Corrigenda & mutanda.  
Pag. 45. lin. 11. lege ab aliis dissidet. 47.21. translatio nostra. 105.4. omnesue ad unumferè. Nam sunt inter Reformatos, qui de lectione hujus nominis non male sentiant: quos aliquando nominabo, si à me nominari volent. 107.7. Loca ubi jehova etc. Tota haec notatio deleri posset, ●uum antea verbis Merceri cadem dicta sint.   

INSTITUTIONS OR ADVICE TO HIS GRANDSON, In Three Parts.  
By William Higford Esq  
Disce Puer virtutem ex me.  Virg. 
LONDON, Printed by Tho. Warren, for Edmund Thor● of Oxford. MDCLVIII.   

To his Noble friend john Higford Esq;  
SIR,  
I Have, by your permission, gathered out of your Manuscript, what I conceive to be fittest for the public use.  
Young Gentlemen, who shall read this, will acknowledge your favour in imparting it: And I shall think my pains well requited, if they please to take the good Advice humbly presented to them from the Noble and Learned Author, under your beloved Name, by the Transcriber.   

Epitaphium Gulielmi Higford.  
HIc jacet Higfordus. Quis? Saxon suffici● i●…i  
Inscriptum Nomen. Caetera Fama docet.  
Higford lies here: we only writ his Name  
●pon the Grave, and leave the rest to Fame.   

Fama loquitur.  

Give me my Trumpet that I may proclaim,  
●…b lasting sounds the Noble Higfords' Name:  
That this ungrateful world may know He's gone,  
And know whom they have lost. For he was one  
Whom only few, that is, the wise did know,  
And rightly value, while he lived: but now  
All must lament and love. So the sun's light  
It estimate by the dark shade of night.   

He was a light indeed: when he drew nigh,  
And with his beams shined on our Company,  
All clouded brows were cleared, and every Face  
'tis beautified with smiles; such comely Grace  
Appeared in his behaviour; such true wit,  
Sharp wit, but inoffensive, always fit  
For the occasion and the persons, still  
Mingled with his discourse; ●…ad wit at will.   

And Learning too he had in readiness,  
Such as his Book contains, worthy o'th' press,  
His Manuscript to his ●o●…s son. O when  
Will it come forth, for th' use of Gentlemen!   

He was well read in Books, and Men; both these,  
Studied, made what he s●…ke or wrote to please:  
Old Authors he loved best; and well he knew  
The Old Religion from the late and n●w,  
And though he read and honoured Bellarmine  
And great Aquinas, he did not decline  
From th' English Church, but held fast to his death  
The Reformation of Queen Elizabeth,  
Wherein he had been bred; ever the same;  
Warping neither to Rome nor Amsterdam.  
One note of his Religious mind take hence  
(Exemplar to us all) his Patience.   

Among his Papers, Gather what his Muse  
Hath left us in remembrance ('twas his use)  
Of Honoured persons; Chandos, Button, do  
Live in his Verses still, and Capel too.   

Let Higford also live with them; His Name  
With lasting sounds my Trumpet shall proclaim.    

THE PREFACE.  
MAn is a proud Creature, ambitious of Immortality; but it is denied him by the immutable Law of God edicted against all flesh, Once to die.  Omnia mors poscit; lex est non poena perire. 
But yet he solaceth himself with a fancy of Immortality, at leastwise to live in specie, and by his Posterity, more conspicuously in his Firstborn to recontinue his memory: Haeres est alter ipse (saith Syracides) & filius est pars patris: mortuus est pater, & quasi non est mortuus, quia reliquit similem sibi.  
The Application, Dear Cousin, reflecteth upon you. You are to me both my Cousin and my Son, my Cousin by the remotion of a degree, but my Son according to the Civil Law, Jure repraesentationis, because you represent the person of my dear Son, your late Father, now with God: so that in you are invested all his Rights and Prerogatives of Birth, and upon you (by God's mercy) it likely to descend all the Honour (if any such be) right and travel of our Ancestors, and in you we all must live.  
And because, in this your absence from Dixton, I cannot impart my solicitous thoughts unto you, nor acquit myself of that reciprocal duty I own you, nor manifest the entire affection which I bear you by personal conference; love must creep where it cannot go: and therefore not knowing otherwise how to make my approaches unto you, I have framed and dedicated unto you this ensuing address, that it may be (if worthy your perusal a support to your tender youth, apt to slip, and a Guide unto you in this your journey upon earth, and also a Present or Token of my love unto you upon the entrance of this new year, which together with the whole course of your life, I hearty pray may be successful and happy.  
Machiavelli in his third book of his Decades upon Livy. ch. 34. a book which I would recommend unto to you in his due time, for I am not of the opinion of those rigid Divines, that place so deep a searcher into Histories and Roman Antiquities amongst their Apocrypha books) recounteth that in the institution of a young Nobleman or Gentleman (for Gentlemen are Nobiles minores) three things are very considerable.  
1. That he descend from worthy parents; for that will be presumed, that Children will be such as their parents were (until the contrary doth appear.)  Forts creantur fortibus & bonis. 
2. The choice of his Company and Converse; for this doth very much demonstrate what the person is in his Genius and disposition, as Syracides well observeth: All flesh will resort unto their like, and every man will keep company with such as himself.  
3. That he be very careful, how he demean himself in the entrance of his youth that he act nothing, which shall be vile, sluggish or remiss: but that his actions savour of quickness and magnanimity: and if opportunity invite him thereunto, that he undertake some noble Essay, aliquod egregium facinus, some notable adventure, thereby to give reputation and lustre unto his subsequent life.   

