ADVICE TO A SON. The Second Part.  
BY FRANCIS OSBORN.  
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Robinson in Oxford, 1658.   

The STATIONER To The READER, Concerning this Second Part of Advice to a Son.  
OUr Author, from whom I formerly presented you with a Rope of smaller Pearls, viz. His Adviso's thredded in a more coherent and exact method, doth now offer these Bigger ones to your acceptance single and loose; which as they are in magnitude, so may you not unpossibly rate them at a like proportionable value. Something of Confusion, you know, is taken as a Symbol of greatness: But I shall onely, in the Authors vindication, pre-acquaint you, That a Piece of this nature will not thereby be of the less solid advantage unto you, who may begin and leave off where you please: These being, in all hands, like Cards, more delightful, if not useful, shuffled, then in suits; through which all sorts may be tempted to red them over, and( so) not improbably gain a knowledge they would never have sought for, but upon such an omission: wherefore whether you consider the whole Pack, or do but draw here and there, you shall be a Winner. And the Author himself may have the more time to employ upon somewhat else in order to your service, being freed from the trouble of any nicer sorting these aphorisms; which, really considered, is but the pedantic part of the Writer, and of most use where there is least intrinsic worth in a Book to commend itself: The speciousnesse of the Form not seldom betraying the Readers judgement to the swallowing such sordid and refuse Matter, as would be found but a gilded Doggs— if taken in pieces and thoroughly examined.   

To my dear Brother William Draper Esq; of Netherworton in Oxfordshire.  
SIR,  
SInce it is become a general custom to affix before books the names of the Authors best friends; I could not without calling in question so manifest a truth as your desert, and running the hazard of being esteemed ungrateful myself, but present you with what follows: for which( however it fares) I shall descend no lower in my desires, then that your name may remain as perpetual a monument to my merit, as I am confident it will prove of your goodness, which can never die or be out of credit: whereas books are during one Age neatly bound and choicely preserved, and the next, condemned to the basest of employments. Nor had I ever exposed myself to the danger of a present censure, no less then a future contempt, but that I gain by writing a diversion from discontent, the highest felicity my fortune ever gave me leave yet to enjoy: who, notwithstanding the could commendation Authors find during their lives, shall venture so far on the constancy of my own Fortune,( which some are pleased to call desert) and the worlds judgement, as to peep abroad again upon my single security, without so much as desiring your protection, though a frequent Petition in such like Epistles, or borrowing commendations from my Acquaintance, more ready to lend me their good word, then I was ever yet able to deserve it, which doth not seldom betray the Reader into the purchase of an ill Book; or at best, gratifies his expectation no more, then a base and rotten inn can a Traveller, because prefaced by a gaudy sign-post. All I beg, is, that in case it comes short of former applause, you would consider me, not your self, as the party abused. And not weigh your acceptance or my will to serve you at the common Beam, but by the Standard of your love, in which you have so far exceeded those of my own blood, as I cannot but aclowledge you, and subscribe myself  
Your most affectionate Brother, FR. OSBORN.   

To the READERS.  
DId all your Heads own a like Mode and Figure, they could not but be fitted with something here might give the Buyer satisfaction for the price of the Book: but you are found in the generality, so contrary to the chameleon( a true Emblem of hypocrisy, Levity, and Sophistication) as not to tak● the colour for what you judge, from the tincture of Sense and Reason, but the pied and contaminated constructions fuming from brains suborned out of Interest, or a contrary practise to condemn of error, Ignorance, or Irreligion, all things though never so modestly proposed, that svit not with their breeding, or fall not within the narrow circled of their understanding. An unsociable Lunacy that lies as far below my notice, as Fortune, which hath already advanced me( maugre such contrary endeavours) in the opinions of sublimer Spirits, not onely beyond an ordinary esteem, but the highest I could ever be tempted to carry of myself. Wherefore though I have formerly numbered it amongst the lowest impertinencies, to fore-stall a Readers acceptance by any other courtship then the choicest endeavour to give him plenary satisfaction: yet I cannot think it suitable with gratitude to pass unregarded so much as hath already been shown; or to doubt of the like in future: not to be done without calling in question the constancy, if not the Judgement of a considerable part of the Nation. And from hence, and no merit of my own, I do implore this favour, that in case any have formerly, or may hereafter be lead into scandal through a sinister construction of what I have written, as dissonant from the Church of England( though a question I find, if relating to any it is rather to others consciences, then mine own) you would excuse, or pass it over as an accidental Lapse, or, which I hope is truer, a mere mistake, rather arising from a too high presumption on the Readers charity, then any real defect in mine own; who ever thought it a less impiety to limit reason, then Faith.  
If these aphorisms( which I protest I picked out of wast papers long since thrown by) appear unsuitable to the times( perhaps sooner lead through enthusiasms, then theorems) I own not a forehead bold enough to deny it. Nor did I intend that my Name or Merit should have ever become the Argument of Discourse, but that I found it unpossible to conceal it: The hope of which, and not ostentation drew me first to the press; as want of a more profitable employment tempts me, being made bold through custom, to feed it.  
Francis Osborn.   

ADVICE TO A SON. THE SECOND PART.  

THough it may without question be reckoned amongst Solomons Common Places of Vanity, 
The Proeme.  yet nothing in this world appears more natural or affects Imagination with greater delight, then the hope men have their names may extend towards eternity: the essential cause of the most, if not all the good and evil we find done, by pious Benefactors or destructive Tyrants; whatsoever the first may pretend in relation to Religion, or the Latter suffer in reference to Policy. The propagation of famed, though confessed a flatulent humour, being hardly to be found absent from Fortitude and Charity, or any other virtue, to martyrdom itself. Glory being the most acceptable thing we can enjoy here, or hope for hereafter; the aim both of the Covetous and prodigal, the Valiant and Coward; the one seeking to gain it through the exposing, the other by a more wary preservation of his Life & Estate: all running through contrary ways, after the gaudy ball of famed: which though every one desires to find his name engraven upon; yet none outreach the records of paper, writing being the most approved recipe, yet discovered against consuming Oblivion, which infests the actions of the best of Princes, and benights those of the worst; who do not seldom owe their repute to strangers. Wherefore since there cannot be a more innocent and probable way to dilate a remembrance beyond the banks of forgetfulness, then Books; why may not I( indebted to none, but my own deare-bought experience) be allowed the Vanity( if capable of such a title) to affix my name( since unable to build it a more lasting Monument) before these papers? where it may live if rescued out of the over-officious and strict hands of Contemporaries, the most severe censurers of the writings of the present Age, who in the absence of other juster pretences, will rather( then want matter for reproof) with the Maligners of the Prophet Daniel, pick something to carp at, in relation to his God or the Magistracy: Though none are less busy in arraigning the Lapses of power, or remain more obedient to the yoke of Government, then such as know there can be no safety or propriety without it. Yet many halfe-witted men, presuming on the single warrant of their own purblind Judgements, do not onely overstride the Opinion of the mayor part for number and weight, but the dictates of their own Conscience; who cannot but Know, if they have any knowledge at all, That the wisdom, to which Solomon persuades no less then adorns with so many Divine epithets, voting it the companion of the Almighty, artificer of nature, And without whose assistance nothing ever was, or is, of all that hath been made. The director of Angells in the preservation of Man, and the Tutor of man to all the understanding a Creature is able to comprehend in reference to its maker, is thereby blasphemed in her children, no less then her King reproached; as if the followers of the paths to Heaven could be leaders to Hell, or not rather Heires of the rich Donative our blessed Saviour gives to all shall knock and seek at the gates of eternal knowledge; where no voice is intelligible but that of wisdom, the Dialect of God. Nor did I ever yet meet the owner of so impudent a presumption, amongst all the recorders of reason, as durst venture our dull and callous knowledge against the activity of an eagle-winged Faith: but do confess a like claudication in their understandings, as Jacob found in his leg, after a wrestling with his maker. Yet since Saint Paul draws the Bill of our indictment out of the Book of Gods universal goodness( to none legible, but through the light of Reason) it cannot but afford cause to magnify the eternal mercy towards Christians, in giving them Faith to regulate their works, and support their wisdom, without which it becomes foolishness to God; wherefore in no other sense capable of the name of Knowledge.   


To precipitate revenge, no prudence.  2. Neglect or dissemble the receipt of an Injury, till Time measure you out a competent proportion of Charity to forgive, or so much power as may requited or contemn it: Lest you convert into a Habit or irreconcilable Enmity, such Words or Actions as might not unpossible at first, result from no more bitter a Root then Chance or Mistake in you both. Wherefore no prudence to put the worst Construction on all you hear or see, As such peevish and Melancholy Constitutions do, who like Glasses retain in their Fancies, as merely relating to themselves, the Reflections of all things pass in their presence. For since the Eyes, Tongues and looks are the windows and doors no less then Interpreters of the Hearts of men, and so the business of wisdom, to keep every thing from breaking out, that may be safer hide than revealed: it implies a like caution ought to be had in reference to That is suffered to enter. Nor doth the want of a through inspection into this, seldom spoil the affairs of Princes, no less than meaner men's; who by measuring the persons will to advance or depress their designs, according to such hopes and fears as they calculate proportionable to their own former desert or inconsiderate Opinion of the party, mar their Market, not onely through a too great confidence to receive at need all the friendship they have dearly payed for, but an over-jealousy of ill from such as they look upon in their apprehensions as disobliged. The Exchange of Courtesies or Injuries, running high or low, not according to an exact proportion of Equity, but the value tis ranted at in the esteem of the receiver. Thus the Old earl of Essex, by placing a greater confidence in the Citizens of London, where he spent his Revenue, then in Wales, from whence he received it, Denudated himself of the most probable protection the extremity of his bad Fortune had left him. His Tenants and Friends being more likely to have proved cordial at a distance from the Court, than those found to gather their livelihood under the shadow of it; And so more probable to increase, than raise a power first in his favour. Which maturely weighed, proves the study of Friends, and Enemies the most politic and useful employment.   


No enemy so contemptible, as to be despised.  3. Despise no Enemy, especially at Court: For where Jealousy holds the Scales, a small drachm of Detraction will turn the beam. Mens Lives no less then Fortunes being so unsteady, as they lye obnoxious to blasting by the breath of far meaner persons then themselves; who making use of all advantages do not rarely bring greater Strength, wisdom, and Innocency then their own to destruction; So as the world hath been abused through an often repeated Tradition, if a fool of State did not help to anticipate the Death of a hopeful Prince. And if the endeavours of Malice and Revenge be thus prevalent in a Court, where Civility and Law pretend at least to command, How prejudicial must the neglect of this caution appear in the Field where nothing but Passion is obeied, and all advantages conducing to safety, allowed in Prudence, if not Honour? And where Fortune to exercise the dominion she usurps over Strength, and Probability, suffered a dwarf not long since to kill a Man. This makes me admire the Valor more then discretion of an acquaintance of mine, That met an armed enemy in a formal and premeditated Duel with a wooden Dagger & a rebated Rapier. I confess this gallant Soul did worst him; which appeared less because no more then his contempt engaged him to. But if Chance( the Lady of such events) had turned her face the other way, his honour and prudence, if not Life( seldom ransomed, if at the mercy of a Coward) had been lost in the Indiscretion of the action: The Generality taking no other prospect of things then through the Event: and under this topic may be included such as return a disarmed Enemy his Sword, with a number of follies more incident to a Romantique valour.   


To contend with inferiors brings discredit.  4. Have peace with all men, is as wholesome an aphorism in Policy as Divinity. But being uncapable of so strict an Observation as in Religion and Prudence it deserves, Let me advice you to shun, or break off all Contests with much inferior persons to yourself. And because Example re●●ives a more lively tincture from Memory, then Precept, I shall instance it as a blot in the greatest Rochet that did in my time appear in the Court of England, or indeed any I ever heard of since the R●formation: who managed a Quarrel with Archy the Kings Fool, & by endeavouring to explode him the Court, rendered him at last so considerable, by calling the prelates Enemies( which were not a few) to his rescue, as the fellow was not onely able to continue the dispute for divers years, but received such encouragements from standards by, as he hath oft, in my hearing, belched in his ●ac● such miscarriages as he was really guilty of, and might, but for this foul-mouthed Scot, have been forgotten: Adding such other reproaches of his own, as the dignity of his calling and greatness of his parts could not in Reason or Manners admit, Though so far hoodwinked with Passion, as not to discern that all the Fool did was but a Symptom of the strong and inveterate Distemper raised long before in the Hearts of his countrymen against the calling of Bishops: Out of whose former ruins the mayor part of the Scottish Nobility had feathered, if not built their Nests. Nor did this too low-placed Anger led him into a less absurdity, then an endeavour to bring him into the Star-Chamber, till the Lord Coventry had, by acquainting him with the privilege of a Fool, shown the ridiculousnesse of the attempt: yet not satisfied, he, through the mediation of the Queen, got him at last discharged the Court; whither he brought after the same mind under a Cloak, he had before born in his Fools coat. Nor is it more wisdom for any, especially Kings, to drive base people into the drak corners of despair, where they do not only lose the sense of their own felicity, in becoming instrumental to the Malice and Ambition of others, but all duty and natural respect to Friends, Religion, and Governours.   

5. 
A friend necessary to a Courtier.  A true Friend becomes the fortune of every Profession, but is the most necessary Utensil I did ever observe belonging to a person at Court: where eyes are so seeled up and covered with prejudice, envy, &c. as little notice is taken of the highest desert, till through the approbation of a stander-by they are pointed to it. The mode of Princes being, as I have often found, to rest better satisfied with others attestations, than their own. The cause that in Palaces Merit is less vendible at the first than second hand; proceeding commonly from the Modesty of the party, which defect none but a faithful friend is able to supply▪ I could name a couple of jesuits( no ways miraculous for parts, considering the foreign advantages received from their Relations and breeding) who did by making it their business to cry up one the other in all companies, and upon every occasion, swell themselves to such a repute, as they became in a short time able to benight the apprehension of a Prince in his own opinion no mean politician.   


To oblige a prince, or state, dangerous.  6. Though it is your duty no less then Honor to have deserved well of Church or State: Yet it may be no unseasonable advice( considering how soon the best of Subjects have their desert expunged by envy or forgetfulness, after their use is over) to extend expectation beyond the present occasion: By which you may have the hope to continue your Princes▪ Favour, commonly conclusive where Expectation ceaseth. Wherefore the well Managing of Merit is none of the weakest effects of Prudence, because uncapable to be restrained within the compass of any general rules.  
signal actions being not seldom so huddled up by Fortune, as they are in a short time forgotten or much l ssened by sharers and envy before the principal Operator is able to make his best market of them: To whom a brave achievement hath sometimes proved fatal; Nothing being more terrible in the eyes of Majesty, then the Apparition of an unrewarded Desert; whose chiefest mediators are shane, Hope or fear: wherefore he that keeps not all or one of these for his friend, may expect a Reward from Heaven sooner then Earth. The old earl of Bristol was none of the most imperfect Scholars in this Lesson; who, through a prodigious dexterity, became the Confident of two Princes, that driven on, if not contrary, divers designs. And was at his return able to appear before the English Parliament where he worsted the greatest Minion the Folly, Love, or wisdom of any King since the Conquest ever bread in this Nation.   


self praise great imprudence.  7. I note it as a great blemish, and so much the more deplorable because not seldom mingled with the best parts, for a man to cry up his own Excellencies. Through which, though the simplo may be lead into Admiration, it produceth, from the more Judicious, Contempt and Envy: Conjuring up a severer scrutiny into the parties personal Lapses and natural Imperfections, then Prudence ought to Alarum. A modest rate put by the owner upon his peculiar desert, being the most artificial Medium to multiply famed. Though the same aphorisms in Morality, no more then those of physic are not always found to work the same effects upon all complexions and Constitutions: the contrary being ordinary through Ignorance, or a Prejudice arising from a different opinion. For let the Speaker utter never so rational and exact a Truth, Nothing but what quadrats with the Companies respective understandings and experience, can settle upon him the Hearers belief: Not seldom better Gratified with a probable lie, then in the serious relation of a more prodigious Truth. The predication of which is not onely an encroachment upon the sole Immunity of Thrones and Pulpits, But a dangerous Intrusion upon the elements of Civility; so far as sometimes to produce Quarrels, ever disputes: Not in Reason to be looked upon, by the Reporter, under a modester notion then a return of the lie. Nor can such Improbabilities at best, pass their hearers, without the thoughts of being slighted by the Relator; as owners ( in his Opinion) of a Credulity capable to be deluded. And this maturely considered might hang the Lock of a greater restraint upon the Mouths of Travellers, Huntsmen, Mountebanks, &c. who to render their professions of more value, th●n, if brought to the Candle, they might possibly appear to be, do torture their Company with no less Impertinent, then Improbable Relations. And if it were as far warranted by discretion, To name the persons that have smutted their famed through a Breach of this topic, as it is fit to avoid the like excess, you would bless yourself to hear the recital of so many brave Spirits, and such whose desert is impregnable against the storms of Time, which this quality hath, to my knowledge worsted in their repute, so far as to render them Ridiculous in Company: of which I shall leave you this one nameless example of a Knight, who using to make make Multiplying Glasses of what he in his long and great travails had Observed, professed he once conversed with a hermit that was, in the Opinion of all men, able to commute any Metal into Gold with a ston he kep● still hanging at his Girdle: and being asked of what kind it was, and not readily Answering, the witty Lord of Saint Albans standing by, said he did verily believe, it was a whetstone, &c.  
Neither may it be happily amiss here, to dissuade you from all immoderate praise or dispraise of any person or thing your experience or acquaintance hath had the Fortune to cope withall; lest some in Company, out of an humour of Contradiction( no less frequent, than odious to Society) or a disaffection, should assume the contrary cudgel, and by that engage you in an ungrateful dispute or a more destructive and ridiculous quarrel: As befell an Earl at Greenwich, that received some prejudice in his honour from the Ma. of Ham, for crying up the Civility of spain higher than that of England; which grew at last to such terms, as might have produced worse effects, had not the Earls wisdom directed him to the Throne, &c.   


