolean outside, of pure zeal, Lined with the putrid stuff of Tombs & Graves. A good Mask oft doth a bad face conceal: Many that Saint-it-out within are Knaves. 9 The Magistrates, the Aged, and the Wise, Look you obey, you honour, and attend: These will direct, instruct, and well advise, Your works, your ways, what ere you do intend. 10. Your friend, the poor, and such as are oppressed, Respect, relieve, redress in what you may: The first's a staff; the second is your Guest; The third may help you when you may decay. 11. Deal squarly with all men; and what you do Maturely promise, see you duly pay: But rash Engagements are the seeds of Woe; And Vows ill placed do ever lead astray. 12. Strive not to please the Most, but still the Best: The vulgar eyes are not so bright and clear. Be, what you should be; on that Basis rest. 'Tis better, to be good, then, to appear. 13. Be neither vainly proud, nor weakly base: If wealth abounds, think not yourselves the more. If wants befall, yet let not wants debase. Be still the same in Scarceness, and in Store. 14. Store well your Mind, and then though Fortune rage, Though Time be cross, though the world storm and tear, You are still rich: and like the Grecian sage, Carry your All about you every where. 15. Have special care with whom you do converse, Converse breeds liking, liking likeness makes: He smells of pitch, that hath with pitch commerce; Who with sweet odours, of their scent partakes. 16. Be not enticed to any thing that's ill, Though you were sure that none should it perceive; The supreme Eye doth overlook you still: You may cheat Man; you cannot God deceive. 17. Speak in due time, not rashly, out of course; And speak not much, for too much talk is vain: Let truth and grace still season your discourse, For 'tis a vice to flatter, lie, and feign. 18. Speech is the Index of the Wit and Mind: Silence conceals alike the Wise, and Weak: If prone, to talk, your Nature you do find, Be sure to learn how you may wisely speak. 19 Get not the habit (by much use) to lie: For truth, at length, will hardly gain belief; He that oft cried, A Thief, and no Thief nigh, When a Thief came indeed, had no relief. 20 Lies and Deceit, though with a good intent, And to good ends, you may not think to use: These pious frauds are by sound Doctrine shent, Sin, upon no pretence, can plead Excuse. 21 Let profane Cursings, Oaths, and talk impure, Not touch your Lips with a polluting kiss: Where springs are sound, the streams are ever pure. The mouth's the shop, the heart the storehouse is. 22 eat as a plague, or any thing that's worse, The lewd embraces of lascivious Dames: For they will breed Consumption in your purse; Rot in your Bones; and Cankers in your Names. 23. Of healthless Healthings hate the boundless cup; The, now, too much, too too much worshipped shrine; Know, 'tis a Circe, by whose fatal sup You are made worse than either Ape or Swine. 24. Gaming and Quarrels have a dismal fate Attending on them; come not near their stings: The first like sulphur, blows up an Estate: The last, the life, the soul in question brings. 25. Make still a conscience of the meanest sin: Sin fruitful is, and one begetteth more. A little Thief, crept at a window in, May, to the great, wide open set your door. 26. The point of Honour, that true Honour is, Cherish as much, nay rather more than life. But, oh, that point is understood amiss; And fools now bleed for any word of strife. 27. Know, that your life as a rich treasure is, Which you may well, nay you are bound to use In brave Results: But you do much amiss If idly you it squander, and abuse. 28. Your Country, Friends, & Kindred have a share As great in you, as in yourselves you have: Wrong not their Right; But take a special care, By virtuous Deeds, to gain a noble grave. 29. Be, in expense, nor pinching, nor profuse: The golden mean is still the surest path. He lives in want, who, having, makes no use: He dies in want, who wasteth what he hath. 30. Let your Apparel be as may become Your place and person; yet without excess. But Ape not the fantastic Modes of some She-Hees that wear fix Pedlars in their dress. 31. Go not to Law, but when strong motives press; Let some wise Friend the lesser Jars appease: Who thinks all wrongs by Lawsuits to redress, Shall find the Cure far worse than the Disease. 32. Love Money for its use, not for itself; And that right Prudence too must regulate: Who, above measure, dotes upon that pelf, Hath, beyond Midas, an unhappy fate. 33 Study more to be Good, then Rich, or Great, These two last you must leave, or they will you; The first will place you in a glorious Seat, Of lasting Bliss, and Comforts ever new. 34 Let Prudence guide each Action you intent Of any weight: The want thereof hath brought Many to ruin. Still foresee the end; 'tis a fool's part to say, I had not thought. 35 Fly not too low, lest Damps do flag your Wings; Soar not too high, lest the Sun melt your wax: A just course between both a safety brings; Most to be sought for, which each other lacks 36 Dissemble not, for 'tis a servile Vice: Yet who speaks all he thinks is counted weak. From solid Wisdom take a sound advice, How, when, and where, to be or Mute, or Speak. 37 Lend to a Friend, when he shall stand in need, Out of your purse; But avoid suretyship: If you lose that, you know how much you bleed; This is a leak that often sinks a ship. 38 eat Idleness, the Mistress of each ill. Honest Employment sets the Mind to task. This wears an open face: The other still, Bears a Complexion that requires a Mask. 39 Labour, from education, to receive What Nature hath denied you; and is more Than fortune can bestow: which will so cleave, That She, nor Fate can ever make you poor. 40. Beasts pass you much in Body-qualities, The Lion is more stout, more swift the Hind; The Horse more strong; Eagles have better Eyes; If you excel, you must excel in Mind. 41. And to the moulding of that too, you may From Beasts have a fit model; if you read, With a judicious Eye, the trace and way, Wherein Instinct of Nature makes 'em tread. 42. The Ape can teach you industry; The Dove, Mildness; The Serpent, Prudence; Care, the Dog; Meekness, the Lamb; The Pelican, true Love; Pure faith, the Turtle: But decline the Hog. 43. If your Employments, or Desires shall Carry you forth to foreign Climes; be sure So to provide, as not to want. To all Emergent griefs, Money's a present cure. 44. Take along with you, as a special Pass, The eye, the front, the back, the mouth, the ear, Of Falcon, Ape, and Camel, Swine, of Ass, To see, to sooth, to bear, to eat, to hear. 45. Foresight, is emblem'd in the Falcon; fair Compliance, in the Ape; the Camel quotes, Patience; the Swine, not to be nice in face; The Ass, attention, and retention notes. 46. Let your Comportment, to each one, be such As you may gain their favour, and their love: It is a purchase will not cost you much; And, more than gold, may useful to you prove. 47. Keep all good parts, by exercise, in heart; But, upon none, be too too much intent: We slack the string when we have played our part. The Bow grows weak that standeth always bend. 48. Good parts are much; yet, if you may, you must, On honest wealth, with a just hand, lay hold. Virtue, through wants, oft grovels in the dust. The Gem more glorious shines, that shines in gold. 49. Have not (as too too many have) an itch Of bringing gold, on a post-horse, to gold: He scarce is honest, that too soon is rich. A fair gradation, a fair name doth hold. 50. Give to Desert, with a wide open hand, Of what you have, and have no pressing need. But Nature's Laws he doth ill understand, That starves himself, and will another feed. 51. The state you have, whether or left, or gained, Keep in a modest, not profuse attire: That hand to no less merit hath attained, That doth preserve, than that which doth acquire. 52. Be not self-willed, and do not humour more Your own conceits, then sad & sound advice. He lets in ruin, that doth shut his door To wholesome counsel, and contemns the wise. 53. Do not the Dog and shadow, imitate; Two Birds in Bush, are less than one in Hand: Who, Hopes, to come, buys with a now-Estate, Doth hardly yet these Morals understand. 