The Induction or Preface .

SONNE , The vertuous inclination of thy matchlesse Mother , by whose tender and godly care thy Infancy was gouerned , together with thy education vnder so godly and zealous a Tutor , puts me rather in assurance then hope , that thou art not ignorant of that summary bond , which is onely able to make thee happy , aswell in thy life as death . I meane the true knowledge of thy Creator and redeemer , without which all things are vaine and miserable . So that thy youth being guided by so al-sufficient a teacher , I make no doubt but he will furnish thy life both with Diuine and morall documents ; yet that I may not cast of the care beseeming a parent towards his child , or that thou shouldest haue cause , to deriue thy whole felicity and welfare rather from others , then from whom thou receiuedst thy birth and being , I thinke it fit and agreable to the affection I beare , to giue thee such aduertisements and rules for the squaring of thylife , as are gayned rather by long experience , then much reading , to the end , that thou entring into this exorbitant age maist be the better prepared to shun those cautelous courses , whereinto this world , and thy lacke of experience may easily draw thee . And because I will not confound thy memory , I haue reduced them into ten precepts , if thou imprint them in thy mind , thou shalt reape the benefite , and I the contentment . And these are they .

The first Pecept .

FIrst , when it shall please God , to bring thee to mans estate , vse great prouidence and circumspection in the choice of thy wife : for from thence may spring all thy future good or ill . And it is an action like to a Stratagem in warre , where man can erre but once . If thy estate bee good , match neere home and at leasure : if weak , then farre off and quickly , enquire diligently of her disposition , and how her parents haue bene inclined in their youth . Let her not be poore , how generous soeuer : for a man can buy nothing in the market with gentility . Neither choose a base or vncomely creature : for that will breed contempt in others , and loathing in thee . Make not choice of a dwarfe or a foole : for from the one thou maist beget a race of Pigmies , the other may be thy daily disgrace . For it will yrke thée to heare her talke , and thou shalt finde ( to thy great griefe ) that there is nothing so fulsome as is a shee foole .

Touching the gouernment of thy house , let thy hospytality bee moderate , according to the measure of thine owne estate , rather plentifull then sparing , ( but not too costly ) For I neuer heard nor yet knew any man grow poore by keeping an orderly Table , But some consume themselues with secret vices , and their hospitality must beare the blame . Banish swynish drunkards out of thy house , which is a vice that impaires health , consumes much , and makes no shew , besides I neuer heard any commendations ascribed to a drunkard more then the well bearing of his drinke which is a commendation fitter for a brewers horse or a dray-man ▪ then for either a Gentleman or Seruingman .

Beware that thou spend not aboue three of the foure parts of thy Reuenewes , nor aboue one third part thereof in thy house , for the other two parts will but defray thy extraordinaries , which will alwaies surmount thy ordinaries by much , for otherwise thou shalt liue like a rich beggar in a continuall want , and the needy man can neuer liue happily nor contented , for then euery least disaster makes him ready to morgage or sell . And that Gentleman that then sels an aker of land , looseth an ounce of credit , for Gentility is nothing but auncient riches , so that if the foundations do sinke , the buildings must needs consequently faile .

The second Precept .

BRing thy children vp in obedience and learning yet without austerity , praise them openly , reprehend them secretly , giue them good countenance , and conuenient maintenance according to thy ability , for otherwise thy life will seeme their bondage , & then what portion thou shalt leaue them , they may thanke death and not thee for it . Marry thy daughters betimes least they marry themselues . Suffer not thy sonnes to passe the Alpes , for they shall learne nothing but pride , blasphemy , and Atheisme . And if by chance they attaine to any broken languages , they will profite them no more , then to haue one meate serued in diuers dishes , Neither by my aduise shalt thou traine them vp to warres , for he that sets vp his rest to liue by that profession , can hardly be an honest man , or a good Christian , for euery warre is of it selfe vniust , the good cause may make it iust , besides it is a science no longer in request then vse , for souldiers in peace , are like to chimnies in sommer ,

The third Precept .

LIue not in the country without corne and cattell about thee , for hee that must present his hand to his purse , for euery expence of houshold , may be likened to him that keepes water in a siue , And for thy prouision , lay for to buy it at the best hand , for there may bee a peny saued betweene buying at thy neede , or when the market , or the seasons do serue fittest for it .

Be not willingly attended or serued by kinsmen or friends , or men intreated to stay , for they will expect much , and do little , neither by such as are amorous , for their heads are commonly intoxicated , keepe rather two too few , then one too many , feede them well and pay them with the most . So maist thou demand seruice at their hands , and boldly require it .

The fourth Precept .

LEt thy kindred and allies be welcome to thy Table , grace them with thy countenance , and euer further them in all their honest actions for by that meanes thou shalt double the bond of nature , so as thou shalt find them so many aduocates to plead an Apology for thee behind thy backe But shake of those glowormes , I meane parasites and sycophants , who will feed and faune on thee in the sommer of thy prosperity , but in any aduerse storme , they will shelter thée no more , then an Arbour in Winter .

The fift Precept .

BE sure thou alwaies keepe some great man to thy friend , but trouble him not for trifies , complement him often , present him with many , yet small gifts and of little charge , And if thou hast cause to bestow any great gratuity , then let it be some such , as may bee daily in sight , for otherwise thou shalt liue like a hop without a pole , liue in obscurity , and be made a footeball for euery insulting companion to spurne at .

The sixt Precept .

VNdertake no suite against a poore man without receiuing of great wrong , for therein making him thy competitor , besides that it is held a base conquest to triumph where there is small resistance , neither vndertake law against any man , before thou be fully resolued that thou hast the right on thy side , and then spare not for money nor paines , for a cause or two beeing well followed and obtained , may after frée thée from suits a great part of thy life .

The seuenth Precept .

BEware of suertiship for thy best friend , for he that payeth an other mans debts , seekes his owne decay , but if thou canst not otherwise choose rather then to lend that money from thy selfe vpon good bonds , ( though thou borrow it ) So maist thou pleasure thy friend and happely secure thy selfe .

In borrowing of mony bee euermore pretious of thy word , for he that cares to keepe day of payment , is Lord commander many times of another mans goods .

The eighth Precept .

TOwards thy superiours be humble yet generous , with thy equals familiar , yet respectiue , towards inferiours shew much humility and some familiarity , as to bow thy body , stretch forth thy hand , vncouer thy head , and such like popular complements . The first prepares a way to aduancement , the second makes thée knowne for a man well bred , the third gaines a good report , which once gained may easily be kept , for high humilities take such roote in the mindes of the multitude , as they are easilier wonn by vnprofitable curtesies , then by churlish benefits , yet doe I aduise thee not to affect nor to neglect popularity .

The ninth Precept .

TRust no man with thy credit or estate , for it is a méere folly for a man to enthrall himselfe to his friend further then if iust cause be offered , he should not dare to become otherwise thy enemie .

The tenth Precept .

BE not scurrilous in conuersation nor stoicall in thy iests , the one makes thee vnwelcome to all companies , the other puls on quarrels , and makes thee hated of thy best friend , Jests when they doe sauour too much of truth , leaue a bitternesse in the minds of those that are touched . And although I haue already pointed al these inclusiue , yet I think it necessary to leaue it thee as a caution , because I haue seene so many proue to quip and gyrd , as they had rather loose their friend , then their iests . And if by chance their boyling braine yeld a quaint scoffe , they will trauell to be deliuered of it as a woman with child , those nimble apprehensions , are but the froth of wit .