To jest with Princes not safe.  8. Though Kings, and Persons in Superlative power, when loose from serious employments, assume so far the sociable humors of Humanity, as to break out into sprightful & facetious extravagancies with other Courtiers; yet ought not this freedom to 'allure them into so high and familiar a Presumption, as to retaliate the like again: Since scorn or smart proportionates not its acceptance to the extent of this Innocency and good meaning of the Subject that first gave the occasion, but the jealousy of the Prince that received it. Such accidents though they may pass current during the short time of a present commerce, yet do not fail upon Rumination, and the tincture, Enemies are found to give all that may advance their profit or malice, to change the former superscription of mirth and impress of Love, into an Inveterate hatred and thirst for Revenge. An Instance hereof appears in William earl of Pembroke, none of the least Obsequious Observers of the times; who naturally or rather Customarily( since the former may be liable to question) abominating a frog, had one thrown into his Neck by King James: And did in requital cause a pig( of an equal disgust with the same Prince) to be put under his close stool: where though it produced no extraordinary ill effect for the present, it being as usual a thing with his Majesty to be frighted, as &c. Yet after the prank( Innocent enough of itself) had been descanted upon, and the worst of interpretations made by some( The title of Jews being at that time usually given to the Scots) The King was much affencted with it; and the more, because done at Wilton under the Earls own roof: It remaining always a Natural or Usurped Prerogative in Princes, if not of all in power, to put their particular sense on the words and actions of inferior persons. Wherefore he that relates wholly to the Honour or Friendship of his Prince, had need of more Patience and Circumspection then doth ordinarily attend a free birth; or such as remain galled through any foreign discontent or Anxiety, which renders the Patient tu●chy and unadvised.   


counsel to be given with caution.  9. It is not prudence, through contrary counsel to tamper overmuch in the miscarriages of others, not relating to your own Interest, especially if absolutely flown beyond all recovery of Prevention: For, though, like physic, it may appear of wholesome Consequence for the future, it remaines at the present of no good savour to the Party: And renders the sight of him it is received from ungrateful. Wherefore with much caution, if at all to be administered to People of Quality: who do not seldom, in stead of doubling their own circumspection, onely place a stricter watch upon the Informer, in hope to pay him in the same coin, never current but amongst those of choice and candid natures: counsel implying, in most peoples Opinions, an overprising your own Judgement, and d●basing of others.   

10. 
To ●●u●h at a mischance uncharitable.  It is a no less violation of friendship, then Charity, to laugh when another by accident falls into a Mischance; And hath proved, in my experience, the original of many quarrels, and bread a strangeness between persons before very Intimate in Affection. Wherefore it ought to be refrained towards people of mean quality, lest custom should render it more difficult to abstain from it, if the same Fortune becomes the lot of a greater man or dearer Acquaintance. As it fell out at the new Lodge by Barnet; where after a great Dinner, King James walking out, and something neglected by such as lead him, stumbling at a Mole-hill, fell down, and managed his legs after so ridiculous a posture as many of the company could not hold from Laughter: which his Majesty took so ill, as he called them Traytors, and protested Revenge; nor would he suffer any of them to take him up, Till Mr. John West the Keeper, at whose house and charge the entertainment was, came, and by a witty conceit( of which he was full) fetched them off. Swearing no good subject could refrain to rejoice at his Majecties activity, to see him so nimble, as to come over and over: Now though this Buffoonery did for the present seem to compound for the real folly of the rest, that had seen and forgot many things the Court might have learned them; Yet the King did Remember some of them, as no well wishers to his continuance in being, but rather inclining to, &c. To conclude, if it was thought manners by our Ancestors, not to be covered whilst another Sneezed, it can be no Charity if Discretion to laugh when he is likely to break his Neck.   

11. 
To upbraid any with natural defects uncivil.  It becomes not Charity no more than Discretion, to Upbraid others with such Imperf●ctinns, as may by accident fall to, or accompany People from their Birth: No more in the Owners power to help, then it lies in the Scorners ability to shield his own person or issue from falling into a like Disaster: None being so precisely happy, as not sooner or later, in their Bodies, Mindes, Families, or Estates, to receive some blemish if not an Ugly mulct from the hand of Fortune; to whose Injuries the best men are subject during this Life.  

Especially with Bastardy.  But that which appears the highest Injustice is the imputation of Bastardy, in no Nation looked upon under so great a notion of reproach, as amongst the English, Though for the most part recompensed with the richest endowments. For if a Fault, it belongs solely to the Parents; wherefore the less discernible through what Organ of equity, any more than an ordinary human contamination should attach the Child. Since the single Security of a wife( of no great validity in other things) is the chief authentic proof we can produce for the integrity of these we esteem most Legitimate. From whence we may learn how to rate their Malice, That missing of matter considerable to traduce the Reign of Q. Elizabeth, take in her Birth for the faults( if capable to be called so) of her Father. Forgetting, no such thing as Bastardy, in relation to plurality of wives and Concubines, can be allowed in Nature, without aspersing the patriarchs and People of God. Wherefore the contrary custom cannot be of validity enough to question the Descent of a Prince, whose possession of the Crown is not only sufficient to create a Title, but what Ceremony( in all things not diametrically opposite to the apparent dictates of God) shall be imposed upon the Subject. monarchs themselves remaining discharged and uncapable of limitation by custom or any Law that is but merely respective to Decency and Order: so as King James and his Son, though the highest indulgers of the ecclesiastical Canons and Institutions, Have often to my knowledge so far dispensed with the legal houres appointed for Matrimony, as to exchange them from Morning to Night: things merely complemental vanishing in the presence of the supreme Magistrate. Nor was any thing in the most rigid opinion wanting to her Legitimation, but a Dispensation, professed by all Historians Signed, Sealed and sent into England. Now though the Pope did retract it, out of Reason of State, and dread of Charles the fifth, whose Aunt Queen Catharine was, I presume the Holy Ghost, under the protection of whom his Holinesse assumes the power of not erring, can in no mans Opinion be thought to repent the approving what none but an Impudent Malice is able to question, the lawfulness of Kings being in all places left to a greater Liberty, than Subjects may in a stricter Sense be liable to. It remaining improbable to conjecture, that Henry the 8th should Repudiate so virtuous a Lady out of a less trivial desire than the obtaining the Nations quiet, and prevent Civil war; by leaving behind him an heir of his body. But to lay aside such babbles; onely considerable with Children and fools, He had the consent of all uninterested Divines, beyond Seas, together with a considerable number of the most Learned in his own Church; from whom there is no natural, if Just appeal to any but God, or an impartial council; a phoenix not likely to be found, till the old man of sin be consumed, And Our Saviour in his own Person become Monarch of the whole Earth. Thus when the gull of Interest and Malice becomes mingled with Ink, it doth not onely blot and disfigure the beauty of Truth, but the Honor of all Authors that endeavour to maintain it.   


The issues not bearing the marks of their Ancestors an ill ground of jealousy.  12. Some Families are noted of a propensity more to Folly, Lust, Infelicity, stammering, &c. others to Beauty, Temperance, Modesty, Probity, Hospitality, with many respective mulcts and benevolencies in nature. The Causes of which may be easier sought for, than found amongst the perfections and blemishes of Ancestors. Since the Belly being changed upon every discent, it remaines little probable the burden should retain the same marks from any more occult quality than Imitation. As may be guessed from an honourable Family, noted for many Generations to Stutter, and another that retained a cast with their eyes: Both which may in my opinion be attributed in more probability to the effects of an ordinary Commerce than any quality inherent in their Nature.  
The longer than ordinary succession of great lips observed in the House of Austria cannot appear a Miracle to any that considers they have not, for many Ages Married out of their nearst Kindered. I note this not only to guard you from jealousy, the most impertinent devil fancy can be at any time haunted with; But to prevent falling into the common error both of the ancient and modern Philosophers, That ground Conclusions upon bare report or at best single experiments, which exposeth them to easy Confutations: Manifest in Pliny, &c.   


The multiplying of Crosses highest folly.  13. If it be the highest advantage, deducible from the Study of philosophy, calmly to bear the affronts of Fortune, how can the depth of their Indiscretion be fathomed, That, absolved from personal causes of Discontent, extract the Spirit of Anxiety out of such remote accidents, as custom, not Nature hath laid in the way of human felicity, through which we become far more unadvised than Beasts. And amongst these may be numbered the Immoderate desire of, 
As an immoderate desire of, or care for posterity.  and care for Children; in some so ridiculous and intemperate, as to let themselves and their families( of which they are part) to want all things for the present the( onely time we can call ours) out of hope to leave them something after their Death: which doth prove as often too much, as too little. Since through this excess( like an over-proportion of bias on a bowl) they are lead out of all care for greater preferment, or becoming better than at first they were left: who quiter unacquainted with the use of money, are as far to seek, how to improve, as decently to spend it. Yet, in my apprehension, no perturbation bears the marks of a more ridiculous folly, than lies patent in an Impertinent Jealousy, 
Impertinent jealousy.  in relation to women; no more able to ransom their Repute out of the hands of Detraction, Than the Patient is to gratify his Curiosity with a pleasanter Recipe than an apparent Detection. Thus, by snatching up Negative Evils, we render ourselves Insensible of any positive Good: Like Children, who if dispossessed or denied the gauds of others, will in a peevish humour throw away their own. Nor are we seldom cast into a present trouble, out of the contemplation of mischiefs not yet arrived: The things we fear resembling so far those we desire, that for the most part they seem greater at a distance, than nearer hand: From whence the Mind may be Judged as crazed and infirm as the Body, and no less affencted with vapours. Nor are these distempers so frequent in vulgar and empty heads, as those Stuffed with Learning; A mere Drug, and in this, like rhubarb; whose operations are far more effectual upon a slight infusion than taken in the mass; not seldom observed rather to Obstruct than open the organs of understanding, which ought not to be crammed faster than she is able to concoct, nor kept in a coop without taking the prospect of all worldly experience; A rude quantity of Intricate notions being apt to augment sail, than Ballast: the mayor part of Learning appearing, like Diamonds, richer in splendour, than use: And cannot, alone, and unassisted by the conversation of all sorts of Professions, measure out the true and Mathematical Latitude of earthly felicity, not prohibited by, though bounded within the compass of reason; In whose absence it is either lost in excess, or smothered in Restraint 〈◇〉 flattered into the first through voluptuousness, and confined to the other by Law and Education: which makes them to suspect all things pleasant, of sin, whereas the contrary is more likely to be natural. Since at long running, others more indulged by Policy, are found to meet at the same Market, or a worse. And to draw us with more ease into the Iron traps of Infelicity, and Restraint, they bait them with the Scraps of a broken hope and Childish allurement, That our Fathers were caught before us. Yet the wily Priests, quiter discharged of the Lamber of a Family, and all Oppression incident to a Secular life, cannot but enjoy the most Felicity, vainly sought under any but a free Condition, which all enjoy so far as they are willing, or left able by others to unconcern themselves of the world: which no protection can so totally perform as that of the Roman Church, in which, like a Cave or Grotto, such of the Ecclesiastickes as are any way superintendant over others, are situated under as moderate an aspect during the Sun-shine of prosperity, as the storms of an adverse fortune; the thunders of war( I mean till this Sulfurous age) seldom breaking out over their Cells. But now since the blood of the Saints together with their names are expunged the Gates and doors of the Sanctuary, Good works have lost their value, & nothing more in esteem than new Opinions. Wherefore since in the absence of a protection from the Altar, nothing remaines without able to secure us quiter from the sense of Oppression, let us turn our endeavours towards such remedies as Prudence and Philosophy are found to prescribe us; And according to their advice pack up our hopes and fears into as narrow a Room as we can possibly, by which we shall render the Last more portable, and the first less tedious. And in reference to this, all affections beyond the degrees of a natural and compelled Necessity, or any thing likely to dilate them, are warily to be avoided, during the best times, as contrary to felicity; and in the worst, as obstructors of the ways to evasion, The most useful knack belonging to the engine of Life.   

14. No virtues deserve to be more indulged, 
Patience and moderation most necessary in human life.  both in ourselves and others, than Patience and Moderation: The first being no less requisite to arm us against the open Hostility of Fortune, than the other to guard us from the excesses that do usually accrue to such as are placed in the gaudy Pageant of her favour: and therefore kept in compass with the greater difficulty, because bounded by no more foreign or external a check, than the party is able to give out of the strength of his own Judgement, prompted by an experience had of her uncertain carriage, whereas ill Luck( or to speak more Christian) a seeming desertion of the benignity of providence, is rendered much the more supportable through an absolute Necessity, And so, under an unavoidable restraint rather Imposed, than voluntarily submitted to. The rarest president for Moderation I ever met with, was the last Bishop of London, who extracted by the chemistry of this Mountebank deity, and Alembecked through a number of great Mutations, from one of the Meanest of Vicars, to the highest of Treasurers, was in none of them elated above the Meridian of the ground he first stood on, or did debauch through his miscarriage the dignity of any place he passed through: Nor did he suffer, with a more sullaine brow, the breaking of all the Glasses this pied Goddesse had blown in his favour; But did, after the curtains were drawn, and the Tragedy acted, without any visible reluctancy turn his eyes towards the same landscipe of Country pleasures, he had as it were against his will been taken from. I have( dear Son) but name him, whom I esteem sit to be placed in your heart for the best pattern of Moderation I ever met with, As he might have remained for patience, Had he not been eclipsed through the far greater sufferings of a Person more Splendid, and no less Miraculous in this virtue, as none can attest better, than this Prelate whose Patron he was.   


Oeconomick's neglected, the ruin of great families.  15. I find the Oeconomickes though most useful to Being, the least esteemed with our Gallants: Looked upon by some as trivial, by others as dishonourable and unbecoming a Masculine employment. Yet a total neglect of them may be found in experience the ruin of the greatest Families in England, as their more exact prosecution keeps up mens estates in Italy; where the Inhabitants are celebrated as most generally wise, and therefore not unfitly proposed in this for an universal pattern, but where they border too near the confines of penury and baseness, most unbecoming the custom and plenty of England; And where, in this particular( till the Sword received a Commission from God to devour all things good and honourable in the Land) our Noble men equalled the Princes, and our King exceeded in Hospitality all the monarchs in the known world: And might yet have done more, had the true Elements of Thrift been maintained in an equal proportion, by providing all things at the best hand, and making use of Times and seasons; in which I confess so much as purely belongs to housewifry, ought, if not in discretion, yet in reverence to custom to be left to women, provided they own abilities competent for the employment: which is yet some times so far contradicted by Experience, as the first leak of a Husbands fortune is found to rise in the kitchen, and such rooms as a Man of quality cannot decently visit. Nor is there a better way patent to obviate this falling into a Hectique, through such a dysentery, then by an equal balancing all weekly accounts; Never noted by wisdom any more blemish to Honour, than to know how many Horses he keeps in the Stable, a place that cannot be denied to be made, by use rather than Reason, more becoming his presence than the Pastry or Larder. Nor is the Keeping of a regulated expense( magnified rather than decried in the highest Courts of wisdom) Neglected so much out of scorn as defect. Fathers especially Rich ones, being so far to learn themselves what is most fit their Children should be taught, as they keep them so long in the latin School, till the time is lapsed most proper for Reading, 
arithmetic the most necessary part of mathematics.  and to make a perfect accountant: the most necessary part of the mathematics, and so much, as cannot be in any commerce spared. It remaining indubitable, that none so industrious as to call himself to a weekly or at lest an annual reckoning, did ever through his own default spend an estate. Whereas the want of this first rudiment of Thrift, hath, within the compass of my experience, brought divers to a bit of Bread, and demolished the houses of the most ancient Gentry of England. Now if any desire to understand, how our more illiterate Fathers came to escape this Curse; an answer lies ready, That the greatest part of their Revenues did consist in Provisions of all sorts, payed punctually at a day, and so easily accounted for and remembered. And this abundance they enjoyed kept them pleased and in friendship with their estates, wanting neither Company nor respect: through which they became less▪ liquorish after the glory and small delights of London, and the Court; towards which they did seldom look, but upon constraint; having never tasted them in youth, as now they do, the only time to contract an affection to any place or thing. So as That we call the breeding of our Gentry, is the main Reason of their undoing: the glorious aspects the City affords rendering the more solid pleasures of the Country contemptible & distasteful. And thus Infatuated, from the hope of a redemption by an office or Wife, they drop into an Ocean of Debts, between the Sylla and Carybdis of a London and Country-House; which, for want of moderating their expense( a thing Arithemetick is the readiest, if not the only means to reform) it becomes no less terrible to look upon in relation to sollitude and dilapidations, than unsafe to abide in, for fear of the sheriff. But however this may prove good counsel to others, it is of small concernment to you; who I thank God are of another temper and a more mathematical Education.   