54. Run not in debt, by Bond or Merchant Book, So shall you keep your Credit, and Repute: If otherwise you shape your course, then look For scorn, Neglect, a Sergeant, and a Suit. 55. Compute your come in, and by that square, Set forth your layings out. Go less, then more: Who loves to spend, and looks not how to spare, Soon turns himself and household out of door. 56. Let Industry, whilst you have Halcyon days, Still with your Teem for food and fuel go. For if you stay till Winter's muddy ways, You may want Meat and on your finger's blow. 57 When most you rise, then bear the humblest mind; So shall you make a Pyramid, a Fort. Where Arrogance sets Pilot to the wind, The Vessel doth but seldom gain a Port. 58. Explode all self-conceit; It doth deprave, The better Judgement, and makes Reason blind: Yet of selfworth 'tis not amiss to have Some modest feeling, to uphold the Mind. 59 Bear not a greater Port than your Estate Will bear; or Calling calls for: Let the rail Of Wisdom him you in. A dismal fate. Sails in that Ship that carries too much sail. 60. Have settled thoughts, and not a roving Brain; The rolling Stone can never gather Moss: Oft to remove, may plead uncertain Gain; But you will find it brings a certain Loss. 61. Avoid Excess, as well in meat, as drink; So shall you reap much good, much mischief shun: These two have sent more souls to Charon's brink, Then ever yet did either Sword or Gun. 62. Of what God gives to you, give to the Poor Some Dividend, when he comes in your way: Make him not loud, nor linger at your door. He doubly gives, that gives without delay. 63. Abound in deeds of charity; but so As not to sound a Trumpet when you give: Merit is lost where Boasting makes a show; He dies to God, that unto Man will live. 64. Look what you have to do; and do not look Into your neighbour's closet, kitchen, shelves. Ardelious heads still learn beyond the book: And striving to find others, lose themselves. 65. Make not your tongue the Usher to your wit: And quarter not, within your mouth, your heart Self shafts, shot at ourselves, more home do hit: And, more than others, do both wound & smart. 66. The double sconce wherewith wise Nature hath Fenced in the Tongue, doth plainly moralise, She must not rove at random: guide her path So as she may not slip, and you are wise. 67. Let not unrighteous Mammon's sordid love Byas your thoughts to acts unjust, or base: Ill gotten goods do much unlucky prove; The third descent will hardly find their place. 68 In all transactions be upright and square; Let your word still outvalue Bond or Bill. Of him, that's good only for fear, beware: He wants but an occasion, that hath will. 69. Impart not to a friend, what none should know; Lest that, at length, you strike upon a shelf: How can he think but others may be so, Who is the first that's false unto himself? 70. Secrets, received, from any friend, in trust, Blaze not abroad, though he become your foe: For your own sakes, if not for his, be just. If he be bad, yet may not you be so. 71. Let virtuous Aemulation's noble flame Burn still (like Vestal fire) in your breast: But banish, banish thence that snaky Dame Envy the hag, that will not let you rest. 72. 'tis Envies Nature ever most to blame Where she finds virtue most. Give her still cause To exercise her spleen. She cannot shame But such as fear her vipers, and her claws. 73. Love goodness for itself, and all for it, Then be assured your Compass right is set: Who doth this Pole-starr loose, is sure to split His Bark on Rocks that have too many met. 74. Motions to Ill, resist in their first grass, Lest gaining strength they shoot into the Ear Custom to Sin, at length, will make you pass That for a Bat, which was, before, a Bear. 75. You must not only shun the guilt of Ill, But all the remblance of it: For Men's Eyes Judge as they see. If Sheath, or Dagger kill; The end is one. he's lost whom Fame decries. 76. Gild is still dogged with Terror, less, or much; Let your best Armour be, your Innocence: Should this All crack to pieces, not a touch Of Fear, can touch who hath it for defence. 77. Good turns received, you must in Marble write: And make a just requital when you can. No greater Brand on any one can light, Then to be counted, An ungrateful Man. 78. Of wrongs received, do not a Tally keep: Nor charge your Book of Records therewithal. The peaceful Soul doth fetch a quiet sleep. To Give is Well; But to Forgive is All. 79. Be not, as some, that boast the Deeds, and Race Of Ancestors, and yet themselves do flag: No, no; But lead of Virtue such a trace, As may give Cause, to yours, of you to brag. 80. Adorn not more your Body, than your Brain; Lest that this Emblem in your teeth be flung, That you resemble Houses, which remain With empty Garrets, though the Rooms be hung. 81. Admit All to your Courtesy; But Few Into your Counsels: And those Few you must Choose by a Rule, that is as Old, as True, Look 'ere you leap; and try before you Trust. 82. Consult a Friend, then Canvasse his Advice: And if, therein, you do self-Ends perceive; Conclude Him One that turns upon a Vice; And will not stick, for profit, to deceive. 83. To make a trial of a Friend, you must Give him, for Secrets, what indeed are None. If He holds stauch, He hath discharged his Trust: If not; you take no harm; And he is known. 84. Another way there is. You may pretend Distress, and wants. If He shall then relieve, His stamp is right: If, To assist, or lend, He frames Excuse; you know what to believe. 85. If you do mean to have a Friend in store, Be sure to catch him when your Moon is full: For if Men find the Waning at your Door, They loof it off; and let you lie at hull. 86. When you a wise, and trusty Friend have met, Then, then, indeed, you have a Treasure found: Make much of Him, as your souls Cabinet. Many profess; But very Few are sound. 87. Be Good, and to Applause not vainly move; Nor from Detraction feintly fear a Scar: Whom a pure Conscience doth, within, approve, Praise can neither make; nor Slander mar. 88 When fawning Gales your well set Course shall fan, Then, then, take heed too too much sail to bear Where Pride and Scorn are Leaders in the Van; Vengeance & Shame do bring up still the Rear. 89. Stains, upon Scarlet, more affect the Eye. Lights set on Steeples further off appear. Look to your ways, if ever mounted high: And know, that Observation still is near. 90 Judges, or Umpires, If in any Cause, Or State, or Choice, at any time shall place you, Regard not Gifts, or Persons; But the Laws. The equal Balance is the Point will grace you. 91. Nature, on either side, gives you an Ear; And give an Ear to either side you must: Who Judgement gives, & but one side doth hear, Though He judge justly, is a Judge unjust. 92 Though All have right to Justice; yet the Poor In a more special Manner speed away. A Pound is much: A Pin to him is more. He more than half Denies, that doth Delay. 93. Bear not a Spirit, of so mean a Gage, To trample, in Distress, not on your Fo. The princely Lion, when he doth engage, And finds his Rival fallen, lets him go. 94. Let no access of Honours, or of Wealth, (Though to full banks) make you presume, or proud. No Man can be termed (Happy) till his Death. Many a glorious Sun sets in a Cloud. 95. That female Vice, of Slander, and of Tales, Scorn, as a Shame beneath the pitch of Man: Who makes a practice of it, seldom fails Of a foul Draught, out of a filthy Can. 96. Do, as you would be done to. Make your Beam Not short on this side, on that other long: Sell, by the Weight you buy; Forge the Stream Of Them will do no Right, & take no Wrong. 97. Be apt to speak the best of every Man: But chiefly of the absent, and the dead. Forbear (though urged) to do the ill you can: And ever sleep in a well minded Bed. 98. Go not without yourselves to seek Content; You'll find it no where true, but in the Mind. All Pomp and State this vain World can present, Is Dew, and Dust before the Sun and Wind. 99 To test this Truth, He, whom the E●st did fear, Dying, ordained his Page should, as a sign, Before his Hearse, his Shirt high mounted bear; And cry, Here's all remains of Saladine. 