INSTITUTIONS OR ADVICE TO HIS GRANDSON. The First Part.  
NOSCE TEIPSUM was a document in especial esteem amongst the ancient Philosophers, and to know your Origin and birth is to know a good part of yourself.  
I have in my custody six Offices or Inquisitions in serie (which also are transcribed into the several Offices at London) all which I will take care faithfully to leave unto you, because it shall not be through my default, that you lose any of your just rights either in honour or profit: these Offices and the quiet enjoyment of your Ancestors ensuing thereupon, being in truth the very Nerves and Sinews of your estate, and the Conduits whereby it doth appear how their blood runneth in your veins, of all which I shall be ready to give you an account.  
But I beseech you (this your descent be it what it will) that you make no boasting or ostentation thereof, or comparisons with other Gentlemen; than which nothing is more vile or putrid: but lay it aside by you to vindicate you from indignities and affronts, and when you find yourself disparaged, or the title of your land questioned, then with modesty (the comeliest ornament of youth) and with such weapons as are left unto you, defend the same. Let upstarts and buyers of honour brag and boast.  Pervia dant vada plus murmin is, alta nihil. 
Armouries have suffixed unto them Mottoes or short sentences: and that which your Ancestors have long used is, VIRTUS VERUS HONOS.  
By which it doth appear, that unless you imitate their virtues, you cannot participate their honours. Without virtue, honour is but a false gloss: for Titles of honour do not ennoble men, but worthy men ennoble their Titles of Honour.  Virtute decet non sanguine niti. 
This Honour, though it be a character indelible, which cannot be lost, but by your own default; yet it will be much impaired and in effect lost, neither can it be well preserved, without the preservation of your estate also. They are like two twins, inseparable, born together, and must live and die together.  Vnijugis vitae est una, necisque dies. 
Poverty and Honour are very unsuitable Companions. Every Acre of land you sell, you lose in proportion so much gentile blood: And therefore you may take notice that you are but Fiduciarius, that is (according to the Civil Law) a Trustee for others: and that Piety which your Ancestors had to preserve an Estate for you, you are to extend the same unto those who shall succeed you. If you dissipate, you break that tacit and implicit Trust, which so many Ancestors, in so many Ages, have reposed in you.  
Now to preserve an Estate is an Art and skill, as Ovid telleth you:  
Non minor est virtus, quàm quaerere, parta tueri:  
Casus inest illis, hic erit artis opus:  
The virtue which best conduceth to this end, is the most excellent virtue Parsimony, I mean the medium between nimium and parum, sordid Avarice, and profuse Prodigality. Cato being demanded what was the greatest Revenue, made Answer, Maximum vectigal Parsimonia. Use Parsimony betimes before a waist be made, for Seneca tells you, Sera est in fundo Parsimonia.  
In respect of the distance of years which is between us, you are very likely to be Master of your Estate, in part or in whole, betimes, yea in the very entrance of your youth.  
The Civil Law limiting the majority of Males at the Age of 25. better provideth for the security of Estates than the Common Law of our Land, which appointeth the full Age at 21. More Families, I dare say, have decayed, or at least received the deadly wound in this interval, which is but four years, than in all other years of man's life. Be not therefore too jolly at the first, nor apt to be blown by Parasites and Flatterers (the bane of youth, who as Summer birds, but withal birds of prey, do always resort to the Spring of an Estate) that your estate is greater than it is: this hath deceived many. Make yourself rather less than you are. Good grounds of Frugality at first once well laid will make your Estate continue firm and stable.  Dimidium facti, qui bene coepit, habet. 
Land, by which a man is fed, is most honourable: money (as Syracides hath it) answereth all things, but 'tis not so honourable, and more casual. Land and money sort best together. If you cannot set your land, you may stock it. When it is more profitable for you to distock, you can take your best market. Cast yourself once behind, whereby you must be enforced to receive your Rents before they are due, or to engage your Tenants and servants, it is wonderful what ways and projects will be laid to keep you down.  
Riches may be well compared unto Cisterns or Pools, which a small stream will easily fill, if there be no leaks or wastes, but small wastes and expenses continuing, and not prevented, have decieved, and undone many, no man knoweth how. Look to your exports, as well as your Imports, and so prevent growing mischiefs. Idem facit sentina neglecta, quod flumen irruens. Ista levia noli contemnere. Qui spernit modica, paulatim decidet.  
The Ancient Historians agree that by this Virtue Parsimony most especially, the State of Rome came to Sovereignty over the whole World. Quintus Cincinnatus was taken from the Plough and made Dictator, and at the end of his Dictatorship returned to the Plough again. But the Roman State, after the conquest of Asia being rotten with luxury, and the delicacies thereof (prope ad summum prope ad exitum) fell as fast, and at last resting in sinu imperatoris, the whole Roman Empire was not sufficient to satiate the throat of one Man, as did well appear in those Monsters of men, Vitellius and Heliogabalus.  
But what do we seek for examples of Parsimony so ancient & remote, when you have so lively one of your own. Your worthy Mother, you see, bred up in all affluence, denyeth herself all the conveniences and contentments becoming her sex and Honour. What to do? to give yourself and Brothers a Virtuous Education. Certainly, you will much degenerate, if you comply not with Her in so eminent a virtue.  
Much more might be added by comparing the contrary effects to this Virtue, because Contraria juxta se posita magis elucescunt: but they are all checked by this rare Virtue Parsimony, the wholesome Preservative against all Inordination.  
Another, and that an especial means to preserve your Estate is your choice of a wife, when as Maturity of years and your own affections shall incline you thereunto: which also by your care will add unto you both an Increment of Estate, & Strength & Alliance of friends. It is the weightiest action you can perform in all your life, and it is resembled to War, in which it is said, you cannot err twice. Non est in bello bis peccandum. If love be your incentive, let Discretion de your directive. Take your worthy Mother by the hand with you; She looketh upon you with a double aspect, as entrusted by your late Father, and by her own Goodness, and indulgence toward you, exacting by the Laws of God and Nature duty and obedience from you. To whose advice, if you join your Prayers to the Almighty, you shall then know that a good wife is a Portion from the Lord.  
Love is a fire which requireth fuel, and therefore I trust you will take care by your Marriage to advance and augment your estate, that thereby your affectionate Mother may be enabled to make provision for your Brothers, to undergo those progressions into which they have made so happy and Virtuous a Commencement.  
And this is also another preservation of your Estate, and security, if yourself should fail, these like two Arches will preserve the same. These are noble Emissaries, which are sent abroad to afford you honour and reputation at home. If any sad adventure happen to them, your House must be an Asylum or Sanctuary unto them. You are three in number: Numero Deus impare gaudet.  
And as Solomon saith, The triple twisted cord is not easily broken.  Nemo laeditur nisi a scipso. 
There be many ways & middesses by which Families have decayed, and many seeming wise men have overthrown their own estates. Such are they that grasp more than they can hold. Mortgage not your own land upon a certain title, for other land of whose title you cannot be so well assured. Such as these Syracides well noteth: He that buyeth land with other men's money, is like one that buyeth a heap of stones to bury himself. It is not the number of acres will give you content, when you are besieged and oppressed with debts and necessities. Melior est pauper (saith Solomon) sibi sufficiens, quàm qui multa possidet, & tamen egenus.  
Such as these are Gamesters also, who out of a covetous desire and overweening to gain, sometimes make a Patrimony, but a Christmas-Cast. Others have more sport for their Money, who adventure bag after bag, and never leave off till all be lost. This hath accelerated the ruin of many noble Families.  
I am not so supercilious to conceive, but that it may be a firting decorum, for you to play, when by noble company you are invited thereunto: nay, not to play is a defect: but then not to adventure more than you can well spare, and for which the loss will not discontent you. And in this your disport, you are to have some respect unto time, and not to make that to be your vocation which is only intended for your recreation. Ludendi modus est retinendus, saith Tully.  
And it will also become you to know the advantages of games; so shall you not altogether commit your money, which is so precious, to the temerity of fortune: Money is the hand to all actions, and it is also called alter sanguis, and Regina pecunia, cui omnia obediunt.  
A consequent of the two former is the taking up of money upon Interest: What though you see many of the Nobility and Gentry involved and plunged therein, Multitudo errrantium non parat errori patrocinium. Cato being demanded, Quid est foenerare, made answer, Hominem jugulare. The Jews (well versed in the trade ever since) were permitted to lend upon usury, to those Nations, whom God had commanded to be cast out before them, thereby to extirp them. It devoureth States and Kingdoms. The King of Spain, called the King of the golden purse, upon whose Dominions the Sun never setteth; was not able to pay the Interest of money, taken up from the Merchants of Genoa, for the supply of his Army in the Low-Countries.  
A concomitant to this of Usury is Suretyship, which hath also undone many. Money cannot be procured but upon high security; whereby you must make use of your friends, even of your best friends. If you suffer them to be sued and impleaded, Actum est de Amicitia. But for the most part the borrowers of money (as at a mart) are engaged one for another, by a law of congruity. Those that stand engaged for you; you must underwrite for them also: so that thereby your person and estate will not only lie exposed to your own engagements, which might be weighty enough to pull you down, but for other men's debts also. And then it will be too late for you to hearken unto Solomon, whose advice is: If thou be surety for thy Neighbour, and hast stricken hands with a stranger, give no sleep to thine eyes, not slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a Do from the hands of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fouler. Your own engagements, with others also, by a figure of multiplication, may so redouble and triple upon you, that in a moment you may be swallowed up alive, and that House wherein your Ancestors have been glorious for bounty and hospitality, may become the Den of a merciless Usurer: Your enemies will laugh you to scorn, your friends passing by will lament and say, O domus antiqua, quàm dispari dominaris domino! But to prevent these and other the like mischiefs, you have a sure way. Be you the fruitful servant of Almighty God, you shall take deeper root: You shall be like a tree planted by the water side, which will bring forth fruit in due season: your leaf also shall not whither, and whatsoever you do, it shall prosper.  
Thus much for the preservation of your Honour and Estate, which descend upon you from your Ancestors. You may take breath a little, and then proceed to the second part of this Discourse, concerning your Company and Converse.   