Great wealth sometime a snare  16. Great wealth is not seldom the birthright of fools, being for the most part a result of the Fathers covetousness: And therefore found more easy for such Heires to double, then to expend with honor decency and moderation so much of it as is sit to be allotted for Hospitality, out of vast revenues. The most likely reason why the Families of Citizens are consumed through Prodigallity, or bear to posterity the marks of baseness; because unacquainted with the true Elements of housekeeping; through an equal mixture and moderate temper of which, Honor comes to be generated in the Opinion of the world: There appearing as wide a Difference( for the most part) betwixt a Gentleman of blood, and one of Fortune as lies between the Confines of moderation and excess. From whence it often chanceth that mechanic wealth doth become rather a Misfortune, than a blessing, by procuring not onely Diseases, but bringing Braves and Trapanners like drones and wasps into the Houses of such ignorant Gallants, as by reason of a low breeding are not able to apprehended what is convenient, or take the true height of their acquaintance and an exact survey of what Company may with decency and safety be kept. From whence we may conclude it easier to attain wealth, than the wisdom to spend it without transgressing the rules of Moderation, or falling upon the extremes of baseness and excess.   


No relation besides a Father to be confided in.  17. Sad experience hath, amongst others, left me this unquestioned Legacy, That no Relation, below a Father, is to be confided in by Younger Children. The fear of having their Joynter questioned, Obliging a partiality in widows towards their first born; a term more pernicious to the mayor part of Man-kind, than the destruction of it might possible prove to the persecutors and oppressors of the Children of God: These Gypsies( sound commonly Slaves to their wives or vices) and performing their task in this world under a richer canopy of Honour than some of their younger brethren ever stood near, have, besides the cruelties and unnatural burdens they lay upon them, through their power and a bare deception in Law, converted into stubble the straw their more charitable Fathers left their brethren to cover them withall. And for Uncles &c. their eyes are so intent upon the splendour of the House, as they oversee, out of fear, or Ambition, all but the top-branch, commonly the weakest.  
But lest Interest should transport me into a general declamation against the most Noble part of the Nation, out of a particular experience of the ill Natures of Some. I shall conclude with an advice to put all younger Children to such courses as may protect them from undoing by the worst of Heires. It being unlikely the laws of England should stand unbent in their favour, so long as they remain the mayor part in all Parliaments, And have not thoroughly survaied the ways to Infelicity and ruin. 
Great por●ions a snare to Daughters.  And for Daughters, they do not seldom prove miserable through great portions which causes snares to be laid for them in every place; they becoming the lot of Serving-men, or roisters: or in case the old churl attains a more honourable design, though perhaps less discreet( it not being a rarity in custom to see such despised and their money and estates spent to feed others more acceptable, though less rich) A Lady thus created out of a Daughter( of these ordinary infects Generation) proving in the generality the most despicable animal breathing.   

18. 
The Tyranny of custom a restraint to the progress of knowledge.  Nothing is expunged with more difficulty than the Lines custom and Education have formerly drawn in the Credulity of Youth: which through a no less Indiscreet then Imperceptible Insinuation, renders all other usances and Opinions distasteful, and not seldom atheistical, belonging to any Climate or Inculcation but that under which they had the fortune to be born; like Parrots, that only applaud themselves, And in the mean time proclaim all others fools or Knaves, upon no more authentic warrant, than that they have done it, and were taught so to do, from their Infancy. A Habit resembling Beauty, which though but Skin-deep, doth for the most part prevail against Reason her Self: Taught by the generality( as Children do the Bells) to comply with the Fancy, and not the Imagination to submit to the real sense. Wherefore such variety of Judgments can be no prodigy, where Truth & falsehood are weighed at so unsteady a beam. And if any thing could prove able to make good the advantage asserted to be found in the wisdom of precedent Ages above the present, I should rather seek it in the restraint and confinement the Tyranny of custom keeps us under, than any defect in ability, or poverty of Nature; not observed to be more prodigal in one Age than another. Though confessed sometimes to make wisdom and judgement so Itinerant, as to pass from place to place; and may not unpossibly quit our Horizon, when it shall be again Night with us, and the same dismal Cloud of Ignorance Impend England, as is now known to hover over those former elegant people of Greece. But if the Profit of some, and fear of others be still able to Manacle the hands and shakle the Feet of such as are in pursuit after Reason, by confining them within that narrow compass of our Ancestors discoveries, how is it likely this Generation should equal the former, whose cogitations were freely allowed to expatiate in the wide fields of Philosophy, & to implead all things, at the bar of Reason, thought guilty of falsehood without giving scandal or receiving blame? Whereas the Authors of these times want not only their rewards and Impunity, but lie under a Severer Censure for vindicating some probable truths, than they were exposed to for all their mistakes: witness Galileus, &c. To conclude; it is no more suitable to Prudence, for a man to hazard his credit for the advancement of others Knowledge, than tis likely to improve them or satisfy himself by a bare repetition of what hath been said many hundred yeares since, though perhaps never believed till these latter and more credulous Ages had rendered it vendible under the protection of Silence or Restraint.   


The Secrets of State not to be prostrated to the vulgar.  19. Moone-ey'd Horses, whose light is said to increase or wane suitable to the flux or reflux of that mad Planet, blanche and start more by Day than Night; not out of any real deformity residing in the Object, but their Sense: which renders them of a far more pernicious concernment, when they are able to led, than kept under a Capacity fit onely to follow and obey. And this is not merely verified by experience in reference to schismatics, and the owners of fanatic Opinions concerning Religion, But all halfe-witted persons else from the Prince in the Throne to the Doctor in the chair. lukewarmness being as Nauseous to Policy as Religion, and as likely to vomit out and desile the old and decent government of a Kingdom, as a Church. In mistaking enthusiasms for Prophesies, Memory for Conscience, and Anger for zeal; by none better understood than the Romans, who to draw this popular Monster from approaching the Arcana of State,( not possibly to remain always in so serene a temper, and under such an exact discipline as may admit a through inspection of the Multitude without danger.) They never ceas't feasting their fantacies at home with Spectacles of pleasure( in some of which they placed Religion, catching with one bait both the profane and superstitious) and macerating abroad their Martiall humours at the Conquest and expense of the Barbar●a●s( as they in a no less high than false Arrogancy styled all but themselves) 
stage-plays a a good diversion of the people.  gaining through the Mediation of stage-plays and Gladiators the same, if not a greater advantage, than the Grand signor draws from a Multitude of Wives, and the unanimous Inculcation of his Priests: whereas the Romans never owned any Profession of so insinuating a temper as to cover Hypocrisy, nor any enthusiasms( yet did all with an unanimous consent aclowledge God) as were ever found to produce Rebellion, A sin recorded by truth itself to be worse than witchcraft, and therefore not unpossibly the cause why the Devil was so earnest of old with the Jews, and is now so busy with the Christians to make them commit it.   


The toleration of contrary opinions dangerous.  It is ordinary with custom, Education, and Ignorance, the Three Grand Impostors of the world, to face the peoples Consciences with some specious pretence, to hoot and cast stones at every Profession, but what practise hath rendered familiar to themselves; whilst the more intrinsike knack of the work intends solely Honour, Profit, and Ease of the Magistracy; The Center, towards which all things approved of, do by a natural or Impulsive force, tend. It being unpossible the Pope together with the friars, &c. should keep up the price of their sophisticated wears, daily uttered, were not the passage to heaven straightened, and all other ways obstructed but through their Institutes▪ of which the credit would be much impaired should the Protestants tene●ts and theirs be thought indifferent. Nor is it more possible for a Civil Magistrate to carry the sceptre steady, where the winds of contrary Doctrines are observed to blow. From whence it is become not only the endeavour of Rome, but Reason of State to maintain those customs that appear useful, us relating to Salvation, and under a no less Imperious an Injunction than the Command of God: yet not able to extend a punishment for a breach of them, beyond Death; the onely prerogative of our Maker. Nor can Magistracy in prudence be blamed for promoting all means rending to unity, or Subjects commended that seek to disturb them: who ought rather to conceal all Opinions contrary to that generally confessed, or remove their persons to other places where they find them with more safety Indulged, then by divulging them to kindle a contrary zeal in the people, which in a small time converts into Hypocrisy, the demolisher of all things human and Divine; being able to promote, under the specious pretence of the service of God, the foulest ends covetousness, Malice, or Ambition were ever found to point at. Wherefore all distinctions are, or may be hereafter thought dangerous in a State, to the several Orders of Friers, who though observed to agree amongst themselves, are in sharp contests with other Covents & Fraternities: so as Christendom may be wakened into an Admiration how his Holinesse should pretend to an Infallibility, and not be able to decide whether our Lady lay under the universal pollution, or was conceived and born immaculate. The maintaining and controverting of which hath already wasted candle and paper, and may come one day to Blood, as the Regulars and Jesuits have hardly refrained from. Nor need we go to Rome for examples in this Kind, since the truth of this is confirmed in the Jars arising between Towns-men and Scholars, one college and another; though under the Institutes of one and the same Aristotle and Government: which maturely considered, may serve to put the best construction on all we find of use in Church or State.   


excess in any thing, a portent of ruin.  21. There is an extent in Wit, Learning, Civility, Honour, and all other Felicities, no less then in Conquest; which neither Greece, Rome, Goth, Vandall, nor any other Nation, Person or communality delighting in virtue, or Rapine, were ever in any Age yet found able to exceed: The Reason that many did draw a Calculation for the late Gustavus King of Swedens Fortune from the Lines of his success, and the miraculous dexterity he used before he met with any considerable Opposition; Though not quiter divested of second Causes. The least of which did not lye in the imperial Imprudence, where a demonstration of a will to enslave Germany was discovered before provision was made of a Power likely to effect it. The Reason such as adhered to Caesar, were no less remiss, then those that opposed him, vigorous in their Prosecutions. But in relation to that is at this time more current in my Fantacy, All extremes whether in virtue or 'vice may be reckoned as a Portent of the ruin of a people, and amongst these an excess in Learning and Hypocrisy, the resultes of a too high indulged zeal are the most vocal, and do not seldom like Castor and Pollux appear mingled with the sails upon the change of weather. Though the flames of Superstition are in this more destructive than they merely natural and Independent, on any remoter causes then those of Obedience, or more sublimate than human vessels are able to contain without breaking into Enthusiasms, Because found the most ordinary Precursers of shipwreck. Nor is any thing likelier to comply with th● causes of Ruin in this Nation than the vastness of London; which like the Liver of an Italian Goose, or a Rotten Sheep, weighs more than the whole Nation, and may not onely come in probability to starve that, but suffocate itself.   


Affectation a sign of shallowness.  22. A vacuity may with safety be concluded in that Head, whose Body & Discourse is filled with too much Affectation. Such, through an overmuch care about their Outside and Words, proclaim a remissness in what relates to the Mind. It remaining equally rare, to find a starched and complemental Man wise, as a woman Valiant: the most serious endeavours of them both being to captivated the Ignorant Beholders. And though this may pass but for a blemish in Youth, it becomes an Ugly deformity in Age: Asserting their Opinion who have formerly thought Apes to be of the extraction of Cham, or some other By-blow of human Generation, by their too near approaching towards the nature of women: wherefore to be avoided as one of the highest excesses in folly. No Mode or behaviour appearing suitable to all Companies, but what is Manly, Constant, and Resolute: Overmuch Cringing and compliment appearing in all Judgments, unforestalled by a like custom, no less Impertinent then tedious, as intruding too far on time and better employments. Nor are the French, with whom these mimical gestures are most in fashion, the better esteemed amongst graver Nations; who are rather found by reason of this Levity, to put a base ally upon their greater excellencies, which those conversant in their Books cannot but allow them: Amongst which you may find reckoned in the number of extravagancies, all Ceremonies not essentially depending on Civility.   


A sole Acad●mick education renders men pedantic.  23. It is a saying, no less general than true, That a mere Scholar becomes, through a singular and Pedantique practise, not far removed from an absolute, &c. None being better able to man out and array with a motley and pie-bald carriage( the habit of a Fool) than he that hath crowded together an unsorted rabble of all Stuffs and Colours. A rude mass of Reading till it be thoroughly fixed and concocted in the Sun-shine of employment, becoming like Atoms so volatile and unsettled, as for want of an equal mixture of the more solid and necessary Elements of Prudence they justle and whirl up and down, without incorporating any thing but aire● occasioning through a too great dose of Mercury, rather Palsies, than any steadinesse in the Understanding, by rendering it more bold than rational: Like Children, who confident of their perfect skill in the Game, before experience hath taught them how to shuffle and deal the Cards, or lay them down in order, Advance little but the scorn of standards by, To see a Courtier kept out, and a mean trump foisted in, where the best is required: Manifest through all they either speak or writ, to their private Epistles, in which for want of an exact measuring persons and degrees, they accost all to the Butler and Landeresse in one and the same style; or if possibly changed, it is in more tedious and Impertinent expressions to their betters; in relation to whom Courtship requires the most reserved Brevity can be found on the outside of Ambiguous Obscurity. Nor can this be laid to the charge of true Learning, the nurse of Understanding, But the long time spent before they be weaned from the breasts of the Universities, & put into Commerce; the onely means of attaining strength and ability to Judge what is fit to be retained, and what to be neglected, suitable to the Course, Fortune or Necessity hath allotted for a future subsistence: unpossibly to be gained under such a narrow Erudition as Cambridge or Oxford affords: which like Stonage, the Pyramids, and other Rarities, may be well worth a visit, but not to be made Habitations or places of abode. It not residing in the power of any Tutorage to inculcate a wisdom beyond the extent of its own knowledge, and the ability it hath to back its Rudements, by visible experience; one Example prevailing more upon the Memory, than ten Rules; and one that is for the present to be seen, than twenty found in Old Authors, not possible to quadrate with all times and occasions. Nor is there made generally such choice of Tutors as are able to distinguish what is fit to be taught to every respective Pupil, in relation to his propensity, and the future Employment he is likely to have in the State, but do infuse one and the same rudiments into all in general; as if the world had use of no more tools but one. Which minds me of a laudable and more improving way for knowledge, practised in my time by some of the Peerage, that obtained leave for their Sons to stand by the chair of State, and hear all the debates in the House of Lords. And if the same were continued and suffered amongst the Commons, it might be a greater improvement than can be found in observing the unmannerly and Insignificant distempers in the schools, &c. To which I shall onely add that Mr. Hampden, Mr. Pim, &c. were resident in all Parliaments, their age gave them opportunity to Assist in; whose highest excellencies, so far as my poor Judgement can extend, lay rather in timing their designs and concealing their passions, than in any more prodigious advantage they had of other men. Nor are there any qualities more essential than these to a Politician, nor less Indulged amongst scholars; who, out of a strong presumption of what they have not, fall into a manifest demonstration of that they really want.   


An universal inspection into sciences most becoming a Gentleman.  24. It is recorded of Solomon, that God had given him a large Heart, through which he became universally knowing from the most despicable herb, to the highest Cedar, and deepest Secret in Nature( then) under knowledge. Which may serve to answer their Curiosity, who think they have done something towards the confutation of this assertion of his wisdom, when they find his sayings paralleled in other Authors: Since it is a sufficient manifestation of Gods extraordinary Grace upon him, that we are assured from his own writings, no less than from the testimony of the Sacred Scriptures, that part of the whole mass of human Learning lay included in his Person; and so, if equalled in one endowment, he was not exceeded by any single individual in the general Knowledge of all. And as this appears by the Donor, to be none of the smallest gifts, no less than in the estimation of Solomon that did ask it, so may we strongly presume that an universal inspection is the most becoming quality a Gentleman( unfixed in a settled calling) can bestow his endeavours upon. And my memory neither doth nor( I believe possible ever can) direct me towards an example more splendid in this Kind, than the Lord Bacon Earl of St. albans, who in all companies did appear a good Proficient, if not a Master in those Arts entertained for the Subject of every ones discourse. So as I dare maintain, without the least affectation of Flattery or Hyperboly, That his most casual talk deserved to be written, As I have been  told his first or foulest copies required no great Labour to render them competent for the nicest judgements. A high perfection, attainable onely by use, and treating with every man in his respective profession, and what he was most versed in. So as I have heard him entertain a Country Lord in the proper terms relating to hawks and Dogges, And at another time out-Cant a London chirurgeon. Thus he did not onely learn himself, but gratify such as taught him; who looked upon their Callings as honoured through his Notice. Nor did an easy falling into Arguments( not unjustly taken for a blemish in the most) appear less than an ornament in Him: The ears of the hearers receiving more gratification, than trouble; And( so) no less sorry when he came to conclude, than displeased with any did interrupt him. Now this general Knowledge he had in all things, husbanded by his wit, and dignifi'd by so Majestical a carriage he was known to own, strook such an awful reverence in those he questioned, that they durst not conceal the most intrinsic part of their Mysteries from him, for fear of appearing Ignorant, or Saucy. All which rendered him no less Necessary, than admirable at the counsel Table, where in reference to Impositions, Monopolies, &c. the meanest Manifactures were an usual Argument: And, as I have heard, did in this Bassle the Earl of Middlesex, that was born and bread a Citizen, &c. Yet without any great( if at all) interrupting his other Studies, as is not hard to be Imagined of a quick Apprehension, in which he was Admirable.   