100 So use this World, as not to fix, and place Your Thoughts, and Love upon its vanities. God, unto Man, gives an erected face, And not to Beasts, To make him mind the skies. 101. The world's a Sea that ever ebbs & flows; Where Nothing's fixed, but all things move to change. Lay hold still on the Present; For who knows What next Day's Light may bring of new and strange? 102. Summer is now; the Winter will succeed: The next Day may be foul, though this be fair. Life, thus revolves. Provide against a Need: Trust not a Calm, but for a Storm prepare. 103. When Storms most strain your Bark, more stoutly than Stand to the Helm, if you will safety find. Crosses, and Losses are the Tests of Men. No skill to be a Pilot with the Wind. 104. If Fortune shall upon you fawn and smile, Yet trust her not; and be prepared withal: For 'tis her trade and Nature, To Beguile; And oft doth raise, to give the greater fall. 105. I shall not need to instance. Your own eyes Are full of sad examples. Have a Care Not to increase the Number. He is wise That doth (not teach, but) learn how to Beware. 106. Of thriving Ill, think not the Ill the less; And, through Events, do not on Actions look: Who still doth judge of Causes, by Success, Oft blames the Meat, when he should chide the Cook. 107. Level your Thoughts at Honour, by that Square Which bright Desert, not base Sale holdeth forth. They chiefly spur to Buble-title Fair, Who have less want of Money, then of Worth. 108. If you, to Honour's Temple, will ascend, You must your Passage make through Virtue's Fane. And, unto that, Humility will lend Her leading hand, if you her love do gain. 109. O court the Love of sound Humility, All Goodness springs from her: She, she alone Opens the Gate to blessed Eternity; No surer Base; no firmer Cornerstone. 110. Honour attained: Do not yourselves deceive, To think that, then, it's Essence fixed lives In your own Vote. Not He that doth Receive Hath it in full dispose; But He that Gives. 111. Honour is but Opinion, of some Worth, For which Men court, and give you place and praise: But if they once leak this Opinion forth, Honour strait sinks, and Scorn doth blast your Bays. 112. That Cracker, Boasting, which doth make a No see, And, like to Echo, unmateriall is, Decline with scorn: Much Prattle, little Poise, Hath ever been exploded with a Hiss. 113. Court not the empty Man for his gay clothes; For, so, you make an Idol of an Ass. Fear not the roaring Blade; but fear his Oaths: Shoal streams run loud; Deep Rivers mutely pass. 114. Take the Dimensions of a Gallant-Man, Not from big Words, or Looks: But stayed Comport Such fight an absent Lion, that look Wan At a Dog's snarling, or a Gun's report. 115. Let real Worth, not ranting Gusling, bind Your love to Men, whilst it with them doth dwell. Worth a good Cement is: But when you find They basely turn it off, bid them Farewell. 116. Be Cautious in all things; But never tie Your Thoughts unto Mistrust. For howe'er 'Tis make the Mother of Security; 'Tis still the Daughter, both of Gild and Fear. 117. Of Ills foreseen, you may, by timely Care, And good take Heed, avert and stop the Fate. Preventing Physic in a Medicine rare. Death, not the Doctor comes, that comes too late. 118. When the black Welkin, from its pregnant womb, Threatens a storm, strike your top-Masts, and Sails. He doth live well, that can himself entomb From searching Eyes, when Mischief most prevails. 119. Value Men more for Worth, than Wealth or Race: And scorn not, by the meanest, to be taught: The Jewel may be rich, though plain the Case. Gold is still Gold, by whomsoever brought. 120. Love Virtue wheresoever: But yet explore How fair the Subject, and of what Descent. For Wine, though good, will please the Palate more, When in a Vase of Gold, or Crystal sent. 121. Bravely contend, a lasting Fame, to have. That Fame, I mean, bright Virtue gives to us: Better to sleep in an obscured Grave; Then to survive as an Evastratus. 122. Knowledge is the best purchase you can make; And of that Best, self Knowledge is the Best. Be not like many Travellers, that take Exotic Surveys, and neglect their Nest. 123. Man, by how much he knows, by so much more He hath God's Image in him. Do not waste Your precious time. Who hath but little store Of Oil, and much to Do, had need make haste. 124. Much you may know, if that you do not know Too soon you know enough. Know, To discern, No Knowledge yet did 'ere so fully flow, But the most Learned might still learn, To learn. 125. Knowledge, the more 'tis used, the more shines bright: Impart it still, and to instruct be prone. Diffusive Good impares not. You may light. Another's Candle, and not waste your Own. 126. Let not that Day behold a setting Sun, But to the Gaol you have some Progress made: Who spurs not on, when he hath once begun To run in virtue's Race, doth retrograde. 127. What any Man may speak, or think of You, You cannot hinder: But 'tis in your Choice, To make what's said, or Thought, or false, or true. Elect the Best; Then Weigh not Thought, or Voice. 128. Mind still to do the Task you have in hand: And ramble not, from thing to thing, like Fools. Heat, at once, many Irons, some must stand; And whilst you anvil One, the Other cools. 129. If, in a Work you have begun, you shall Find Knots, and Rubs; lose neither Heart, nor Hold. More than one stroke must make a Tree to fall: 'Tis Perseverance doth a Task uphold. 130. Be Careful, not to do the Ill you see, And tax in others; And would have them mend. No greater fault can in a Teacher be, Then to commit, What he doth reprehend. 131. The Friendly Guest, whom you have bid; or came Distressed for shelter to your House; Have still A Care to treat with Love: For, with less Shame, You might have kept him out, then use him ill. 132. Pray for the Blessing of long-running-Days; For, well used, so it is. Yet let me tell, That Life's best Measure is not Time, but Praise: He hath lived long enough, that hath lived well. 133. That which is Good, you must still strive to do; But so to do it, as you do it Well. Nouns, to have Merit, must have Adverbs too. Men may do Good, and yet may go to Hell. 134. Hate Dalliance, for 'tis a Bait to Ill; And oft injects a loose, and wanton Thought. Though it seem sweet, it is a Sweet, To Kill. Who would love Sweetmeats, if they poison brought? 135. Wanting the Kernel, never Vaunt the Shell: And, Having Worth, do not, as Ciphers, stand. Take value to yourselves: Serve not to swell Figures that lean to the sinister Hand. 136. Weigh of each Man the Person, and the Place: Let no rash Anger in your Looks be seen. The Snarlings, and the Venom of the Base, Must rather move your Scorn, then raise your Spleen. 137. Pass by, with Silence, and not seem to see Many Disgusts, that will attend your Life: Unless you do, expect not, to be free From daily Jars, Distempers, Suits, and Strife. 138. Be not of rash Beleif, to enterta in Malicious Tales 'gainst Friends you long have known. Sift still the Truth. Loss is more swift than Gain. Forts are not reared so soon as overthrown. 139. Still at a distance, with Detractors, stand, Those base amphibious Beasts, and Pests of Life, That always fish in troubled Waters; and, Like Salamanders, live in Flames of Strife. 140. If through Misinformations, You have erred, Or injured any; Count it not a shame To give redress. Right must be still preferred. Recanted Ill, can never bring you blame. 141. Learn, Not to learn Back-Racquet Compliment; To praise, before; and rail at men, behind. A forked Tongue is a base Instrument: The satire left the Man of double Wind. 142. Do not, like Cocks, on your own Dunghill, Crow; And prove Crestfallen in another Clime: Order the Music, of your Actions, so, As, in all parts, to keep both Tune, and Time. 143. Keep still within the Verge of your own Sphere: Let no eccentrick Motion catch your Thought. Comets affright, and Glow-worm's scarce appear. Have all you do, to a due scantling brought. 