INSTRUCTIONS OR ADVICE TO HIS GRANDSON. The second Part.  
HOmo est Animal sociale: and he that is not sociable (saith Aristotle) is more than a man, or less than a man, aut Deus aut bellua, either a God which hath need of none, or a beast that will do good to none. And from this principle or instinct of nature (for men to live together) he deduceth Families, Villages, Cities and Commonwealths. But the best things have a mixture of ill, and a difficulty ariseth, since Mundus in maligno positus, how shall we converse and not participate with other men's sins; touch pitch and not be defiled, or be like fishes of the Sea, bred up in salt waters, and always sweet.  
Pelagius affirmed that man only sinned by imitation: and certainly by seeing others sin before us, we insensible suck in the poison of Vice. This hath been the cause, that divers pious and devout men have dissociated and retired themselves into rocks, caves and desert places, thereby to avoid the contagion of Evil: such as john the Baptist, Father of the Eremites.  
But man by his Fall being judged to eat his bread Sudore vultus sai, is necessitated to live and make choice of an active life, which consisteth in labour & commerce, and thereby is engaged to the society of others. And because of temptations, it is good in the first place to avoid the converse of all known wicked persons, such as ●…e Cheaters, Ruffians & Debauched, who glory in their shame. A ●…nis bona perdisces (saith Seneca) quod si malis adhaeseris, mentem ●…uam habes proculdubio perdes. But because the Assemblies of ●…en (and those also of the better ●…ort, which is to be bewailed) ●…o abound with such, we are to fortify ourselves with the moral Virtues, and put on the Christian Armour, that thereby (by God's assistance) we may avoid the baits and engines wherewith they endeavour to ensnare us, as Solomon adviseth us; Si alliciant te peccatores, ne acquiescas eyes, etc. Seneca also gives us excellent direction: Cum tuis versare, quite meliorem facturi sunt: illos admit, quos tu potes facere meliores. Good is diffusive, and it is a happy Converse, when we either profit others or ourselves.  
The first place in our Affections must be for our Friends. True friendship is (as Tully saith) inter bonos in bonis; All compacts with wicked men, or in wicked things, are male icta foedera. A Friend is tried in Adversity: Si possides amicum (saith Syracides) 〈◊〉 tentationibus posside eum, & 〈◊〉 facile credas ei. A good close, not to be too credulous, but to try before you trust, true friends being very rare among so many Professors of friendship.  Tuta frequensque, via est per amici fallere nomen. 
The Italians have a proverb, God shield me from my friends, I will look to my Enemies myself. It may be an advantage to have an Enemy: he will make you stand the surer upon your guard: you eye his motions and avenues: but a friend, which bosometh with you, who can prevent? He is like a subterraneous engine, which will blow you up before you hear the report. And therefore Seneca well adviseth: Sic am a tanquam osurus, etc. Never love so much, but reserve yourself, that if your friend shall become your enemy, he shall not have power to do you hurt: and yet withal, never hate so much, but leave an open gap or overture to let in love. Your hatred must be mortal, your love immortal. Love abideth for ever.  
The next in order are your Neighbours, (a good Neighbour near, is better than a brother afar off:) with whom, in respect of nearness, you are to converse.  
There are two Honourable Neighbours, that in effect encircle your Estate: 1 The Right Honourable Viscount Tracy, who hath the pre-eminence of all the Families in these parts for Antiquity. Your Ancestors have from them received much honour by divers Trusts and Services recommended and reposed in them. Their lands at Alderton lie promiscuously with yours, and many differences have arisen between the respective Lords & Tenants, which have been always composed in an amicable way. Many graces and favours I have received in my Country; have proceeded from this Honourable Lord, and his Son Sir Robert Tracy, the true Inheritor of his Honours & Virtues. And though I might command you, yet had I rather entreat you to assist me to pay that deep debt of duty and service which I owe to those of that Honourable Family.  
The other is the Lord Chandos; nay, the Lord Butlers long before, as I am very well able to set forth. The Lord Edmund Chandos Knight of the Garter, in much infirmity of body did adventure towards Gloucester to do Sr. john Higford honour, when he was first High Sheriff, but falling more sick in the Journey, returned to his Castle and died before the Assizes were ended. The Lord Giles Chandos employed Sr. john Higford in the Government of his Estate, and in the Lieutenancy of the County: & for his good service done therein promoved him to the Queen's Majesty (a great Housewife of her Honour) who dignified him with the order of a Knight (in those days communicable only to persons of worth and quality) 14. Sept. 1591. At which time also her said Majesty created Sir john Scudamore Knight, the goodliest Parsonage then in the Court of England, and in high favour, her Majesty using many gracious speeches to them both. The Lord Grey Chandos, truly noble both in learning and Arms brought me first into the Commission of the Peace, and did me many Graces both in Court and Country. This noble Lord, with whom you are almost coetaneous, hath showed many remarkable Indices of his Prowess and Honour.  
Nec imbellem feroces  
Progenerant Aquilae columbam.  
Fellow the train of your Ancestors, and so grow up in his favour.  Principibus placuisse viris haud ultima laus est. 
You have also many other worthy Gentlemen your Neighbours, and some of your Alliance too, from whom your Ancestors have received many high favours. Your Ancestors knew no other way to continue their good Affections, but Affability, Sweetness, and mutual Offices of love. Morosity and strangeness will lose your friends, and benefit you nothing at all.  Descendendo ascends. 
The next Companions in order are your servants and Domestics, but these are ill companions, lest they prove insolent. It is written of Nero, the worst of Princes, Non habuisse ingenium supra servos; when the great affairs of State were in debate in the Senate house, he was conversant with his Favourite Tigillinus and the rest of his servants. And this hath also been a disparagement to many worthy Gentlemen, who affecting to be the best of their company, have negclected the converse of their superiors, many times to their great disadvantage.  
That you may be the better obeyed by your servants, you must carefully govern yourself, that by your own example you may the better govern them. Longum est iter per praecepta; breve & efficax per exempla.  
In the choice of your servants, you must take care, that they be negotiis pares, and then enjoin them business enough, and exact accounts from them, lest by remissness they grow idle and unserviceable. Pay them their due Salaries: so will they be the more tied and assured to you: Non manebit apud te opus mercenarti usque mane. Your Commands must be lawful, pious, and religious, tantum in Domino: remembering, that as they are your Servants, so they are Gods Freemen. Holy David will direct you in the choice of them: He that leadeth a Godly life, he shall be my servant. Faithful Abraham will inform you how to govern them: I know, saith God, that Abraham will Command his Household, that they keep the way of the Lord to do righteousness and judgement. Abraham had a good servant whom he employed in the negotiation of his son's marriage: if you find such a servant, let your soul love him, and defraud him not of liberty, neither leave him a poor man.  
The next Companions will be your Tenants, who are your Neighbours, and will have recourse unto you, in respect of their Estates which they hold of you. Tillage is the preservation of a Commonwealth in providing bread, which is called the Staff of man, whereupon he leaneth: which Staff, if it fail, Man falleth to the ground. Terra dicitur a terendo: and in a Fine Tillage-land is first set down, because it is worthier than any other land. For, as Cicero saith, Omnium rerum ex quibus aliquid exprmiitur, nihil est Agricultura melius, nihil uberius, nihil dulcius, nihil homine libero dignius. By this Kings have their Subsidies, and the Bodies of men for supply of their Armies, (for, as Tacitus saith, Ex agro supplendum robur exercitus) and Incumbents also receive their full Tithes. These Men live innocent lives without deceit: they only rely upon God, who giveth the former and the later rain. To enclose, or not to suffer them to renew their Estates, whereby desolation shall ensue, draweth on a woe.  
They hold of you by Fealty, that is, Fidelity, to be faithful unto you for the Lands they hold. you must in Relation give them protection, whereby they may follow their excessive labours.  Finiunt, reaprantque labores. 
Your Ancestors have been moderate in their Fines, and I trust God will bless you the better for it. Let these men of bread enjoy and eat the bread which they dearly labour for and earn: Panis pauperum, vita pauperum: qui defrandat eos, vir sanguinis.  
To your Tenements and Manor you have an Advousion that is Appendent. An Advousion, in the eye and construction of the law, is no more but a Pleasure for a Friend, a good friend indeed which may lead you to God. Omnia cum amico delibera, sed de ipso prius,  