Great libraries more for pomp than use.  25. It is a wonder to see the public and private Libraries extant almost every where: yet upon an impartial search into their worth, Most of the books they contain will appear like salt that hath lost its savour, fitter for the Dunghill, than the stalls they fill; where they abide an unnecessary Lumber in the Houses of scholars. The Ore they afford not coming to any more profitable account, after the time required to separate the dross is reckoned for, besides a broken style, which they do insensibly obtrude upon the neatest wits and accutest Judgements, Through the meanness of their expressions and invalidity of their Proofs, commonly no other than a vain repetition of such Authors Sentences and names as did own the Thing or Opinion they endeavour at that instant to make good. As if it were Reason Imperative enough to led us on, because such as they can be found to have gone before: Though God hath made all Times alike, and more capable of Improvement than decay: The contrary of which would redound as little to his Honour, as ours. If the Languages now in ordinary use, which are but the Paint of books, be not so Elegant, as other Tongues more ancient( a question, that in refference to some of our Neighbour Nations, may admit of a disputation) whose fault is it, but theirs, that instead of Imbellishing do corrupt and adulterate them quiter, by a dialect as unsuitable to the understandings as the mouths of the Inhabitants: contrary to the use of the wiser Italian and French, that explode all words they find rough upon the palate: Abominating no less those that savour too much of the Schools, then such as retain the barbarism of the Country: And are by this means able to pick out the kernel in all Learning, without the assistance of any other tongue but their Mothers. The Canting terms of Arts being natural to them, as they might be in English, But that the Academies dare not permit it, out of fear to become Beggars themselves. The cure of Ignorance being far more ready and easy then our empirics make it, and sooner obtained through the open air and daily exercise of experience, than the confinement to a Study under a set-form of Erudition, &c. For my own particular, as History hath been the chiefest of my employment, so I shall extend no censure beyond what I have found, which is so little of certainty, 
great uncertainty in History.  as I rest quiter unsatisfied, especially where many do relate to one & the same time. A Cloud of witnesses by reason of their manifest clashings and contradictions, rather darkening, then cleared the ways of truth▪ so as we cannot credit Books in matter of fact, farther then they relate to names, which is an useless sound to those that never did coverse with the persons: Yet are in this so far to seek, as to leave us divers founders for one and the same City, and as many Cities for the Birth of one and the Same Man. The original of People, if not of all things else being rendered as questionable, as their wars and conquests, which like stories in Hangings; show fair and legible towards that Nation the Historian designs to adorn: but if examined on the other side, there's nothing appears but ends and contrary figures or expressions: The records of one Country receiving a strong contradiction from those of the next, and if Authors be never so little numerous, from some of her own. Wherefore the bright rays of honour, that doth now adorn the heads of Greece and Rome, have rather resulted from their Pens then their Swords, and a felicity they had in being only able to Magnify themselves to posterity: And that human relations intend more the satisfaction of particular Interests, then that of Truth; may be guessed by any that have but marked the Occurrences of our Daies, where the same Press, if not the same Pen, was often found to contradict itself. Nor have we reason to Imagine the ancients more candid in their recitements of natural and Contingent events, since we find them so Romantique and hyperbolical in those they took for Miraculous, which might not unpossibly be no more than natural, though they were unable to assign thē their true cause; all Nations being at their beginning under as thick a vail of Ignorance, as the Innocent Indians are found to lye now. Who did register in their belief, the Armed Spaniards for Angels, and the Prognostication of an Eclipse for a high prophesy: So as no rational man will question, but if these people had expelled by force their glorious Invadors, before true information had of their condition, Tradition would have delivered them to posterity in the same Characters and shapes their first abused Imagination● had cast them in. Wherefore such Miraculous Conclusions relating in History to respective places, Persons and Times are subject to question, unless warranted by a more authentic Attestation then what is Hu●●a●e: It being a certain sign of a juggler, not to be able or willing to do one & the same thing often, and in divers places, and before sundry witnesses. Nor is the vast difference almost every where observable in Chronology, a small obstruction to an historical Faith: it being much easier to know the certain time when a battle was fought, than every accident happenable in the Field or circumstance attending a Miracle; through which the first may appear the less honourable, and the latter the more natural. The effects of a Confederated Company and prepared to deceive, Lying obnoxious to no other discovery, than what the whip or their own more Ingenious Confession hath power to extort. Nor are Authors, otherwise creditable, barren of unlikely Productions, which leaves the verity of the rest in question; witness Livy, Herodotus, Josephus, &c. amongst the Heathen, without reckoning Eusebius, Socrates, and other writers relating to the Church: The which whosoever Reads, may find cause enough to think they took up most of the wonders recorded by them upon the credit of such reporters, as might, not unpossibly have abused them as much, as they are found the misleaders of Posterity. Wherefore Historians ought not to be over luxurious in their Narrations of Improbable things, but rather to imitate the candour of the Jew formerly mentioned, who leaves his Reader to a free choice of that he thinks fit to reject or receive, in his History of the people of God.  
For, though the attestation of so many Pens may authorize a belief, that there was once such a Man as Alexander. Yet double their number would hardly persuade a Prudent Reader, that he Conquered the whole world, or that he perfumed all places with his sweat, together with the old-wines tales written of Bucephalus, in which he appears little less rational, than themselves. And this we carefully hoard up, with a huge mass of wast Paper, which contains no richer Legacy than that of our Forefathers Ignorance and Credulity. Yet a Generation is still in being, that do not onely pled the causes of such Improbabilities, but Anathematize for Infidels all that cannot admit them a room in possibility: Not considering, that as strong a delusion might darken the apprehensions of those that convaid them to us, as doth yet appear in such, that( notwithstanding our clearer light) keep them still in credit with the world. Now if it be not a Prodigy to find Belief abused in gross, as it was when two Armies were routed, the one by an Host of Thistles, the other through the dust of a driven of Cattle coming to victual the Camp, why may we not Imagine a far greater paucity of witnesses liable to a like fascination? a few being more obnoxious to deception, than Many; Fear having, in all Ages, retained a power to stamp upon the Fantasy what Figures she pleases. This may advice you not to follow History beyond the Pillars of Possibility: No more then to count Controversy binding; but where she leaves no room for Reply.   

26. Iron is of more use to Man, than Gold, 
Iron of grea er use than gold, and manufacture then learning.  though ordinary for pride to rate it and Jewels at a higher price; The greatest Riches of Princes consisting in that which( like Honour) is no other ways beneficial to commerce, but as it is prized by Opinion: So Labour and Manifactures have been, in all Happy Commonwealths, looked upon as far more Necessary, than Learning. Under the notion of which all things deserve no better title, thou those of Splendid Impertinencies, that do not bring a real advantage to Commerce. Heretofore neglected in England, as it is yet in other places; where through an excess of ecclesiastics the Church becomes more Populous than the Temporalty: whose wealth and splendour cannot long be wanting to raise so great a Cloud of Jealousy, and covetousness in the Lay power, as they may not unpossibly be Immerged in Envy and Confusion, the Cords, or Ligaments of Religion having been, in these later Ages, much staked no less then enervated through Disputations, and the immense charge the Laity are, through their encroachments, daily exposed to. suitable to a Story of wise Gondamor, who urged by King James to relate the intrinsic cause of the D of Lerma's declension, from the most potent Favourite his catholic Majesty ever raised, to a condition so deplorable, as little if any thing was left, besides a Cardinals Cap, able to shrowd his head from the, &c. Made him this Metaphoricall Parable, That two Rats having tempted their Fortune in pursuit of Livelihood and honour, fell upon a house of no less receipt, then plenty of all Provisions; where for many yeares they lived in the greatest sensuality their wills or wishes could prompt them to desire: Till overcome by an ambitious thirst of advancing together with themselves, all could pretend to their Alliance or Friendship, so much spoil was committed, as did Alarum the whole Family, and they becoming thus Numerous, had Traps and Poison laid for them in every place, The like disaster may not impossibly impend such Academies as teach mere speculative and useless conjectures, not capable of fixation under any Theories, which with Hawking & Hunting, may better become the Gentry, than the Sons of the Menu● whose heads; like drink, it doth Intoxicate with flatulent & insignificant vapours, for want of money and means to estate them in experience: without which, Learning is of no more advantage to the possessor, then a pearl to a dunghil-cock, or a Ring in a swines Snout: wisdom being a Lady of too high a strain for any base Converse, or Idle Company; it being far more natural for good parts to plot mischief than stand still. From whence I conclude, that all receiving benefit from any Foundation, should be tied to follow some calling or other, and not to live upon a bare hope an University may in time advance them to.   


Learning makes men factious.  27. Such a poetical Persecution as Ovid raiseth against Cadmus, the Founder of Letters( feighned by him to have put the Gods and Men into a Disaray) may admit of a moral equal with an historical, no less than experimented Truth: Since a too universally dilated Learning hath been found upon trial, in all Ages, no fast friend either to policy or Religion; being no less ready To discover Blemishes in the one, than Incongruities in the other. Sophisters like the Cantons of the swiss, becoming willing upon the least apprehension of advantage, to plant the same engines and weapons against the wrong side as the right, And not seldom with as good success. Most of the Heritiques, Anathematized of old, having been observed to lay the foundation of their schisms in discontent for the loss of some Church Preferment denied them from their own, or to gain a greater offered by some other. Thus we see that Riches and Honour have ever been and will still continue, the corner-stones of the Devils chapel: wherefore most men, no less than places render themselves obnoxious to the brand of Hypocrisy, where these are found too earnestly prosecuted: not possible to be avoided, but by affording the Clergy so much honour and riches, as may guard them from contempt and the opinion of covetousness,( which are mere results of necessity) and too mean a rate so high a Calling and useful both to this life and a better no less then all sorts of Governours is set at; though not able to subsist without them, or be victorious. The Trumpets not proving so prevalent before ay in the hands of the Souldiers, as the poor despicable Rammes-hornes blown by the Priests.   

28. Do not through a too rigid and obstinate Observation, 
Let not a cynical humour make you wave Civility.  convert Virtue into 'vice, or render it more unsociable, than in Reason, Nature and Civility it ought to be: As such blunt and ill-tutor'd people often are found to do, who, to wave Flattery, fall into Incivility, and to avoid Pride, into baseness. Religion no less than Honour admitting a general and politic compliance with all Humours so far as Manners extend. It having been the guise both of Prophets and monarch, rather to sweeten with a complacentiall carriage than exasperate through a reproof such as they knew out of the Pale of the Church: Truth not being at all times in case to be shown without the ornaments of Courtship, nor people in a condition to entertain it. Tough and downright humours gaining more favour from plebeians, than Persons of quality; the Market-place, than the Court, towards which it is no less lawful than expedient to turn your eyes in all things merely indifferent, as the highest promoter of Honour.   


Moderation & compl●ance deliver out of greatest dangers.  29. When you find yourself strike upon the Rock of danger, or Moored in an Inconvenience, cast Obstinacy over board, And call wisdom to the helm; which, with the help of Moderation and compliance, do always keep an Error from growing worse, if not expunge it quiter. Nor doth the want of these applications seldom cause fools to make shipwreck of all; whilst Prudence by tacking about and recovering wind and Tide, doth at worst but lessen their freight. To conclude, wilfullnesse, like Jonas, raiseth storms and contrary billows, against all persons and Fortunes, where ever it commands.   

30. Though taken in the world for an Honour To be constant to your first Post, 
Advised rel●a●t●tion no levity.  Yet in case of weakness, Conviction, or Defect, it may be no Imprudence, any more than a mark of Levity to desert it. All Assurances, to that of a voluntary, and so the most Sacred Oath, being bounded within the compass of things Possible: of which wisdom doth ordinarily make Probability the Judge; yet in my Opinion not Infallible but in the company of Conscience: who should be an imperfect witness, could she not as justly acquit as condemn: And with whose consent it is no more crime to change, than to follow your Guide, or become less foolish and intemperate upon the sight of a Mischief, than before experience had marked it for such. Self preservation being the first and strongest Principle in Nature; And so not to be neglected but upon the score of God's honour or vindication of an unquestionable Truth.   


To be the stirrup of anothe●s preferment, dangerous.  31. It is not always safe, to be found a step, by which an other hath mounted himself into the unsteady Chariot of honour: least his foot slipping your fall should become a necessary consequence of his, or prove so foul in the opinion of such enemies as new beginners do ordinarily contract, as will render you irreconcilable to the other side, which may not improbably prove no less auspicious to you and your Fortunes. Ingratitude remaining not only useful, but necessary to those in power: Upon the Contemplation of policy no less than Thrift: untried Gamesters being ever in most credit with such as have a new Game to play. Nor is it usual with men after their assumption into dignity to hate those did place them there.   

32. 
annual Magistracies too sho●t for great reformations.  More Prudence is required in the Administration of a temporary or annual power, than one of longer continuance: because an over-remisnesse is as likely to question his repute amongst Strangers, as too rigid a prosecution to abate his estimation in relation to his Friends. For though such a time may be long enough to produce errors, it is far too short to perfect a Reformation. Wherefore no bad advice, to follow all patterns, that appear Indifferent, though none of the best, and such paths as are beaten by experience, rather than seek new: as I have known▪ many to the loss of themselves and their famed, when they came to mingle again amongst the Society, and were reduced to an equal parity with the rest. For he that is really able to mend a Government, will undoubtedly be more advised than to perplex so short a Magistracy with what there can be no room found to bring about, but by exposing the Jurisdiction, no less than your own Credit to a dearer experiment and greater Hazard than a Reformation( never quadrating with all Interests) is at the best able to give caution for. From whence it may be concluded greater Prudence to follow than led: Yet under such a Management as no hand may appear to act above board but your own. Not to wade farther in this shallow Honour, which whosoever carries under an elated Neck, cannot but appear to own a narrow Heart, no less than a mean Birth and sordid Education: And so a year may be too long( for such a Beast to abide in Honour) whereas a Man of desert cannot but think the time too short for to produce any considerable change either in matter or form: Though I could Instance many that have lost more Reputation and friends during an annual Preferment, Than they were ever after able to regain.   

33. 
Whose discourse or Countenance betrays their mind unfit for ambassadors.  All complexions and Natures are not competent for to be employed as ambassadors: some lying at too open a Guard in their Discourse; a fault incident to free people and persons not bread under restraint. Others, of a faculty retentive enough in relation to Taciturnity, are not able to keep the intentions of their Hearts from slying into their Looks( which by the way a public Minister is to regard more than words.) Masters of their Tongues being not seldom betrayed to a full discovery by their Blood; which the shane of Lying or some one passion or other pumps up, for want it may be of an Impudence, none, but those wickedly bread from their Cradle are capable of. The reason Swarthy persons and people bordering upon the Sun are more apt for Negotiation, than the Ruddy English; Famed for Fine Force, rather than Circumvention the business of an ambassador. Nor shall posterity befriend Truth, if they think it any great Hyperboly in those that maintain what Gondamor the Spanish Agent writ unto his Prince, which was, That King James his most intrinsic desires were Legible in his Countenance. Wherefore his manner was, first to disturb his Passions, and after to appease them by some facetious Drollary, before he embarked himself in what he intended to make the employment of the present Audience: Being, in my Opinion, a more perfect pattern for all Ministers of State( which in little ought to practise what Machivill adviseth in gross) than Caesar Borgia prescribed for the Mirror of Princes: who out of design, or not provided of better, did usually in his private visits, and Audiences with King James speak false latin; For which he had such dexterous evasions, as his Majesty could by no means make so good use of what was more congruous. It remaining always in his power to alter the Times and Cases of his words, an advantage no Interpreter could possibly afford. Nor can endeavour be misspent in making a farther inspection into the Life of this Incomparable Agent, which I confess myself unable to do: Though, in my own vindication, I can say he was Tall, as I have observed a number to be in these days very wise, and on the contrary, not many fools, of an extraordinary stature: By which is given a real confutation to that common error, no ways authorized from any Reason or Experience, That the Faculties of the mind cannot be so active in vast bodies, as little; provided they be not suffocated by Fat, but, like His, strait and meager. Though I have found subtlety, which is a more base and sly kind of wisdom, very frequent in small and crooked bodies, which the properer people do, in a greater gallantry of Nature, scorn. Gondamor did, in all companies as well as the Kings, incline more to Mirth, than melancholy; choosing rather to conceal, than demonstrate the wisdom and Arts by which he brought about his Masters designs; no less to the shane of the English, &c. than honour, of his own dexterity: Who was much wronged at his return into Spain, if he made use of all the advantages his Nations Prudence and our remissness afforded him. But to what my knowledge was more perfect in, he had so quick a wit as he was able to vindicate himself in his greatest imperfections; Not wanting Spirit to tell King James, when he upbraided him with his latin, That he himself spake like a Prince, free and unconfined, his Majesty like a Grammarian, as if afraid of the Ferula. Yet the excellency of his parts, could not shrowded him from the Spanish Ingratitude, which for many ages hath been observed to impond the greatest desert: for after the Prince of Wales safe return, whose restraint he did in the opinion of the Conde Olivares too strongly oppose, he fell into disgrace, and was, with his Son, most Cruelly cast by; Being, if a Papist, no rigid one, as may appear by many of his Stories: amongst which this is one, he  told upon some question he was asked concerning Intercession. The Picture of our Lady being observed to weep,( an ordinary deceit used by the friars to wring money from the Ignorant) the Neighbourhood where it happened became much troubled, as esteeming it a bad Omen for the future: Nor were the Church-men backward to foment this fear, Though strongly opposed by an exceeding old man in the Village, that did maintain it was unlikely to be so; Who upon this was convented, and did a● stiffly before the Fathers of the Inquisition justify what he formerly had said: And being by them demanded how he came to be so well acquainted with the Mother of God, he replied, he knew every inch of her, a● having been then the prentice of the joiner that set her up; And by his appointment had bored a hole in her back-side with his biggest Anger, a hand deep: From whence he concluded, that if ever she could have wept, it would have been then.  
To end with ambassadors, where I began, it is an employment more suitable to the Prudence than candour of a free Spirit; conformable to an excuse of an Honourable Person I did once know, who chosen to this Office, rather in relation to the greatness of his Estate, than Love of 〈◇〉 King; answered, he could not undertake it without ruining his Majesties affairs, for want of Impudence, and his own, through the greatness of the expense.   