144. Know that all things whatever have their Bounds, And due set Limits, both of Less, and More. Who from Them swerves, doth swerve from Virtue; Wounds The Right; and thrusts Decorum out of Dore. 145 Look you so act the good turns you intent, As still good Manner, with good Matter, go. Many a Kine, a good Meal's milk, doth lend; And, with her foot, the Pail doth overthrow. 146. If through Example, or Infirmity, You chance to fall, get up, and scrape your clothes. The Best may slip: the Beast alone will lie And wallow in the puddle of his Woes. 147. As you grow more in years, more mind your End; And less the World; which still strives to deceive. The young may die; the Aged must. Intent The Bliss to come; & not the Bane you leave. 148. The sentenced Prisoner, that, each minute, looks To breathe his last, Who would not think him mad, To talk of Rents, trade, contracts, Bond, or Books? Age, that, Thus, carks, and Cares, is just as Bad. 149. Weigh well each Word you utter: But abstain From Writing much, unless your Vein do hit. Words wind away: But Writings do remain As lively Pourtraicts of the Mind and Wit. 150. Do that, to Day, which would be done too late If, till to morrow, you sho●●d let it rest. Again take heed, Not to precipitate, And make, A Now, of what, Anon, is Best, 151. Sift not, by too too deep a scrutiny, Each rise of Scandals, or of Truths with thorns: Coals, blown, will blaze; Neglected, they may die. 'Tis Wisdom oft, To pass by Wrongs & Scorns. 152. From sacred Things keep a purloining Hand; For, like a Rust they will the Rest consume: The Sacrilegious Eagle brought a Brand, That turned her Tree, Nest, Eaglets, into Fume. 153. Do not use Friends, As, basely Many do, Merely for Steps, and Ladders to their Ends. Which gained; Away with Steps, & Ladders too: For what, now, most did help; most, now, offends. 154. Never presume upon, or Wealth, or Might To injure any; For the Meanest may Sometime or help, or hurt. A Mouse did bite The Toils in twain that did a Lion stay. 155. Confide not in a Multitude, begot 'Twixt Hydra's and Cameleons. If you fail To answer their fond Fancies (as Who not?) He strait cries, Hang; that did, but now, cry, Hail. 156. Presume not, so, on what you undertake, As if you led, Success, tied in a slip. Oft, in its Port, a Bark doth, Shipwreck, make. Many Things happen'twixt the Cup and Lip. 157. Hold still a Hand to help what is amiss. Yet be not vexed if you shall often find Crosse-grains not to be smoothed: And learn, This, That what you cannot Mend, you must not Mind. 158. Hear all, observe; say little. Silence rows Under a Wether Shore, when Storms increase. He knows enough, although he little knows, That knows but well, how to, Well, hold his peace. 159. When you shall find yourselves in any Strait, Let not your Rudder loose, or your Sheet fly. Courage and Prudence are a main Receipt To quell the Qualms of such a Malady. 160. Send not a Head of Glass 'gainst Stones to war: For quickly, so, you at a loss will stand. Trust not, at Need, to Friends that absent are: Waters a far cannot quench Flames at hand. 161. Trust, tied by faith, discharge with truth & Care; But chiefly that, from dying friends, or dead. Know, 'Tis not more a Sacrilege, To dare Steal Gold, from Altars; then from Tombs the Lead. 162. Collect, each where, (as Bees from Flowers do) The purest Sap, and join it to your Hive. Who day by day adds but a Mite, or Two Unto his Store, cannot, at length, but thrive. 163. You must use Reading, as you should use Meat; Surcharge in each doth cloy and Nauseate: He eats to health, that doth by leisure eat; He reads to Profit, that doth Meditate. 164. Let love of Virtue more restrain from Ill, Then any servile fear of Punishment. Where this Last sways, dwells a depraved Will: The First hold forth a Mind to Goodness bend. 165. Be not deterred, by Fear, from what is Good. Be not allured, by Hopes, to what is Bad. Carry not forth two faces in a Hood. Keep Word and Work still in one Liv'ry clad. 166. If you have Means, then let an open Hand (Discreetly though) deal Gifts, Rewards, and Fees. Gold is the Monarch that doth all command. 'Tis Wealth, not Worth, that now gains Caps and Knees. 167. Know, & observe, with use; That Bad oft springs, By accident, from Good. Security, Breeds Danger; Plenty, Pride; Truth, Hatred brings; Contempt proceeds from Familiarity. 168. Before you shoot still take a heedful aim: So, ere you speak look to Whom, What, Where, when. Speeches and Shafts, in This, are much the same, No Art (when loose) can bring 'em back again. 169. Take heed, too oft, bad Lessons to repeat; Lest that, at length, in Ill you learned grow. Not to Engage, is easier than Retreat. Habits more slowly ebb, than they do flow. 170. If, through neglect of Vice, you find Neglect From Those that court it, Let it be your Glory: Good Men will use another Dialect. Esteem from These in that will fame your Story. 171. When Visitations, from above, are sent For sins, upon yourselves, or on the Land; Pout not, but Pray? Repine not, but Repent; By't not (like Dogs) the Stone, but Bless the Hand. 172. Think not, when you are spared, & others struck With th'angry shafts Heaven oft to Earth doth send That, because Better, you have better Luck; But that 'tis Mercy shown, That you may mend. 173. If through God's Hand, or the Time's Fate and Lot, You fall to wants, such wants can bring no blame. But he that sinks by Play, Pipe, Punk, or Pot, Or such, locks Pity out, and lets in Shame. 174. To Want, is bad; To Have is, sometimes, Worse. Wants whet the Wit, and Waken Industry: To Have, is oft of many Sins the Nurse. Leave Wealth depraved, for Honest Poverty. 175. Submit to States; For, or for Woe, or Weal, They are ordained: And Might still makes the Law: In his Sword's Hilt, the fifth Charles wore his Seal, To warn, That where that failed, the Blade should awe. 176. Wisely refrain from Things indifferent, At which the Times are apt to take offence. Prudence complies, Where Conscience is not rend. 'tis better please our Reason, than our Sense. 177. When Power makes That Bad, Which you think Good, Struggle not with it; For you kick at Thorns. Things, as they are, are not still understood: Lions may say, That Foxes Ears are Horns. 178. Power is like a Sturdy Storm, whose Rage Rents, & roots up resisting Oaks; when Weak, And Yielding Reeds stand firm. Betimely Sage: And learn this Rule, 'tis better Bend, then Break. 179. Of Prince, or State, under whose awe you live, 'Tis hard to talk and a Dilemma shun. For, 'tis to Flatter, if you Praises give: If you find fault, You into Danger run. 180. When you are well, have not an itch, To change. Never forsake an old friend, for a New. eat the resort of Them that loosely range. Be Fair, to All: Familiar, but with Few. 181. Converse most with your Betters; Men of brain Still bring some Feathers to emplume your Nest: And you more Credit, from a Meeting, gain, Where you the Meanest are, then Where the Best. 182. If by your Wits you be constrained to live, Get, if you may, Employments to your Mind: But rather take such Lots as Time will give, Then to Court Fortune, and Cast Fame behind. 183. To do that which is Honest, never Shame, Though it be sometimes much beneath your Sphere. Glow-worm's have Light, though they little Flame: And when the Night's most Dark, most bright appear. 184. Be with yourselves, at home; Live not apart. (For To be Here, and There, at once, may hold) Man is not where his Body is, But Heart. We still find Misers with their Bags of Gold. 185. If you do mean, the Rich Man, to define, Look not on Coffers, Garners, Sellars, Store: But look on Him that can himself confine. He's only Rich, that doth not covet More. 186. Where you have smarted once, next time take heed; The Scalded Dog shuns to be served the same. The Wise once May: The Fool that twice doth bleed, Of his last Wound, doth give himself the blame. 187. Seek not, by slubbring slights, to undermine, Or supplant Any; By much less a Friend. Who, of such Stuff, makes Stairs to his Design, Oft falls himself that way he did ascend. 