Cardinal Ximenes Archbishop of Sevilla in Spain would never confer any Benefice to any person who made suit for the same. K. Henry 7. one of the Sages of the Kings of England did never promote any one to any Office or dignity upon the motion of another. Give your Benefice yourself, so shall you have the thanks: Give it with judgement, not with partial affection, St. Paul will direct you how to choose: Irreprehensibilem, ornatum, prudentem, pudicum, hospitalem, doctorem; non violentum, non percussorem, non cupidum; sed modestum, non neophytum, ne in superbiam elatus in judicium incidat diaboli. Against this young man I should except a little. Young men are Aguish, their pots are boiling, and they have many Meanders. The Cardinals in their conclave would once adventure (& that but once) to make a young Pope, which was Leo the 10. of the House of Medici's: but see what followed: This young Pope by promiscuous granting and selling of Pardons and Indulgences to the Germane Nation, gave occasion to Luther to write against him what a defection hath since ensued from that See? The Cardinals since grown more wary in their choice, do except against any one (though otherwise well parted for so high a function) unless he be also old enough to be Pope.  
Coram cano capite consurge, (saith Syracides.) The Elder man fixeth a deeper impression in the hearts of his Auditors, and the grey hairs exact a better attention, as it is lively expressed by Virgil.  
Tum pietate gravem, & meritis si forte virum quem  
Conspexere, silent, arrectisque auribus astant:  
Ille regit dictis animos, & pectora mulcet.  
The elder man also, if he be froward, is of less continuance.  
Non datur beneficium nisi propter officium, saith the Law. If you have provided him of the temporal part, he must afford you the spiritual. Amongst other his qualifications, peaceable must be one; in respect of the Interest he shall have in yours and your Tenants Estates. When you make a feast, though furnished with variety of delicacies, your feast will be much impaired, if you have no salt. This is your Salt.  
It will be an especial act of Piety in you to settle a godly preaching Minister to officiate at Dixton; It will be a singular comfort to you and your Family, to be informed in your duty to God by the example of his life and by his doctrine. It is said, Facundus comes in via est pro vehiculo: certainly, in this your journey ad patri am, which is Heaven (for we are all but pilgrims upon earth) such a companion will be as a Chariot to bring you to Almighty God: and perhaps some of your Ancestors have been less successful by the omission thereof.  
Now, being upon the Treaty of Sacred things, I shall recommend and transmit unto you the care of certain Lands piously bequeathed by William Higford Esq; to the use of the Church of Alderton by his Deed bearing date in October, the 28. Henry 8.  
The Church doth pray in aid of Brachium saeculare to support it, and the first Law in the Statutes of Magna Carta, whereunto the King at his Coronation is solemnly sworn, is, That the Church of England shall be free, and have all her Rights entire, and her liberties inviolate. You are and must be a Brachium seculare, and support to those Lands, which being separated and set apart from profane uses, must be now only employed according to the disposition of the Donour per formam doni. To alien or divert the profits to any other use (which is often attempted by the Parishioners to save their own money) or to endeavour to gain these Lands to yourself, is Sacrilege, a crying sin, greatly tending to the dishonour of Almighty God, and which also may infect your other lands. There are many examples of such who have broken the Trusts reposed in them, but their Names do rot upon the earth. Horrendum est incidere in manus Dei. You will find other pious Acts of your Ancestors, which to their glory and honour you are to maintain, as you will expect to be honoured yourself.  
You have also another Companion, which readeth to you. Generosus Animus facilius ducitur quàm trahitur. You must hearken to him as substituted by your worthy Mother, unto whom God hath confirmed a power over you. The Heir (saith the Apostle) differeth in nothing from a Servant (in his Minority) but is under Tutors and Governors. Disobedience in this kind is destructive. Maledictio Matris eradicat fundamenta. This your Overseer is to give you your first liquor: and then you know.  
Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem  
Testa diu.  
Sir John Higford, who was an eminent man in his Country, had for his Tutor the famous Bishop Jewel; my Father Doctor Cole, an excellent Governor; Myself Doctor Sebastian Benefield, native of Presbury, a very learned man: All three of Corpus Christi Coll. Oxon. And if we may transcend higher, Alexander who conquered the world, had for his Tutor Aristotle, who conquered the Arts: Thomas Aquinas, the Champion of the Roman host (of whom they boast, Tolle Thomam & dissipa Ecclesiam) had for his Tutor our Countryman and near Neighbour Alexander of Hales, surnamed Doctor irrefragabilis: Charles the Great, Emperor of the West, Alcuinus: Charles the fift, Pope Adrian: King James, a King of learning as well as of power, had for his Tutor the famous Buchanan. These Princes and great Persons obtained great renown by their Institution from their Tutors.  
The jesuits boast, that Imperium literaerum penès jesuitas: and they profit & raise their Scholars most by the choicest Lecturers that may be gotten to read unto their youth (and so also do Both our Universities, both in private Colleges and public schools) after the lecture they meet together, hold disputation, whet their wits by discourse, and rivet what they have heard, adding thereunto writing the heads for the helps of fallible memory: thus the work is done. Reading maketh an able man, Discourse a ready man, and writing a perfect man.  
There are also other Companions, and these are Books, held to be the best companions of all, because they will not flatter: but in the choice of them you ought to be very curious. And therefore in the first place cast away from you all wanton, lewd and licentious Pamplhets: and read good books, and those in order and method. For as in your diet, health is preserved by a few dishes, and those of good juice and nourishment: so in learning, a few Books well studied and digested will profit you more than a great number not will chosen. Lectio certa prodest: saith Seneca.  
The Right Honourable, the Lord Viscount Scudamore is best able to direct you (when you can have access to his Lordship) he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a great lover of learning and very learned: and a most bountiful Maecenas to all Scholars and men of parts.  
The Book, wherein you are to be most conversant, is the Holy Scriptures. This must be your Vade mecum. Non recedat Volumen legis hujus ab ore tuo, sed meditaberis in eo diebus & noctibus. This word is a lantern unto your feet, and a light unto your paths. The Scripture is compared to a River, wherein a Lamb may wade, and an Elephant may swim: in some places easy, in some places hard to be understood. The easy must expound the harder: and where you doubt, you must follow the Advise of St. James Si quis indiget sapientia, postulet a Deo: and also have recourse to God's learned Ministers and Ambassadors, of whom it is said, Vobis datum est nôsse mysteria dôi, whereto the Prophet Malache agreeth: The Priest's lips preserve knowledge: seek the law at his Mouth. Thus doing, you must acquiesce, and captivate your understanding to the obedience of Christ.  
The Psalms of Holy David you are to read as they are appointed for the Day, being a chioce part of the word of God, and the ejaculations of a person according to God's heart.  
Among other Books I would commend unto you especially, in divinity, the learned hooker's, Ecclesiastical polity; in History, the honour of our Nation Sr. Walter Raliegh & Plutarch's Lives; for the knowledge of our own Country, Mr. Camden's Britannia, and my friend Sr. Richard Baker's Chronicle; for precepts of Morality and virtuous Education, Xenophons' Cyrus, and Tully's Offices, together with K. James Basilicon Doron: and to refresh yourself with poetical stories, you may take Sr. Philip Sidney in steed of all. When I was young, it was a defect for a Gentleman not to be versed in Him.  
Alfred, one of the Saxon Kings during the Heptarchy, & Founder of the University of Oxford, divided the 24. hours of the Day into 3. parts: whereof one third part he spent in the necessities of Nature, viz. eating, drinking, dressing, sleeping &c. another third part he employed in hearing and composing matters of state, & negotiations of his Kingdom: but the other third part he constantly devoted to Meditation and acquisition of wisdom. Kings and Princes have many and great difficulties, and Crowns have thorns: and so in like sort all Masters of Families and Trades, in their several mysteries and vocations, have a full employment of their time: of whom it may be said, as Seneca, Ipsa vita vitae apparatu consumitur: But in you, who are freed frem all those encumbrances, it were noble to vindicate from sleep and sports some Hours every day, and to dispose them in the exercise of learning.  
Of all professions the Lawyer is most painful: and it may well be so: Gold is an especial Invitement to industry. I have known divers Students of the Law, who have, without any failer, set apart eight, nay some ten hours & more every day in study of the Law: whereby they became great Gainers, and were advanced to the highest place of judicature.  
Titus the son of the Emperor Vespasian, called Deliciae Generis Humani (because he was of so sweet a disposition, that it is said, Neminem ab eo tristem discessisse) this Titus kept a Diary of all his Actions, and when at night he had found upon examination, that he had acted nothing memorable, he would exclaim, Amici diem perdidimus. This example I commend to you, Dear Cousin, and add no more here, concerning your converse either with Men or Books.   

