Advice to a Son; or Directions For your better Conduct Through the various and most important Encounters of this Life.  
under these general Heads 

I. Studies &c.  
II. Love and Marriage.  
III. travel.  
IV. Government.  
V. Religion.  
Conclusion.    
OXFORD. Printed by Hen: Hall Printer to the University, for Thomas Robinson 165●.   

To the Reader.  
SUch as make it their business, with the Spider, to suck out the Crudities and Corruptions in books, are unlikely to fail of Matter here: yet may come far short of the Credit and Good might accrue to themselves and others, did they poor less on what is really amiss, and more on that which is not yet brought under a perfect Knowledge (unpossible to be taken up pure by those that begin but now to scramble for it:) NewOpinions, though perhaps untrue, rather gaining, then losing Repute by Opposition; This breeds matter of wonder, why so many should hazard their Fame, by running and yelping after those prodigious Wits of this last Age, B. D. H. &c. Who are not unable, with Abner, to silence these swifter writers with the Butt-end of of their quills; and so richly endowed from Nature, as they are able to traffic upon their single stock, without obliging the credit of ancient Authors, who for aught I know, were of poorer Parts, and might learn of them, were they in being. This is said to honour those that can take their pastime in the Depths of Reason; and not to shroud my poor Interest under theirs, whose books deserve better Coverings, then can be picked out of the choicest of my Papers, or theirs that have the impudence to traduce them. To conclude, Many that can buy books, want Wit to use them.   

To his Son.  
Son,  
I Have forborn to set your Name on the Forehead of these Animadversions, not that I am ashamed either of Them or You, but for such like Reasons.  
First, because some Truths, I here endeavour to make legible, the tyranny of custom and Policy labours to conceal, as destructive to the Project of Government; and therefore unlikely to pass by wise men, without a formal reproof; who have been long since taught by unerring Experience, That Ignorance draws with the least reluctancy, in the yoke of Obedience; being of so sheepish a Nature, as she is no foe but her own.  
Next to spare you the trouble of arming your Reason, in way of defence, upon every Alarum, They may receive, from the Censures of wiser or weaker judgements: For not carrying the marks of your particular Interest, you may stand, as it were unseen, behind the curtain of indifferency, and hear without blushing the Opinions of others, if chance or your will should please to make Them the object of their Discourse. Amongst whom, if any accuse Them, as too cheap and obvious, They are unadvised Questioners of their own Charter, in case they should be Fathers: who were never denied yet the freedom to teach their Children to manage an Hobby-horse, without offering violence to Gravity or Discretion.  
Neither do we so ordinarily fall through the unevenness or difficulty of the way, as carelessness and ignorance in the Journals of former Experience: This makes it the greatest demonstration of paternal Affection, like the Pelican, to dissect myself before you, and by ripping up mine own Bowels, to let you see where the defects of humanity reside, which are not only the occasions of many corporeal Diseases, but of most of the Misfortunes accompanying Life.  
And though, in passing through so much weakness, They are rendered more deficient, then, considered in their own Nature, in truth they are; Yet, being the best I am able to afford you, They cannot but be looked upon by You for as lively a Monument of my Love, as if they bare the magisterial impress of a work of Solomons.  
And in regard of Time, none can be more opportune than this, in which men carry breasts of steel against those of their own Profession (some niceties excepted) under the imperious pretence of Religion.  
If any blinded with Ignorance, or misled by a more candid Nature, should engage for the sufficiency of These, or any thing else, I have writ: I am conscious of too many flaws in myself, to be swelled beyond my natural proportion.  
Your sake alone produced Them, that during the little time I have to live, you might turn to my judgement, upon all occasions, without trouble; and converse with me being dead, without fear.  
There is no great difference between good days, & evil, when past; yet if thus fortified by the Advice of a Father, no less than the Prayers of an incomparable indulgent Mother, you should break out into Extravagancies, presuming on the Opinion of your own judgement, and the mediation of our Love, (Though it would be the severest curse remaining in the custody of Fortune, yet unlayed upon me:) I doubt not, but to receive more comfort, from a Patience able to bear it, than you shall from a Repentance sufficient to blot it out.  
But it is neither Delight in me, nor Charity unto you, by jealousy to antedate Crimes never yet committed; I desire you therefore to take these Admonitions, as marks to sail by, not for presages of shipwreck.  
For any faults escaped here, through haste, or other infirmity, I hope your Love will be large enough to cover them, not exposing, out of Ostentation or idleness, your father's Shame: whereby, not only what is perfect may prove useful, but the very mistakes and blots obtain as great a design, by exercising your wit and industry in their Emendation; which I expect you should faithfully perform in relation to These, or any thing else you find, may traduce the Credit or stain the Memory of  
Your loving Father, &c.   

READER.  
These Faults you may mend thus. Pag. 18. lin. 1. change it and if. p. 41. l. 15. r. jealousy. p. 75. l. 15. r. Streets. p. 82. l. 26. their r. there p. 86. l. 5: r. of the. l. 25. r. those p. 99 l. 4. r. ●id. p. 116. l. 10. r. 40. Tithes. p. 118. l. penult. r. at a Gna●. p. 119. l. 7. r. through. l. 14. r. prejudice. p. 139. l. 23. r. or Stupidity.  
What other Faults you find, or make, you may also mend how you please.   

ADVICE TO A SON.  
I. STUDIES. &c.  
1. Free schools. 2. universities. 3. Collegiate Discipline. 4. mere Scholars. 5. physic. ●6. Volumes. 7, 8. History. 9 Choice books, Negotiations, ambassadors. 10. Converse. 11. Pedants. 12. stronglines. 13. Exercise— of 14. style. 15. Letters. 16. Sordid Phrases. 17. Courtesies. 18. Counsel. 19, 20. Secretaries. 21. Serving wicked Masters. 22, 23. Intelligencers. 24. Observance. 25. Dependency. 26. Writing things dangerous. 27. Poetry. 28. music. 29. Clothes— 30. Buying. 31. Horses. 32. Riding. 33. Wrestling, Vaulting, Fencing, 34. Swimming. 35, 36. Suretyship, Trusting. 37. public Faith. 38. Contracts. 39 Implicit judging. 40, 41. Pride, baseness. 42. Gesture in Speaking. 43. boldness. 44. covetousness 45, 46, 47. Thrift. 48. Rising out of Bed. 49. Eating. 50. Drinking, tobacco. 51, 52, 53. drunkenness. 54. Diet, Plots. 55. 56. Company. 57 Jeering. 58, 59 Proverbs, Injuries, Fighting— Duels. 60. Insulting. 61. Ordinaries. 62. dogs, boys, Whores. 63, 64, 65. Secrecy and Boasting— of— the Favours of women— 66. Married— 67. Great Ladies— 68 Masks, plays. &c.  
1. THough I can never pay enough to your grandfather's Memory for his tender care in my Education, yet I must observe in it this mistake; That by keeping me at home, where I was one of my young Masters, I lost the advantage of my most docible Time: For not undergoing the same discipline, I must needs come short of their experience, that are bred up in free-schools, who by plotting to rob an Orchard etc, run through all the subtleties required in taking of a town; being made by use familiar to secrecy, and compliance with opportunity; Qualities never after to be attained at cheaper rates than the hazard of all; whereas these see the danger of Trusting others, and the rocks they fall upon by a too obstinate adhering to their own imprudent resolutions; and all this under no higher penalty than a whipping: And 'tis possible, this indulgence of my father might be the cause I afforded him so poor a return for all his cost.  
2. As your Education hath been befriended by a Foundation, so you may endeavour the requital, if God makes you able: However let not the contrary afflict you, since it is observed by some, That his name who burned the Temple of Diana, out-lasted theirs that built it; A fortune God grant may never fall upon our universities. nevertheless if zeal overheated in the narrow hearts of men ignorant & covetous should dry up these fountains of learning, by appropriating their Revenues, & demolishing their Monuments (to the fame of which foreign Nations resort in Pilgrimages, for to offer up honour & admiration to these shrines, & return more loaden with satisfaction than they could possibly bring prejudice) yet she should pull down no more, then she had formerly raised, when incited by a contrary affection to charity & knowledge; therefore a provocation not strong enough to distemper a wise man's patience, who may easily observe, in his own or precedent books of experience, as great maps of devastation. For if one age did not level, what another had erected, variety were lost, & no means left to render the present or future Generations famous or infamous.  
3. I have observed in Collegiate discipline, that all the Reverence to superiors, learned in the Hall or chapel, is lost in the irreverent discourse you have of them in your Chambers: By this you leave the principal business of Youth neglected, which is to be perfect in Patience & Obedience, Habits nowhere so exactly learned, as in the Foundations of the Jesuits, could they be fetched thence without prejudice to Religion & freedom.  
4. Let not an over-passionate prosecution of Learning draw you from making an honest improvement of what is already yours, or may be made so by your future endeavours; as such do, who are better read in the bigness of the whole earth, than that little spot, left them for their support.  
5. If a more profitable employment pull you not too soon from the University, make some inspection into physic; which will add to your welcome where ever you come; it being usual, especially for Ladies, to yield no less reverence to their Physicians, than their Confessors: Neither doth the refusal of Fees abate your profit proportionably to the advancement it brings to your Credit: The intricacy of the study is not great, after an exact knowledge in Anatomy, & Drugs is attained; not hard, by reason of the late helps. Yet I advise you this under such Caution, as not to imagine the Diseases you read of, inherent in yourself, as many melancholic young men do, that make their first Experiments upon their own bodies, to their perpetual detriment: Therefore you may live by, not upon physic.  
6. Huge volumes, like the ox roasted whole at Bartholomew fair, may proclaim plenty of labour & invention, but afford less of what is delicate, savoury & well concocted, than smaller pieces: This makes me think, that though upon occasion you may come to the Table & examine the bill of Fare, set down by such Authors; yet it cannot but lessen ingenuity, still to fall aboard with them; human sufficiency being too narrow, to inform with the pure soul of Reason, such vast bodies.  
7. Be conversant in the Speeches, Declarations & Transactions occasioned by the last wars; out of which more natural and useful knowledge may be sucked, than is ordinarily to be found in the mouldy Records of Antiquity.  
8. When I consider with what contradiction Reports arrived at us, during our civil wars; I can give the less encouragement to the reading of History: Romances never acted being borne purer from Sophistication, than Actions reported to be done; by which Posterity hereafter, (no less than Antiquity heretofore) is likely to be led into a false or at best but a contingent belief. Caesar, though in this happy, that he had a pen able to grave into neat language, what his sword had first more roughly cut out, may in my judgement, abuse the Reader; For he, that for the honour of his own wit, doth make people speak better, than can be supposed men so barbarously bred were able, maypossibly report they fought worse, then really they did. Of a like value are the Orations of Livy, Tacitus and most other Historians; which doth not a little prejudice the truth of all the rest.  
9 A Few books well studied, and throughly digested, nourish the understanding more, then hundreds but gargled in the mouth, as ordinary students use: And of these, choice must be had, answerable to the Profession you intend: For a statesman, French Authors are best, as most fruitful in Negotiations & memoirs, left by public Ministers, & by their Secretaries published after their deaths. Out of which you may be able to unfold the Riddles of all States: None making more faithful reports of things done in all nations, than ambassadors; who cannot want the best Intelligence, because their Prince's Pensioners unload in their bosoms, all they can discover. And here by way of prevention, let me inform you, that some of our late ambassadors (which I could name) impaired our affairs, by treating with foreign Princes in the language of the place; by which they did not only descend below their Master's dignity, but their own discretion, betraying for want of words or gravity, the intrinsic part of their Employment; and going beyond their Commission oftener by concession, than confining themselves within it, or to it; the true Rule for a Minister of State, not hard to be gained by a resolute contest, which if made by an Interpreter, he, like a medium, may intercept the shame of any impertinent speech, which eagerness or indiscretion may emit: Neither is it a small advantage to gain so much time for deliberation, what is fit farther to urge: It being besides too much an honouring of their tongue and undervaluing your own, to profess yourself a Master therein, especially since they scorn to learn yours. And to show this is not grounded on my single judgement, I have often been informed, that the first and wisest Earl of Pembroke did return and Answer to the Spanish ambassador, in Welsh, for which I have heard him highly commended.  
10. It is an aphorism in physic, That unwholesome airs, because perpetually sucked into the lungs, do distemper health more than courser Diet, used but at set times: The like may be said of Company, which if good, is a better Refiner of the spirits, then ordinary books.  
11. Propose not them for patterns, who make all places rattle, where they come, with Latin and Greek; For the more you seem to have borrowed from books, the poorer you proclaim your natural Parts, which only can properly be called your own.  
12. Spend no time in reading, much less writing stronglines; which like tough meat, ask more pains and time in chewing, then can be recompensed by all the nourishment they bring.  
13. Books flatly writ debase your stile; the like may be truly objected to weak Preachers, and ignorant Company. pens improving, like children's legs, proportionally to their Exercise; so as I have seen some stand amazed at the Length of their own reach, when they came to be extended by employment; As appeared in the late King Charles; who, after his more imperious destiny had placed him under the Tutorage of an unavoidable necessity, attained a Pen more majestical, than the Crown he lost.  
14. The way to Elegancy of stile, is to employ your pen upon every Errand, and the more trivial and dry it is, the more brains must be employed for sauce. Thus by checking all ordinary Invention, your Reason will attain to such an habit, as not to dare to present you but with what is excellent: And if void of affectation, it matters not how mean the subject is; There being the same exactness observed, by good Architects, in the structure of the kitchen, as the Parlour.  
15. When business or compliment calls you to write Letters, Consider what is fit to be said, were the Party present, and set down that.  
16. Avoid words and Phrases likely to be learned in base Company; lest you fall into the Error, the late Archbishop Laud did, who though no ill speaker, yet blunted his repute by saying in the Star-chamber, Men entered the Church, as a Tinker and his Bitch do an alehouse. But this may easily be declined by those who read for their imitation the incomparable lines of the late King, written in a stile as free from affectation as levity.  
17. Grant, if ever, a courtesy at first asking; for, as expedition doubles a Benefit, so delay converts it into little less than an Injury, and robs you of the thanks; the fate of churlish natures: whereas some I have known able to apparel their refusals in such soft robes of Courtship, that it was not easily to be discerned, whether the Request or denial were most decent.  