34. 
Nature endow●s no indiv●dual wi●h all perfection.  Such as are exact Observours of the proceedings of Nature, find her not so bountiful in her distributions, as to accumulate all her rich endowments on one and the same individual: So as many can writ well, who by reason of too great a confluence of words & Matter, or for want of Confidence,( through which their tongues, no less than their other Organs, become shackled and Paralitique,) are rendered unintelligible, and so Impertinent Speakers; whereas others, owning no mean perfection in both these, appear upon trial no body at Transaction, The highest effect of Prudence: Though the two first for the most part run away with the Ap●●●●se; Because the latter is a milder temper, and not so able to rant out her own commendations, yet deserves best to be indulged by Princes, as being indeed the greatest rarity in these nortbern climates, not yet famed for much excellency in Negotiation: For want of which and secrecy( the Seal of Policy) great affairs have miscarried in my time, Though under the conduct of Persons in other capacities not unuseful, especially those of writing and Speaking, qualities yet more apt to raise broils, than able to compose them: which is indeed an employment for more steady heads, and such as from their Childhood, have learned to Barter and contest.   


Minist●●s of S●●●● ought sometime to render their sense ambiguous.  35. Though to writ and speak intelligible to the weakest capacity, be very commendable, Yet a Minister of State ought to be able, by making such Parentheses in his Art, and leaving out Points, commas, &c. to render the Sense Ambiguous, where the farthest extent of benefit or loss in a Negotiation cannot yet be perfectly Discovered: upon which a denial, excuse, or farther debate may be made use of not so easily done in a Tongue universally understood as latin seems to be. The ordinary employing of which in all or the most things treated about, amongst Neighbours, may help to discover a Reason, why England, and all other Nations esteemed North, are so frequently over-reached by spain, Italy, France, &c. That own Inhabitants far wiser than to be ashamed of, or to disovow their Native Idiom through a pride they take in being perfect Masters of one more foreign. Yet upon their drawing towards a Conclusion, they may yield so far to Equity, as to choose latin for the most Indifferent, and subject to the least mistakes. Nor can I, being fallen on the Art of writing, think it any great Impertinency to note, that the illness of your ink, or the frequent taking up hairs with a Pen, may put a man out of the road of his former sense and Line of Invention: wherefore That ought to be fluen●, and This good.   


Good clothes commend a traveller.  33. It is no bad counsel for a traveller to appear in his best equipage upon every remove to a new place; especially if he hath no better recommendation than his own to procure his welcome, commonly suitable to the Opinion people do at first sight apprehended of his worth, the best assurance they conceive of honest payment, which persons meanly habited give small ●●ution for; and therefore rarely admitted to a convenient Lodging or good and cheap Pension or Dict. A new comer having nothing to render him acceptable, or to advance him in the worlds estimation, but a gentle garb and decent Habit: yet under this advice, that it be not Clinckant or Rich; since Gold lace, Rings or Jewels, hath not seldom rendered Travellers the prey of Braves and Murderers. Besides, an over high Ostentation puts an Excise on all things you want or are forced to buy. Nor is this counsel the less to be esteemed, because borrowed from a Scot, whose usual custom is to shrowd themselves under the title of English: And if owners of any Merchandise, they take up the best Houses they can get, by which they gain credit, though their Landlord doth not seldom loose his Rent. Wherefore no honour, Profit or Safety to be known an owner of their acquaintance, Lest you fall into a repute no ways suitable to a Gentleman; who by just dealing may gain in a short time from all, so great a confidence, as may render himself secure, and what he wants, supplied at the best hand.   


Princes need wise counsels.  37. Kings have their station, no less than Motions in slippery Places, And had need of good eyes: wherefore if their own be weak, it behoves them to be circumspectly by whom they are lead. Courtiers, for the most part, intending their particular Interests, rather than things of more public concernment. From whence it may be concluded, that in case of defect, which all Princes are, upon some temptation or other, either at home or abroad liable to; Birth, next to sufficiency is to be regarded; The sense of honour supplying in divers persons the place of Conscience: Religion, in our daies, being so blended in Hypocrisy, that tis come to signify in Statesmen greater danger, than advantage, by raising more distrust, than Confidence. King James, out of too strong a presumption of his own reach, did not weigh the weakness of those he admitted to the Counsell-Table: which might have been the better excused, had his Juncto consisted of such as were Noble or wise: But since these endowments were not onely frequently wanting, but a Pension from some one or more foreign Princes taken to suborn Fidelity, who can wonder the Commonwealth fell into distempers, after the Governours had totally neglected the wholesome Regiment, Queen Elizabeth had so long used with good success: and did never cease tampering, till by new conclusions they had put it wholly out of frame. King James participating so far of the Misfortune of all Passionate Men( especially such as abound in Fear) as he carried always a Traitor in his face; of which every wise By-stander was able to make use. And from this patency, his Policy was not onely enervated, but rendered more destructive than an open and Candid Discovery might possibly have proved. From whence his Majesty may be thought, not thoroughly acquainted with the Constitution of Engl. when he bestowed the strongest of his Labours, in the suppressing and vilifying the Nobility, not onely found the Glory, but the real safety of the Nation: till their virtue was allaied through a too great dilatation, by which the House of Lords became numerous, and as it were of one Nature with the Commons: a fault so far incapable of amendment, as the King was forced, for want of a party strong enough for his particular service, every session to Increase their number: who being exhaled out of the greater mass of Gentry, through the heat of affection, or cast into this figure by the help of Mammon, they brought up with them into the House of Commons the same desires they had of a Reforming all things amiss in Church and State; which in a greater paucity, the Lords could not have so much felt; being above all oppression, but what dropped upon them from the Anger of the Prince, about whom they had, in their absence, some friend or other to mediate in their behalf. I confess our Kings have been often worsted by their Peerage, but very rarely, &c▪ Nor were the conveniencies of any other Government put in the scales, much less Monarchy exploded▪ The ancient Nobility being in their greatest fury and highest Pride, wise enough to remember the Plume of State could not be rufled without putting in disardy all their smaller feathers. Nor were the Kings of this nation, before free-holders grew so numerous, and Honour came to be valued by the Candle, not desert, to seek with whom to compound, in the greatest dangers their own Tyranny, or others Ambition had cast them upon; Because the chief Leaders in all Rebellions were persons of Quality; and bore so much Zeal to the preservation of their Country, being of the same piece with the Crown, As not to demand more than the Prince could well spare, and without which themselves, their Tenants, and friends( amounting amongst them all to little less than the whole Commonalty) could not be happy: it being the nature of this Climate to Love Parliaments, and abhor all Arbitrary Government. Wherefore the damage the long Sessions brought, or might farther have accumulated upon this wretched Nation, had it not been stopped by the hand of Providence: which( considering the unwillingness of the remainder to give over, or call others to them better able, if not more willing to unload the people) ought not( in my Judgement) to be applauded. It being as unnatural for a Parliament to be perpetual, as for a person to be continually fed with vomits and purgations. But to wind up these politic enthusiasms( at least for the present) out of my head. The English used their Kings, in case of Rebellion, As the catholic Princes were wont to do the Pope, from whom, after they had taken away, for former misdemeanours all that he had, they did, out of conscience, fear of their neighbours, of their own conveniency, quietly admit him, or some other, into the same Sea, &c. wisely apprehending that no quiet can remain, either in Church or Commonwealth, without a governor, or Community of strength sufficient to head and maintain the laws. Wherefore the fift Monarchy men, together with the pretenders to a present Terrestrial kingdom of Christ( if not able to produce more authentic warrant than hitherto they have done) deserve little protection from the Magistrate, because they deny obedience, where it is without question due.   


Uxorius Princes of dangerous consequence to a State.  38. It may be numbered amongst things noted of dangerous consequence, for a State to be governed by an Uxorious Prince, though reputed no fool in other Relations. It raising so great Jealousies both at home and abroad, as none will treat with him about business of any Secret concernment, but upon an unavoidable Necessity; being in all Negotiations bound to communicate as punctually with the Queen as the King, upon a no less penalty( in case she should take her self slighted) then the ruin of the affair. The like caution may be given in reference to such Privado's or Minions as are really, or thought able to dispose of their Masters Concessions: which, besides the dishonour it brings to the person of the Prince, causeth a far greater after indigency, out of distrust( in all Treaties with foreigners, no less than his own Counsel at home) than there can be found room for, where but one is to be addressed to. Since Prudence forbids to venture wholesome counsel( ever distasteful to some) in a bosom not right enough to contain it. Wherefore in such Effeminate Courts wisdom is not to tamper at all, or to sit advice to the distaff, rather than sceptre, as the more dangerous weapon, and from whence many blows have proceeded in my time capable of no milder a cure than loss of all hope for the future, if not of estate and life itself. Nor is it possible for such Kings to be better attended than by fools and Parasites, being compelled upon all events to take the worst of counsels themselves, and as upon their own Score, out of shane to say from whence they had it. Nor can a Prince, in prudence if in Justice, accuse his Consort for any incontinency in speech, after such an example given, as to tell her what is not sit for any other besides himself to know. Where Polygamy is in use, this error, of most dangerous consequence to all in a Superlative power, is not so frequent. It being inconvenient if not pernicious for such to Love or hate any, beyond so exact a proportion in either of these passions, as may disenable him to alter upon every assurance of a contrary Desert. A small blemish in the conduct of a private family, becomes a no less pernicious then ugly Deformity in that of a State: where the wives of Kings should wholly intend the content of their Husbands, and security of the Nation in producing a fair and unquestionable Succession; and not by fiddling( as they are too commonly found in Europe) with Government, to put all out of tune. From whence it may be thought no bad counsel, for those of the first magnitude in a State, to be no longer in private conversation with women, than during the less serious employment of Love: Their Advice like Eves being not seldom suborned from the Maligners of their Husbands Felicity, and the rest of the time spent in querimonious accusations of his best Servants, or as unreasonable demands in favour of their own. So as if the head of samson had contained but the tithe of that Strength said to have resided in his hair, a woman had never understood where it lay: who through an impertinent and tedious Importunity( which is not seldom mixed with deceit) do often beguile such into a discovery, as have been thought proof against Honour, Money, or the Rack itself. And because I apprehended this caution to be of greater concernment than it hath been Imagined, take this example which lies yet amongst a number more crowded in my memory, as thought the fittest, because brought about through a combination of Passions, of which Fear got the predominance by the Mediation of lust.  
Queen Elizabeth being presented with an Overture out of spain, so secretly managed by the counsel there, as the first news of its approach came with itself; the Messengers( out of fear of a surprisal) dispensing with the Ceremonies commonly used in behalf of ambassadors,( because it appeared something prodigious, considering the pride of his Nation) did much inflame the Lord Treasurers desire to know the farthest extent of the Negotiation, as conducing to a present advantage, that such an Answer might be made as should in some proportion quadrate with the demand of the catholic King, at that time standing upon terms little different from those of an enemy. And being informed from the ordinary espyalls he kept about his person, that the attempt was difficult, if any thing nearer than Impossible, the Don out of distrust still carrying his Instructions in his bosom: Burghely caused such a jesuit to be apprehended, as by reason of former miscarriage could not expect Mercy, and imparts his desires to him under as large promises, if he brought them about, as threats to be revenged on him or his Associates, if he found himself abused. All which, though with some reluctancy he undertook and performed, through the mediation of a fair Lady that first took away his Commission, and then laid it again under his Pillow whilst he slept: So wise are women, or such fools be men during the time they abide under their Incantation.   


The alliance of the Aust●ian family most successful to England  39. Few Marriages have succeeded better, than those contracted between the Austrian Family and England. Nor is this a bare result of Luck but Reason: The remoteness of spain, but above all, their Love to their own Sun-shine, customs, and Religion, having fixed their affections so firm to their own doors, as they have no desire for Change: a quality the levity of other Nations that renders them the more universal Citizens of the world, doth not admit of: whereas a Spaniard is a rare Ingredient in any Climate but his own. Out of which may be drawn this presumption, that their Ladies cannot but be thought to leave an Issue subject to the less question. Nor is the natural frugality of this graver people( seldom found amongst the French) a small advantage to the English Court; And might not unpossibly cure it of that expensive itch she hath long born to change her fashions: an humour no less Mad than destructive. And through the prosecution of which all marks of knowledge are removed, and the Serving Man, with the Master, the Mistris with the Maid reduced to an equal parity in relation to distinction, where they have no more certainty to g●ess by, than is deducible from the Habit. Whereas in Queen Eiizabeths daies, and long since, all degrees of persons were discernible by their clothes. 
Iudistinction of habits a cause of much poverty.  Nor hath any abuse passed over, under so little notice, made deeper Impressions into the wealth of both Court, City, and Country than this; or hath rendered them more the Objects of Envy and Contempt: who are in this become so ridiculous, as to own fashions, by which they are so manacled as they cannot stir, carrying their arms in as great a restraint, as the Women of China were reported to bear their feet; through which they are necessitated to remain idle, as not able to use their hands, or any other honest diversion, but what can be deduced from discourse; which the Spanish gravity waves. Their Ladies being unlike the French, whose luck having been of late to be left guardians to Minor Kings, do assume to themselves a sufficiency to manage a State: through which their husbands come to be perplexed in their affairs.   


Hope lu●s Indust●y asl●ep & is often the decoy to ruin.  40. Though Hope intrudes her self as a Medium in all distresses, yet it cannot but be found in experience to obstruct( if too far reli'd upon) the application of more prevalent remedies, by dazzling the understanding; and like a white Witch, keeping Resolution so long in suspense, and employed in ceremonial applications, as the single sit of a fever doth not rarely in a small time prove owner of the danger of an Incurable hectic. And thus through a plausible and natural compliance, Hope becomes the false Prophet of Fortune, who by her more happy predictions is able to ruin often the affairs, and not seldom the Persons of Princes; the evil consequence of which having been found to produce sadder effects than those of despair( the youngest Daughter of her Sister, fear) who though last heard, hath sometimes been observed to give none of the worse counsels. Nor is Play looked upon by me for a weak fomenter of this childish Deception: And therefore marked here, as elsewhere, for dangerous and destructive to Princes, and those at the helm, making them expect the like Auspicious changes in worldly occurrences, as they do ordinarily observe in the flux and reflux of Luck at cards & Dice: Not apprehending, through a Contrary custom, that though the terms be equivalent in relation to uncertainty,( all Games being a kind of war and contest for superiority) Yet the Cunning used by politicians, like that of Cheaters, will overcome the strongest endeavours of Fortune, if unassisted by the same advantages. Wherefore since the success of a battle depends not only upon the Imperceptible conduct of Providence, but the Mysterious Inductions of a Prudence confined to no other goodness but what relates to victory, a Prince ought to quit himself of all dependence upon this blind Goddess Chance, with as much dexterity, as his own preservation and the emergency of his affairs will admit. The security of Fortune, like that of unthrifts, seldom proving gainful at the conclusion. Manifest in Charles Duke of Burgundy, and many others easy to be produced, who out of a ridiculous gaiety, did forfeit his present felicity, together with his life, in an Imprudent expedition against the Helvetians; who, with half the charge he was at to ruin himself, might have hired them to destroy one another. And all this was attempted upon no stronger a mediation or Assurance than that of Hope, & the encouragement of those suborned to betray his youth into the hands of Fortune. From whence may be deduced this wholesome aphorism of State; That what is safe can hardly prove dishonourable: the report or Opinion of foreigners being as far below a Prince, as Prudence is above valour: Not unlikely to be the reason so few nations have prospered under a Military counsel, who by often provoking success, do at last drive it quiter away. Wherefore if a Prince in a Civill Commotion( especially where he is left the liberty of Choice) apprehends a power near equivalent with his own, it can be no Imprudence to knock off, by yielding to the first demands of his Subjects, ever more reasonable than those can be expected shall come attended with a greater probability of success on their side: The rabble being seldom capable to learn at a cheaper price than woeful experience, That the fall of a Prince doth rarely produce any milder a consequence, than the undoing of his people, by putting all things into a combustion, and teaching the Monster to know its own strength, which cannot safely be opposed but with weapons made of the same iron; the application of foreign force appearing to prudence little better, if not worse than the disease, as having been the original of most of the Conquests we red of. All which may tempt a King to a charitable, rather than a bloody compliance, more subject to impair than better the condition of a natural Prince, who upon any success cannot be cruel, without irritating his own party, no more than merciful, since the first will increase their fears: as the latter doth delude their hopes: which in such cases cannot be satisfied but with Confiscations, not possibly to be so equally divided, as not to occasion more en●oy than love. Because in case of Victory, he is no more able to punish all appeared against him, than to satisfy their expectations that stood for him, who in another Commotion may upon that score be as ready to become his enemies: The Impudence of Souldiers increasing more by one intestine war than three foreign; and do breed in a politic the like distempers too great a quantity of Blood is found to cause in a natural Body. Wherefore since the marks of precept make not so deep Impressions, as those of Example, all former ill success being imputed to some miscarriage in the attempt; as the good is cried up beyond desert, it may not be bad Prudence in Kings to obliterate out of books all marks of Sedition( As I heard that famous Antiquary Sr. Robert Cotton say, thirty had been in England since the Conquest) lest Posterity should reduce them into precedents for the like disorders. To conclude, if a Prince finds his friends( which in a rebellion are hard to be discerned from Enemies) not able at the first Essay of force to bring in the conspirators, The Lion's Skin is to be devested, and all hope laid by, but what may be deduced out of Compliance; for fear some about his chair should discover the weakness of his game, or by playing booty ruin him quiter: One loss being in such cases more than an ordinary presage of a greater to follow. For though the Rabble are not capable of prudence enough to temper themselves, they own so much strength, as, through the guidance of others, they are able to distemper a State. The materials being easier to be discovered than the contrivers of any Rebellion.   