INSTRUCTIONS OR ADVICE TO HIS GRANDSON. The third Part.  
THE last part of our discourse will concern your Actions. Virtutis laus omnis in Actione consistit. The World is a Stage, and every one is to act his part before that great Spectator, God Almighty: which must make you careful how you act under his allseeing eye.  
The highest acts you can perform are the acts of Religion: whcich raiseth up your mind from earth to Heaven. Your Religion must be accompanied with zeal, and your zeal tempered with discretion, that you may not be one of them whom the Apostle censureth: Habentes zelum, sed non secundùm scientiam.  
In your Access to Heaven you are to be led by two Virgins, prayer and preaching, by the one you talk with God, by the other God speaketh unto you.  
In your prayer, you are to be frequent and fervent. Holy David in the Evening, Morning and Noon did pray unto the Lord, and that instantly, and the Lord heard his prayer. He did rise also at midnight to give thanks unto the Lord. Our Saviour Christ pernoctabat in Oratione.  
As for preaching, when you enter into the house of God, be ready and attentive in hearing the word of God, and make it your own by meditation and practice. Those beasts only were accounted clean that ruminate and chew the cud.  
It is practice, and the careful observance of God's Commandments, which brings the Reward, Hoc fac & vives. This is it that doth most lively denominate a Christian. You shall know him by his fruits.  
For the better observance of God's Law, you are to pray in aid of Grace, as St. Austin adviseth, Facere quod possumus, & petere quod non possumus. When you fall, let your prayer be, Ne derelinquas me, Domine: Strive to raise yourself again by repentance, which is no more but peccata praeterita plangere, & plangenda iterum non committere, called by St. jerom, Secunda post naufragium Tabula.  
The Theological Virtues which attend Religion are three, Faith, Hope, and Charity: with which you must join Humility. This is the basis or foundation of all other virtues: the first step of jacobs' ladder. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  
But the Moral virtues are a more proper subject for Me, the first in order is justice.  
This is the bond of all Societies, Families, Kingdoms and Commonwealths. Justitiâ amotâ quid sunt regna, nisi magna Latrocinia, Justice is, Suum cuique tribuere, to perform your word & contracts, and thereby you will command other men's Estates as your own. And let this be a Rule unto you, Nullum utile quod non honestum; that which is unjustly extorted from others will never prosper: De male quaesitis non gaudet ter●…ius haeres.  
Think not to be registered a Saint in the Court of Heaven, unless you make restitution (aut voto ●…t facto) of that which you have wrongfully exacted upon earth. Non remittitur peccatum (say the Casuists) nisi restituitur ablatum.  
But how will you be able to ●…ender every one his own, unless you have the knowledge of Laws, which limit every one their own, especially of the common or Municipal Law of this Kingdom, under which you live, and by which you hold your Estate.  
Yet some caution is to be had, that your knowledge of the Law provoke you not to commence suits, which are the countryman's wars. It is the counsel of Moses, Priusquam expugnaveris aliquam civitatem, offeras ei pacem. Have no suits in Law, if you can avoid them, or if you may have peace without them. Use law as your last remedy. Suits in law will cause an extreme distraction in your affairs, estate and mind. Sapientis est modico damno molestiam rei exclusisse. The Counsel of the Psalmist is not only, Sequenore, but Sectare pacem: The frequentative notes, you must seek it often.  
For the procuring and effecting of peace, it concerneth you in all your affairs to act nothing without the best and choicest Counsel may be had, that your contracts and settlements of your Estate be valid and perfect; and as much as in you lieth, foresee all inconveniences which may happen; leave as little as you can to incertainty: Fraud is so inquisitive and searching, that if you lay open the least gap, Fraud will enter thereinto, & will not only weaken and make void contracts and bargains, but even Laws also, never so judiciously debated and enacted.  
There is an Adage among the Lawyers, Qui habet terras habet guerras, It is incident unto land to have suits; and the greater your Estate, the more suits; but if any such be, you must therein be vigilant and industrious to apprehend opportunities, nothing is gained by sleeping, saith the common Law. Vigilantibus & non dormientibus jura subvenient.  
I am not of the opinion of some of our Nobility and Gentry, who, when their sons leave the Universities, omit the Inns of Court, and send them beyond the Seas. Travail is a necessary Accomplishment of a Gentleman, and an especial part of his Education: but what is it to be conversant abroad, and a stranger at home? These Inns of Court are virtuous and fruitful seminaries for the breeding of youth, where they study the known Laws of the Land and other noble exercises.  
Another part of justice is the well disposing of your own, and this virtue is called Liberality, you are to scatter your Alms as seed upon the earth, to gain thereby a plentiful Harvest. You shall have the prayers of many imploring God for you: and if the curse of the poor shall ascend to his Maker, shall not his prayers conduce to your good. We are but dispensators of God's blessings, and the poor must have a part. This is the most gainful Commerce of all other. Da temporaria, ut consequaris aeterna. Melius pecunia servatur, quae in manu pauperis collocatur.  Quas dederis solus samper habebis opes. 
The next in order is Prudence, Prudentia non est tantum virtus, sed auriga virtutum. This virtue is the directress of all other virtues, sits at the helm to guide the ship, holdeth the judgment-seat, distinguisheth bonum à malo, verum à falso.  
A wise man's eyes, saith Solomon, are always in his head: and if his own eyes are deficient he will use the eyes of others: Plus vident oculi quàm oculus.  
From hence ariseth the necessity of Counsel: for in counsel is health: Sine consilio facias nihil, & non poenitebis, saith Syracides. It is said of God himself, who is infinite in knowledge, that he acteth all things according to the counsel of his will. Whence we may learn to do nothing rashly or by precipitation: Deliberandum est diu quod statuendum est semel.  
A Counsellors part is, not only to give counsel, but to keep counsel, to be secret and reserved. To keep your friends secrets, is Religion: to keep your own, is safety. For so shall you not be prevented in your designs, which will be sooner effected by a prudent disguising of your purposes, like the Watermen, who in rowing turn their backs to the landing place.  
Depend not upon humane wisdom and policy, but depend on God: choose the fittest means to your just ends, and leave the success to him.  
After followeth Fortitude, what can be more expected: Prudence to direct what to do, & Fortitude or courage to dare to do. But this virtue is best observed in ourselves. Man hath for his object bonum sensibile, & bonum supernaturale: the one draweth him upward, the other downward. And hence ariseth the conflict which is in Man, himself against himself. Whereupon it was the daily prayer of St. Austin, Domine, salve me à me. To triumph in the conquest of yourself, and to subjugate your affections and appetite to the Government of Reason, is more than to conquer the World: which some men have effected, and yet could never conquer themselves, 
Fortior est qui se quàm qui fortissima vincit.  
Moenia.   
And here great care is to be had to withstand the blandishments of Prosperity, by which more inconsiderately fall, than by the blasts and storms of Adversity. Magnae virtutis est cum faelicitate luctari: magnae faelicitatis à faelicitate non vinci. The Traveller put off his Claok in the sunshine, which he held fast during the rain & storm.  
Another effect of Fortitude is to exclude all fear: Degeneres animos timor arguit.  
Fear is defined by Solomon to be the betraying of the succours, which Reason offers. Base cowardice, which suggests panic fears, maketh shadows substances, molehills to seem mountains. Pavor omnem sapientiam ex animo expectorat. And therefore in difficile & dangerous actions, it concerneth you to make a collection of yourself, for re cognita cessat timor, the justice of your cause and the clearness of your conscience will make you as bold as a Lion, and the ugliness of Death will not affright you.  
Another part of Fortitude is Patience, by many of our Gallants called virtus asinina, but in truth it is virtus heroica: the most Heroical of all the rest, and which giveth you assurance of Victory: Vincit qui patitur, The patiented man, like the skilful Seaman, when the Winds are contrary, tacketh about, and so arriveth at the Port desired.  