18. Be not nice in assisting, with the advantages, Nature may have given you, such as want them; who do not seldom part, in exchange, with those of Fortune, to such as can manage their Advice well; As they only do, that never give counsel, till called, nor continue it longer than they find it acceptable.  
19 It is not safe for a Secretary to mend the copy his Master hath set him, unless owned as from his former inspirations; lest he should grow jealous, that you valued your conceptions before his; who measures his sufficiency by the length of his Employment, not the breadth of his natural Parts: This made the Lord chancellor Egerton the willinger to exchange incomparable Dr. D. for the less sufficient, though in this more modest Mr. T. B.  
20. But in case his affairs be wholly left to your management, you must not only look to correspond for his miscarriages, but as obstinately to renounce any honour may be given you to his prejudice: imputing all to his single sufficiency; yourself owning no higher place than that of the Executioner of his commands: For though many great men, like Properties or Puppets, are managed by their servants, yet such are most dear to them, as can so carry their hands in their actings, that they make them appear less fools then in truth they are; easily done by giving them the honour to concede or deny in public, without interposing any other arguments against it, then may become the mouth of a servant, however you may order him in private.  
21. That it is not unlawful to serve, bear Office or arms under such as ascend the throne or other high places, by steps washed in blood, you may be abundantly satisfied in Conscience, by the Church in Nero's house, the good Centurion, and many others mentioned in Scripture.  
22. Write not the faults of any persons near the throne, in any Nation you reside in, lest your Letters should be intercepted, and you sent out of the world before your time, but reserve such discourse for the single ear of your master; into which you must pour it with more caution, than malice, lest it should come to be discovered, as it is odds but it will, And then the next endeavour is revenge; it being less danger to traduce a King, than his Minions, The first still looked upon as above blame, because uncapable of punishment, but the latter are not only subject to accusations, but the aggravation of their Enemies, which fills them full of caution, and prejudice to all they fear are able or but willing to detect them: I could produce sad effects, that have followed the want of care in this; but that I intend Advice, not a History.  
23. It is an office unbecoming a gentleman to be an Intelligencer, which in real truth is no better than a Spy; who are often brought to the torture and die miserably, though no words are made of it, being a use connived at by all Princes: To whom I give this Caution, That they do not stay after their patrons are called home, which do not seldom (in emulation to their Successor, or to gratify the Prince they have treated withal, and it may be from whom they have received presents, and high Commendations to their own King) discover all that are employed to do him hurt.  
24. Court him always, you hope one day to make use of, but at the least expense you can; observing it the condition of men in power to esteem better of such, as they have done courtesies for, than those they have received greater from; looking upon this as a shame, upon the other as an honour.  
25. Mingle not your Interest with a Great man's, made desperate by Debts or Court-injuries; Whose breakings out prove fatal to their wisest Followers and Friends; averred in the last Earl of Essex but one, where Merrick his Steward and Cuff his Secretary, though of excellent parts, were both hanged: For such unconcocted Rebellions turn seldom to the hurt of any but the parties that promote them, being commonly guided by the directions of their Enemies, as this was by Cecil, whose creatures persuaded Essex to this inconsiderate Attempt.  
26. Let nothing unjustifiable or subject to danger appear under your hand; which many years aftermay rise up in judgement against you; when things spoken may be forgot: As happened to the Duke of Norfolk, Sr. Jervis Ellowayes and a great Earl I knew led by the nose all King James his reign, out of fear of being questioned for Letters writ to so high a person as it is treason by the Law to solicit &c. Therefore I charge you, as you tender the blessing of your own safety, not to write in an ill sense, what ever your Character be; For, if not tedious examination, sharp torture will force you to produce a key.  
27. Be not frequent in Poetry, how excellent soever your vein is, but make it rather your exercise then business: Because, though it swells you in your own opinion, it may render you less in that of wiser men, who are not ignorant how great a mass of Vanity for the most part coucheth under this Quality; Proclaiming their heads like ships of war, richer in Triming then Lading.  
28. The Art of music is so unable to refund for the time and cost required to be perfect therein, as I cannot think it worth any serious endeavour: The owner of that Quality being still obliged to the trouble of calculating the difference between the morose humour of a rigid Refuser, and the cheap and prostituted levity and forwardness of a mercenary fiddler: denial being as often taken for pride, as a too ready compliance falls under the notion of ostentation: Those so qualified seldom knowing when it is time to begin, or give over; especially Women, who do not rarely decline in modesty, proportionably to the progress they make in music; such (if handsome) being Traps baited at both ends, and catch strangers as often as their Husbands, no less tired with the one than the other.  
29. Wear your clothes neat, exceeding rather then coming short of others of like fortune; a charge borne out by acceptance where ever you come: Therefore spare all other ways, rather than prove defective in this.  
30. Never buy but with ready money; and be drawn rather to fix where you find things cheap and good, then for friendship or acquaintance; who are apt to take if unkindly it you will not be cozened: For if you get nothing else, by going from one shop to another, you shall gain experience.  
31. Next to clothes, a good Horse becomes a Gentleman; in whom can be no great loss, after you have got the skill to choose him; which once attained, you may keep yourself from being cozened, and pleasure your friend: The greatest danger is haste; I never loved to fix on one fat, for than I saw him at the best, without hope of improvement: If you have fallen on a bargain not for your turn, make the Market your Chapman, rather than a friend.  
32. Gallop not through a town, for fear of hurting yourself or others: Besides the undecency of it, which may give cause to such as see you, to think your Horse, or your brains none of your own.  
33. Wrestling and Vaulting have ever been looked upon by me as more useful than Fencing; being often out-dared by resolution, because of the vast difference between a Foyn and a sword, an house, and a field.  
34. Swimming may save a man in case of necessity, though it loseth many, when practised in wantonness, by increasing their confidence: Therefore for pleasure exceed not your depth; and in seeking to save another, beware of drowning yourself.  
35. Such as are betrayed by their easy nature to be Security for other men, though their friends, leave so little to themselves, as their liberty remains ever after arbitrary at the will of others. Experience having recorded many (Whom their fathers had left elbowroom enough) that have by Suretyship expired in a Dungeon. But if you cannot avoid this Labyrinth, enter no farther than the thread of your own stock will reach; the observation of which will at worst enable you to bail yourself.  
36. Let not the titles of Consanguinity betray you into a prejudicial Trust: No blood being apter to raise a fever, or cause a Consumtion sooner in your poor Estate, then that which is nearest your own; as I have most unhappily found, and your good Grandfather presaged, though God was pleased to leave it in none of our powers to prevent: nothing being truer in all Solomon's Observations, then that A good Friend is nearer than a natural Brother▪  
37. He that lends upon public Faith, is Security for his own money, and can blame none more than himself, if never paid: Common debts, like common lands, lying ever most neglected.  
38. Honesty treats with the world upon such vast disadvantage, that a pen is often as useful to defend you, as a sword, by making writing the witness of your Contracts: For where Profit appears, it doth commonly cancel the bonds of friendship, Religion, and the memory of any thing that can produce no other Register, than what is verbal.  
39 In a case of importance, hear the reasons of others pleaded, but be sure not to be so implicitly led by their judgements, as to neglect a greater of your own: As Ch: of England did, to the loss of his crown. For as the ordinary Saying is, Count money after your Father; So the same Prudence adviseth, to measure the ends of all counsels, though uttered by never so intimate a friend.  
40. Beware nevertheless of thinking yourself wiser or greater than you are: Pride broke the angels in Heaven, and spoils all Heads we find cracked here; for such as observe those in Bedlam, shall perceive their Fancies to beat most upon mistakes in Honour, or Love. The way to avoid it, is, duly to consider, how many are above you in Parts, yet below you in Condition; And that all men are ignorant in so many things as may justly humble them, though sufficiently knowing to bar out despair.  
41. Shun Pride and Baseness, as Tutors to contempt, the first of others, the latter of yourself: A haughty carriage putting as well a mean esteem on what is praise worthy in you, as an high Excise on that appears amiss; every one being more inquisitive after the blemishes, than beauties of a proud person; whereas the humble soul passeth the strictest Guards, with more faults, like the fair-mouthed Traveller, without scorn, or so much as searching.  
42. When you speak to any (especially of Quality) look them full in the face; other gestures bewraying want of breeding, confidence, or honesty; Dejected eyes confessing to most judgements, guilt, or folly.  
43. Impudence is no virtue, yet able to beggar them all; being for the most part in good plight, when the rest starve; and capable of carrying her followers up to the highest preferments: found as useful in a Court, as armour in a Camp (And if I am not mistaken in your temper, you may suffer in the world for want of so competent a proportion of boldness, as is necessary to the conduct of human affairs.) Scotchmen have ever justified the truth of this, who will go farther with a shilling, than an Englishman can ordinarily pass for a crown.  
44. I do not find you guilty of covetousness, neither can I say more of it, but that like a Candle ill-made, it smothers the splendour of an happy fortune in its own grease.  
45. Yet live so frugally if possible, as to reserve something, may enable you to grapple with any future contingency.  
46. Provide in youth; since Fortune hath this proper with other common Mistresses, that she deserts Age, especially in the company of want.  
47. But I need not use other persuasions unto you concerning Thrift, than what the straightness of your own Fortune points you to; more contracted by others covetousness than my Prodigality.  
48. Leave your Bed upon the first desertion of Sleep. It being ill for the eyes to read lying, and worse for the mind to be idle; since the Head during that laziness is commonly a cage for unclean thoughts.  
49. It is nowhere wholesome, to Eat so long as you are able, especially in England, where meat, aptest to inveigle the stomach to an over-repletion, comes last: But in case you transgress at one meal, let no persuasion tempt you to a second repast, till by a fierce hunger you find yourself quite discharged of the former excess: An exact observance of this, hath, under God, made me reach these Times, and may through his mercy preserve you for better. I have heard that the Indians by the great moderation they use, are well able to digest raw flesh, thought by some of more natural if not easy concoction, than what is dry roasted. All compositions with milk are dangerous in a Heat, and not seldom deadly.  
50. drink not, being Hot, unless Sack &c. such droughts residing rather in the palate & throat, than Stomach, & so safer quenched by Gargles, Liquorish, a Cherry, or Tobacco; the use of which I neither persuade, nor prohibit, having taken it myself, since sixteen, without any extraordinary marks of good or ill; but cannot approve of nosing, or swallowing it down; as many to my knowledge have done, not long-lived.  
51. Nothing really acceptable to the gusto of Humanity, but Prudence may experiment without Detection, or waking the clamorous Multitude (gratified in all opportunities they have to accuse others, though far more guilty themselves) a temper not possible to be attained by the lovers of drink, which will not only render my Reasons, but your own useless.  
52. Were drink capable of council, I should advise, if unfortunately overtaken by such a Distemper, not to remove from the place you received it in; by which some part of the Shame may be avoided, and more of the Danger, attending the irregular motions of this giddy Spirit.  
53. drink, during the operation of the Distemper, will act all the humours habitual in madmen: Amongst both which I have seen some very zealous & devout, who, the fit once over, remained no less profane. This proves, godliness capable of being feigned, & may raise an use of Circumspection, in relation to such as profess more than is suitable to human frailty.  
54. He that always regulates his Diet by the strict Rules of physic, makes his life no less uncomfortable to himself, then unsociable unto others: The like doth he that useth palpable Plots in trivial things; who is made by this so suspected in Commerce, as none will approach him unarmed with the like weapons: For though wisdom may purchase reverence, & attention; subtlety (distinguished from it only by a fly Carriage) raiseth always suspicion: Wherefore the closeness of the Heart in matters of consequence, is best concealed by an openness in things of less moment.  
55. Experience hath found it no less shame than danger, in being the chief at a merry Assignation. Since what is of evil savour falls most to their mess at the upper end of the Table; but good, to the meanest; who have the impudence to scramble up any thing that suits to their advantage, as readily as they can find Oaths to decline what may redound to their loss.  
56. Beware what Company you keep, since Example prevails more than Precept; though by the Erudition dropping from these Tutors, we imbibe all the tinctures of virtue & vice: This renders it little less than impossible for Nature to hold out any long Siege against the batteries of custom & Opportunity.  
57 Let your wit rather serve you for a Buckler to defend yourself by a handsome Reply, than a sword to wound others, though with never so facetious a Reproach; remembering that a word cuts deeper than a sharper weapon, & the wound it makes is longer in curing: A Blow proceeding but from a light motion of the Hand agitated by Passion, whereas a disgraceful Speech is the result of a low & base esteem settled of the Party in your Heart.  
58. Much wisdom resides in the Proverbs of all Nations, & therefore fit to be taken notice of; of which number this is common amongst us, Play with me, but hurt me not: It being past peradventure, that more duels arise from Jest then Earnest, & between Friends, than Enemies; serious injuries seldom happening but upon premeditation; which affords Reason some, though perhaps no full Audience; whereas this extemporary Spirit, conjured up by shame & smart, hearkens to nothing but the rash advice of a present Revenge.  
59 If an Injury be of so rank a Nature, as to extort (in point of Honour) an unsavoury Word (never suitable to the mouth of a Gentleman) swordmen advise to second it with a Blow, by way of prevention, lest he striking you (which cannot but be expected) you should be cast behindhand. But this their Decree not being confirmed by Act of Parliament, I cannot find it suitable with prudence or religion, to make the Sword Umpire of your own life & another's, no less than the Law, upon no more serious an occasion, than the vindication of your Fame, lost or gained, by this brutish valour, in the opinion of none that are either wise or pious: It being out of the reach of question, that a quarrel is not to be screwed up to such a height of indiscretion without arraigning one or both parties of madness: Especially since formal duels are but a late invention of the devil's, never heard of, in relation to private Injuries; among the Romans the Gladiators fighting for their Pleasure, as the horatij & Curatii for the Safety of the People. It cannot be denied, but that Story lays before us many killed for private revenge, but never accompanied with so ridiculous a Formality, as the sending of challenges; which renders the Dead a greater Murderer, than he is that kills him, as being without doubt the Author of his own Death. This makes me altogether believe, that such wild manhood had its original from Romances; in which the Giant is designed for death, & the Knight to marry the Lady, whose Honour he hath preserved; not so gently treated by the English law, where if his legs or friends be not the better, he is hanged, & his Estate confiscated, to the perpetual detriment of his Family: besides the sting of Conscience, & a natural fear, like that of Cain's, attending Blood, by which the remainder of life is made tedious & miserable to such unfortunate men, who seem in all honest Company to smell too strong of Blood, to be taken into any intimate Relation.  