41. Plantations and Communities, 
Plantations ●ost happy at their first planting, because less numerous.  like fish-pooles and Lakes are quietest, if not most Happy at first founding or Storing. For after some revolution of time hath rendered them Numerous, Necessity, no less the parent of Spurious than Legitimate Aris, doth in a natural favour to self-preservation, teach them to cheat and oppress one the other. Wherefore the golden Age, so much celebrated in Poetry, is as remote from Fiction as Miracle. The Earth affording more felicity to a Few than Many, which those people bordering upon the Sun, from whence Mankind is at first said to proceed, might, by reason of a slower increase, longer enjoy; Till by falling into conjunction with our colder climbs, &( so) apt for Generation, she came to over-stock her self: losing the universal felicity in a crowd of Inhabitants. From whence sprung not onely the Use, but an unavoidable Necessity of introducing Government, which falling under distinct Headships or Royallets, needed no greater provocation to Rapine and war, than the strongest found in their natural temper: The same Malignancy abounding then, as doth now, though palliated by the great plenty of all things the world afforded at the beginning: none being so much in love with choler, or any other passion, as to to fall into it unprovoked. This proves want the original of Law, as St. Paul makes that an occasion of Sin. And from hence might spring a greater sincerity in the service of God, the sole refuge of those that have none other to fly to. It being common with all men to extend their hope beyond the proportion of what they fear; and therefore easily slattered into a belief of any felicity though never so Improbable or remote. And because this is natual and imprinted in the character of all Humanity, I look upon it as none of the weakest assurances of our future bliss.   

42. The world was never in so serene a temper, 
Most wars occasioned by the jealousies of small Royallets.  as under Augustus Caesar; During whose reign the King of Heaven and Earth appeared, and the Temples of war stood sealed up, so as the Gods and Goddesses assigned by the Heathen for Military employments, had leave to play; being emancipated from all perturbations, arising through the variety of Petitions, the contrary Interest of mortals caused them to make. Nor can this halcyon Tranquillity be in Reason imputed to any remoter Earthly cause, than the entire unity of those times, terminating in the single person of a Moderate Prince. From whence may be Naturally deduced this theorem, That christendom would not onely strengthen h●● posture against the Grand ●igniour, but be more secure in her self, under one Monarch than thus cantoniz●d as she is: Though I shall not dispute what Nation is most opportunely situated for such a Design, to avoid Controversy, being as ready( and I believe under protection of as strong Reason) to present England, as others may be to offer France, or any member belonging to the House of Austria. Wherefore to pass over the discourse of an universal Monarchy, as savouring too much of the Utopian Dialect, and rendered unpossible through the huge and invincible proportions, so much Time, Ignorance of the Church, and wisdom of Princes hath laid together, I shall modestly examine, Whether inferior commonalties and small Roylets be not as great a Bar to an universal Tranquillity, as the extravagant power of the Peerage was to France, before moderated by the wisdom of Lewis the eleventh. These less Potentates being compelled, through weakness and want, to cast the Balls of Contention amongst the mightier Monarchs; which if reduced to an absolute Obedience, as they are already to little less, through a Necessary dependence from their own preservation, on France or spain; Their malevolence rendered, through Fea●ts and Jealousy, general, and not seldom contracted out of false suggestions, might be rebated; And the more powerful left at better leisure to attend the montions of the Ottoman Family, and stop the leaks of Heresy and schism, which if suffered to run on, will suffocate the power, if not totally eclipse the external glory of the Christian Religion. Nor can a better cause be found, why the Pope's power over Kings( no question at first usurped) should still remain floating betwixt the bladders of Ignorance and Superstition, but that he is able to foment a party amongst these, which he can increase out of the natives of any Nation that doth oppose him. Thus as it were through an Antiperistasis raised between a burning Zeal in the people, and Fear of the Prince, he comes to domineer over all alike, but those have crept from under his Censures; who are nevertheless liable to his Lash, at sometime or other, in respect of the number of Seminaries he hath ready( yet unpaid by himself) to vindicate his Quarrels in every place. Nor are the desires of the Pope, no more than the rest of such petty Princes, as have nothing but shifts to subsist by, cordial for the total abolition of the Turk, out of a dread of themselves; which also extends to the disturbing of an universal peace: They looking upon the diminution of their Grandeure, as the onely Sacrifice able to purchase it. And this gives them, like whelps, the boldness to bite the greater Monarchies by their legs and extremer parts, when they find them at odds amongst themselves, or( which is worse) grappied with the Grand signior. And he that is Ignorant in this, cannot be thought knowing in the imperial History, no more than in other Passages, where not onely his Holinesse, but the most Christian, to obtain advantage of the( in that) more catholic King, are reported to have made a solemn league with this enemy of Christ. Nor have the German Princes remained long tonguetide in this behalf, no more than their Caesar; who may be the better excused, as having done it sometimes to prevent a more immediate danger from them at home. It being common with these petty Governments to hatch such plots, and give birth to those designs with which the rest of the world is commonly disturbed: Manifest in the Duke of Birone, formerly so far instrumental to the reduction of the Crown of France, who became after to have his fidelity corrupted through the poison he received from Savoy; that continual thorn in the Sides of her Neighbours. Nor can Rochel acquit her self so well, during the time her walls did separate the Inhabitants from the obedience of their Prince, as, for the Honour of the Reformation, I desire it could from like practices, no more than other Corporations, &c. have done; the blemishes of which it goes against the grain of my Profession to discover: Though I wonder from the inspiration of what Spirit we come to prosecute the followers of an unrevealed Anti-Christ, for ought I ever yet could learn from any Expositor, with so great an Animosity, and pass without notice one doth face us already: Being without question better able and more ready to do greater Dishonour and mischief to the Christian Religion, than the Bishop of Rome can be tempted to, in regard of his own particular Interest. Through which is Justified that common Imprudence general in the world, where men prosecute a small damage from a neighbour, with a fiercer revenge, than a greater sustained by an enemy; like Connies, that may be observed to tear and fight with those of their own kind, but will make no resistance against the Pol-cat, the common enemy of all. And thus do our high nosed hypocritical zealots, that pretend to smell rank Idolatry in all professions, but their own: yet in the mean time are found not onely to neglect the open and professed Antagonists of Christ, but with Pharo's lean Kine, are observed to devour the Revenues, & take the Houses of God into Possession under the pretence of a Reformation; first begun in Germany, which, as some have thought, was left by providence to the Austrian Family, not out of Gods wrath, but a tender care of the Christian affairs.   


The Spaniards waving Asia in expectation to conquer Europe impolitic and unsuccesfu●l.  43. Had the catholic King sought extension of Empire at the prejudice of Asia, and not encroached upon the Territories of his Christian Neighbours, he might in probability have been nearer, if not his whole ends, yet far more than he is Master of, or can in likelihood be ever able to obtain, by the course he takes. Nor is this my single Opinion, but an assertion of a Spaniard in a small treatise, where he handles five problems, of which this appears not to savour of the least Likelihood: Since in the first prosecution of such a project, his sails would not onely be emptied of much of the envy all the Princes of christendom do swell with now in reference to his undertakings, but filled with their wishes for a happy success. Nor could the Pope in shane, if in conscience, have refused him a Crusado, or any assistance the Church could afford, at least within his own kingdoms: if he should have owned an Impudence to deny a larger Contribution, or the uttermost of his endeavours to stay off France from fastening upon his patrimony in his Absence. Nor can Ambition, as Machiavill wisely observes, promise itself a more probable success than is likely to follow an Invasion of Turkey; whose strength, as the same Author attests, lies more in Tradition than real Truth, at this day in peace with the Persian, and so secure of the rest of christendom, as if they were all asleep, yet hath not been able to wrest Candy, in all this time, out of the weakly-supported hands of the Venetians. Nor doth any Prince in the world own those advantages for such an attempt as the Spaniard: his other Limb, the Emperour, lying at the Mouth of Constantinople, ready to atache him upon the sound of any Mutiny or Rebellion, at this day very frequent amongst them: And might, with the more probability of advantage, be fomented, because the people are in a condition not capable to be empowered. Nor is there any Nation in the world of more contrary Complexions in relation to People and Religions. Nor can any man think it a Matter of difficulty, to take in the Grand Signior's outworks, that hath heard what report Sr. Robert Mansel made, at his return from Algiore, where, upon sight of a Commissionlesse Navy, that King James sent, the Patrons became suitors to their Slaves for Mercy.   

44. Though Machiavill may deserve Commendations, 
The Speculative and practic part of peacocks require different tempers.  for the excellent use he hath made of the proceedings of his first happy, then Miserable Acquaintance Caesar Borgia, Son to Pope Alexander the 6. Yet I doubt, if himself had filled the same room, and owned the like advantage, whether he had been able to have attained to that height Caesar did, though in wisdom and splendour of Birth not inferior to him. It requiring one Spirit to writ and another to present to the Life and suitable to every occasion, all Scenes both comical and tragical in relation to friends or foes, likely to furnish out, with a present security or future continuance, a Person fit to mount into a throne made vacant by fraud; Since none but such as from their birth have been used to personate what really they never were, can, in this wise Authors Opinion, pretend upon a less hazard than the ruin of himself or his family, to the government of State: To which there are required such contrary Intricacies, as whilst one is unraveling, another twines; so as without an exact observance of those Ellements of policy he prescribes, there can be no hope for a Tyrant to subsist. Nor were these aphorisms common only to Caesar Borgia, or died with him, but continue to this day, especially in Italy: where no wickedness is shunned, any ways conducing to the Extension of Empire and the ends of Ambition. His Holinesse himself entertaining all means for lawful and right, carrying any probability of advancing his Children or nephews. In which they have remained so long prosperous, as most of the small Princes beyond the Alpes, are themselves, or their wives, chips of the cross▪ And mere excrescencies of the Policy and power of the Church; which practise is made so common through custom, as all marks of Reproach lie covered, if not in the Nature, in the Necessity of the attempt, Nothing less than a superlative strength being able to secure the Issue of a present Pope, from the rapine and spoil of him that may not unpossibly succeed. It running qu●te contrary to the wise practise of the Conclave, to choose twice together out of one and the same House, but rather to exclude all the immediate possessors Confidents or Kindred, out of a dread they have to affix the mitre in a particular Family. Yet notwithstanding the Pope's prudent management of affairs, during their own time, they have not seldom been so foully mistaken by counting upon the score of their own Judgements and natural affections, as to anticipate the ruin of them they studied to preserve, for want of making an impartial survey of the Prudence of such Children or nephews as they sought to advance, and a through consideration of the strength of their complexions, and depth of their Consciences, whether able to digest all sorts of blood, could and hot, likely to obstruct the ways to what was aimed at. The venerable Historian Guicciardine noting, that though Alexander the sixth was at first so far perplexed at the death of his eldest son, as to renounce the world, The same Author saith, he resumed it again upon the first assurance given, that his other son the cardinal had been the Murderer; And did, after his resignation of the read Hat, redouble his endeavours to raise him; as if he had looked upon the throwing of his Brother into Tiber, and the laying his Sister upon the bed of Incest, as a good Portent of his future greatness; whose Story though something gelded by reason of the scandal it gave, may be worth the reading, no less than Machiavil's Notes upon Caesar Borgia; out of which, and all politics else, may be observed, That People endure oppression with more patience, from an old, than a young Prince, as thinking it less durable, and from an Usurper, than one ascending through a continued succession; as esteeming it more natural, and no less than they looked for, or do aclowledge to have deserved, for not seeing when they were well: A consideration a politician should expunge, by contrary practices, leaving them a liberty in all innocent punctilio's, and every thing else relating to their Lives and estates, so long as they remain quiet, let the persons be of what Magnitude they will: suitable to the wise conduct of Spain, where the elder Family is suffered annually to renew his claim to the Crown, though with as little success as interruption. Nor is it safe for a Prince incessantly to afflict his people, who may, like Dogges, quietly for a time endure it, though upon a too unreasonable continuance they do not seldom so far participate of that beasts( well known) condition, as to fly in their face. Wherefore Governours should, for their own sake, no less than the Nations, Imitate God, who though absolute disposer of Promise and performance, doth conform the latter punctually to the first: which whosoever doth not, may, like a drunken man, be justly thought intoxicated in his understanding: since the breach of an Oath must needs be a Trap abominated by all, in relation to the more Innocent Sheep, because honest men hardly can disspence with the use of it, in the ensnaring of such wolves as do oppress and devour them.   