188. Look oft within a Glass, (for that advice Wise Socrates unto his Scholars gave). If you be Fair; soul not that Fair, with Vice: If you be Fowl; from Virtue Beauty have. 189. Both Eat, & Drink, when Thirst & Hunger crave; For these two mainly 'gainst weak Nature fight: But when, Enough, to quell them Both, you have, Seek not for Sauce to stir up Appetite. 190. Aim where you mean to hit, but aim aright; Lest that by Chance you hurt the Standards by. Shafts shot at random, may to Mischief light. Look thrice about, before you once let fly. 191. So Speak, and Do, as you may never Shame To own your Words and Deeds. He gives the Lie To himself basely, and a Coward's Name, That Speaks, or Does, what he must Needs Deny. 192. Let true Discretion (as a Cook does Meat) Set forth, and season all you Do, or Say: Nothing so much inviteth Guests to Eat, As savoury Sauce, dressed in a cleanly Way. 193. Those whom you have received into your charge, From Nature's hand, or by some Compact made; To Them, in Love, your Bowels still enlarge. Debts justly due, are justly to be paid. 194. Purchase not Vain & Wanton Pleasures; though You, at an easy rate, may them obtain. Bad Wares never come cheap: 'Tis better throw Away your Money, then to Buy your Bane. 195. Go always armed with Christian Fortitude; So no Events shall shake you from your Sphere. When Dangers press, let not base Fear intrude: He more than once doth Die, that still doth Fear. 196. Life's Date is short; Arts have a long Career: Wings to your Feet, Let Active Virtue give. If once you drowse, your Sails do flat, and veer: The more you foster sleep, the less you Live. 197. Take Time while Time you have; For Time once lost, No Time, at any Time, hath Time to find: Time will not be recalled by Care, or Cost; Time can no more be stayed, than Sun, & Wind. 198. Keep promised Faith; And, Trusted, Trust maintain. Play not the Traitors upon any rate. Falshood may thrive; But it still bears a Blain. Such love the Treason, who the Traitor hate. 199. Sow in good Ground your Seed, & it will grow. Staunch and Sound Vessels will preserve your Wine. Base Dunghill Birds the Pearls, aside, will throw. 'Tis Labour lost, when you do wash a Swine. 200. Consort with Men of your own Stamp, & Strain: For Like to Like is like to Cotton well. Think how absurd it were, and cross the grain, Collier's and Fuller's should together dwell. 201. Wove winning Words when you will Wroth allay. A tart Reply makes Choler rant it higher. He much mistakes, who is of Mind, He may By Chase Cool; and with Flax fence a Fire. 202. Of Sycophants, Dissemblers, Bawds, Beware, As of pernicious Beasts. The First are there Still, where they are not. And the Second are Not, where they are. The Third are every Where. 203. Strive, all you may, to Master fond Desire, Which daily doth with settled Reason fight: The Task is hard; so is the Glory higher. No Conquest like to That, of Appetite. 204. Never be rash in Censure. Let the Test Of Time set forth the Worth of every Man. Things are not still as they appear. 'Tis Best Ere once you Judge, five, or six times, To Scan. 205. If the World on you frowns, smile on yourselves: For Frowns, that save, shame Favours that do kil. Who ever sailed, and 'scaped Rocks and Shelves, But did rejoice, though he might then be Ill? 206. Help still where there is Need. Actions have Worth, Or Vileness from their Objects. Hath he Eyes, Who, Having store of Water, pours it forth Into a River, when his Garden fries? 207. The more you are esteemed, the more contend To merit that Esteem. Such as assume Aims, only at a Name, and there will end; Do Die in Fact, and merely Live in Fume. 208. When you find Fraud furled up in Friendship, then Stand to your Arms, & watch to ward a Blow: The Wary Fox that, from the Lion's Den, Saw no Return, wisely refused, To Go. 209. Of Foes you may beware: But with what skill Can Wounds be fenced from Kindred false, or Friends? Corrupted Best becomes the Worst of Ill: The brightest Angels made the blackest Fiends. 210. Set such a Value upon real Good, As due Discretion may therein appear. The Bargains make the Buyers understood: Nothing so Good, but may be bought too Dear. 211. Walk not in Ways where Danger Sentry keeps. Nor By-Paths leading to the House of Shame. Take heed, to wake a Lion, when he sleeps. And eat to thrust your fingers in the Flame. 212. To help a Friend (so you may safely do't) In any strait, be ready still, and prone. But Who, Not Mad, out of Another's Foot Will pluck a Thorn, and thrust it in his Own? 213. Him, whom you mean to Trust, be sure, To Try; And how, to God, his pulse beats, duly Scan: Faith that is True, dwells with true Piety: He that plays False with God, will cozen Man. 214. The Heart of Man full of Meanders is; Let not an Outside Gloss bind your Belief. Many do Well, till they can do Amiss. Fitted occasion is that makes a Thief. 215. Divine Astrea is to Heaven Fled. Conscience subsists in a bare Sound and Name. Religion's now by Sense and Fancy led. Gain, and Self-Ends do chiefly play the Game. 216. Have no Contrast with Souls of base Aloy, For you will Sill be Worsted in the End. Bespatt'red all, He needs must go away, Who, or with Mud, or Dunghills doth contend. 217. If oft you find (as too too oft, you will) At the World's hands, Bad Dealings, & cross Play; Fret not, or Fume: But use a Gamester's Skill, Outface the Game; Throw not your Cards away. 218. Run not a Madding with the Uulgar Sort, That take all upon Trust; and wear their Ears, And Eyes, in Others Heads: Canvasse Report; And, with ripe Judgement weigh, both Hopes, and Fears. 219. When you, a Work of any Weight, intent, Rush not on Rashly; But ripe Council ask. Rightly disposed Mediums Work the End. Who well Begins hath Ended half his Task. 220. In deep Designs, Whereon high Hazard floats, Look, that, With steady Hand & Heart you star Be not like skittish Brains, in shallow Boats, Who make, themselves, the Danger which they fear. 221. Weighty Resolves, must not shoot, in a Night, Like Mushrums up; Give'em endue time, To grow. But, when full fleged, Let'em have speedy flight: Danger's oft Swift, Where Execution's slow. 222. Him, whom you Love, & whom your Love may awe, Admonish gently, when you See him Stray. Know, That, To Led, is easier then, To Draw: Cauters inflame, But Catapsalms allay. 223. eat, To be Good, as Hogs and Medlars be, Only when Dead, and Rotten: Merit lies, When whilst We live, the Hand & Heart are free. What Miser breathes but leaves All, When he Dies? 224. Fall not, By Ill, within the Lash of Laws: But if, For Good, you suffer, 'Tis no Stain. Brave is a passive Fortitude. The Cause Designs the Malefactor; Nor the Pain. 225. Do not, at any Time, contemn Advice, Which Men of Years and Wisdom forth do reach. He that hath Wealth, consumes it in a Trice, That is Too old, to Learn; Too young, to Teach. 226. When great Estates, to green Heads, do descend; The Juncture, oft, is like, To Flax and Fire. He seldom knows discreetly how to Spend; That never knew The Labour, To acquire. 227. If you may Choose; Then Choose not, To engage The Freedom You, From God & Nature, hold. Not any Beast, but doth abhor a Cage. Fetters, are Fetters still, though made of Gold. 228. But if the Laws of harsh Necessity, At any Time, shall on You, put a Tie; Let Diligence, Care, and Fidility, Show, That you serve more then to please the Eye. 229. The more your Mind adorned is, the less Give Ostentation leave, to make a Show: And like the Wise Philosopher, profess, That all you know, is, That you Nothing know. 230. When you are fixed, let Hospitality Give Answer, at your Gate, to such as Call. But, in your Wall's foundation, have an Eye. Your Kitchen be not Wider, than your Hall. 231. Consult your Purse, How it doth sink, or Swell; And let that Nilus bound out your Expense. Where a lean Barn and a fat Kitchen dwell, The Beggar's Bush is never far from Thence. 232. By prescript Rules, You must your Household guide; Else you will soon put all Things in a Tosse. But, from those Rules, if you, First, start aside, What will They do that share not in the Loss? 233. Be, to your Servants, neither Cheap, nor Stern; The First, Neglect; the Last, will Hatred, draw: Let a discreet mild Distance make'em Learn, Not to presume; nor, too much, stand in awe. 234. As, of your Court, they are; so, sometimes too, They may be of your Council: But take heed How, with your Secrets, they have much to do. Oft a false Servant makes his Master bleed. 