60. Prosecute not a Coward too far, lest you make him turn valiant to your disadvantage: it being impossible for any standing even in the world's opinion, to gain glory by the most he can have of those that lie under such a repute: besides, Valour is rather the product of custom, than Nature, & often found where least expected; do not therefore waken it to you prejudice, as I have known many, that would still be insulting, & could not see when they were well.  
61. speak disgracefully of none at Ordinaries, or public Meetings: lest some Kinsman of Friend being there should force you to a base Recantation, or engage you in a more indiscreet quarrel: This renders all free discourse dangerous at Meetings of mixed Companies.  
62. Carry no Dogs to Court, or any public place, to avoid contests with such as may spurn, or endeavour to take them up. The same may be said of boys, not wise or strong enough to decline or revenge affronts; whose complaints do not seldom engage their Masters, as I knew one of Quality killed in the defence of his Page. The like danger attends such as are so indiscreet, as to man Whores in the street, in which every one pretends to have an interest for his money, & therefore unwilling to see them monopolised, especially when they have got a pot in their pate.  
63. reveal not the pranks of another's Love, how serious or ridiculous soever you find them; it being unlikely the mirth should compense the danger: By this you shall purchase yourself a retentive faculty, & sell your friend a stronger confidence of your secrecy, hanging on him the lock of a perpetual obligation, of which you may ever be keeper of the Key, either out of love or fear: yet many other faults are not more dangerous to commit, then know without detecting.  
64. Be not Trumpet of your own Charity, or Vices; for by the one you disoblige the receiver, as well as lose your reward; and by the other, you alarum the censures of men; most being condemned through the evidence they give against themselves by their words and gestures.  
65. If it be Levity and Ostentation, to boast when you do well, in what class of Folly must they be ranked, that brag of the Favours of Women? rendering themselves, by this, no less frail, than they; It being more shame for a man to be leakey & incontinent at the mouth, then for a woman to scatter her favours.  
66. To make love to married women doth not only multiply the sin, but the danger; neither can you, if questioned by her Husband, use, with hope of victory, any sharper weapon, than Repentance sheathed in a modest excuse.  
67. Fly, with Joseph, the Embraces of great Ladies; lest you lose your liberty, & see your legs rot in the stocks of the Physician; they being often unwholesome, ever so unreasonable, as to exact a constancy from you, themselves intend not to observe; perverting so far the curse of God, as to make your desires subject to theirs.  
68 Usher not women to masks, plays, or other such public Spectacles into which you have not an easy access for money or favour: such places being apter to create injury, then afford an handsome opportunity for revenge: Besides, if those you carry be old & deformed, they disparage you; if young & handsome, themselves.   

To the Reader, concerning the following Discourse of Love, and Marriage.  
THis had not appeared, being a result of more juvenile years, but that I feared, if let alone, it might hereafter creep abroad from under a false Impression, & one more scandalous to that sex, than becomes my complexion or Obligation. Therefore to vindicate me from the no less inhuman than unnatural imputation of a Woman-hater, I do here protest, with a reference to their charity and my own most serious affections, That if the party advised had been a Daughter, my ink must have cast blacker than the rich grain of their angelical Beauty is capable to be aspersed by. It being observable, That such Idolaters as made She-Deities the object of their worship; were by all celebrated for most Learning wisdom & Civility. Nevertheless though women be Cordials when desire is past, & Juleps while the heat continues, yet since it is ordinary for dabblers in Beauty to mistake poison for physic (such feminine Boxes not always bearing Inscriptions suitable to their Drugs, but often painted with more Perfections, than they carry in them) I hope this Discourse may the better be excused; having the Example of Solomon to justify the harshness of my Expressions, no less than his Follies to warrant the necessity of the Caution; lest my Son should mire himself and his hopes in the pursuit of such foolish flames, as have tempted the strongest, wisest and most religious out of the ways of Peace. I shall forestall the Reader with no farther compliment, then That he would forbear to condemn or praise beyond Reason; lest he should appear too severe towards my levity, or indulgent to his own morosity, in relation to beauty.   

ADVICE TO A SON.  
II. Love & Marriage.  
1. The Nature & Effects of Love. 2. its influence upon Youth; tempting it— 3. to Marry;— 4. unhappily, for Beauty— 5. without Money, &— 6,7. to swallow the fatal Bait,— 8. Not answering Expectation. 9, 10. Marry not a famed Beauty. 11. laws concerning Marriage— 12 somewhat strange: Polygamy; Priests— 13 Marriage, the result of Policy. 14. Fruition tedious. 15. wife's Lust, jealousy. 16. Discomforts from Children &— 17 other wedlock inconveniences— 18 best palliated by an Estate— 19 Portion, jointure. 20, 21, 22, 23. The unhappiness of poor Marriages— 24. travel, a means to avoid the danger, from— 25, 26. A handsome woman. 27. Fond Love an ill counsellor. 28. Children how much to be desired. 29, 30. Conclusion.  
1. LOve, like a burning-glass, contracts the dilated lines of Lust, & fixeth them upon one object: bestowed by our fellow-Creatures, (the exacter Observers of the Dictates of Nature) promiscuously, without partiality in affection, on every distinct Female of their repective species; whereas Man being restrained to a particular choice, by the severity of Law, custom, and his own more stupendious folly, out of a jealousy to be robbed of a present desire, is so hurried away with the first apparition of an imaginary Beauty, (supposed by his Fancy, grossly abused by her servants the Senses, corrupted and suborned through an implacable appetite, which Nature for her own end of continuance, stirs up in all to this fleshly Conjunction) That no reason can for the present be audible, but what pleadeth in favour of this soft passion, which makes a deeper or lesser impress, proportionable to the temper of the Heart it meets with; causing madness in some, Folly in all: placing like stupid Idolaters, Divinity in a silly creature, set by the Institutes of Nature in a far inferior class of perfection to that which makes it his business to worship & adore it; Imagining as false felicities in the fruition, as they apprehend miseries in the loss; when all they desire is but the fruit of that Tree, the kernel of that Apple, which first destroyed us all; fair to sight, but of fatal & dreadful consequence to the taster; rendering Him subject to slavery, that was borne free, & Her to command, who ought in righter reason to serve and obey.  
2. To cure Youth wholly of this desire, were as uneasy a task, as to divest it of humanity; Therefore I expect you should be tossed in this storm, but would not have you shipwrecked by contracting yourself to the Ocean, unless with the Duke of Venice you might yearly repeat the Ceremony to as great an advantage.  
3. For if ever Marriages were on all sides happy (which is no schism to doubt of) experience never found them among such as had no other nealing but what they received from the flames of Love; which cannot hold without jealousy, nor break without repentance, & must needs render their sleep unquiet, that have one of these Cadds or Familiars still knocking over their pillow.  
4. Those virtues, Graces & reciprocal Desires, bewiched affection supposed to be there, fruition & experience will find absent, and nothing left but a painted Box, which Children & Time will empty of delight, leaving Diseases behind, & at best, incurable Antiquity.  
5. Therefore I charge you, as you will answer the contrary another day to your Discretion, & upon the penalty of a bitter, though vain Repentance, not to truck for, or entertain commerce upon the credit of Marriage, with a solitary, that is, an unendowed Beauty; (which if really intended, you question your own Judgement, if otherwise, the Honesty of you both:) From whence I have known such sad consequents to result, as have made some (wise enough to presage the mischief of the event) so far concede to the tears & misery of the party, as they have cast themselves out of mere pity & conscience into the precipice of Marriage; burying their own fortunes & future felicity, only to satisfy the affection of another.  
6. Marriage, like a Trap set for flies, may possibly be ointed at the Entrance with a little voluptuousness, under which is contained a draught of deadly wine, more pricking & tedious than the passions it pretends to cure; leaving the Patient in little quieter condition in the morning, than him that hath overnight killed a man to gratify his revenge.  
7. Eve, by stumbling at the serpent's solicitations, cast her Husband out of paradise; nor are her Daughters surer of foot, being foundered by the heat of Lust & Pride: & unable to bear the weight of so much of our Reputation, as religion & custom hath loaded them withal, that an unballasted behaviour, without other Leakage, is sufficient to cast away an husband's esteem: Neither doth the penalty of a light report laid on the Mother, conclude there, but diffuseth itself, like a Leprosy, over Posterity, being uncapable of any other cure, than length of time can deduce out of forgetfulness.  
8. It were something yet if Marriage could answer the expectation of all she boasts the Cure of, in the large Bill out Mountebanck-Teachers proclaim in every street; which upon trial she often comes so far short of, as to satisfy none; But rather aggravates the sins of Solitude, making simple Fornication to sprout into Adultery. And if it happen that your wife be impotent or infected (as not a few are) with one or more of those loathsome diseases incident to weak feminine nature, which render her unsociable, you are posted off, both by Lawyers & Divines, to the same patience I do here more opportunely propose, before you are fallen under so mischievous & expensive a conjunction.  
9 If none of my persuasions, nor others woeful Experience daily met with in the world, can deter you from yoking yourself to another's desires, make not a celebrated Beauty the object of your Choice; unless you are ambitious of rendering your house as populous as a Confectioners Shop; to which the gaudy wasps, no less than the liquorish flies make it their business to resort, in hope of obtaining a lick at your honey-pot, which though bound up with the strongest obligations or resolutions, & sealed by never so many protestations, yet feminine vessels are obnoxious to so many frailties, as they can hardly bear without breaking the pride and content they naturally take in seeing themselves adored; Neither can you, according to the loose custom of England, decently restrain her from this concourse, without making demonstration of jealousy towards her (by which you confess yourself a Cuccold in your own imagination already) or incivility to such as come to visit you, though it may be strongly presumed, your sake hath the least share in this Ceremony; however tied in manners to attend with patience, till his Worship, perhaps his Lordship, hath pumped his wit dry, having no more compliments left but to take his leave; Thus with his invention rebated, but not his Lust, he returns home, where the old preserver of bawdry, his Kinswoman, Perceiving by his dejected countenance that he came short of his desires, & wanting a new gown, imbarks herself for the employment; & to put the honester face upon so ugly a design, she contracts a strait alliance with your (yet-possibly-unconquered) Bedfellow, and under pretence of a gossipping, or perhaps a voyage to some religious exercise, hurries her away in his Honour's Coach to a meetinghouse, where though she be taken by storm, is fairly sent home with bag and baggage, being only plundered of what you are not likely to miss; And finding it unsafe to complain, returns again upon her parole, or so often as her new governor pleaseth to summon her; sheltering the fault under custom, your unavoidable fate, or perhaps Providence (which for their excuse, some are wicked enough to plead) till her forehead be as much hardened with impudence, as yours is by reproaches &c. And yet he is the happier owner, who hath a wife wife enough to conceal the real horns of her husband, than she, that being innocent, doth by her light carriage make the base symptoms appear in the world's opinion. Oh remember this when you are about to forget the pleasure and safety only to be found in a single life.  
10. If you consider Beauty alone, quite discharged from such debenturs as she owes to the Arts of Tire women, tailors, shoemakers, & perhaps Painters; you will find the remains so inconsiderable, as scarce to deserve your present thoughts, much less to be made the price of your perpetual Slavery. Be not then led, like a child, by these gaudy butterflies amongst the briars & nettles of the world; since obtained, a little time & use will wear off their fading colours, leaving nothing in your possession but a bald drowsy moth; which if good, will by accident; if bad, make it her business to discontent you.  
11. The English laws are composed so far in favour of Wives, as if our Ancestors had sent Women to their Parliaments, whilst their Heads were a woolgathering at home; allowing no abusing of husbands capital, nor marriage dissolvable, but in case of Adultery, not subject to proof but under the attests of two witnesses at one and the same time: Nor is non-co-habitation a sufficient discharge from his keeping all such children, as her lust shall produce during his abode between the four English Seas; so as if his wife be a Strumpet, he must banish himself, or deal his bread and clothes to the Spurious issue of a stranger; a thraldom, no wise man would sell himself to for the fairest inheritance, much less for trouble, vexation and want during life. Whence it may be strongly presumed, that the hand of Policy first hung this Padlock upon the liberty of men; and after custom had lost the Key, the Church, according to her wonted subtlety, took upon her to protect it; delivering in her Charge to the people, that single wedlock was by divine Right, making the contrary, in diverse places, Death; & where she proceeded with the greatest moderation, Excommunication: condemning thereby (besides four fift parts of the world) the holy Patriarchs, who among their so frequent Dialogues held with their Maker, were never reproved for multiplying Wives and Concubines, reckoned to David as a Blessing, & to Solomon for a mark of magnificence. Nevertheless the wily Priests are so tender of their own Conveniencyes, as to for bid all Marriage to themselves upon as heavy a punishment as they do Polygamy unto others: Now if nothing capable of the name of Felicity was ever, by men or angels, found to be denied to the Priesthood, may not Marriage be strongly suspected to be by them thought out of that list? though to render it more glib to the widet swallow of the long abused Laity, they have gilt it with the glorious epithet of a Sacrament, which yet they loathe to clog their own stomachs withal.  
12. However the patient submission to the Institution of Marriage is the more to be wondered at, since Man and Woman not being allowed of equal strength, are yet so far prevailed upon by Policy, as quietly to submit themselves to one Yoke.  
13. For there is not any other constraint to this Conjunction, but what results from understandings so muffled for the present, that they cannot discern that Marriage is a clog fastened to the neck of Liberty, by the juggling hand of Policy, that provides only for the general necessities of all in gross, not the particular conveniencies of single persons; who, by this, give stronger security to the commonwealth, than suits with prudence or liberty. And to such as ask, How should the world subsist, did all observe the like caution? It may be answered, As well as without Unthrifts, who by spending their estates profusely, make way for wiser men to be the more happy: and as it is impossible to find a dearth of the latter, though not compelled thereunto by any other Law, than the instigation of their own folly; so doubt not but there will be enough found of the former, to stock the world, without putting so chargeable an experiment on your own conveniency.  
14. Ask yourself, What desire you ever attained, that a long and oftenrepeated fruition did not render tedious, if not loathsome, though the thing wished for remained in the perfection it was before enjoyment? And can your Reason promise you to continue the same unto Beauty, so transitory, as it is in a manner lost, before you can truly consider, whether it belongs to Nature, or the dress? therefore when discontented with your present condition, tumble towards any change, rather than into that bottomless pit, out of which no repentance can bail you.  