I will present you with one instance for many. The Lord Pawlett, the first Lord Marquis of Winchester, so created by Edward the sixth, continued a privy Counsellor, and in especial favour, to four Princes, Henry 8. Edward 6. Q. Marry, and was Lord Treasurer of England unto Q. Elizabeth, and being demanded how he could continue in prime favour with four Princes so differing in Disposition, Religion, Age, and Sex, made answer: Patiendo, tacendo, blandiloquendo, injurias non ulciscendo. Agreeable whereunto was another saying of the same Marquis: Ortus sum ex salice, non ex quercu. But Virgil the Poet shall conclude for all.  Superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est. 
The last, but not the least, is the most rare and excellent Virtue Temperance. Epictetus' taught this virtue in two words: Sustine & Abstine Aristotle defineth it: Virtus cohibens appetitum in jis quae turpiter appetuntur. But St. Gregory goes farther: Qui non temperat à licitis, incidet in illicita. It is not enough to abstain from things forbidden and unlawful, but even from the immoderate use of lawful things also.  
This is the sweet virtue, nay the Lady and Mistress of all the rest. This must be your consort both at Bed and at Board. At Bed to preserve your Chastity: at Board to preserve your Health. Chastity is a great gift of God: the chaste shall follow the Lamb: They lead an Angelical life here, in carne, sine carne. Health is the greatest Worldly blessing. As it is an Axiom in Philosophy, Anima sequitur temperaturam corporis: so certainly the distempers of the body do dog and disturb the faculties of the mind.  
This virtue will preserve you from the loathsome sin of Drunkenness: which if it once get possession of you, will increase with your age & gather strength. Other vices may have some Generosity in them, this savoureth too much of the Pig. It excludeth a man from the Kingdom of God: it depriveth him of his reason: it exposeth him to contempt and scorn: it bringeth many other sad consequences and disasters.  
I know there is sometimes a joviality amongst men upon prosperous events, whereby you may be drawn perhaps to exceed by Persons of Honour. But be sure, if you drink ad hilaritatem, drink not ad ebrietatem. Make not yourself a Brewer's Horse to carry Drink. Pretend other business and fair excuses to come off. Wine and strong drink is a traitor. The Wine sparkleth in the Cup, it runneth sweetly down the throat, but it biteth like a Serpent, and the end is bitterness, as the wisest man hath observed.  
I presume I might have forborn this to you, but because it is morbus patrius, so catching and infectious, I have taken leave to deliver mine opinion thereof.  
There is another sort of Temperance, to restrain Anger. It will be good for you to resist the beginnings of Anger, and to kill this raging serpent in the egg. Augustus Caesar, before he would do any thing in his Anger, would say over the Greek Alphabet: but let your direction be, when your Anger ariseth, to say over the Lord's Prayer, twice or thrice, the oftener the better: and remember what Solomon saith: It is the discretion of a man to defer his anger, and his glory to pass by offences.  
From these Cardinal Virtues I shall now proceed to some good Additions, and comely Ornaments of a Gentleman.  
And the first that I shall propose unto you is the noble exercise of Riding the great Horse. A knight on Horseback is one of the goodliest sights in the World. Methinks I see Sr. James Scudamore, your thrice noble Grandfather, a brave Man of Arms both at Tilt and Barriers, after the voyage of Cales and the Cana●y Lands (wherein he performed very remarkable and signal service, under the Conduct of the Earl of Essex) enter the Tiltyard in a handsome equipage, all in complete Armour, embellished with Plumes, his Beaver close, mounted upon a very high bounding horse (I have seen the shoes of his horse glister above the heads of all the people) and when he came to the encounter or shock, broke as many Spears as the most, her Majesty Q Elizabeth, with a Train of Ladies, like the Stars in the Firmament, and the whole Court looking upon him with a very gracious aspect. And when he came to reside with Sr. John Scudamore, his Father (Two braver Gentlemen shall I never see together at one time, such a Father, such a Son) Himself and other brave Cavaliers, and some of their Menials and of his suit, to manage every morning Six or more brave well-ridden Horses, every Horse brought forth by his Groom in such decency, order and honour, that Holme-Lacy, at that time, seemed not only an Academy, but even the very Court of a Prince.  
Sir, you may not boast yourself to descend from such Ancestors, unless also you have an earnest emulation to succeed them in their virtues.  
The next is the most noble Art of Defence. You may note it is not called the Art of Offence: to offend and to do wrong, is inhuman and barbarous. Nihil intolerabilius (saith Tully) in benè morata republica, quàm aliquid fie●…i per vim.  
If you wrong your Superior, than you know that will be impar congressus: upon the shock the Iron pot will quickly break in pieces the sides of the earthen pot. And if you wrong your Inferior, then shall you descend, and make him equal with yourself; and if you be vanquished, it will tend the more to your d●shonour. But above all things you are to avoid duelling. To be engaged in a Duel, is to be accursed from your Mother's Womb. Two great extremities, to kill or to be killed. By the one you will be no other, than Cain after the kill of his Brother Abel, a runagate upon the face of the earth, with the horror of conscience, whose worm dyeth not; and by the other you die out of Charity, in the disfavour of Almighty God, a most fearful condition.  
To prevent and avoid Quarrels, wise men have observed 4. things First hold no Arguments vehemently. Every man loveth the child of his own brain, as well as the child of his body, and few men will yield. Reason with your Antagonist soberly, repeat his Argument, in some measure seem to approve it, though never so absurd, crave his pardon that you descent from him, and then press your Reasons fairly and perspicuously: you are not bound to make another man of your opinion: if you cannot gain him, fall off.  
Secondly, Make no Comparisons. Comparisons are odious, saith our Proverb. For either you will over-praise, which will be a fault in you: a noble Gentleman, a brave Gentleman, an honest Gentleman, ●…s praise sufficient: or else you will detract, and that will offend also.  
Thirdly, Lay no wagers. This hath been an occasion of many Quarrels kindled by Avarice.  
Lastly, Avoid all scurrility: rub no old sores, and lose not your friend for your Jest. Facetiae (saith Tacitus) quae nimium de vero traxerint, acrem sui memoriam relinquent.  
But to defend yourself in a just cause, that is agreeable to the Laws of God, nature, and man: and to do it with judgement and resolution will marvellously tend to your honour and safety,  
The use of Arms doth much differ in these times I hear now the single Rapier is altogether in use: when I was young, the Rapier and Dagger. And I cannot understand, seeing God hath given a man two Hands, why he should not use them both for his defence.  
The bravest Gentlemen of Arms, which I have seen, were Sr. Charles Candish, and the now Marquis of Newcastle, his son, Sr. Kenelm Digby, and Sr. Lewis Dives; whom I have seen compose their whole bodies in such a posture, that they seemed to be a Fort impregnable. They were the Scholars of john de Nardes' of Sevilla in Spain, who with the Dagger alone would encounter the single Rapier and worst him. This exercise is most necessary for you, and also excellent for your Health.  
And from this Principle or Ground of Nature, to defend yourself, appeareth the lawfulness of War, when as the Honour, Religion and safety of a Commonwealth is concerned therein. Justum est bellum, quod idem est necessarium: & pia arma, ubi nulla nisi in armis spes est.  
Our Saviour adviseth, that He who will go to War should compute first. In the computation you are to make, you must survey bona animi, bona corporis and bona fortunae. In the first you are to measure your Abilities of mind: for if you enter into war, you must either go on like a man of Honour, or die in the Bed of Honour: Next you are to consider, whether your Body be able to endure the labours of War, and the extremities of hunger, thirst, cold, heat, watching etc. And lastly, what salary or entertainment you shall have (for the name soldier is derived from the name Sold, which is pay) that you may follow the Wars in an honourable way, therein to use no violence or plundering, which will be unworthy of you; but follow St. John Baptists command: Neminem concutiatis: sed contenti estote stipendiis vestris.  
But now from the rude noise of Arms I shall call you to the harmonious sounds of Music, worthily placed among the liberal Arts. All creatures have an Inclination thereunto: the Birds chanting in the woods: the laborious Husband man and Artificer, in their several vocations alleviate their toilsome labours by their rude Accents, making melody to themselves: and in all Age's Music hath been esteemed quality becoming a noble personage. Themistocles the Athenian, as Tully saith) Quia non poter at fidibus canere, habitus est indoctior.  