235. The single State, so it be pure, is Best: Yet, full of Honour is the Married Life. Matches, for Virtue, not for Wealth, are Blest. 'Tis Better want a Portion, than a Wife. 236. When, By wise Choice, not by Wild Fancy, led To sacred Hymen, He shall make you see The hopeful Blessings of a happy Bed; Bid Them be such, as I wish You, To be. 237. To give good Rules is Good; But 'tis not all, Unless yourselves walk by the Rules you give. What, Words have raised, Works have soon made to fall. Men, less by Precept, than Example, live. 238. If aught, in me (as God knows much there is) Be out of Square; My Charge, as my Desire, Is, That you eat the Track: If That, or This Be Good; 'Tis Good, To imitate your Sire. 239. Actions of Virtue, of what kind so ere, Pursue, embrace, and with all Might advance: Who hath such Props, to bear him, needs no fear The Counter-buffs of either Time, or Chance. 240. Of what is Bad, and yet allures the Sense, Have none at all, or curb your fond Desire. Eternal Bliss crowns Virtuous Abstinence: When loose Fruition fries in quenchless Fire. 241. Build not assured Hopes and of long Wind, On This, both short and fickle, Term of Life: He, that hath other Eyes, is sadly Blind; And doth, as sadly, meet the Sister's Knife. 242. Early set forth to your Eternal Race: Th'Ascent is steep & craggy you must climb. God, at all times, hath promised Sinners Grace, If they repent: But He ne'er promised Time. 243. Cheat not you selves, as Most, Who then prepare For Death, when Life is almost turned to Fume. One Thief was saved, that no Man might despair: And but one Thief, that no Man might presume. 244. The Life of Man is but a Breath, a Blast, A Tale, a Dream, a Bubble: Therefore Count Each Day you live, as of your Life the Last; And put not off, To make up your Account. 245. How Many hath the Morn beheld, To rise, In their Youth's Prime, as glorious as the Sun; Who (like a flower Cropped) have had their Eyes Closed up, by Death, before the Day was done? 246. Poison, a Knife, a Pistol, Thousands more Sad Instruments set Periods to our Fates. Nature lets in, to Life, but at one Door; But, To go out, Death opens Many Gates. 247. Do at not on Life, What hath it that can please? Some few false Joys: But of true Sorrows Store. 'tis but a Clog, a Prison, a Disease; By how much longer 'tis, 'tis, So, the more. 248. That Death is horrid, is a Thing Untrue; Be not afraid; She but a Vizard Wears: That once removed, She hath a lovely Hue. The Child is laughed at that a Vizard fears. 249. Nature Expects a Death, by Law of Sin. Our Longest days unravel, like a Clue. Make not this World your Palace, But your Inn: The Reckoning Pay, and bid your Host Adieu. 250. Do as that Prince, of Whom We read in Story, Who day by day did meditate his End. If you be good; A good Memento mori Will keep you so: If Bad, 'twill make you Mend. 251. In all the Course of your Life's Pilgrimage, So on the Load-Star (Heaven) cast your Eye, As not to Shame your Parts upon the Stage: Nor (when your Exit comes) repine To Die. 252. Now may the glorious Triple, Unity, That Made, Redeemed, and Sanctifies us all, So guide, preserve, and in all purity Bind up your Souls, that you may never fall. 253. May You, O May you, with all Graces filled, As your Days grow, in Goodness so increase, That, your Thread spun, & your last Glass distilled, You may all reign in Everlasting Peace. FINIS. To CRITICS. MEthod is wanting, Here, You'll say; 'Tis true: And needs must wanting be; since the whole Clue Consists of several Ends: Which who shall knit, In one smooth knotles Line, must have more Wit And Skill, Than I. Method, I must confess, Is of especial use; and gives a dress Of Comeliness. But Matters whose each Part Little Coheres with other, to this Art Submit not much: Such, Miscellanies are; And of Such, chiefly This: Wherein a Care Is mostly taken, You may cull, from Hence, Quadrin, by Quadrin, and not mar the Sense. And though, in their Disposal, I might show Something of Order: 'tis enough, To Know, That the main Scope whereat my Thoughts do fly, Is, To teach, Well to Live; And Well to die. THE PENITENT CHRISTIAN HIS METAMORPHOSIS. By H: DELAUNE. In nova, mutatas deformes dicere Formas Corpora, fert Animus, pretioso Sanguine Christi. LONDON: Printed for Henry Seile over against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. 1651. THE DEDICATION. TO You, Whom a true Sense, of What you are, And would not be, invites to a Desire To be Such, as you are not; Do I spare (To you alone.) This Coal of Sacred Fire. Whose Heat, I wish, may warm you So, As This, Here, may become your Metamorphosis. To OVID. OVid, confess Thy Metamorphosis (Though choicely rare) comes mainly short of This. Thine makes Men Beasts: This turns Beasts into Men. Thine makes Men die: This makes Men live again. I blame Thee not; For, Herein, lies the Odds, This know; but One; and Thine knew many Gods. This One, moveth All: Thine could not see, nor go. This One is true: But None of Thine were so. By how much, then, Truth beyond Falsehood is, By so much (Ovid) Thine comes short of This. THE CHRISTIAN METAMORPHOSIS. 1. MOst glorious Essence, In whose sight The Angels bright, And Saints dare scarce appear, Thou art so Holy: How then may Worms, Ashes, Clay Adventure To draw near? 2. Ido Confess, with contrite Heart, I have no Part, By Right, in any Good: For, as I was conceived in sin, And born therein, In sin I still have stood. 3. And to that Ill, which Nature brought, Deed, Word, and Thought Have added more, and more: Commission and Omission reign In Me; these Twain Have heaped up the Store. 4. He that can balance, in his Hand, The Sea, and Land, Count Atoms, Stars, and Times: He, He alone, the Weight can tell, And reckon well, The Number of my Crimes. 5. If He, that oweth but a Mite, By Law and Right, Must to a Dungeon go: Oh then In what a Case is He, Let Any See, That doth a Million owe? 6. Such is my Debt; Nay ten times more Is on my Score; And Whips and Tortures be Prepared, in the grim Jaylor's Hands, Who roughly Stands Ready to Seize on Me. 7. I have no Means the Debt to pay; Or run away From Hell's wide open Gate. What shall I do? To whom shall I Myself apply For Help, in this Estate? 8. Shall I to Saints, and Angels go, To Cure my Woe, And ease my Pain and grief? Alas! They blush, and Sorrow too At what I do; But can give no Relief. 9 The Aid of Princes, States, and Kings, And such like Things, It is in vain to crave. For Each of them, as well as I, Is doomed, To Die: And None, himself, can save. 10. Whither, Oh whither then shall I For Succour fly? Ay me, most wretched Wight! The grisly Fiends, with Iron teeth, Hooked hands and feet; Come on, with main and might. 11. Hold, hold; Hands off: I do descry Mount Calvary, That much contemned Place: But, unto Me, in this strong Strife, A Hill of Life; And only Seat of Grace. 12. And, there, behold, raised upon high, I do espy That ever blessed Cross: Which unto Men not doubly born, Is mock and scorn, Strife, Scandal, Dung, and Dross. 13. Upon it hangs that Holy One, Who can alone Whole Worlds of Sins deface. See, how with stretched Arms he stands, Gored Feet and Hands, Poor Clients to embrace. 14. Stand farther off, Accursed Crew, In spite of You, I'll, thither, haste and high: Faith, and Repentance, come along, And make me strong, Till, at his Feet, I lie. 15. O thou, that wert, ere Time began, Moon Wax, or Wan, Sun Shine, or Stare appear: E'er Fire, Water, Air, or Earth, By refined Birth, Knew Day, Week, Month, or Year. 16. Thou, Thou, that art the only Word, That Made, Stayed, Stirred The huge Material, Out of the which, by wise Dispose, Thou didst Compose This goodly Mighty All. 17. Thou, Thou (I say) Who, God above, Didst Man so Love, As for his only Sake, Thou wouldst thy glorious Throne forgo, To come below, And his frail Nature take. 18. (That as Man's Life, who first had breath, First, Sin, than Death Established in their Reign: So might Man's Death, who knew no Ill, Sin, and Death kill, And Life restore again.) 