15. After that Age, weariness, wisdom or business hath dipossessed you of this dumb and deaf amorous Spirit, & concluded all desires to uxorious vanities; it is possible, your wife's appetite may increase, and that Disease of Lust, which your youth cured before she had leisure to discover it, may then unseasonably interrupt your sleep, calling for that, there shall be nothing in her, but importunity, to provoke you to; not in you, but the desire of quiet, & to conjure down the fierce devil of Jealousy, which haunts the houses of married folks, rendering them no less unhappy, dismal, and clamorous, than the Temple of Molech, where such children and servants, as you most delight in, shall pass through the fire of a daily contention.  
16. Were it possible to assign to your choice the virtues of your Mother, which I confess are inferior to none; & fancy a Son with as rich parts as imagination is able to endow a creature withal; yet a Daughter may come, that for want of good behaviour, or care in Marriage, shall infuse so much gall into your cup, as will be able to embitter all the pleasure taken in the rest: Or if you should escape this in regard of one, the least deformity happening to any of the others, will cause more grief, than all the towardliness of the most perfect can out-talk.  
17. Our Beldame Eve, to save her longing sold us all for an Apple; & still as we fall into the same desires, apprehending felicities in things we never tried, we are carried away by her peevish daughters, the true Siren's wise Ulysses stopped his ears against; who under pretence of pleasure and love, lead us into Dens & obscure Holes of the rocks, where we consume our precious time & bury our parts, (which might enable us to despise or honour this world, as best suited our complexions) feeding all our lives upon the dry bones of want and affliction; and like Actaeon, torn by our Families; Nothing being more certain, than that Married man changeth the shape of a natural freedom, and inrols himself among such as are rendered beasts of burden under Reason of State: whereas those uncloged with this Yoke, if they like not the service and discipline of their own, may the easier exchange it for that of any other Commonwealth.  
18. Though nothing can wholly disengage Marriage from such inconveniencies as may obstruct felitity, yet they are best palliated under a great estate; all other Arguments for it receiving commonly confutation from time and experience, or are evaporated by Fruition: Birth imposing a necessity of charge, as Beauty doth of jealousy, if not of a bad report; innocency being often found too weak to guard itself from the poison of tongues.  
19 The true extent of her estate therefore is first to be surveyed, before you entail yourself upon the Owner; And, in this, common fame is not to be trusted, which for the most part dilates a Portion or jointure beyond its natural bounds; proving also not seldom litigious; and that found given by Will, questionable; by which Husbands are tied to a black Box, more miserable than that of Pandora; there being in the Law hope of nothing but trouble & injustice. Neither do widows seldom put their Estates out of their own reach, the better to cheat their Husbands; perverting so far the course of Nature, as to make him thrash for a Pension, who ought to command all. This requires, Love to be ushered, into this undissolveable noose, by Discretion: since it hath rarely fallen within the compass of Example, that both parties (if wise) should be cordially pleased with their bargain: Therefore the Yoke of Marriage had need be lined with the richest stuff, and softest outward conveniences, else it will gall your neck & heart, so, as you shall take little comfort in the virtue, Beauty, Birth, etc, of her to whom you are coupled.  
20. As the fertility of the ensuing year is guessed at, by the height of the river Nilus; so by the greatness of a wife's Portion may much of the future conjugal happiness be calculated: For, to say truth, a poor Marriage, like a father's Theft or Treason, entails shame and misery upon Posterity, who receive little warmth from the virtue, much less from the Beauty of their Mother.  
21. The best of Husbands are Servants, but he that takes a Wife wanting Money, is a Slave to his affection, doing the basest of Drudgeries without wages.  
22. Experience cries in the Streets, that he who taketh his Maid into the Marriage-bed, finds her no less imperious a Mistress, than he that is coupled in the highest link: for such as bring nothing, esteem themselves slighted, if they command not all; whereas better educations are apter to confess an Obligation, than those basely borne.  
23. Vast Estates are not so sensible of the inconveniences of poor Marriages, as having, besides greater diversions, the staff of power to keep the lean wolf from the door: Want being no less the original of most sins, than the Mother of all plagues; so as the depth of Poverty calling upon the bottomless pit of despair, tempts the ill-bred Son, for want of better education (to change a life, he thinks cannot be made more wretched) to marry the chambermaid; by which the no less unadvised Daughter learns to run away with the groom. Do not the careful looks of all Fathers give evidence to the truth of that Saying, Children are uncertain Comforts, but certain Troubles?  
24. Therefore (Dear Son) if you find yourself smitten with this poisoned dart, imitate his prudence, who chose rather to cast himself into the arms of the Sea & Travel, the to let his hopes & parts wither in those of a poor whining Dido; who is no more able to give you caution, for the continuance of her own affection, than you are of yours, or of her Beauty.  
25. I have heard a well-built-woman compared in her motion to a Ship under Saile; yet I would advise no wise man to be her owner, if her Fraught be nothing but what she carries between wind & water.  
26. A neat wench, like a fair picture, may adorn a room for a general Commerce; or like a painted Innpost, may tempt you, as a Stranger, to while away some scorching hours; but to hang her in your Heart, & turn Host to a bare Holly-bush, is so high a Blasphemy against Discretion, that it would not only exceed repentance, but pity & forgiveness, especially in relation to you, who have had these rocks marked out on all sides, by the Advice or Splinters of an indulgent Father.  
27. But if once you render yourself a pupil to whining Love, he will read you such contrary politics, as shall persuade you to make a League with Misery, & embrace beggary for a Friend; and after this you are capable of no higher honour, than to be registered in one of his Martyrologicall Ballads, & sung by dairy-maids to a pitiful Tune.  
28. To conclude, if you will needs be a Familist & marry, muster not the want of Issue among your greatest afflictions, as those do, that Cry, Give me children, or else my Name dies: The poorest way of immortalising that can be, and as natural to a cobbler as a Prince, and not seldom out-reached by a Grave-stone. This proves them no fools, that made their own choice, by adoption, out of the mass of Humanity, not confining themselves to such as the doubtful chance of marriage obliged them to; since wives do worse than miscarry, that go their full time with a fool or a Bossive birth; yet less ugliness resides in the greatest personal deformity, than in an ordinary Mulct of the Mind: nor can there be a greater dissemblance between one wise man & another, though Strangers in blood, then daily falls out betwixt them & their own Issue; so as it is rarely observed, that a prudent Father begets a like Son; in which, Nature proclaims, Things of moment not made for Stallions, & to bury their rich Talents in the tedious commerce & loathsome sheets of a silly woman. And if we consult right Reason, not Opinion, More of our blood runs in a Brother than a Child, the surer-side being always a stranger to the Family: The truth is, they are really no more ours, than the curls of our hair, or parings of our nails, carrying often such thoughts towards us, as we should detest any for, but them: Made ours rather by use, than Nature, as appears in the rest of God's Creatures, who look no longer after their young, then whilst they are unable to shift for themselves. This also speaks an immoderate sorrow for their loss, as impertinent, as the like desire to procure them: none being truly capable of Felicity, that situate it out of the extent of their own reach, or are over passionately affected with other foreign misery, than what doth purely belong to themselves.  
29. But if this savours too much of the Stoic, You may qualify it as you please; For I doubt not but the zeal your youth doth yet retain towards the Creed and practice of others (possibly not so well taught) may at present make much of This look like Blasphemy; But when so many winters have snowed on your Head, as on your Father's, you will think it canonical, and fit to be read to Posterity  
30. It may appear possibly too early in relation to your years; but I had rather it should arrive so, then too late; not knowing the extent of my own time, which cannot be long, and made me hasten these Instructions, lest I should seem less chari table to a Son, than Dives did in Hell to his brethren.   

ADVICE TO ASON.  
III. travel.  
1, 2, 3. its Consequents Good & Bad considered. 3, 4, 5. Travel— with an ambassador,— As a Merchant.— 6. In case of war.— whither. 7. Directions about— 8 Performing divine Duties, 9, 10, 11. Declining Disputes— of Religion; 12 Regulating zeal, 13. 14. Vindicating customs, 15. Comparisons, 16. The Inquisition, Prohibited books, 17. The Eucharist, 18. Crucifix. 19, 20. foreign Churches. 21. Scoffers at their own Religion. 22. English in Orders— 23. or otherwise, the worst Companions. 24. Injuries. 25. Gaming. 26. womens' Favours. 27, 28. Wenches. 29. Impatient desires; charms of women— 30 Pretending Love. 31, 32. Italian Lust. 33. Gifts. 34. Money, Removes. 35. Inns, New Acquaintance, Servants. 36. Experience, Languages. 37. Turkish incivility. 38. Plantations.  
1. Some, to starch a more serious face upon wanton impertinent and dear-bought vanities, cry-up travel, as the best accomplisher of Youth and Gentry; Though detected by Experience in the generality, for the greatest debaucher, adding Affectation to Folly, and atheism to the Curiosity of many not well principled by Education; Such wanderers imitating those Factors of Solomon, that together with Gold, returned Apes & Peacocks.  
2. They and only they Advantage themselves by travel, who well fraught with the experience of what their own County affords, carry over with them large and thriving Talents, as those Servants did, commended by our Saviour. For he that hath nothing to venture but poor despicable and solitary Parts, may be so far from Improvement, as he hazards quite to lose and bury them in the external Levity of France, Pride of Spain, and Treachery of Italy: Because not being able to take Acquaintance abroad of more Prudence, than he meets with in the Streets and other public places, the Activity of his legs and arms may possibly be augmented, and he by tedious compliments become more acceptable in the eyes of silly women, but useless, if not pernicious, to the Government of his own country, in creating doubts and dislikes by way of a partial Comparison.  
3. Yet since it advanceth Opinion in the world, without which Desert is useful to none but itself (Scholars and Travellers being cried up for the highest graduates in the most universal judgements;) I am not much unwilling to give way to a peregrine motion for a time; Provided it be in the Company of an ambassador or Person of Quality, by whose power the danger may be rebated, no less than your charge of diet defrayed, inconsiderable in such a Retinue, as Persons of their Magnitude are forced to entertain.  
4. Or if your Genius (tempted by profit) incline to the life of a Merchant, you have the Law of Nations, and Articles of a reciprocal amity to protect you from other inconveniences, than such as Indiscretion draws upon rash and unadvised strangers.  
5. And thus manned out, Your experience may receive Lading at the first hand, when others, failing of the like advantages, must take up that little they make, at the common beam; yet pay more custom, and run greater hazards, than the whole return, when cast up, is able to compense.  
6. Or in case this Nation should again break out into Partialities, it may not be ill prudence to go where you may have the prospect of the war with safety, who ever prevailed: And for the place, I say France, if you have a purse; else some town in the Netherlands or Flanders that is wholesome and safe; where French may be attained with little more difficulty then at Paris, neither are the humours of the people very remote from your own.  
7. Now if it be your fortune on any such like Accounts to leave your Native country, Take these Directions from a Father, wearied (and there fore possibly made wiser) by experience.  
8. Let not the Irreligion of any Place breed in you a neglect of Divine Duties; remembering, God heard the prayers of Daniel in Babylon, with the same Attention he gave to David's in Zion.  
9 Shun all Disputes, but concerning Religion especially; Because that which commands in chief, though false and erroneous, will, like a Cock on his own dunghill, line her arguments with force & drive the Stranger out of the Pit with insignificant clamours; All Opinions, not made natural by Complexion, or imperious Education, being equally ridiculous to those of contrary tenants.  
10. But where you find such discourse unavoidably obtruded, mould your Arguments rather into Queries then dogmatic Assertions; professing it more the business of Travellers, to Learn, then Teach: This, besides the removal of Jealousies, will proclaim you civil, and not bury the hope of a future compliance: Muzling the mouths of the rigid zealots (who think none worthy of Life, are found out of the train of their Opinions) no less than engaging the more Moderate rather to pity you, as one misled, then accuse you for wilful and contumacious: Observing herein the prudence of our Saviour, who prohihibits the casting of pearls before such, as are more likely to employ them to your damage, than their own edification: And therefore Silence ought not in reason to be reckoned for a desertion of Truth, where it cannot be maintained, but to the prejudice of what the Imperative Power hath declared so to be.  
11. A Sceptic humour, as it is most suitable to any man out of power, so especially if he travels; less offence being taken at Doubters, than such as boldly undertake to determine: There not always remaining a necessity either in Religion or Discretion to give a positive Answer, as appears by Christ, who did not seldom oppose one ambiguous Question, against another no less dangerous to resolve: Therefore you may be as well a Murderer, as a Martyr, if you run too unadvisedly into ruin.  
12. Keep your zeal chained for a Guard to your conscience, not letting it fly upon such things as custom hath not made it familiar withal; (Remembering that the Saduces, who denied Angels and Spirits, are not registered for such implacable enemies to our Saviour, as the Pharisees, who confessed both) The fury of which Passion hath transported some so far, as to strike the Eucharist out of the Priest's hands that carried it; Choosing, like giddy Phaeton's, to burn, rather than not manifest themselves unseasonably the Children of God.  
13. Do not imitate their follies, who conceit themselves bound in honour to assert all customs used in the places they come from; which, besides contraction of Quarrels, brands such Sophisters with the imputation of a partial Incivility: custom being of that insinuating nature, as it can convert into the shape of comeliness, Diet, apparel, Gestures and Sins, that, to a Stranger, may appear most distasteful, ugly and unnatural: This renders a defence of the errors of your own country as undecent, as the too loud proclaiming of them is shameful and unworthy.  
14. As it is neither mannerly nor safe to discommend any thing used abroad, so likewise is it disadvantageous; for by commendation you shall the better screw out the true Opinion themselves have of it; which upon your dislike will be concealed, or heightened out of shame, or ostentation.  
15. Fall not into Comparisons; For what doth it concern the Advancement of wisdom, whether London, or Paris, St Mark's Church or Paul's be the fairest? the like modesty must be observed at your return home, lest you should seem to have lost, in your travel through other Nations, the natural affection due to your own; which may raise suspicion of a change, either in your Religion or Allegiance.  