Music is either Vocal or Instumental. Vocal is best, because made by God himself, adding thereunto the livelyness of the Musician, singing some excellent composed Poem, well fitted to the Music: and in this kind these latter times have been most exquisite. But you will be most complete, when you join the vocal and instrumental both together.  
Great is the power of Music. In the Kingdom of Naples, there is a small creature called the Tarantula; any one bitten with it falleth into a frenzy, and the proper cure for him is Music; whereby he is recovered.  
Music did allay the evil spirit of Saul. Music prepared Elisha the Prophet to receive his Inspirations. Music advanced God's honour and service in the Temple, and the Happiness in Heaven ●…s described and set forth unto ●…s by Music and sing.  
Memorable is that which St. Austin relateth of his conversion in the book of his Confessions) ●…um reminiscor lacrymas meas ●…as fudi ad cantus Ecclesiae tuae ●… primordiis recuperatae fidei meae, ●…agnam instituti hujus utilitatem ●…gnosco.  
They say in our English Colonies in Virginia and New England, and the summer Lands, the ●…g●ns give wonderful attention to the Singing of Psalms, and hereby are so taken and delighted, that it is a special means of their conversion to the Christian Faith.  
I have sent you a book of the Psalms composed in four parts, an excellent composure, whereby you may be invited to proceed farther in this divine faculty. When you are oppressed with serious and weighty business, to take your viol and sing to it, will be a singular ease and refreshment.  
Subservient to this faculty of Music is Dancing, a measure of the feet: and this is also a singular Ornament to a Gentleman, conducing to a comely posture of his Body in his salutation of others, or otherwise to adapt him to a Decorum in his deportment and behaviour.  
This Quality hath advanced many persons unto Honour. Q. Elizabeth, a Princess of singular judgement in the choice of her Servants and great Officers of State, by seeing Sr. Christopher Hatton dancing in a Mask (than but a private Gentleman of the Inner Temple) advanced him to the Dignity and place of Lord High Chancellor of England, the highest officer of State, next unto ●…er Person, for honour and trust.  
Some rigid Divines hold it unlawful and impious to dance, affirming that Chorea est circulus cu●…us centrum est diabolus, but others, quorum melior sententia menti, esteem it not only lawful, but useful also, for the raising of noble spirits to high and heroic actions. Masks and other Courtly recreations of Gallant Gentlemen and Ladies of Honour, striving to exceed one the other in their measures and changes, and in their reparts of wit and compliment have been beyond the Power of envy to disgrace.  
Amongst other Arts I must commend unto you, that which is of very great necessity, especially for Oeconomy and Government of your House: I mean, Arithmetic. Sir John Higford, famous for his Hospitality, kept a diary of all his expenses. The Great Earls of Warwick, unto whom our Ancestors had some Relation, took accounts from their officers and servants of all the Charge and Provision of their House keeping (which I can yet produce) even to the gauging of the Hogsheads of Beer.  
The Right Honourable the Lord Scudamore is in an extraordinary measure versed in this rare faculty, and when I had the honour to wait upon his Lordship, concerning the Treaty of Marriage with your worthy Mother, the Government of his House was so well contrived, every officer recieving the Provision, one from another, with such order, honour and bounty, that the managing of his House-keeping (I want expression) did appear to be tanquam ●…ies ordinata, Believe it, Thrift is the Jewel of Magnificence.  
I may no longer omit that which I account an Essential part of a Gentleman, namely, Travel beyond the seas into foreign Countries: And I could hearty wish, that with some other young Gentleman, under the conduct of some Grave and learned per●…on, you might resort to some famous University, either in the remotest part of France, or Italy, from the converse of the English Nation; that you might for a time study Philosophy and the Arts. Certainly, upon his dunghill, the English Gentleman is somewhat stubborn and churlish: Travel will sweeten him very much, and imbreed in him Courtesy, Affability, Respect and Reservation.  
In your Travel, it will be obvious to you to observe the situations of Towns, Cities, Rivers, and the distances of high ways and stages for your journey: so also for the commodities of each Province or Country: Et quid quaeque ferat regio, & quid ferre recuset.  
But you must not rest there: You must transcend to higher Notions.  Tu regere Imperio populos, Roman, memento. 
Your observations in Travel must be versed in the polity and ordering of States, especially Monarchies, because almost all the World is under the subjection of Monarches.  
In the Monarchies therefore, you are especially to observe the state and magnificence of the Prince, his Nobility, his Pensioners, his Guards, his Genius and disposition, his prime Favourites, his Great Officers of State, his Counsellors of State, the manner of their procession, how they take places; their several Commands, Authorities and jurisdictions. Then, to observe his Courts of Justice, the quality of his Judges; the processes, plead and progressions for Hearing, as well in causes criminal as civil; and the Results, Sentences, Appeals, Arrests, Judgements depending thereupon: The latitude also and power of every Court of Justice. Then are you to consider his Forces, what number he is able to bring into the Field, his Cavalry, his Infantry, the condition of his soldiers, whether mercenary, auxiliar, or natural (which is the best sort) their discipline and order. Next, to consider his Forces at Sea, the situation, capacity and convenience of his Havens and ports; what vessels and of what burden he is able to set to Sea: and then, for the maintenance of both, you may survey his Ammunition, his Storehouses, Magazines and arsenals: Then, what revenues and entreats he hath to maintain, support and defray the charge of his Forces both by Sea and Land: And therein to take notice of his marks of soveraingnty, what he can do, with, and without his people: And therein to consider his Trea●…ry, his Exchequer and Finaces, his Crown Lands, his Customs, Privileges and Flowers of his Crown: Then, his extraordina●…es, what Contributions, Subsides, ●…ids, Impositions and Gabells ●…e raiseth from his People. Then ●…e you to consider his Friends and Allies: what his leagues are, ●…hither offensive, or defensive, ●…r both: and of what continuance ●…ey are like to be. Then you ●…ay look upon his Religion, his ●…leargy and the Government ●… them, their Rites and Ceremo●…es, Liturgy, Sermons and Te●…ers. Then are you to have re●…urse to the Universities, and in ●…em the most famous Men, their ●…putations and controversies, and whatsoever more you shall find rare and fit for imitation, when you return into England.  
Now for the Commodiousness of your Travel, it concerneth you to be skilled in the Languages of such countries, wherein you are to travel. The French is most in use. It is a most sweet Tongue, called the Woman's Tongue; and, as I think, for the Addresses from the servant to the Mistress, and from the subject to the Sovereign there is no sweeter, nor more civil Language in the World. Some progression were fit for you to make in this useful Language.  
Some of your good friends have very much enabled themselves, and gained much honour and reputation by their Residence in foreign parts.  
The Lord Scudamore hath required much honour to our Nation by his Ambassage into France: his directtion and Addresses to some of his noble Friends there, will be an especial Advantage to you.  
The late Sr. john Scudamore, unfortunately deceased, brought come many rare Books, and observations of his Travel, which are well worth your perusal, if they might be gotten. I was in my particular much bound unto him for his Favours. He visited and caressed me when I was a Prisoner, and did me noble offices, which here I mention in honour to his Memory.  
I must not forget the Princely exercise of Hunting, wherein the ●…gacity of the irrational creature ●…s very observable, Et odora canum vis.  
Hunting is useful, to know the situation and distance of places, & to enure your Body to labour, and by the bounty of your Horse to climb the Hills and descend the Valleys, like young Ascanius, Nunc hos cursu, nunc praeterit illos.  
So also is the Gentile exercise of Hawking, more especially at the River, to see the Falcon lessen herself, and to fall down upon the Foul like a Thunderbolt.  
These are noble erercises, if the convenience of your Estate and affairs may afford you a dispensation to make use of them.  
There are also other parts becoming a Gentleman, as Limming, Portraying with the Pensile and many other, which I leave to your own Election and Judgement.   