19 Help, Help, O Lord, I humbly crave, And quickly save My Soul from Death, and Hell. See how I am beset: O Pay My Debt, I pray; And all these Hags repel. 20. One little Drop of thy Dear Blood Can do more good, To wash my Sins away; Then Ganges, Nilus, Euphrates, And such as These, Or the vast Ocean may. 21. Grant it, O grant it, Lord; For, Lo, A Stream doth flow From thy Feet, Hands, and Side: And, till I may attain that Grace, In this blessed Place, Thus prostrate, I'll abide. 22. My Suit is gained; Up Faith, Go, stand With ready Hand; (But pure, have special Care) And, from his Hand, receive it: You Repentance true, Come, and all Things prepare. 23. Bring now, now bring that precious Balm, From the blessed Palm Of my dear JESUS sent: bath, bath me in't, from Head to Foot, And so look to't, As none in vain be spent. 24. Ha! Dare I trust mine Eyes? O strange! What blessed Change Do I both feel, and see? I am become more white than Snow, Just now a Crow: All Terrors vanished be. 25. The horrid Brood, of Barathrum, That were, Here, come To hurry Me away, Look how they fly; And in Despair, Do tear their hair, That they have lost their Prey. 26. O my Redeemer, For this Grace, In every Place, I will, for evermore, Set forth, and Magnify thy Praise, In sacred Lays, And thy great Name adore. 27. And now, led by thy holy Spirit, Robed with thy Merit, I'll to the Father go, In full assurance of his Love, And one Suit move, Which he will grant I know. 28. Father, dear Father, For his Sake Who did me take To Mercy, Mercy have: And to the Kingdom of thy Son, When Life is done, Translate my Soul, I crave. FINIS. A Table showing the chief Matters contained in the several Quadrins, as they stand in their Order and Number. THe Introduction or Address. Quad: 1 Prayer and Praise to God, and the benefit thereof. q. 2 Soundness in Faith, and steadfastness in Religion. q. 3 Honour and Reverence to Parents, brings a blessing. q. 4 Concord and amity among brethren, addeth strength. q. 5 Invocation of God upon any work we took in hand. q. 6 Outward show, and longest prayers not most acceptable to God. q. 7 Against Hypocrisy in Religion. q. 8 Magistrates, the Aged, and Wise to be reverenced; and why. q. 9 Friends, and such as are in distress to be respected, and relieved. q. 10 Rash Engagements and Vows not to be run into. q. 11 The best, not the most, are to be pleased. q. 12 To bear a like mind in Prosperity, and Adversity. q. 13 The Goods of the Mind are only properly our own. q. 14 Election to be made of persons with whom to converse. q. 15 Not to do Ill, though unseen of Man. q. 16 To speak in due time and season, and how. q. 17 Who is apt to speak much, must learn to speak wisely. q. 18 The habit of lying begets often an unbeleif of the Truth. q. 19 Ill mnst not be done upon any Pretence of Good. q. 20 Against Oaths, and all profane and impure talk. q. 21 Against the society of loese Dames, and the Mischiefs thereof. q. 22 Against Drunkenness. q. 23 Against Gaming and Quarrels. q. 24 Conscience is to be made of the meanest sin. q. 25 The Point of Honour to be cherished, but much mistaken by many. q. 26 Life is a rich Treasure, not to be idly wasted. q. 27 Our Country, Friends, and Kindred have interest in us. q. 28 A moderation in Expenses, is to be used. q. 29 Apparel must be fitted to the Person and his place. q. 30 Not to goat Law, but upon pressing Necessity. q. 31 Money only to be loved for its use, well regulated. q. 32 Goodness more to be sought after, than Riches, or Greatness. q. 33 Prudence must be the guide of all our Actions. q. 34 A Medium between the two Extremes in the safest Course. q. 35 Against Dissimnlation. Yet not to speak all we think. q. 36 Against Suretyship. q. 37 Against Idleness. q. 38 Education gives, what Nature and Fortune cannot bestow. q. 39 The Excellency of Beasts above Man, in body qualities. q. 40 The mind of Man may receive some information from Beasts. q. 41 Instances in sundry Brutes to the information of the mind. q. 42 Travel into foreign Countries not to be undertaken without Means. q. 43 Certain Rules to be observed in Travel. q. 44 The Emblems for Travel explained. q. 45 Fair Comportments gain favour and love. q. 46 Good Parts to be kept in use, but not to be too intent upon any one. q. 47 Wealth very necessary to the setting forth of Virtue. q. 48 It is not good to be rich too soon. q. 49 We must so feed others, as not to starve ourselves. q. 50 To preserve is no less virtue then to purchase. q. 51 Against self-will, and self-conceit. q. 52 A Certainty not to be left for an uncertainty. q. 53 Against running into Debt. q. 54 Expenses must be limited by the Comings in. q. 55 Industry in Yruth, must provide for Age. q. 56 In greatest Prosperity to be most humble minded. q. 57 Not to have too good, nor yet too mean an opinion of selfworth. q. 58 Not to carry a greater Port than our Estate will bear. q. 59 Vnsettledness in Thoughts, and oft removing much prejudicial. q. 60 Against Excess in Meat and Drink. q. 61 To give something to the Poor of what God gives to us. q. 62 Deeds of Charity not to be done with ostentation. q. 63 Not to be busy and inquisitive into other men's Affairs. q. 64 The Tongue to be restrained. q. 65 Why Nature hath doubly fenced in the Tongue. q. 66 Base Gain must not bias our Thoughts to unworthy Actions. q. 67 Uprightness in Dealings, and keeping of word recommended. q. 68 What None should know, not to be imparted to a Friend. q. 69 Secrets received in trust, not to be revealed. q. 70 Virtuous Emulation to be followed: and Envy shunned. q. 71 Virtue is still the Butt of Envy. q. 72 Goodness for itself to be loved, and all for it. q. 73 The first Motions to Evil are to be resisted. q. 74 Ill not only to be shunned, but all the semblance of it. q. 75 Terror dogs Gild. Innocence is confident. q. 76 Good turns received are to be had in remembrance. q. 77 No Records to be kept of Injuries received. q. 78 Better give Examples of Virtue, then to boast of our Ancestors. 79 To take more care of adorning the Brain, then setting forth the Body. 80 Courtesy to be used to All: Counsels imparted but to few. q. 81 By the Counsel given, to judge of the Counsellor. q. 82 How to make trial of a Friend. q 83 Another way of trial of a Friend. q. 84 When Friends may best be purchased. q. 85 A true Friend is a rich Treasure. q. 86 Applause and Detraction, neither make, nor mar him, that is Good. q 87 Pride and Scorn bring always Vengeance and Shame. q. 88 Men the more eminent they are, the more their failings are Noted. q. 89 Equal Justice to be distributed without respects. q. 90 A just Judgement given, and but one side heard, makes an unjust Judge. q. 91 The Poor, in Justice, must be dispatched first. q. 92 Not to infult upon any in distress. q. 93 No Man may be termed happy till his Death. q. 94 Against Slanders, and Tale-bearing. q. 95 To deal with others, as we would be dealt with. q. 96 To speak well of all men, but chiefly of the dead, and absent. q. 97 Solid content consists only in the Mind. q. 98 Saladine his insinuation of the world's vanity. q. 99 Our Love and Thoughts not to be fixed on this world, but on Heaven. q. 100 The instability of this world, and of all things in it. q. 101 The Revolutions of Life; and to provide for them. q. 102 Adversity is the trial of men's spirits. q. 103 Fortune deceitful, and not to be trusted unto. q. 104 'tis wisdom to be warned by other men's harms. q. 105 Actions not to be judged of, by Events. q. 106 Titles of Honour are to be gained by Merit, not by Money. q. 107 Virtue leads to Honour, and Humility to Virtue. q. 108 Humility opens the Gate to eternal Happiness. q. 109 Honour is in him that giveth, not in him that received it. q. 110 The Definition of Honour. q. 111 Against vain glorious boasting. q. 112 Against Out side Men, and Roarers. q. 113 How to know a gallant Man. q. 114 Worth must Cement our Affections to Men. q. 115 