16. If the wisdom of the States of Holland were warily observed (who give no other answer for the present, to any new Proposition, but Peut-estre, in English, it may be so; (by which they civilly evade a peremptory asserting or denying the validity of any Argument) The Hell of the Inquisition would not be so replenished with the souls of poor unadvised Christians; who, made giddy with an impertinent zeal, and confident in the Promises of the treacherous Jesuits, their countrymen that have ways enough to betray you, without discovering themselves) communicate to them prohibited books in hope to convert them, which I advise you by no means to carry with you; This Mr Mole found true in a tedious and sharp Captivity; reported to be betrayed by Sr T: M. at the instigation of the Lord R. to whom he was assigned Tutor, by the Earl of Ex.  
17. To the Eucharist, met in the Sreets, through which it is often borne to the houses of the Sick, custom, no less than the Injunction of the Magistrate, obligeth all to kneel, or bow. The which if a Stranger neglects, he is liable to the Inquisitors: Now if it be an Idol, St Paul sayeth an idol is nothing: And if it renders the meat offered unto it no ways distasteful to a sound conscience, how should it deprave me to be uncovered, as the rest are? It being palliated, if not absolutely decided this way, in the case of Naman, and the Duke of Saxony, whom Luther permitted to assist the Emperor Charles the fifth at a Mass, only to preserve a temporal Dignity; covering it with the title of a civil respect.  
18. Pity, rather than spurn at those you see prostrate before a Crucifix; Considering we find it enjoined, by the Penner of the Practice of Piety (too often printed, to carry the marks of any thing contrary to the genuine mind of the than Protestant Church) that all communicants at the article of their receiving, should imagine the postures of Christ upon the Cross. And if so, doth it not leave room for a Query, who is the most mistaken, he that makes to himself a Representation in his heart, or on the wall? Yet this, with the rest, is laid before you only as an Adviso, not a stumbling block, and occasion of offence.  
19 Enter no farther into foreign Churches, than the hand of your own Religion and Conscience leads you; for though the Body of their worship do not take you, the higher expressions of zeal and austerity (in the preciser sort of churchmen and people, taken for the soul of all Professions) may seem to discover some defects in your own: And so displeased on all sides, you dash upon the rock of atheism, as such do, that value the merits & sanctity of Christ by His, who pretends to be his Vicar; and all moral virtue by the scant Standard, they find it measured by at Rome; where they put out the eyes of the less advised with the dust of Antiquity; which we seeming to want, are not so catching to those, not wise enough to look behind the curtain of Formalities.  
20. Yet where Conscience and Reason give you leave to comply (as possibly they may in many things) do it ingenuously, without compulsion or dint of Argument; lest opposing a Truth upon the By, you give them cause, to think you guilty of falsehood in the Maine.  
21. Consort with none who scoff at their own Religion, but shun them as spies or Atheists: For Strangers honour them most, next to those of their respective tenants, that are modestly zealous in the observation of their own.  
22. Eschew the Company of all English, you find in Orders, for as they have imitated the lapsed Angels, in falling from their first Station; so they bear the like malevolence to all they despair of bringing into the same condemnation, being for the most part despicable, poor, and Melancholy: The Prorestants eyeing them as Apostates, and the Catholics as fugitives and unprofitable devourers of the Natives bread: Thus young scholars, because not able to reach all they desire at home, like Prodigals abandon the bosom of their Mother, unadvisedly casting themselves into that of want and reproach: Viscount Mont's Brother being but a Porter to a Religious house, and many of the the rest exposed to such hard and desperate Missions into the Indies and other reremote climates, as their lives are rendered no less tedious than uncertain.  
23. Besides, he that beyond Sea frequents his own countrymen, forgets the principal part of his errand, Language, and possibly the opportutunity to get experience how to manage his expense; Frugality being of none so perfectly learned, as of the Italian and Scot; natural to the first, and as necessary to the latter. The English also are observed abroad more quarrelsome with their own Nation, than strangers, and therefore marked out as the most dangerous companions.  
24. An Injury in foreign air is cheaper pased over then revenged: the endeavour of which hath not seldom drawn on a greater: Besides, if patience and evasion be not learned by your travel, the bills you have taken up may perhaps be discharged as to the Merchant, but quite lost in regard of any return of profit to such inconsiderate men as suffer themselves to be transported with their Passions; since he that is Master of them, shall act and speak reason, when others, destitute of that Moderation, appear mad, uttering nothing but noise.  
25. Play is destructive to Estates everywhere, But to the Persons of Gamesters abroad: rendering them the Objects of Cheating and Quarrels: all bystanders being apt to attest to the prejudice of a Stranger.  
26. He that desires quiet and to decline quarrels (undertaken by Strangers upon irreparable disadvantages) must, above all, avoid giving or receiving favours from women: There being none, out of the List of common whores, any ways acceptable, to which some ruffian (in Italy called Braves, who will murder a man for a crown) doth not pretend an Interest, either as a Husband, a Kinsman, or a Servant: Neither are they safely conversed withal, in relation to health; Participating so far of the nature of devils, that they are not only instrumental in the Sin, but many times also in the Punishment.  
27. Make not the promise of Marriage a bawd to your lust, nor think her fruit worth owning, shall yield possession upon no more formal obligation: Presuming that if she can dispense with the Ceremony, by which Law only makes her yours, it is as possible that time and the wearisome repetition of the same embraces, may, upon as handsome a provocation tempt her to change the Substance.  
28. He that owns a Whore in a more peculiar sense, than a common Jakes, descends from the dignity of Reason; And yet I have known some so far transported as to marry such an one, to the infamy of their families, no less than their own future discontent: making a mercenary woman, Arbitrator and Guardian of their Issue; contrary to the wiser practice of Spain, where none are admitted Judges of another's Interest, that have taken fees, as Pleaders themselves, least former use should convert them into Bribes; It being hard to forgo a profitable custom, and as impossible to impropriate such cattle, as to monopolise the air For the bar of honour being once leaped over by that Sex, there remains nothing certain to the owner, but the open fields of Shame and Repentance.  
29. If tempted by an impatient Affection to any thing not without danger or difficulty attained, catechise yourself with this Question; What wish, fortune or labour ever presented you with, that, after a full fruition, did not soon grow tedious, or, at best came not far short of what, creaking expectation had undertaken it should perform? And let this contemplation moderate your desires, that all worldly profit or pleasure is correspondent to a like measure of anxiety & wearisomeness. Therefore let no importunity warp you contrary to right reason & conveniency; ever arming your constancy against Flattery and Impudence, strong assailants, especially marching under the tears and caresses of a handsome & seeming innocent woman; from whom it is no dishonour to fly, and with whom their is no safety to treat, for fear, like blind Samson, you grind out the remainder of your days, between want and Repentance, and be led in Triumph by her friends, and those suborned to seduce you, more ready to sacrifice the thanks to their own Nets, then to the easiness of your Nature, to which it is only due.  
30. If any than be furiously enamoured on you, whose fortune cannot correspond for the Troubles incident to Marriage (which God knows are not a few) venture the loss of her, rather than yourself; it being one of the highest pieces of madness, to hang an indissolvable padlock upon your future hopes, only to save a wench's longing; with whose soft humour, miscarriage is more suitable, than a man's, armed with so much Advice: Therefore fly from such as incurable Plagues; nothing being more catching to unbiased nature, than a seeming violent Affection, which if not built upon a former promise, you may leave her justly to the melancholy Society of her own folly, out of which it is all odds, but she may happily recover, or imitate the voluptuous death of that tailor, reported to have whined away himself for the love of Queen Elizabeth.  
31. Who travels Italy, handsome, young and beardless, may need as much caution and circumspection, to protect him from the Lust of men, as the affections of women; an impiety not to be credited by an honest heart, did not the ruins of Sodom, calcined by this unnatural heat, remain still to witness it.  
32. And as I have heard, they continue so enamoured this uncouth way of Lust, led by what imaginary delight I know not, that such as Age and weakness have set beyond the power of Acting, suffer themselves to be patients in that noisome bestiality, maintaining to this end Emissaries abroad, to entice men of delicate complexions, to the houses of these decrepit Lechers, under pretence of an assignation made by some feminine beauty; And thus ensnared, the poor uncircumspect young man cannot with conscience do, or safety refuse this base Office.  
33. Where you never mean to return, extend your Liberality at first coming, or as you see convenient during your abode; For what you give at parting is quite lost.  
34. Make no ostentation of carrying any considerable sum of Money about you, lest you turn that to your destruction, which under God is a stranger's best preservation: And remove not from place to place, but with company you know: The not observing whereof is the cause, so many of our countrymens' graves were never known, having been buried in as much obscurity as killed.  
35. Inns are dangerous, & so are all fresh Acquaintance, especially where you find their offer of friendship to outbid a stranger's desert; The same may be said of Servants, not to be entertained upon ordinary commendations.  
36. Next to Experience, Languages are the richest lading of a Traveller, among which French is most useful; Italian and Spanish not being so fruitful in Learning: (except for the mathematics and Romances) Their other books being gelt by the Fathers of Inquisition.  
37. He that is carried by his curiosity under the Jurisdiction of the Turk, or other Mahometan Princes, shall be used (as they esteem him) like a dog; and so to be armed with a more invincible Patience, then commonly accompanies a man free borne; insomuch as I heard a Kinsman say, who had been at Jerusalem, that the richest experience he brought from thence, could not in the least proportion recompense the trouble he met with; bringing home certain marks of the incivility of the people, for an uncertain discovery of the places famed for Christ's Death and burial. And though he thought he merited by it (a conceit I know uncapable of place in your head) yet no reward could hire him to repeat again these weary steps: Therefore I advise you to believe rather what you may read in your study, then go thither to disprove it.  
38. I can say little of Plantations, having had no experience of them; But that he, which changeth his own Country, shall not, in my mind, do well, to go farther from the Sun, or where he may not at least share in the Government.   

ADVICE TO A SON.  
IV. Government.  
1, 2. Change. 3. Commotions. 4. Tumults, Incendiaries. 5. A war— for Religion,— Oppression. 6. Submission to wicked Governors,— 7. Not approving them. 8. wariness and Fidelity. 9 Submission to Powers in being. 10. Ambition. 11. Recognition of the present Powers. 12, 13. The original of Dominion. 14. Fresh Families: State-Martyrs— for 15, 16 Fame. 17. High Birth; Titles of Honour. 18. mean Birth. 19 Obligation to governors, what— 20, 21. To a Monarch;— To a Free State: Siding. 22. Enemies reconciled — 23. Trust not. 24. Ingratitude. 25. foreign Interests. 26. Preferments under Monarchies, and republics, compared. 27. Oratory— 28. To speak last;— Mr Hamden. 29. Insurrections, Conspiracies. 30. Perfection, Change. 31. Directions to a Magistrate about— Preferments— 32. Punishments— 33 The soldiery— 34 The Clergy.  
1. COntract not the common distemper, incident to vulgar brains, who still imagine more ease from some untried Government, then that, they lie under: not having passed the first form of experience, where we may learn, that Tyranny is no less natural to Power, than lust to Youth.  
2. If happy for the present, 'tis no better than madness to endeavour a change; if but indifferently well, folly: For though a vessel may yield the more, for tilting or stirring, it renders all in it unpleasant to present use: The Die of war, seldom turning to their advantage, that first cast it: such therefore as cannot make all well, discharge their conscience, in wishing it so; Government being the care of Providence, not mine.  
3. But if it be your Fortune to fall under such commotions, imitate not the wild Irish or Welsh, who during Eclipses, run about beating kettles and panns, thinking their clamour and vexations available to the assistance of the higher orbs; though they advance nothing but their own miseries, being often maimed, but at best laid by without respect or reward, so soon as the state is returned to its former splendour: Common soldiers resembling Cocks, that fight for the benefit and ambition of others, more than their own: This proves it the wholesomer counsel, to stay within doors, and avoid such malignant effects, as people attribute to the supposed distempers of the superior Planets. But if forced to take a stream, let it be that which leads to the desires of the Metropolis; the chief city being for the most part preserved, who ever prevails, in a civil commotion, abounding in money and friends, the readiest way to purchase quiet.  
4. Be not the pen or mouth of a multitude congregated by the gingling of their Fetters: lest a Pardon or compliance knock them off, and leave you, as the soul of that wicked and deformed Body, hanging in the Hell of the Law, or to the vengeance of an exasperated Power: But rather have patience, and see the Tree sufficiently shaken, before you run to scramble for the fruit, lest instead of profit and honour, you meet a cudgel or a stone: And then (if possible) seem to fall in rather out of compulsion, than design: Since the zeal of the Rabble is not so soon heated by the real oppressions of their Rulers, but may be as easily cooled by the specious promises and breath of Authority.  
5. A Multitude inflamed under a religious pretence, are at first as unsafely opposed, as joined with; resembling bears exasperated by the cry of their whelps; and do not seldom, if unextinguished by hope or delays, consume all before them, to the very thing they intend to preserve: zeal, like the Rod of Moses, devouring all for diabolical, that dares but appear before it in the same shape: The inconsiderate Rabble, with the Swine in the gospel, being more furiously agitated by the discontented Spirits of others, than their own; who cannot be so happy in a Sea of blood and devastation, the dire effects of war, as in peace, though invaded with some Oppression, a Scab that breaks out oftentimes in the most wholesome constituted bodies of States, and may with less smart be continued on, then picked off. And because the Generality are uncapable, in regard of number, either of reward, or punishment, therefore not of use to the Ambition or safety of others, but for the present, like gunpowder, during the flash of their discontent, and as a Lock in a River, are only of force upon the first opening, to drive on the designs of Innovation; losing themselves afterwards in a more universal dilatation, either out of weariness, or doubt of the consequence.  
6. The Example of Brutus, rather than Cato, is to be followed in bad times; it being safer to be patient, then active; or appear a fool, than a malcontent. An Evasion not only justified in the person of David, and by the eloquence of Paul before his Heathen Judges; but our Saviour himself is not heard to inveigh against the present Power, though it had made the Head of the Baptist the frolic to a Feast.  
7. Own the Power, but not the Faults of the Magistrate; nor make Law, assigned for a buckler to defend yourself, a sword to hurt others: lest partiality should allure you to pass the sentence of Approbation upon any thing unwarrantable in its own nature. Neither let any Formalities used at a mimical tribunal (as that was set up in the case of Naboth) persuade you to more than a passive compliance: since such may seem to make greater, rather than diminish the wages of their iniquity, that seek to cover Rapine with a gown; which the sword might patronize with more decency: And this observed, the people might cheaper receive all their injury at the first hand, which these Retailers of wickedness utter at more intolerable rates. The result of all is, Ahab might better have committed murder single, then rendered so many accessary, under the formal pretence of a Religious Fast. &c.  