45. Machiavill doth accuse as Imprudent, 
Bloody Princes odious and imprudent.  all such Princes( and most especially those whose Virtue, as he calls it, hath given a beginning to Empire) That knew not when to stop that Issue of blood, which may at first be necessary to steep such Titles in, as have no better colour to face their Legality, but what is attained by Prudence, or the Sword( from the benevolence of which all powers now extant were at their original derived) But did continue their bloody Cruelties and Malignant Aspect. Keeping by that means the Peoples discontents waking, and so by consequence their own no less chargeable than terrible fears and Jealousies: nothing being more obvious to probability, than the raising some Spirits( amongst the number of enemies, such a continued practise will in all reason produce) as can never rest satisfied without Revenge; Often brought about by so uncouth and improbable means, and the mediation of such despicable Instruments, as no purvoyance can shield the person of a Prince from: who, whilst his prudence, like the Philosophers eyes, are fixed upon higher and more remote dangers, he fals into some nearer Trap he never dreamed of. And to manifest the truth of this Assertion, the same Author doth instance Philip of Macedon and many other examples borrowed from Antiquity; which I shall wave, and onely content myself with that of the Duke of Buckingham. That fell by the hand of Felton, whose Picture I am the willinger to draw, as thinking it well becoming the bosom of all Persons in power. In which I am not likely to be partial, having to my knowledge never seen the man, Though his Father owed an employment under mine in the Office of Remembrance for many yeares. He was of a Religious and quiet conversation, given to no open 'vice nor whimsicall Opinions, being a frequent hearer of those Preachers as were never found to give encouragement to such practices, but rather the contrary: Prayers and tears being the sharpest weapons that were then formed in the Pulpit by parochial Pastors; what ever Lecturers did; from whose doctrine I have been  told he was ever averse; nor was honest Jack, a title always given him,( though rendered after more diffusive by the Dukes enemies, than so ill a consequence might merit) Agitated by revenge, or any privater Spirit than what he was persuaded did regard the commonweal; As I heard William Earl of pembroke protest, who could not but be the best informed, having assisted at his examinations, who did with all aver he never saw piety and valour better or more temperately mixed in one Person. Nor was he found, as the same Lord attested, in any untruth. I confess that through the continual Inculcation of his Majesties chaplains, and others of the long rob, he did disavow so far the lawfulness of the Fact, which before his Conscience never blanched at, as he desired The hand that did it might be cut off: But neither himself, nor the endeavours of the Dukes friends could procure him a sharper punishment, than Law and custom provides, in case of a Murder, for the meanest Subject. Nor can this Mission to the Tower be looked upon for less than the best Fortune so high a Malefactor could be capable of. Since during his abode there, which was many weekes, he had a plentiful Diet provided for him at the Kings charge. By all which it may appear, the Man was onely lead through strong enthusiasms That Buckingham was an enemy to the State: An Opinion Princes ought above all things to avoid, by shunning every occasion likely to represent him cruel or Implacable in the eyes of the people, by being continually tumbling and tossing that lumber out of his way, which ought( if at all) to be removed at one and the same time, 
To ascend a Throne by much blood unsafe.  and then with as little noise and Injustice as may be, Repetition of Punishments, Confiscations and Inprisonments being apt to be thought by those not able to see to the end of the prospect( yet most considerable for number) to result rather from the Princes Nature than emergency of the cause; And therefore not improper to Alarum the most Innocent; rendering the fable of Hydra an historical truth, the cutting of one head producing from Kindred and friends hundreds in the place, of which perhaps the mayor part were none before: nothing carrying a greater propensity towards fertility than blood. Wherefore since a Tyrant, by reason of the crooked ways that led to an usurped Crown, Holds not his safety under so Conscientious a tie as a natural Prince, till he become so through Lenity, Justice and Continuance: it behoves him to be more moderate in the prosecution of others: Lest through their Innocency, either real or Imputative, his own prevarications should be kept in remembrance. And, for a vindication of the contrary practise, Merchiavill presents as his best pattern to the house of Medici( That had not onely at first Surreptitiously gotten, but did after regain, through the mediation of like artes, The Principality of Tuscany) Caesar Borgia, who was found to remove all enemies and Obstructions out of his way in gross, and not dribling by retail: The people being as partial in their pitty, as ready upon the apprehension of Injustice and Cruelty to exercise a more extravagant Tyranny of their own. For though a frequent punishing of single persons may stop the mouth of this Monster for a time, it doth more increase than diminish its desire to bite, upon the approach of a small advantage, which is far easier found than may be Imagined. Wherefore no cause of discontent can in Prudence be admitted, but what is squeezed out by necessity, but rather Lenitives applied: the Multitude being of so brutish a nature, as to become more pliant to obedience through Stroking, than smart, especially if any thing they Fear lies in the way, or where that they Love is removed; it remaining beyond peradventure, That Clemency did never occasion Repentance, but in case of Example or Competitors, Blood being like Opium, which taken in a just proportion causeth quiet, but that once exceeded, Death. Or if patience & connivance should find their virtue lost in some incorrigible natures, yet the error were easily redeemed; whereas Cruelty is of so staining a quality that, like the Scorpion, nothing can expunge it, but what results from its own Nature. Now where this Moderation is observed, and all Liberties, Honours & Immunities Religiously preserved, I apprehended no more cause of grief, than the English had occasion for Joy, when they exchanged King Richard the third, for Henry the seventh: It remaining indubitable, that however the first might be a Murderer, he did not with the second oppress the people: wherefore such as call him Tyrant, offer violence to a number of good laws he made; and show too much partiality, if they esteem him the better Prince that broke them: Kings, that succeed by birth, acknowledging no obligation to any but their Ancestors: whereas Richard endeavoured to gain the Love of the Nation, and did so far prevail, as to have an Army appear for him against the Duke of Lancast●r, in those dayes the Darling of the Commons, and wherein were divers of quality; a strong presumption of a Juster and milder temper in Government, than the Ignorant and partial Historians of those times are found to record: So as though he may be reckoned amongst the worst of Men, his laws will recover him a place with the best of Kings; And no bad precedent for those that may at first ascend, contrary to the Gusto of a considerable part of the people, whose affections do cool or heat proportionable to their fears and oppressions, which none ought to continue; A doubtful condition being the most terrible to Man.   


That Monarchy most durable, that's founded on the best Policy.  46. Though Alexander and Caesar amongst the ancients, And the Kings of Sweden in our days, may be thought to receive their Impulses from the Lord of Hosts, Yet the dampes and chill proceedings that fell upon the designs, especially of the first and last after their decease, may give us leave to observe, How in all ages such nations have flourished most and longest as were able to maintain the the choicest Prudence at the helm. For want of which, after Alexander's Death, the graecian Monarchy was weakened, and in a Manner lost, in the Division his Captaines made of it; each taking for his share so great a proportion, as his own Dexterity, or the Love of the Colony he commanded, gave him the power to grasp: opening through this means an entrance for the Roman Conquest, which followed next, and, by reason of a better establishment, did longer endure. From whence it may be supposed, That the Fortune of Greece lay more in the hands, that of the Romans in the Heads of their Founders: wisdom having proved, in all ages, more prevalent, at long running, than success; which may become sometimes the Dowry, but never the Inheritance of a fool, or the owners of no farther discerning Spirits than the present. The Reason great Achievements do not seldom Terminate no better than in the ruin of his name, famed, and Family, that did at first bring them about: the advancement of which is onely able, if any thing be( an Opinion ever doubted of) to palliate the Blood, Labour and Hazard such undertakers run for the present, without casting up what attends them in future. Nor can I readily call to mind an Usurper that did ever better compose his affairs, than William Duke of Normandy, who, after the defeat of Harold, the last great carded likely to endanger his game, is not repotted continually to face the Nation of England with an Army( of no less terrible aspect always to the people, than it is of dangerous consequence sometimes to the Issue of a Prince after the death of his Father; Their continual readiness in being, affording them the fairest opportunity to choose a successor) yet did secretly maintain a convenient militia out of the spoils allotted to such as had embarked their Fortunes with his: not passing any Land from the Crown, but upon Contract with the owners to assist him at his call, with a proportion of horse and men suitable to their estate; a covenant not hard to be performed by such whose well-being lay wholly inclusive with his. And of these Tenants for Men and arms there was not a few, as appears in the Register yet remaining of their Names, amongst whom I am not ashamed to find those of Father and Mother: Nor did the Mustering of th●se in every County, and upon all occasion fail to answer, though with far less expense and universal terror, all the ends an Army can serve for. Thus by concealing his Rod and sparing the peoples purses, he shewed them the Nation might be as Happy under a foreigner, as a Native, one Family as another: not possibly to be done but by removing out of the peoples eyes all appearance of Oppression. There lying so vast a difference between the Regiment of Love and that of Fear, as This may chance to stand, but That is never likely to fall. All which is said, not to condemn any contrary Practise, but modestly to show, where divers ways led to one and the same end, the least destructive to the general quiet ought to be taken, in Policy, if not in Conscience.   


Tyranny not only natural but necessary.  47. The weight of superiors will be born with the less anxiety and perturbation, if we seriously consider, That Oppression & Tyranny is not only natural but Necessary to preservation. For if the stronger Creatures did not spoil and devour the weaker, the whole mass of animals would perish by famine; or stifle for want of room. Since the Earth and Sea, Nature▪ Magazines for Provisions, are not able to sustain the Stock, a despicable Mouse or Pilchard would in a small time swell to, did they not become the food of others. Wherefore wise Providence hath matched every things strength, in their respective gradations, with such proportionable Antagonist●, that they are all contained within the compass of a just proportion( like a nest of boxes) through a restraint from such as own a greater extent in power. And to counterpoise the wisdom in Man, which renders him subordinate to none but his particular Species, the same Providence doth permit him to be actuated by such Impetuous Passions and brutish Desires, as, through the Mediation of excess, covetousness, and Ambition, he becomes the Moderator, no less than Destroyer of his own kind. The Sword receiving from these a daily Commission in one place or other to kill and slay. And where this is too little to balance the Incomes of Lust, an over-repletion calls in Pestilence and famine to turn the Scales. All which cannot be Voted Plagues, but in a respective sense, as onely relating to such as perish in them; since a great, if not the most considerable part do receive benefit by it, and Nature her delight, which seems to reside in variety. All this considered cannot but bear witness for Seneca's Truth, That nothing would accept of Life upon such hard conditions as the Creature doth undergo, if it lay in its power to refuse: whose being, together with the continuance in it, is imposed without any primary consent at all, or future, but for the dread of falling into a worse: Adorning the glorious chariot of Nature in this world, till like withered Flowers they be laid aside by the same Hand first gathered them out of Nothing, and still preserves their Root through the act of Generation, by which they are lead in a brutish Sensuality to betray Posterity to the same Inconveniences, those capable of reason cannot but apprehended uncapable of compensation from the highest tasted content this world affords; That whirles about in a continual Circulation, changing the forms, but not the Nature of things. Wherefore though it appear against the decree of Providence, to obstruct the course of Generation, it may not be undecent to mind Christians, that the great reluctancy usually found in them towards Death, doth not only question their integrity in Religion, but understanding: else they would never adjourn, by so much labour and anxiety of spirit, what Nature hath allotted for all in general, without the exception of any thing capable of Life: who may enjoy a free prospect of all her beauties, though possibly not of every Malignity, within the revolution of a year, if not during the shorter space of 24 houres; our time being composed of day and night; the rest appearing merely but a Repetition of the same thing. Now since it is the Sin of Knowledge, to under-rate what hath already passed by her in the visible apparitions of Experience; so it may not impossibly be as great a mistake in Ignorance, to overvalue all she never tried: and consequently becomes the cause of the general Terror apprehended in Death, the onely deprivation of temporal pain, The farthest confines of the Land of knowledge, beyond which nothing is discovered, but what is engraven upon the Pillars of Faith, red and interpnted according to the Dialect of the Place, and manner of the Erudition it is our luck to fall under, and out of the verge of which( without a miraculous inspiration) it is next to unpossible for a Man to extend his belief. Wherefore in any Condition to leave the world unwillingly, or with an unsettled hope( since tis the decree of nature, and condition of our birth, not to continue us here) cannot but appear in the eyes of discretion, no less manly than Christian. Yet many are so unadvisedly foolish▪ as to multiply Deaths, through the agonies their fears raise in them, that one day they must die: the sole means left to free us from Oppression, if not to attain perfect felicity, which no servant of Christ can doubt of.   


Honesty and Prudence not inconsistent.  48. Our Saviour would never have commanded, under a like Emphasis, Innocency and subtlety, had he thought them incompatible, or not rather as Necessary in things Sacred as profane. It remaining unlikely, if not unpossible( during this total Eclipse of miracles, but what reflect upon the world under the notion of Faith, which cannot be taken for other than Implicit, in any thing that depends or relates to a more foreign witness than our own) to keep Unity within the bonds of Peace, but through Policy or( if you had rather have it so) Prudence: Though Hooker, who may be worthily placed on the highest shelf ever Clergy-man reached to, is not ashamed to entitle his works by the first. Nor are the loudest bawlers against Discipline found to neglect it in their own affairs: But do rather back and improve the power of it through the force of the same arguments they laboured formerly to confute it. Making a like use of Scripture and Reason of State, as Marishmen do of their sluices, by which they keep out the Sea, formerly owner of the place, and onely employ them for the benefit of Land floods. Wherefore Discipline, which is the same thing in the Church, as Law in the State, can be no more spared than Government itself; by which we are taught our duty to the Magistrate, who without this will be as far to seek when to Command, as we what to obey; from whence we shall find it an easy descent into war, the greatest Hell upon Earth, and of most consequence to be avoided by people any degree short of mad men. Now since we are not onely lead by the example, but Precepts of the Apostles, to yield obedience to our Governours, This in my apprehension avows it presumption in any, below the owners of a supreme power, to question the Decency, Sanctity, or Legality of what the Church hath heretofore, or may at this present avouch. For though really converted into Idolatry, which is Treason against God, as the Brazen Serpent was; Or into Heresy or Sedition, which imports no less in relation to his Earthly Representatives, The Church and Prince( as the mosaical Purifications, &c. were in the daies of Christ) yet it cannot warrant the hands of any single person, no not of the multitude in gross, to appear in their abolition, unless by way of Petition: But to admit them as trials of their farther patience, till God inclines the heart of some lawful Power, the onely place such a zeal can be safely kindled in, without threatening destruction to the whole frame. Men being commonly partial in their own care, else such as style themselves the best of them, would never have exploded the calling of Bishops( and suffered so many of their persons to want, though approved of in their own hearts, for men no less exemplary in their Lives, than Learning,) under no milder an aspect than Antichristian: yet did not at the same time refuse to themselves the Imperious title of the Kingdom of Christ, under which notion the unworthiest amongst them did, only in a less volume, though in the same or a larger extent, exercise the like power over the people of God( if the nation afford any, a Blasphemy to doubt of) as was before held Tyranny by them for the Hierarchy to administer within the circuit of a Dioc●sse: not remembering the English Bishops have not onely been Champions in the cause of Reformation, but have Justified the conveniency of their discipline through the experience of the longest peace and greatest felicity England ever enjoyed, and with the effusion of the least blood; which these had the fortune or will to be aspersed by. I confess what hath been said, is something beyond my intent, though much short of, &c. Yet the consideration of this little, may furnish out a competent proportion of Charity both at home and abroad, to restrain us from taking any public scandal: since the most, if not the worst of things the rigid and precise blanche at in our daies, were at the beginning set up to as plausible an end as they labour now to pull them down: The first intention of which, cannot be quiter lost to any, but such as abuse them to a contrary sense to what they were at first intended for; any more than a mortal misapplication of a wholesome drug, by an Ignorant empiric, can render it Poison in the hands of a Learned physician. The same may almost be said of all the Controversies in Christendom, where the Priests have reduced our guidance to Heaven into a gainful Art, by rendering the ways thither so easy, as to be bought, or so difficult, as to be little less than Impossible to be found.   

49. I have often endeavoured the contrary, 
The opinion, that good works m●rit, very natural.  yet could never longer than during some humble ecstasy, separate any good work in myself or another, from the Opinion of Merit; Though no man's Education and Faith did ever more bandy against it. From whence I have been often ready to conclude it as natural in Religion as Reason: For though a pepper-corne doth in no sense quadrate with the value of a great Copy-hold, yet it doth serve to answer( as far as we are able) the will of the Donor, and in that sense alone, through the mediation of Christ, heir apparent to our sovereign Landlord, it becomes acceptable itself, though far below our duty. For though, as a Christian of the Reformed Church, I confess the principal ingredients in our Creed uncapable of reaching, but by the hand of Faith; yet where the seeds of good works are not mixed, Religion grows flatulent and hypocritical: It being far easier and cheaper to refrain open and negative Sins, than to perform the more chargeable affirmative duties of Chatity: which if they were pressed home, not onely in Pulpits, but practise, and every one Conscientiously examined, whether he professeth Sanctity To gain an Heavenly or an earthly inheritance, you would see Hypocrisy sneak away like the young man in the Gospel, who was ready to ride post to Heaven, provided he might carry his riches behind him. Now to prove Hypocrisy and uncharitableness are the crying offences of this Age, consider how many have, with Zacheus, met and compounded by Restitution for what they may not have peradventure come by so well. And in relation to Governours, to whose wiser considerations I humbly offer these few following Observations, if they shall be pleased to cast their eyes upon the Nation of the Jews, and inquire in what condition they stood at the coming of our Saviour, & till Vespasian besieged jerusalem, they shall find not only their Sins but Destruction proceeded from Hypocrisy; which doth wholly rob the Prince of that benefit might be made of Religion, by converting it into a mere outside and deceaveable godliness, far more destructive to Government than atheism itself; 
Hypocrisy more destructive to Government then atheism.  Hiding under the cloak of Piety such wicked designs as open profaneness was never found to bring about. Nor doth Reason or experience afford better means to divest this mask, than by restoring Love and Charity to their ancient splendour, And rendering them onely the marks of confidence and ways to Preferments: the sense of Honour having been found alone more conducing to Fidelity, than the bare forms of an over precise Zeal in the company of covetousness with which at this day more are thought to converse than suits with the honour of their Profession or safety of the State, to whom I recommend a timely reformation of these pretending Reformers of all but themselves.   


Controversies weakly handled, prejudice the Truth.  50. If Lucian found cause to upbraid the ordinary Scribes in his dayes, for owning more Knowledge and Piety to their Gods in their supercilious aspect, and spurious censures of others, than they were really masters of themselves: what may we judge of the no less hypocritical than Theatricall over-actings in ours▪ Where it is ordinary with Men to bear the impress in their Foreheads and looks( like Mountebanks bills) of more Sanctity, than the most exact Observer can note in their Lives or Commerce. Who fill those rooms Swearing and profaneness was wont to take up in taverns and plays, with more Blasphemous and uncharitable Censures and Imprecations in the Church, against any judgement looking a squint upon theirs, though in things merely philosophical, & undetermined. Nor are their Books free from the leaven of Hypocrisy and Malice, especially if not able to answer the Spirit of Reason, he they oppose is armed withall, nor the people willing upon their bare warrant to ston the contrary party, for then, like painted jezabel, the lively image of an Hypocrite, they proclaim him a Blasphemer against God and the King. Forgetting, that though a State may be endamaged through the discovery of an error, God and Nature are not gratified in the persecution of Truth. Yet these Anti-Veritarians are such professed Antagonists to all the most probable new Ideas in philosophy or Reason, not hitherto screwed up to the highest pitch; and in the mean time advancers of enthusiasms in Religion, Known through the mercy and sufferings of Christ to be long since sufficiently revealed; That with the read Dragon in the wilderness, they seek to destroy both Parent▪ and Child: Of which failing they vomit out a flood of insignificant words and reproaches against them, to the discouragement and Obstructing all future endeavours. wisdom, like water in a well, not exceeding an ordinary height, till pumped or alured by Emulation or Honour. Nor is there a more probable way to stop the mouths of these railing Shimea's that curse and cast dirt upon those Davids which labour to quell Ignorance, the uncircumcised Philistine of the world, than by appointing all books of Controversies to be garbled, and if found not strong enough for their Adversary, to restrain them: since silence cannot prejudice Truth comparably to an over weak defence. Manifest in Religion, and if maturely considered as palpable in Philosophy. Yet these bold attachers of wits do at first gain such credit with ordinary Readers, upon a presumption they durst not assault these excellent Spirits but in an assurance of greater Illuminations of their own; that they buy their Books through which Ignorance becomes encouraged and Knowledge depraved, by a discovery of small faults and perverting the sense of more excellent things. And thus fools fall into esteem for noting the blemishes in wise men, and they accounted simplo, for wanting that absolute perfection no ways attainable in this world. The Students of Reason in our days lying under the heavy fate the Mathematicians did of old, in being thought Conjurers and Atheists; an indictment I doubt not but the more refined Judgement, if not of this Age, of the next, will acquit the one of, as clear, as it hath the other. Wherefore in case of such purblinded Censurers, make them rather the objects of scorn than Anger or reproof. Such carping natures resembling Dogges, more encouraged and better gratified by the sharpest answer, than none at all: upon which they commonly give over, or meet with a fouler blow from a stander-by, and one never thought of, than you may decently give in your own Cause.   