The Conclusion.  
TO conclude with a story: Sempronius Gracchus, Father of Caius and Tiberius Gracchus, observing the turbulent dispositions of his two Sons, persuaded them to reside in the Country at his Farm, there to negotiate in his affairs of husbandry: but his said Sons, being of a more boiling and tumultuous humour (They afterward became incendiaries in the State of Rome) would not hearken to their Father's commands, but resolved to abide in the City, at that time the Theatre of the World for high Achievements and Actions. Their Father not prevailing with them, used and delivered unto them these words: My Sons, if you will not return into the Country, as I desired, then take care, I pray you that you act nothing Indignum Nomine Sempronio.  
You My dear Coson, derive some honour from your late Father, much more ennobled by your worthy Mother. Act nothing, I beseech you, that shall be unworthy of your Ancestors, from whom you descend.  
But I have a better confidence of you; and your Name hath been also very fortunate to our family: Bonum nomen, bonum Omen. I hope it will be verified of you, as it was of John Baptist in the person of Elias: Joannes cum venerit restituet omnia.  
And for Dixton, I hope it will be said, the same which was said of Rome under the Government of Augustus, L●…teritiam invenit, reliquit marmoream.  
And to that purpose I shall commend you to God in my prayers: God so bless and govern you, that you may be a contentment to yourself, a comfort to your worthy Mother, an Honour to our decayed Family (to me your well doing an unspeakable Joy) and which is the sum of all, that you may be the faithful Servant of Almighty God, to live in his fear, and die in his Favour Amen.  
DEO GLORIA.