8. Before you fix, consult all the Objections, Discretion is able to make; But once resolved, desert not your Party upon every access of a fever, as many melancholy spirits did, these wars; who, by their often and unseasonable flittings, wore themselves so out on both sides, as they were not worth owning, when success undertook for them that they did turn in earnest: Irresolution, rendering pardon more difficult from either Faction, than it could have proved, had they remained constant to any; divesting themselves of the ensigns of fidelity, looked upon by all with the eyes of pity, and do often meet with Honour, seldom fail of forgiveness, from a Noble enemy, who cannot but befriend virtue, though he hath found it in arms against him. Yet if you perceive the Post you have contracted, to totter through undermining Treachery or weakness, you may purchase your preservation by all honest endeavours: For he that prolongs his life by the for, feature of a Trust he has undertaken, husbands it worse, then if he buried it in the field of Honour; Traitors in all ages being equally detested on both sides.  
9 Submit quietly to any power Providence shall please to mount into the saddle of sovereignty, without enquiring into their Right for Conscience sake, or their Births, in relation to Honour: remembering, that not only David, but the most famous for success, did not only cut off others Lines, but were natural shepherds under the Cope of Heaven, before they attained to be metaphorically so under the Canopy of the chair of State; which once possessed, clarifies the present Incumbent's Title from the greatest imputations incident to Birth or Proceeding. And the many-headed Beast, the Multitude, is seldom more, sometimes less galled and vexed by the new, than the old Saddle or Riders; who, out of their greater experience of her brutish patience, are more apt to load her with the trappings of power, and the furniture suitable to a throne; whose Inventory Pride increaseth proportionable to continuance, and the presumption they have of their own ability to keep the people from attempting their Remove. This may render it indifferent to a wiseman, what card is Trump; whose game may possibly prove as fair under Clubs, as Diamonds; neither ought he to be troubled, whither his Fetters consist of Many links, or but One.  
10. Nurse not Ambition with thine own blood; nor think the wind of Honour strong enough to blow away the reproachful sense of a shameful, if possibly that of a violent Death: For if Solomon's Rule be true, that A living Dog is better than a dead Lion, a Quick evasion cannot but be deemed more manlike, than a Buried valour.  
11. If Authority exacts an acknowledgement from you, give it with all readiness: It being the highest Frenzy, to dispute your Innocency with those who are able to convert the greatest into a fault: For, if it be no dishonour to submit to thieves, if fallen into their Hands, Let not the example of a few fools (who, like Lice, thrive nowhere so well as in a prison) tempt you to oppose your felicity against the Imperative Power, under which the disposure of your person doth wholly remain, and therefore madness to deny it words.  
12. I abhor the the Idolatry of the Heathen, yet cannot but mind you of their Humility, in adoring any thing the people set up, though but hewed out of the body of an oak, most auspicious unto swine, and principally after shaking by such storms as Devils are reported to have raised: Therefore if you may enjoy the liberty of your own conscience and estate, question not the desert or right of those, under whom you do it.  
13. He that suffers his conscience to mislead him in civil Obedience, makes his Guide a stumbling-block; and doth not consider that All States and kingdoms now extant, had their foundations laided in the dirt, though time may have dried it up by oblivion, or flattering Historians licked it off.  
14. Think it no disparagement to your birth or discretion, to give honour to Fresh Families; who cannot be denied to have ascended by the same steps, those did, we style ancient; New being a term only respecting us, not the world: For what is, was before us, and will be, when we are no more: war follows peace, and peace war, as summer doth winter, and foul weather fair; neither are any ground more in this Mill of vicissitudes, than such obstinate fools as glory in the repute of State-Martyrs after they are dead; which concerns them less than what was said 100 years before they were born: It being the greatest odds, Their names shall not be registered, or if they be, after death they are no more sensible of the honour, than Alexander's great horse, or any beast else, his Master's Indulgence, or the writers, are pleased to record: Neither, in a strict sense, do they deserve such honour, for being able to date their possessions from before the Conquest, since if any be due, it wholly belongs to them that were buried in the ruins of their country's Liberty, and not to such as helped to make their graves, as in likelihood most did, whom the Normans suffered to remain. Therefore 'tis madness to place our felicity out of our own reach, or to measure honour or repute by any other standard than the opinion we conceive of it ourselves; it being unpossible to find a general agreement in any good or evil report; The reign of Queen Elizabeth being no less traduced, then that of Richard the Third is justified.  
15. Be not therefore liquorish after Fame, found by experience to carry a trumpet, that doth for the most part congregate more enemies than friends.  
16. And if you duly consider the inconstancy of common Applause, and how many have had their Fame broken upon the same wheel that raised it, and puffed out by their breath that kindled the first report of it, you would be as little elevated with the smiles, as dejected by the frowns of this gaudy Goddess; formed, like Venus, out of no more solid matter, than the foam of the people, found by experience to have poisoned more than ever she cured; Being so volatle, as she is uncapable of fixation in the richest jewels of nature, virtue, or grace; The composition of that body wholly consisting of contradictions; no readier to set up this day, than she may be to pull dull down the next: This renders it the lowest pu●rility to be pleased or angry at reports: Good being inflamed, and evil quenched, by nothing sooner than a constant neglect.  
17. Ostentation of Birth, at no time decent, cannot in this be safe, wherein the very foundations of honour, are not only shaken, but laid bare: Besides many are so abused, in the sound of their own, or their father's titles, that by bustling for the upper end, they often render that a shame, which in itself is no crime: as for example, if the son of the Common Hunt, (in english, the Lord mayor's Dog-keeper) by reason of the title of Esquire annexed to his place, should consider himself as a man of worship, &c. Were it not ridiculous, when God knows, the appellation is used for the honour of the city, not the person that wears it? The same might be said of all mechanic Places at Court, which to render them the more vendible, were blazoned with the false alchemy of a like Title; so far from advancing repute, that it sets it back, in the opinion of all judicious men. Observe how ridiculous such animals are, to pride themselves in the shadow and tail of Honour, when the substance is vanished, and the Head, &c.  
18. Despise none for meanness of blood, yet do not ordinarily make them your companions, for debasing your own; unless you find them clarified by excellent Parts, or guilded by fortune or power; Solomon having sent the sluggard to the Pismire, to learn industry; and to the living Dog, rather than the dead Lion, for protection.  
19 It cannot be looked upon as an act of prudence, to do more for another, then in reason may be expected from him again upon a like occasion; unless so far as I am obliged to it out of gratitude; and no farther can my Prince or any one else expect assistance from me; For if I have not my livelihood by him, I cannot apprehend any cause, why I should expose it for him, especially if I may, with any probability, be happy and keep it without him. And because most of the first Propriators of Government, in our days, and long before, have ascended the Throne at the cost and trouble, if not contrary to the mind of the people they command, why should any loose that for their preservation, which was never gained by their Benevolence? Therefore if those at the helm have lost their power, and I not able to find a particular Engagement or Interest strong enough to make their good success inseparably necessary to my present or future well-being, I am not bound to go farther on with them, than suits with my safety, and the security my judgement gives, that they are able to bring me off: All we owe to governors, is Obedience, which depends wholly on Power, and therefore subject to follow the same Fate and perish with it. For Friendship can be contracted between none that stand so far remote from the Line of parity; Therefore all superlative Powers are excepted out of this commerce, because situated, in truth or pretence, under a divine right, which no interest of mine can reach, much less procure: Then, being so far above us, they can be nothing to us, longer than able to support themselves: For if they have an extraordinary and particular establishment in heaven, it were blasphemy to think they can be pulled down by any but God; in the opposition of whose Vengeance, I am no more able than willing to stand, as those must, that appear unseasonably for them. Besides, Powers are established to protect us, who are to live happy under them, not miserably for them, if possibly to be prevented; since all sorts of Governments may be reckoned among the rest God's plagues, poured down upon men for their oppression and disobedience, in the primitive Parity; which makes our Wills, like Eve's, subject to others.  
20. No Government can be safely engaged by a single person beyond requital: Kings thinking it a diminution of Honour; and republics a dangerous step to Popularity: Here you may see the continual use of of circumspection; since 'tis possible for virtue to form a weapon against itself.  
21. If it be dangerous to over-oblige a King, it is mortal in relation to a Free State; whose Ingratitude, no less than requital, is divided among so many, as they are scarce capable of shame or thanks: Every Particular disavowing what is generally thought amiss, And all faults buried in his grave, that hath the fortune to die next. Therefore if possible avoid siding; yet if compelled, remember it may be deducible, both from the History of the great Earl of Warwick, and Stanley, That a King may be as safely destroyed, as preserved: And for commonwealths, they are in nothing more perfect than Ingratitude; either Government finding it better husbandry, to pardon enemies, then reward Friends.  
22. A reconciled enemy is not safely to be trusted; yet if any, a Great one; it bring easier for such to execute their malice, then conceal it.  
23. To conclude this part, imagine few the more capable of Trust, because you have formerly obliged them; nothing being more ordinary, than natures that quit such scores with hatred and treachery: And if you consider, whose hearts have been most empty of pity towards unfortunate Princes, Experience may present you with millions of such, whose hands formerly were filled with their bounty.  
24. Ignorance reports of Witches, That they are unable to hurt, till they have received an alms; which though ridiculous in itself, yet in this sense verified, That Charity seldom goes to the Gate, but it meets with Ingratitude; They proving, for the most part, the greatest enemies, that have been bought at the dearest rates of friendship; which proceeds from the high pride of Humanity: Therefore be as little flattered to do good out of hope of requital, as I would have you terrified out of fear of the contrary.  
25. Providence, or a severer Destiny, hath housed under all our roofs a sufficient proportion of Calamities; Therefore 'tis folly to send to market for troubles, As those do that contract foreign infelicities, vexing themselves for the loss of the Prince of Conde in France, the death of the King of Sweden in Germany, or the progress of the Turks in Candy, &c. Tophets prepared of old, as well to torment the ambitious and unquiet spirits of busy Subjects, as Kings.  
26. One may attain to a higher degree of Honour and Power, under a Monarch, then can be found room for in a republic; as is apparent in some favourites, that have had the administration of all affairs: Yet in my opinion this is abundantly recompensed, in the multitude, which the latter employs; who are securer in what they enjoy, in not being subject to the passions of a single judgement.  
27. Though Law perish, a thing unlikely, being the guard of all Peace, yet Oratory will still keep in repute, as having more affections to work upon in a republic, than a Monarchy: one judgement being easier forestalled, than many; So as I may safely presage, If a golden Tongue fall under a subtle head, it may have a great influence upon the whole Senate.  
28. At a Conference to speak last, is no small advantage, as Mr John Hampden wisely observed, who made himself still the Goal-keeper of his party, giving his opposites leisure to lose their reasons in the loud and less significant tempest, commonly arising upon a first Debate; in which is he found his side worsted, he had the dexterous sagacity to mount the Argument above the Heads of the major part: Whose single Reason did not seldom make the whole Parliament so far suspicious of their own, as to approve his, or at least give time for another debate; by which he had the opportunity to muster up more forces; thus by confounding the weaker, and tiring out the acuter judgements, he seldom failed to attain his ends.  
29. republics lie most obnoxious to popular commotions, Monarchies to clandestine attempts: In the first it is not safe to be found, unless they be so epidemical, as may more than probably assure success; in the latter not decent for a person of honour, though warranted by never so much security; no hands being more loathsome, than those that smell of blood, and treachery.  
30. He that seeks perfection on earth, leaves nothing new for the Saints to find in heaven: For whilst Men teach, there will be mistakes in Divinity; And as long as no other govern, Errors in the State: Therefore be not liquorish after Change, lest you muddy your present felicity with a future greater, and more sharp inconvenience.  
31. As I would have you primarily to intend the stopping of the leaks in your own Bottom, if called to the helm (from which in Free states none are exempt;) so you must by no means neglect the repairing the broken fortunes of others found to be of excellent parts; who if not made friends by preferment, may prove dangerous to a new-founded state: Neither are preferments so scarce, or these so numerous, but that there is provision enough for them in these three Nations: I confess Queen Elizabeth most happy in this, which preserved her from civil Wars, whose foundations are Commonly laid by such as are too subtle to be discovered: Flames, as in Hay or straw, may be kindled in the more combustible People by such as shall appear rather to bring water then fire; Nothing in experience being found more mortal, than an unseasonable Commendation from an eloquent tongue, or a forced compliance from a discontented Politician. The Consistory and Jesuits maintain throughout the world the traffic of sedition & privy conspiracy; yet have had so much wit, as to land it in Presbyterian bottoms, and to cover their disobedience to governors under the attempts of the Anabaptiss, that naturally acknowledge none. The truth is, if wise men will make it their business, they may be easily able, where the people are unsettled, to obstruct all good, and promote much evil, under the specious pretences of Religion and safety: Therefore far cheaper pleased, then discontented; being otherwise, in true policy, capable of no slighter security, then shall be able to cut off all hope or desire of future revenge: The consideration of which though it cannot make me altogether approve, yet it abates my severity in the condemnation of that Legislator, said to have write his laws in blood, which might be more suitable to the complexion of some times, then may possibly hitherto have been thought.  
32. The like may be imagined of men proscribed, who between thirst of revenge, and a desire of returning, do not seldom promote their country's ruin. This also may authorise their tenants that hold punishing Children with the loss of goods, for their father's Crimes, as dangerous as unjust. And under this head may be reduced all penal laws, laid upon faults not really prejudicial to the state: Nor can a too rigid scrutiny, either after personal lapses in manners, or uncouth tenants in Religion, produce any good effects to a Commonweal, where no Inquisition is, which under the Papacy draws the envy wholly upon the Church, made incapable, not only by custom, but an aufull Reverence, of all revenge.  
33. Another error may happen (especially where a Free State is founded in arms) by Conceding too great a power to the Soldiury, who like the spirits of Conjurers, do oftentimes tear their Masters, and raiser's in pieces, for want of other employment: therefore since it is beyond the plenty of any Nation, to proportion a reward suitable to the opinion they have of their one merit, it behooves the supreme Power to bury their covetousness and Ambition in the fields of others, by a foreign war; yet as little to their discontent as may be; always giving them the honour of good servants, though bad Masters; remembering, that the cause, you raised them for, is not so deep buried but it may rise again to the terror of all that withstand it.  