'tis good to be Cautious still, but not mistrustful. q. 116 Timely prevention is the best Medicine of Evils. q. 117 Privacy in dangerous times most secure. q. 118 'tis no shame to learn, even of the Meanest Man. q. 119 Virtue in a fair and noble Subject pleaseth more. q. 120 Fame, which Virtue bestows, is to be sought after. q. 121 Knowledge of ourselves is the best Knowledge we can have q. 122 By how much a Man knows, by so much more he hath God's Image in him. q. 123 A too early opinion of sufficiency of Knowledge, obstructs the increase. q. 124 Knowledge by imparting it shines more bright. q. 125 Some progress in Virtue is to be daily made. q. 126 'tis in our power to make Reports of us, either false, or true. q. 127 To end one work, before we undertake another. q. 128 Perseverance brings a work to perfection. q. 129 To commit, what we blame in others, is no little fault. q. 130 A Guest may with lesser shame be kept out, then when admitted, used ill. q. 131 Praise, and not Time, is the best measure of Life. q. 132 That which is Good, must still be done Well. q. 133 Against Wanton Dalliance. q. 134 Emptiness must not vaunt: nor worth be a cipher. q. 135 Each Man to be weighed: and to regulate our anger. q. 136 'tis not good to take always Notice, of what doth offend us. q. 137 Against rashness in Belief of Reports, and Tales. q 138 Against Detractors. q. 139 When we have erred 'tis no shame to recant our Error. q. 140 Against Men of double Tongues. q. 141 Not to insult where we are in authority. q. 142 Every one ought to confine himself within his own Bounds. q. 143 All things have due set Limits, of Less and More. q. 144 Good Turns may be marred in their Manner of doing. q. 145 Good Men rise from their falls: the Bad lie still. q. 146 Men in Years must more mind their End, than the World. q. 147 A parallel between a sentenced Prisoner, and a carking aged Man. q. 148 Not to write much, without good abilities. q. 149 Not to procrastinate: or precipitate, but seasonable time to be taken for all things. q. 150 'tis wisdom not to search for what we would not find. q. 151 Against Sacrilege. q. 152 Against such as use Friends to gain their Ends, and afterwards neglect them. q. 153 Not to do Injury to Any; For the Meanest may sometimes either help or hurt q. 154 A many headed multitude not to be confided in. q. 155 N●t to presume upon hope of Success in our undertake. q. 156 Not to vex when we cannot reform what is a miss. q. 157 Silence, in times of Danger, brings safety. q 158 Not to be faint-hearted in straits and Dangers. q. 159 Not to contest with stranger than ourselves: Nor rely upon Friends afar off. q. 160 Promises to the Dead must religiously be performed. q. 161 To better ourselves daily in Goodness and Knowledge. q. 162 How to use reading of Books and Study. q. 163 Love of Virtue, not fear of punishment, must restrain from iii. q. 164 Of Good and Bad: Work and Word. q. 165 Liberality captivates Observance. q. 166 Ill oft proceeds by accident, from Good. q. 167 Look how to speak, Words cannot be recalled. q. 168 'tis easier not to learn Ill, then to depose the habit of it. q. 169 Such is the praise, as they are that give it. q. 170 Corrections from Heaven must be humbly submitted to. q. 171 Not to presume, but Mend, when Heaven shows mercy to us, q. 172 Wants bring no shame from God's hand; but from our own Vices they do. q. 173 'tis better sometimes to want, then to abound. q. 174 Authority must be submitted unto. q. 175 Things Indifferent, when they give offence must be abstained from. q. 176 'tis not good nor prudenciall to struggle against Powers. q. 177 Power overthrows most, where it is most opposed: q. 178 Princes and States cannot be talked of without some Inconvenience. q. 179 Against Fickleness, Change of Friends, and bade Resort. q. 180 The benefit of conversing with one's Betters. q. 181 In the lowest Condition, still to prefer Fame, before Fortune. q. 182 It is no shame in necessity to do any thing that is honest. q. 183 'tis good to be at home with ourselves. q. 184 The definition of the Rich Man. q. 185 Wisdom bewares, where it hath smarted once. q. 186 Against underminers and Supplanters. q. 187 Socrates his Counsel to his Scholars touching Virtue. q. 188 Meat and Drink must only be used to sustain Nature, not abused in wantonness q. 189 Wit and Mirth must be so used, as not to offend. q. 190 Against such as speak or do, what they afterwards deny. q. 191 Discretion is the Salt that Seasons Words and Actions. q. 192 To provide carefully for those whom we have taken into charge. q. 193 No good Pennyworth over to be had of bad wares. q. 194 Christian fortitude is a strong Bulwark against Adversity. q. 295 The Shortness of Life, and the length of Arts, require an Active Virtue. q. 196 Time is to be taken hold of whilst it is present. q. 197 Faith and trust not to be broken or defrauded. q. 198 Pearls must not be thrown before Swine. q. 199 Like to like makes the best Consortship. q. 200 Mild words are most proper to allay Anger. q. 201 Against Sycophants, Dissemblers, and Bawds. q. 202 Self-conquest, is the greatest victory. q. 203 Against rashness in censure of Men. q. 204 The frowns and disfavours of the World, oft turn to our Good. q. 205 Actions take their qualities of good or bad from their Objects. q. 206 Esteem must still be a spur to Merit. q. 207 To beware of Fraud under the mask of Friendship. q. 208 Mischief from false Friends or Kindred hardly to be prevented. q. 209 To value every thing with Discretion. q. 210 To shun bad ways; and not wilfully run into Dangers. q. 211 To assist a Friend, but with due respect to our own Safety. q. 212 The best ground of Trust, is Piety towards God. q. 213 Fair shows and semblances must not always bind our belief. q. 214 Of Justice, Conscience, Religion: Gain and Self-ends. q. 215 Contest with base persons is still disadvantageous. q. 216 To bear the World's Traverses with Patience. q. 217 Not to take things upon trust, as the vulgar doth. q. 218 Mediums rightly disposed work the End. q. 219 Courage and Resolution wade through deep Designs. q. 220 Weighty Resolves must be slow in growth, and speedy in Execution. q. 221 Gentle Admonitions are more prevalent than harsh Reproofs. q. 222 Good Deeds are to be done whilst we are living. q. 223 Persecution, for a good Cause, is not shameful. q. 214 Contempt of sound Advice brings many to ruin. q. 215 He best knows how to spend, that hath sweated in the purchase. q. 216 A Man's Freedom (if possibly) not to be engaged. q. 227 Fidelity, etc. in service recommended. q. 228 The more a Man is wise, the less he is presumptuous. q. 229 Hospitality recommended with due Caution. q. 230 The Beggar's bush is ever near a lean Barn, and a fat Kitchin. q. 231 Families ought to be governed by Rule and Order. q. 232 How Servants ought to be used. q. 233 Servants are not to be much trusted with Secrets. q. 234 Of the single State, Marriage, a Wife and Portion. q. 235 Parents ought to educate their children virtuously. q. 236 Parents must walk in these precepts they give their Children. q. 237 Children must imitate what is good in Parents, and decline what is bad. q. 238 All virtuous Actions are to he embraced, as solid Props. q. 239 Every thing that is bad is to be avoided, as destructive. q. 240 Not to depend upon the shortness and uncertainty of this life. q. 241 To begin early our Journey towards Heaven q. 242 Against those who never think of Death, till they be ready to die. q. 243 To account each day our last, and to be prepared for Death. q. 244 Many have risen in perfect strength, and gone to bed to their Graves. q. 245 We come into Life at one Door, & go out at Many. q. 246 Life not to be doted on, being full of Miseries. q. 247 Death in its self hath nothing that is terrible. q. 248 We owe a Death to Nature by the Law of sin. q. 249 The Continual Meditation of Death very useful, and necessary. q. 250 So to live, as not to shame to have lived; Nor repine to Die. q. 251 The blessings of the holy Trinity implored. q. 252 Daily increase of Grace, and eternal happiness supplicated. q. 253 FINIS.