Interest never unfurnished of faire Pretences, for suborning Conscience.  51. All things quadrating with Interest or Affection, though in their own Natures wicked and unjust, do labour to be furnished with such faire pretences, as may palliate the throws of Conscience: which through use becomes able with the stomach to convert poison into Nourishment, and the most enormous Sins and Cruelties into comeliness and zeal.   

52. No security can be given or taken either single or reciprocal between the Prince and people, but an Oath; held, 
oaths becames traps of the Innocent, where Conscience is unthron'd.  in all Professions, sacred, and its breach of dreadful consequence, Till the Pope, arrogating the absolute power of Christ's high chancellor upon earth, did dispense( under the notion of Equity, Justice and necessity) with the breach of all laws, both Civil and Divine,( amongst which Perjury is Inclusive) and so from an undeniable Inferrence, Religion itself; superscribed by our blessed Saviour within this narrow Circuit of Love to God and our Neighbour, on every side invaded through this high violation of Faith, no less destructive to the conscientious than Impotent; and only advantageous to Princes and Subjects liquorish after Profit and sovereignty: who, by reason of a vaster power are able to perpetrate the greater mischiefs, and so most likely to be aimed at by God in his first Institution of this most sacred bond, in which his own name and honour is made the pledge: And Therefore his patient passing the breach of it by in this world raiseth no less confidence in the Atheist that he shall never be-punished, than assurance in the Godly his Reward is not to be expected upon Earth.  
The Netherlands after their Revolt, framed an Oath for the whole League, wherein all those formerly taken to the King of spain were without exception or any manner of qualification Abjured: by which I could understand no less when I red it, but that they called God himself to attest, that his name was become of no validity. Which to speak plain English, was as much as to forswear all opinion of Religion or sanctity in swearing. I do not think my Judgement of an extent large enough to span the height of such an Impiety as a national or regal Perjury extends to, No more than the temporal mischief it may bring to a Commonwealth, by giving Subjects an occasion to think the articles of Faith, virtually inclusive in an Oath, are of no more validity, than Interest, through the mediation of power, is pleased to afford them. Yet it may embolden me to believe, that those learned amongst the catholics do not with us look upon Conscience as a distinct quality or natural endowment of Man, but merely acquired by custom at the mediation of shane or loss, which upon the working or boiling of the Memory, is taught to approve This, or dislike That, according to the esteem the Opinion of the place, and company they most commonly converse with, are pleased to rate it at: the smallest morsel of flesh taken into the stomach upon a fasting day cloging it more, than a whole armefull of that which is more sinful doth in a bed. Nor are they less troubled at the memory of losses and apprehension of Dangers, than Offences against God; The which do not seldom produce far greater agonies and despairs: The blood of ten Men in Italy being digested with less reluctancy, than the glance of a Rivals eye. Wherefore we may Imagine, they do really believe no such thing, but look upon Conscience not only as a room in the Memory, that stood empty till the Fall, but a mere bubble in the Imagination, which fear and Hope by the assistance of Use, can blow like a glass in what fashion or bigness they please, showing there, to the Life represented, good or bad according to the tincture a former suborned passion may have dipped them in: And this( wisely viewed) will be found of no more solid substance, or drawn by no steadier hand than custom or Education, nor set in a more durable frame than that of Fantacy. And from this undervaluing of Conscience( the security of the good and terror of the wicked,) the validity of oaths is lost, or converted into traps to catch the Innocent and unadvised.   

53. Conscience is no less swayed through particular Interest, 
Where Conscience is swayed by Interest, there is no true judgement of either Faults or Merit.  than the rest of passions or accidents incident to Memory. Manifest in our Henry the eight, perhaps no more guilty than all Princes else, who at his Death looked upon the delivering Empson and dudley( Instruments of his own and Fathers Oppression) to the fury of the people, as a sin of a deeper tincture, than the number of Murdered persons his Remembrance could not but at that time present him with. From whence we may conclude ourselves in nothing more apt to be abused, than in the calculation of our own Faults and Merits: And so, much unlikely to give a just estimate of those belong to others.   


Difference in judgement a wrong ground for alienation of affection.  54. How darest thou( O Man!) Judge another? carries such an awful sound in my apprehension, as I cannot but tremble at the general boldness, One Profession takes to condemn another: so as none lye capable of Salvation under an universal consent. This Church Anathematizing what the next receives; which cannot but proceed from the more damnable root of uncharitableness; every where Condemned throughout all Religions extant. Though equally culpable in imposing a restraint upon every way to Heaven, but what custom and education hath rendered familiar to themselves; each being really, or in their suborned Imaginations supposed able to detect Error and Absurdity in all divine worship beside their own. Wherefore this humour being universal, if not natural, it ought to cut off all particular Feuds, and mitigate the rigor of Law, and severity of every respective Prince; who can onely justify( and that perhaps rather to his particular conveniency, than the Deities universal mercy) the raising a persecution upon no higher provocation than Opinion, in no mans power to rectify, but upon a manifest conviction of his Judgement.  
Now since it is no prodigy in the schools for two Disputants to quarrel about one & the same thing, hide from them only through the nice●y of Distinctions, why may not such Protestants, as measure the catholic Profession by the ordinary standard of the Court of Rome, take, not onely a false but, an Uncharitable survey, and too far to the disadvantage of that Church, which hath professed Christianity ever since the Apostles time, and may look no more as caconical upon all the Pope for his Honour and Profit maintains, than we take for legal every Injunction that passeth from the King or Counsell-Table? many Ceremonies being admitted for order, splendour, and decency( which, under correction, I may say, cannot be spared in less Corporations) that are not essential to Salvation, and confessed of no more validity, than what they receive from the Inspiration of power; wherefore merely local, and of no larger extent, than his Holinesse Authority doth naturally, or is suffered through the Indulgence of Princes to reach. 
The redundant zeal of the Papists to b● pitied & admired.  Nor doth the redundant zeal of our English Papists( not to give it a courser epithet) deserve less pitty than admiration; through which they are so far blinded, as not to see the Popes Supremacy concerns them no more in point of Salvation, than it did the Subjects of England heretofore, whether a Lord spiritual or temporal should pass the door first. It being unpossible but such punctilios at the beginning should result from human institution or connivance of Kings, from whose benevolence or ignorance those Appellations and that Power reached to the Bishop of Rome; & not from him, whose Vicar he pretends to be: our Saviour Christ owning no such Jurisdiction or extent of Earthly power. It is confessed, I should look upon that Englishman as a betrayer of the honour of our Nation, that denys the Kings claim to France; because his Ancestors once had it in Possession. Yet did I own land and a being there, it were a high folly, if not Treason to maintain it upon the place: The Title having possibly as justly reverted to them again, as it was at first assumed by us. Yet such power hath the present fear of losing their interest in future felicity, that it doth not onely stifle the sense of Reason and Concernment, but the apprehension, of martyrdom itself, which might altogether inform them, That since the Bishop of Rome converseth not here suitable to our Saviour, who was so far from disposing of Earthly kingdoms, as he refused to divide a particular Inheritance, Interest may not unpossibly led him out of the way in other things: For though an Infallibility should be granted him, in what relates to the Church, tis more than the cardinals themselves will admit, in what is purely Civill. It being none of the Articles of our Creed, That Christ was an earthly Prince, or had any other sovereignty over Kings, but as God over all. Yet since this misled people received no advantage of their errors, as some more hypocritical schismatics may be Imagined to do, it cannot but raise pitty in you towards them, and Charity to yourself, in case Fortune should cast you in any region under the Popes Jurisdiction: who owning a temporal Power no less then a spiritual, may not unpossibly punish in more Prudence, then you can suffer. Wherefore leaving behind you all Obstinacy and prejudice, consider whether the Sign of the across may not with more piety be admitted, than baptism wholly neglected, or the bread in the Sacrament onely taken, rather then that Seal of our Covenant quiter Omitted. Yet I desire you to look upon all is said under the notion of an Advice, not a Command.   

55. I hold in Charity no less than Commerce, 
The Conclusion, exploding atheism.  with all sorts of people, that do aclowledge a Divine and universal providence: But abominate those that have the Impudence, no less than the Indiscretion to deny it, openly in their words, or tacitly in their actions; as such cannot but be thought to do, that Destroy others under a pretence of Sanctity, merely to enrich themselves; who deny God no less in his Justice, than the other in his Power. Since without a Creator, Man must be the product of a Contingency, together with all things extant, if not the maker of himself, or, which is as prodigious an Absurdity, Nothing, out of its own strength, must have produced all things. Nor could so many descend into this low and damnable error, were they not lead by that common Calculation incident to the Creature, through which each in its respective gradation, is rendered out of Ignorance unable, or out of pride unwilling, to find a sublimer excellency than his own. The cause, not only that the virtues, but the Gods themselves were by the Heathen represented in human shapes, and their inclinations confined to the same Sins and Passions mortals are found subject to. It exceeding the largest extent in Nature to comprehend a higher wisdom than its own, or to assign it a more honourable aspect, or furnish it with richer endowments, than her senses and experience hath adorned Fancy with all. The devil being painted as white amongst the Negroes, as he is black here. Wherefore knowledge being at a non plus( a thing she doth naturally abhor) many, because they cannot decipher a Reason, why Providence in this world appears so oft in the favour( to our seeming) of wicked and unjust designs, and so far discourages the good, as to leave them in the hands of their oppressors, they, like inconsiderate sea-men, do cut the Cable of hope, and forsaking the Anchor of Providence, resign the conduct of all things to Fortune, who is yet so constant in her vicissitudes ( familiar to Gamesters) that in a small time she doth not onely take away, but returns to every man his Money again. And if the world hath, for ought we know to the contrary, been till this age ignorant in the Circulation of the blood, though the principal Engine of Life, and such a necessary one, as every Creature moves not without, why should we rob ourselves of the Comfort, and God of the honour of Managing whatsoever happens, though yet ignorant of the manner and reason of his doing it, which hereafter we shal see revealed: the age of man being too short to discover every spoken in this wheel, that may within a span or two be twisting the destruction of those that are now at the top. Nor can any man guess how an other Fares by an outward aspect taken from his movables, but must sleep with him & enter his bosom, which God doth; and can no doubt by slacking of Grief in one, and winding up fears and Jealousies in another, make the world even. It being the Spring and intrinsic part of the watch that the work-man looks after, and not the case, though it may possibly be gold, or some richer Materials, which the Rabble do usually cast their eyes upon, as Children do on the Lord Maiors Pageants. Admiring the splendour of those that ride in them; who considered in their own nature are but mean mens Issue, and thus adorned at the City Cost: Yet their external varnish doth so obstruct the Organs of Sense, as they do not perceive the poorness of the people that bear them up, No more than how long they may be able, or found willing to do it. And if men cannot, by a seous reflection upon their own affairs, distinguish the operations of Providence from those of Contingency, Yet since it is the most universal Opinion, and, for ought ever I could hear objected to the contrary, the least obstructed from Reason or Consent, That every Creature holds its Production, no less than preservation, at the will of an Omnipotency, by us styled God; Though the ways how he operates be beyond our fathom and past finding out, why should not credulity rest at the brinck of this abyss( by all acknowledged the least dangerous) rather than hazard all hope of future beatitude, in the uncomfortable gulf of a reckless atheism. There remaining as little visible loss to such as award all honour to our Maker, as gain for those that deny him quiter. Nor are we bereaved totally of the shadow of Omnisciency; since from a far lower situation than Heaven, we are able at one glance to overlook a whole City, And by a single Trumpet to Alarum an Army. Yet our senses are capable to receive no small augmentation from the assistance of Art: an Infallibile argument that the perfection of these qualities doth not determine in the person of any Creature; but something paramount all that hath yet risen within the compass of our experience, it being unpossible but a Superlative perfection should rest some where. Nor can we be competent Judges of the motions of God that have nothing to measure by, but Sense, much too weak to discern the motion of a shadow, or the growth of a plant, till time hath rendered them apparent: wherefore far unable to comprehend the Lines of Providence, Imperceptible to every Intelligence but his who hath the sole disposure of all things. It not being probable man should comprehend the out-goings of God whilst he is not able to give any Reason for his own.    

Index.  

Part. 1. The Proeme.  
Part. 2 TO precipitate revenge no prudence.  
Part. 3 No Enemy so contemptible as to be despised.  
To Contend with inferiors brings discredit.  
Part. 5 A friend necessary to a Courtier.  
Part. 6 To oblige a Prince or State, dangerous.  
Part. 7 Self-praise great imprudence.  
Part. 8 To jest with Princes not safe.  
Part. 9 counsel to be given with Caution.  
Part. 10 To laugh at a Mischance, uncharitable.  
Part. 11 To upbraid any with natural defects uncivil, especially with Bastardy.  
Part. 12 The issue not bearing the marks of their Ancestors, an ill ground of Jealousy.  
Part. 13 The multiplying of Crosses highest folly, as an immoderate desire of, or care for posterity, and Impertinent Jealousy.  
Part. 14 Patience and moderation most necessary in human life.  
Part. 15 O Economicks neglected, the ruin of great Families.  
Part. 16 Great wealth sometimes a snare.  
Part. 17 No relation, besides a Father, to be confided in.  
Part. 18 The Tyranny of custom a restraint to the progress of knowledge.  
Part. 19 The Secrets of State not to be prostrated to the Vulgar.  
Part. 20 The toleration of contrary opinions dangerous.  
Part. 21 excess in any thing a portent of ruin.  
Part. 22 Affectation a sign of shallowness.  
Part. 23 A sole academic education renders men pedantic.  
Part. 24 An universal inspection into science most becoming a Gentleman.  
Part. 25 Great Libraries more for pomp than use.  
Part. 26 Iron of greater use than Gold, and Manufacture than Learning.  
Part. 27 Learning makes men factions.  
Part. 28 Let not a cynical humour make you wave civility.  
Part. 29 Moderation and compliance deliver out of greatest dangers.  
Part. 30 Advised retraction no levity.  
Part. 31 To be the stirrup of anothers preferment danderous.  
Part. 32 annual Magistracies too short for great Reformation.  
Part. 33 Whose discourse or Countenance betrays their mind, unfit for ambassadors.  
Part. 34 Nature indowes no individual with all perfections.  
Part. 35 Ministers of state ought sometimes to render their sense ambiguous.  
Part. 46 Good clothes commend a Traveller.  
Part. 37 Princes need wise counsels.  
Part. 38 Uxorious Princes of dangerous Consequence to a State.  
Part. 39 The Alliance of the Austrian family most successful to England.  
Part. 40 Hope luls industry asleep, and is often the decay to nature.  
Part. 41 Plantations most happy at their first planting, because less numerous.  
Part. 42 Most wars occasioned by the Jealousies of small Royallets.  
Part. 43 The Spaniards waving Asia in Expectation to Conquer Europe impolitic & unsuccesful.  
Part. 44 The speculative and practical parts of politics require different tempers.  
Part. 45 Bloody Princes odious and imprudent. To ascend a Throne by much blood unsafe.  
Part. 46 That Monarchy most durable, that is founded on best Policy.  
Part. 47 Tyranny not only natural but necessary.  
Part. 48 Honesty and Prudence not inconsistent.  
Part. 49 The opinion that good works merit, very natural. hypocrisy more destructive to Government, than atheism.  
Part. 50 Controversies weakly handled, prejudice the Truth.  
Part. 51 Interest never unfurnished of faire pretences, for suborning Conscience.  
Part. 52 oaths become Traps for the innocent, where Conscience is unthron'd,  
Part. 53 Where Conscience is swayed by interest, there is no true judgement of either Faults or Merit.  
Part. 54 Difference of judgement a wrong ground for alienation of affection. The redundant zeal of the Papists to be pitied.  
Part. 55 The Conclusion exploding atheism.   
FINIS.