34. Neither can the Clergy be rendered, with less danger, Despicable, then Great; both these extremes equally crossing the ways of peace: yet more safety possibly may accrue from estating them in so comfortable a competency as the losing of it may create fear, than such a Power, as they have in other Nations, found by experience to produce pride and ambition, besides an encroachment on the people's Liberty; whose natures they are used to warp towards any side, by the hope and terror they raise in their consciences in relation to another world; the exploding of which beliefe-would be no less diminution to the reverence of the civil Magistrate, than the profit of the Priesthood.   

ADVICE TO A SON.  
V. Religion.  
1. 2. The Bible, The Church, Expositors. 3. Brightman. 4. universal Consent. 5. Profession. 6. Hypocrisy, scandal. 7. criticisms, school-divinity, 8. Controversies. 9 Socinians, 10. Popery. 11. Purgatory &c. 12. schismatics. 13. Millenaries. 14. Levellers. 15. The Reformation. 16. works, Profession, Faith. 17. The present wild Errors— 18. tend to Anarchy: Moses, Mahumet; Discretion. 19 zeal in excess. 20. Conscience, Reason, Superstition. 21. Obstinacy of heretics. 22. Courtiers and Common-people's Religion. 23. Seekers, Reason, The Scripture, belief, Tender Consciences. 24, Antiquity. 25. Reason, Revelation, Prophecy, Miracles & Faith. Honesty of the Indians. 27, 28. Difference of Religions; Conscience. 29. Fortune-Tellers. 30. Hope & fear. 31. Divine Vengeance. 32. Witchcraft. 33. Rash Judgement. 34. Charity. 35. Impiety, Improbity. 36. Injustice. 37. Purchase of Church-lands. 38. Enmity to the Clergy, or Religion Established. 39 New-lights. 40. Titles. 41. wisdom of Moses. 42. Card. Wolsey's Folly.  
1. REad the book of God with reverence; & in things doubtful take fixation from the authority of the Church, which cannot be arraigned of a damnable error, without questioning that truth, which hath proclaimed her impregnable against the gates of Hell. This makes me wish that our Samsons in success (who have stripped her of her Ornaments, Riches, Power, and honours, which the ancient piety left her to cover her nakedness with all) & given them to vain expounders of Riddles, may not one day have cause to repent, when they find themselves anoyed no less than the eyes of Truth weakened by the dust and rubbish, the fall of so great and antique a frame is likely to make.  
2. Therefore be content to see your judgement wade, rather than swim, in the sense of the Scriptures, because our deep plungers have been often observed to bring up sandy Assertions, & their heads wrapped about with the venomous weeds of Error and schisms, which, may for the present discountenance the endeavours of modester Learning; yet will, no doubt, sink and vanish, after some time and experience had of their frequent mistakes, as those of our bold expositors of the Revelation, have most shamefully done.  
3. For if Brightman, known by myself pious and learned, could be so out in his Calculations for the Pope's fall, as to the time; What encouragement remains for you to perplex your studies or expectation, when those hieroglyphical Obscurityes shall be performed?  
4. He may be less prudent, if not religious, who strains at Gna●, contrary to the stomach of the Church he lives in, than such as swallow greater things, owned by her universal consent: For he that herds with the Congregation, though in an Error, hath Obedience to stand by him; whereas a Truth in the other may be rendered more peccant, though a solitary obstinacy: since it is ordinary with the holy Spirit to register such Kings for Good, as had not quite expunged all marks of Idolatry, though possibly in their power to have done it, which a private person cannot but want, having nothing but Arguments to oppose, blunted through perjudice arising from a contrary practice.  
5. Despise not a profession of holiness, because it may be true; But have a care how you trust it, for fear it should be false; the Coat of Christ being more in fashion than his practice; Many Pulpit men, like Physicians, forbidding their Patients that, you may ordinarily find on their own trenchers.  
6. Hypocrisy, though looked upon by the Church, the spouse of Christ, as a gaudy and painted adulteress, yet if she passeth undiscovered, the result is not so dangerous, as that of open profaneness: Therefore shun all occasions of scandal, which commonly ariseth from drink, whose followers have their lapses scored on every wall.  
7. criticisms and curious Questions in school Divinity may whet the wit, but are detected for dulling the edge of Faith, and were never famous for edification; and though looked upon, in these last Centuries, as the right hand of Learning, yet better cut off, then used, as they have long served, for weapons of contention: Devised to puzzle the laity and render the Clergy no less necessary than honourable; Who have work enough cut out for them till doom's day, to resolve, which is least suitable to the Divine Essence, To have bound the hands of men, or left them at liberty, By which, a constraint must needs be put upon us, or our Maker, &c.  
8. I can approve of none for magisterial Divinity, but that which is found floating in the unquestioned sense of the Scriptures: Therefore when cast upon a place that seems equally inclined to different Opinions, I would advise, to count it, as Bowlers do, for dead, to the present understanding, and not to torture the Text by measuring of every nicety, but rather turn to one more plain, referring to that all disputes, without knocking one hard place against another, as they have done since this iron age, till an unquenchable fire of Contention is kindled, And so many jarring and uncertain sounds of Religion heard, as men stand amazed, not knowing which to follow, all pretending to be in the right, as if it were possible, for Truth to contradict herself.  
9 I confess the Socinians are not at this time unworthily looked upon, as the most chemical and rational part of our many Divisions; Yet going contrary to the ancient Canons of the Church, esteemed in the school of the Fathers, the best Grammar of a Christians Creed, and wanting the principal Buttresses of Prescription, Uniniversality & Consent, to uphold the convenience, and justify the Truth of their Doctrine, I cannot award them so much approbation as they seem in reason to plead for: Yet are so far confident, that if just proof can be made of their adulterating the faith of Antiquity, few Professions extant can justly take up the first stone against them, who upon a conscientious scrutiny, may possibly appear equally culpable: (However such as call them Arians, do not think they honot them with a former universal Consent, Athanasius only excepted:) And other less probable Opinions may learn this candour and Charity from them, not to bar Heaven Gates against all Professions but there own; or, like our Retailers of new Lights, pull Passengers into their Preaching-houses by the sleeves, as if all wanted Religion but themselves.  
10. And as the Socinian Doctrine appears too airy, high and mercurial for ordinary Capacities, whose understandings, are usually consumed, like Jupiter's Mistress, in the splendid commerce of such sublime speculations; So the Roman is too earthy and Saturnine, participating of the dross of Merit, Images, Indulgences, &c. Which convinceth Her of so much worldly respect, as she stands condemned by all, but such as are betrayed to her devotion through Ignorance, Profit, or honour on the one hand, or chained to her Obedience, by the iron Inquisition on the other.  
11. Yet were not Purgatory with the rest of the Romish Goblins, obtruded as Articles of Faith, I should be the less scandalised at them; in hope, by accident, they might occasion good: Finding human Nature so childish, as to be sooner scared, then persuaded, out of the dark entries of sin: the real Rod not being so terrible, in the hand of the Magistrate, as these phantasms, which Tradition and the priests subtlety hath formed in the people's brains.  
12. Now for the vagabond schismatic. he is so fiery as he cannot last long unconsumed, being ready upon the least advantage to melt all into Sedition, not sparing to burn the fingers of Government, longer than they shower down Offices and preferments upon him; whining for a Sanctity here, God never yet trusted out of Heaven: Therefore uncapable of quiet, but under a severe Restraint, or an absolute Liberty.  
13. I confess the Millenaries are of so jovial a Creed, as I could be content, it stood with the will of God, I might heard with them; whoif not approved, I do not find condemned by any council, at least for the first three hundred years.  
14. But our new Levelling Opinions, though they seem to transcribe their Authority, from the no less inimitable than miraculous practice of the primitive times, stand (if taken at the farthest extent) in so diametrical an Opposition to all human felicity, as not likely to proceed from the Lord of Order; Being, if lights, in such dark lanterns, as rob human Society of all reward, and consequently, endeavour of desert: Yet the Owners, though unconstant in their new ways, pronounce it damnable to keep the old.  
15. In conclusion, you will find the Reformation most conformable to the duty we owe to God, & the Magistrate: if not too phlegmatic, in passing by decent Ceremonies; or too choleric and rigid, in obtruding upon weak and tender Consciences.  
16. And yet it was no unhappy rancounter in him that said, A good Religion might be composed out of the Papists Charity, the Puritan's words and the Protestants Faith: For where works are thought too chargeable, outward profession too cumbersome, the third renders itself suspected; The two first, being only palpable to sense and reason, stand firm like a rock, whereas the other shakes under the weight of every fantasy, as Peter did when he walked upon the Sea. To speak English, In good works none can be deceived, but the doer, in valuing them too high; in the two latter all but God, who only knows the heart.  
17. It is observable in the present humour, that those who carry an impress of the wildest errors have a safer passport to travel by, and a nearer step to preferment, than such as retain the tenants, our Fathers kept in gross during the flames of the ancient Persecutions, and by retail under the modern; making the honour of that Doctrine scandalous, for which our Ancestors were not ashamed to die, who are by this rendered the worst of Murderers, as having through Obstinacy been guilty of their own Death.  
18. Will not such proceedings incline to Anarchy, and that proving loathsome to all, make room for the old or some more acceptable family, if not for Conquest by a foreign Nation? Because people lying uneasily, are apt to such tumblings and changes, as cannot but at last bring them under a Power, strong enough to constrain, or cunning enough to persuade them, with a pretence of holiness and righteousness, to a mutual compliance, in relation to a change of Government: Of the first there are multitudes of Examples, throughout all profane Histories; of the latter few but sacred, where the Jews under Moses being led by the miraculous hand of God, are not capable to be comprised under the erring Axioms of human Policy. As for Mahumet he tolled on his untutored rabble, by mixing profit and rapine with his religion, which he left uncertain; grounding his precepts upon success, ever owned as dropped upon them out of Heaven; making himself still confident of the event, which I cannot undertake: Therefore unable in these aporetick times, to give you better counsel then to keep your compliance so loose, as if possible, you may fix it to the best advantage of your profit & honour.  
19 Nevertheless though a high, palpable and external zeal is taken by the present Age as a mark of Confidence, yet I cannot look upon it with such affection; because screwed up to these altitudes in many by the wooden pins of worldly respects, Not likely to hold longer in tune, than a harmony can be made amongst all Parties, now possibly at odds, or under a jealous Aspect. Therefore I advise you, to put no more of it on, then with decency you may divest in case the fashion should alter, and the rich die the wars have dipped it in, be rubbed off; Since all customs rise or fall proportionable, to the exchange they make for the preferments in the state, to which in discretion you are bound to suit your Obedience, though not your Conscience: For my persuasions reach only to what is consonant to Religion, which doth not bind you to choke your fortunes with the criticisms of such Postillers of the Age, as value their Interpretations of Scripture above liberty or Life, And by this overweening, one Century makes Martyrs of those the precedent thought heretics, and such Liberators of their country, as were formerly held Traitors.  
20. Keep then your Conscience tender, but not so raw as to winch and kick at all you understand not; Nor let it baffle your wit out of the bounds of Discretion, as such do that suffer themselves to be moped by it: To prevent which, keep Reason always in your eye, whose light ought never to be lost in any worldly action, and but eclipsed in what relates to Heaven: The tribunal of conscience being erected in our souls, to detect our miscarriages, not to betray our well-being; and therefore subordinate not only to a superlative Authority, but also to our own honest, safe and wholesome conveniences. Neither is Conscience seldom misled by Education, custom and the false representations of Teachers, who benighted in the dark Interests of covetousness and Ambition, seek to lodge others under the roof of such Institutes as they believe not themselves, yet employ all their Art, sufficiency and endeavour, to make them pass for authentic and the pure mind of God; Like jugglers, that beguile our senses, with what is not, to have the better opportunity to pick our pockets of what is really useful to themselves: For as the more subtle wind, got into the narrow and delicate parts of our body, is able to act the Stone, Gout, and other most acute diseases, not really present; So doth Superstition represent in this changeable and concave glass, of a suborned Conscience, things for sinful, that are indeed but natural and indifferent; and other pious, are really vain and destructive; The prosecution of which leads readily to atheism, or an over-biassed holiness, which persecutes all that carry the impress of any contrary tenants.  
21. Fly that self-murdering Tyrant Obstinacy, who, like our Witches, is not seldom found to pamper the imps of Heresy with her own blood: being not only now, but from all Antiquity, able to bring clouds of witnesses to the stake for the proof of the wildest Opinions: And if I am not foully mistaken, from the reverberation of her heat, the flames of the ancient persecutions, as well as those that followed, were at least increased, if not kindled.  
22. As it is manifest that most Princes and men in power (the not unlikeliest to know truth, because it is suspected they did at first disguise it) make no more account of Religion, than the profit and conveniency it brings is able to compense; So the unbiased rabble if once emancipated out of the fetters, their former Creed confined them to, value the Church as they do the old coins they dig up, which they take for Counters, because they find them subject to rust; and are not able, by reason of their Roman Inscriptions (the Character of the Beast, which opinion rather than judgement imagines them branded with all) to make them pass in the strict commerce of these intoxicated times; whereby they exchange that for baser metal, which in itself perhaps is pure Gold, only attached unhappily by the Cankers and Corruption of Age, easier scoured off, then melted.  
23. But if St Peter's pretended successor, the Pope, be found guilty of such erroneous mistakes, it cannot be so much a solecism in Reason, with our Seekers to place St Thomas in the Chair; believing, like him, no more, than lies patent to human understanding, which is as much as can decently be imposed upon a new believer without a Miracle; Reason being all the Touchstone besides left in our hands, to distinguish this Gold from the dross, they pretend our Religion hath contracted. The Scripture alone seeming unable, by reason of her divers Readings, and the several sounds, variety of Expositions have put upon it, to decide all differences: Besides the long abode she hath made at Rome (where who knows whether or no, or how far that Bishop hath put in his foot?) may render her, in some opinions, suspected, as participating of the like Corruptions, we see manifested in some Translations: So as it may possibly be wished, Learning had never taken her out of the hands of Tradition; where for many years she remained with more quiet, than ever she enjoyed since she grew domestical with all sorts of understandings, who have been connived at by the state (how prudently I dare not determine) whilst they cut her short, or extend her longer, as best fitted their ends and occasions. Now if Faith be not allowed to be taken implicitly from the Authority of any Church, A freedom of choice, by consequence, will result to all, by which Salvation must be wrought out; And in this wilderness of contention, we have no better guide to follow then Reason, found the same for many thousands of years, though belief hath been observed to vary every Age: And since so considerable a falsehood is discovered by our governors, in the Clergy's Tenet, For the impunity of Kings; why may not their poor Subjects, be unsatisfied, about the place, they shall receive their own reward or punishment in, after this Life? or what else may befall these dusty Bodies of ours. Yet I say not this to diminish your Faith, but to increase your Charity towards tender Consciences who may pretend cause enough to doubt; Though my single judgement is still ready to determine for Antiquity.  
24. Reverence Antiquity, but conclude it not infallible; yet I should take her word sooner in Divinity, than any other Learning; because that is clearest at the beginning; all Studies else more muddy, receiving clarification, from experience.  
25. All Truth familiar unto mortals is only legible by the eye of Reason; Revelation and Prophecy being strangers now to flesh, and ever too high elevated for the perpetual commerce of such weak Creatures, who may sometimes enjoy a glimmering of them, as the Northern inhabitants do of the Sun in winter; not permanent longer than they are able to fan away the dark Clouds of infidelity, which dims their Light upon the absence of the Extacy: Whereas Reason passeth in an universal commerce, being of an unquestioned allay, and therefore likeliest to be the Oracle of the everliving God, said by Solomon, to have squared the bars of the Earth by her Rule, and so not improbably supposed to have measured out the way to heaven by her Line. St Paul allows the notice of God's universal goodness, for a sufficient evidence to convince the disobedient Heathen; and may not the same as well save the faithful observers of the purer Law of Nature? shall the righteous Judge of all things be found with two weights, one to save, another to damn by? Reason only commands belief, all things else beg it; so far as the most stupendious Miracles that ever were, cannot confute, though 'tis possible they may silence it for a time: But belief changeth; and impairing or mending implies a wearing out, imperfections Reason is uncapable of, remaining the same for ever, as the most faithful guide to our Maker.  
26. It is no less worth your observance then admiration, that the wilder Indians and other people by us styled Barbarous, are yet more strangers to the unsociable sins of improbity, covetousness &c. then such as pretend to advance their Conversion: Of which this may be a reason, that whilst they remain constant to the pure Dictates of Nature, they imagine no Mediation to secure their hopes, or screen their fears conceived to depend on another life, but their own endeavours; which might give Paul an occasion, to pronounce them a Law to themselves, and therefore possibly within the compass of God's secret grace; it being our saviour's own Confession to him that had kept the Commandments, that nothing wanted but the sale of his Propriety, a term these understand not, having all in Common; and if the last part be looked upon as omitted, I would fain know, who follows his master best, He that comes loaden with what he is able, and goes as far as he can with him; or else he that hath lost it all, or is lazy and lies down by the way: Acceptance being a far easier grant, than pardon?  
27. Religions do not naturally differ so much in themselves, as fiery and uncharitable men pretend; who do not seldom persecute those of their own Creed, because they profess it in other terms; Then do not only ask thy conscience, what is Truth, but give her full leisure to resolve thee: For he that goes out of the way with her consent, is likelier to find rest, than he that plods on without taking her Directions.  
28. Therefore do nothing against the counsel of this guide; though she is observed in the world to render her owners obnoxious to the injury and deceit of all that converse without her: Nothing being more hard and chargeable to keep, than a good conscience.  
29. Let no seeming opportunity prevail so far upon your curiosity, as to entice you to an inspection into your future Fortune; since such inquisitive, was never answered with good success. The world like a Lottery, affording multitudes of Crosses, for one Prize; which reduced all into a total sum, must, by a necessary consequence, render the remainder of life tedious, in removing present felicities, to make room for the contemplation of future miseries.  
30. Do not preengage Hope or fear, by a tedious expectation; which may lessen the pleasure of the first, yet cannot but aggravate the weight of the latter, whose arrival is commonly with a less train of inconveniencies, than this her harbinger strives to take up room for; evil fortune being no less inconstant, then good. Therefore render not thyself giddy by poring on despair, nor wanton with the contemplation of Hope.  
31. Stamp not the impress of a divine vengeance upon the death or misfortunes of others, though never so prodigious, for fear of penning a satire against yourself, in case you should fall under the same Chance: Many things being taken up for dropped out of an immediate celestial hand, that fell from no higher pitch, than where God in his providence hath placed such events as wait upon all times and occasions; which prayers and prudence are not able always to shroud you from; Since upon a strict inquiry it may appear, that, in relation to this world, the godly have as little cause to brag, as the wicked to complain.  
32. Be not easily drawn to lay the foul imputation of witchcraft upon any, much less to assist at their condemnation, too common among us: For who is sufficient for these things, since we are as ignorant in the Benevolences, as Malignities of Nature; Mad men presenting in their melancholy ecstasies, as prodigious confessions and gestures, as are objected to these no less infatuated People? And if this humour hath so far prevailed with some, as to take themselves for Urinals, Wolves, & what not, Can it seem impossible for those invaded by all the causes of discontent, to imagine themselves Authors of what they never did? Most of these strange Miraracles they suppose, being hatched by the heat of Imagination, or snatched out of the huge mass of contingences, such a multitude of Individuals as the world produceth, cannot choose but stumble upon: Neither may it be admitted with due reverence to the divine Nature, that Prophecy should cease, and witches so abound, as seem by their frequent executions; which makes me think the strongest Fascination is encircled within the ignorance of the Judges, malice of the witnesses, of stupidity of the poor parties accused.  
33. Be not therefore hasty to register all you understand not in the black calendar of Hell, as some have done the Weapon-salve, passing by the cure of the King's evil, altogether as improbable to sense; Neither rashly condemn all you meet with that contradicts the common received opinion; lest you should remain a fool upon record, as the Pope doth, that anathematised the Bishop of Saltzburg, for maintaining Antipodes; and the Consistory, that may possibly attain the same honour, for decreeing against the probable opinion of the earth's Motion: Since the branding of one Truth imports more disrepute, than the broaching ten Errors: These being only lapses, in the search of new reason, without which there can be no addition to knowledge; That, a murdering of it, when by others greater wit and industry it is begotten, not to be accounted less than an unpardonable sin against the Spirit of Learning; Therefore mingle Charity with judgement, and temper your zeal with Discretion; so may your own fame be preserved, without entrenching upon that of others.  
34. Fall not out with Charity, though you find, for the most part, Ingratitude lying at her Gate; which God hath contrived, the better to reserve requital to himself.  
35. As he offers an high indignity to the Divine Nature, that robs God of his honour, by owning thoughts of him unsuitable to the dictates of Reason, the the exactest Engine we have to measure him by, out of the volume of his Word; So doth he offend no less against Probity, that detains another's due, contrary to Justice and the clamours of his own Conscience: whereby he makes himself and his posterity heirs to the curse which the wheel of Providence, moved by the breath of God's first Fiat, doth usually stamp upon those, that endeavour to deface the impress of goodness and equity, which appeared in all things at the beginning. Therefore be not forward to promote any destructive tenants; or liquorish after such ill-gotten estates, as the Law of Power may for a small sum be wooed to possess you of; out of an hope to engage you, or a fear they might revert, in case they were not diffused amongst a multitude of owners.  
36. Make not Law, or the Power you may possibly exercise in the commonwealth, instrumental to your private Malice? No murders being so bloody, as those committed by the sword of Justice.  
37. Let not the cheapness or conveniency of Church-lands tempt you to their purchase; For though I have not observed vengeance so nimble in this world, as Divines pretend, yet what prudence is there, to submit all your future success to be measured out, by so severe Expositions, as churchmen usually make of Sacrilegious Persons, which all are registered to be, that meddle with their Revenues? besides the danger and shame of refunding, in case a contrary zeal should repossess the people, whose clamours and warrant cannot be thought less sufficient to obliterate your Title then the former, written, as may be supposed, with more authentic ink.  
38. Denounce no enmity against the Clergy; for, supported by Prayers or Policy, they cannot long want an opportunity to revenge themselves. Oppose no Religion you find established, how ridiculous soever you apprehend it: For though like David, you may bring unavoidable Arguments, to stagger a popular error, None but the Monsters own sword, can cut off the head of one universally received.  
39 Run not hooting after every new Light you may observe to wander about, nor endeavour by a tumultuous dispute to puff it out: for he that will not quench the smoking flax may possibly accept of a Lamp composed of no richer stuff than Rushes.  
40. Grudge not Tithes to the Teachers of the gospel, assigned for their wages by the divine Legislator; Of whose Institutes this was none of the least profound, That the tribe of Levi were prohibited all other revenue, than what was deducible out of the tenth part of the other Elevens increase: setting bounds thereby to all the improvement, their wisdoms, and the tie the priesthood had over the people's consciences, might in the future possibly make, In causing their Maintenance to rise and fall, proportionable to the general standard of the Nations felicity; which this limitation obliged them to promote, and for their own sakes, to oppose all encroachments likely to interrupt their brethren's utility. This prompts me to believe, that if the like salary were assigned here, we might promise to ourselves the same success; provided the sovereign Power reserved in their own hands the collation of Benefices, without giving leave to any Stipendiaries or Lecturers, that signify little less than an Anti-clergy: And to persuade this, there may be more Reason, than the narrow project of this Discourse is able to find room for.  
41. Yet I cannot but by the way mind you of the superlative wisdom of Moses, who, lest one sacrilegious injury should have proved a precedent for a greater, (had the people made a benefit by the spoil) employed the Censers of Corah and his complices to make plates for the Altar: But finding the Gold of Idol● too rank, decently to be used in the service os God, filed them to dust, and threw them into the River; lest the Multitude having been fleshed on a calf, a false deity, should after assume the boldness, to rob the true One, and those, his Institutes appointed to live by his service.  
42. And here it may not improperly be said, that Cardinal Wolsie was ignorant of, or had forgot this aphorism of Policy, when he pulled down Monasteries to build colleges, by which he instructed that docile Tyrant, Henry the eighth to improve the same; there being nothing forwarder to demolish the results of zeal and Ignorance, than Learning and knowledge: Neither did he discover himself a more accomplished Courtier, when he laid the foundation of Grave for a living King, who could not be delighted with the sight of a tomb, though never so magnificent, having lived in so high a Sensuality, as I may doubt, whether he would then have exchanged it for the joye● of Heaven itself. I instance in this, as ● fit example, to dissuade you from thinking it discretion ormanners, to use funereous discourses before Princes or men in power, who hate nothing so much, as the thought of their own Mortality, and therefore unlikely to be pleased with the Messengers of it.   

VI. Conclusion.  
Carriage towards Your— 1. Mother— 2. Sister. 3. Last will. 4, 5. burial. 6. Death. 7. judgement. 8. Close of all.  
1. Bear always a filial reverence to your dear Mother; and let not her old age, if she attain it, seem tedious unto you; Since that little, she may keep from you, will be abundantly recompensed, not only by her prayers, but by the tender care, she hath, & ever will have of you: Therefore in case of my death, (which, weariness of the world will not suffer me to adjourn so much as by a wish) do not proportion your respect by the mode of other Sons, but to the greatness of her desert, beyond requital in relation to us both.  
2. Continue in love and amity with your Sister, and in case of need help her, what you are able; remembering, you are of a piece, and hers and yours differ but in name; which I presume (upon want of issue) will not be denied to be imposed on any child of hers, you shall desire to take for your own.  
3. What you leave at your death, let it be without controversy; else the Lawyers will be your heirs.  
4. Be not solicitous after pomp at my burial, nor use any expensive funeral Ceremony; by which, Mourners, like crows, devour the Living, under pretence of honouring a dead carcase: Neither can I apprehend a tombstone to add so great a weight of glory to the dead, as it doth of charge and trouble to the Living, None being so impertinent wasters, in my opinion, as those that build Houses for the Dead: He that that lies under the hearse of Heaven is convertible into sweet herbs and flowers that may rest in such bosoms, as would shriek at the ugly bugs, may possibly be found crawling in the magnificent tomb of Henry the Seventh; which also hinders the variety of such contingent Resurrections, as unarched Bodies enjoy, without giving interruption to That, which He, that will not again die, hath promised to such as love him and expect his appearing: Besides, that man were better forgotten, who hath nothing of greater moment to register his Name by, than a Grave.  
5. Contest not with such frantic people, as deny men the burial formerly called Christian: since unquietness importunes a living Body more, than a Ceremony can advantage one that is dead. This and an hundred other changes ought not to perplex our Rest, who are less interested in what can happen after our death, then in that was extant before our birth; No books being legible in the Grave.  
6. Neither can I apprehend such horror in Death, as some do, that render their lives miserable to avoid it; meeting it oftentimes by the same way they take to shun it. Death, if he may be guessed at by his elder brother Sleep, (borne before he was thought on, and fell upon Adam, ere he fell from his Maker) cannot be so terrible a Messenger, being not without much ease, if not some voluptuousness: Besides, nothing in this world is worth coming from the housetop to fetch it, much less from the deep Grave; furnished with all things, because empty of desires.  
7. And concerning a future account, I find the Bill to swell, rather than shrink, by continuance; Or if a stronger propensity to Religion, resides in Age, than Youth (which I wish I had no cause to doubt of) it relates more to the temperature of the Body, than any improvement of the Mind; & so unworthy of any other reward, than what is due to the effects of human infirmities.  
8. To conclude, Let us serve God with what reverence we are able; and do all the good we can; making as little unnecessary work for repentance, as is possible: And the mercy of our Heavenly Father supply all our Defects in the Son of his Love. AMEN.  
Thus I have left you finished (dear Son) a Picture of the World; in this at least like it, that it is frail and confused; being an original, not a copy; No more foreign help having been employed in it, than what my own miserable Experience had imprinted in my Memory. And as you have by trial already found the Truth of some of these; So I most earnestly beg of you, to trust the rest, without thrusting your fingers, like a Child, into those flames, in which your Father hath formerly been burnt; and so, add by your own purchase, to the multitude of inconveniences, he is forced to leave you by inheritance.  

Now You are Taught to Live, there's nothing I  
Esteem worth Learning, but the way to Die,   
The End.