The husband's instructions to his family:, or, Household observations fit to be observed by vvife, children, and servants

The Husbands Instructions to his Family : OR , HOUSHOLD OBSERVATIONS , Fit to be observed by Wife , Children , and Servants .

A Family well Govern'd , is like a Kingdom well Rui'd .

The Father's Love and Care of his Children , is like that of the KING's over his People .

Good Servants generally prove Good Masters , & Good Subjects .

I. To the WIFE . SInce You 're my Wife by Holy Nuptial State , Such You shou'd be , as these few Lines relate : By Nature mild , Your Conversation free , Keeping the Bounds of charming Modesty . Averse to all the gaudy Pomp of Pride ; Yet Neat , a Wife , as first when dress'd a Bride . Your Face neglected , ( such as Heav'n design'd ) Advancing only Beauties of the Mind . Saving , though not Penurious , of what Heav'n , With Bounteous Hands , has for our Portion giv'n . Nor boast too much in Wealth , if Heaven's Hand Has bless'd and fixt you in a Fruitful Land : Those Worldly Comforts most inconstant are , Whose Rise and Fall depends on Heaven's Care . Nor yet repine , tho' Poverty molest . And carking Cares disturb your Nightly Rest : GOD still his Favours most in Sorrow proves , As the kind Father whips the Child he loves . Let all your Admonitions mild appear , Not loudly talk'd , but whisper'd in the Ear , For noisy Clamours of a Woman's Tongue , Upbraiding Husband , that he 's in the Wrong , Prove like rough Winds , that do the Seas engage , Which ' stead of calming , make them higher rage . Nor let the Viper ( Jealousie ) find Rest , For his tormenting Sting , within your Breast : Where That bears sway , Distractions still abound , No Antidote is for This Poyson found : For if within You once This takes a Root , No Way , or Art , is found to pluck it out . To these soft Measures but your Life confine , 'T will make wild Batchellors think Wives Divine . And since , ( Dear Wife ! ) You do a Mother prove , You must Correct Your Child , as well as Love . For as the Steed , unrein'd , takes his Career , And Gallops , Trots , and Runs he knows not where ; So , by Indulgence , ( Solomon does say ) The Child to Rule , is apter than Obey : Then take the Counsel , which the Wife has giv'n , And then , May I ( the Husband ) lead a Life , Deserving such a Mother , such a Wife . II . To the CHILDREN . INstructed now my Wife : Then next ensues Advice for you , dear Babes , the Wedlock's dues ; Who are ( though by Indulgent Heaven sent ) Of Parent's Joys , or Woes , the Instrument . Since then my Root , you blooming Branches bears , Strive not to be Estate's , but Vertue's Heirs . Enamel not your selves with outward Meen , But mind whose inward Graces best are seen : For Riches fade , and wing themselves away ; But Vertue stands , and faces the Last Day , For ever Beauteous , knowing no Decay . Commanded ; let obliging Willingness , As Children's Duty , Children's Love express . And as to Me , you Love and Duty owe ; So , 'mongst your selves , let mutual Kindness flow , And twine in Love , as Oak and Ivy grow . Soft as the tender Paps each suck't , when Young , Be ev'ry Word that drops from each ones Tongue : For stubborn Grumblings in a Corner , show The ready Paths , which to Destruction go ; Ending in Soul and Body's Overthrow . And from whose Lips come profane Oaths & Lies , They fall the Fall'n Angel's Sacrifice . All Brutal Lusts and Passions must you fly , If you 'll Entail your selves my Progeny . Shun all the wild Companions of the Age ; Nor in their Luxuries with them engage ; Who , ' stead of Moderation , use Excess In every Diet , and in every Dress ; Consuming Credit , Time , Estate , and All , That we may Happy , Good , or Precious call ; And so to Ruine , wretched Creatures , fall . Nor must you quaff too much the juicy Grape , Which on your Reason acts a general Rape , Making your Senses ugly as your Shape : For Wine too freely entertain'd within , Though smooth above , below has Sinks of Sin , Where Vertue drowns , & Vice comes floating in . But Wife and Children , if you Goodness mind , You the Reward , as well as I , shall find : And if you Vice abhor , and Grace pursue , I am happy Husband , happy Father too . III . To the SERVANTS . LAstly , My Servants , if you would me please , You must observe , & keep such Rules as these : Be true and trusty ; let your Hands be clear , And to Purloyn your Master's Goods , forbear . I hate a Slut , I hate a sawcy Knave ; And in a Lyar I no Pleasure have . I hate all those that have a vaunting Vein , And those that Other's Credits love to stain . I hate the Swearer , and the Drunken Sot , Who vow Obedience only to the Pot ; By which Love , Fear , and Duty are forgot . I like not such , who would by fawning please , Nor those that love their Belly , and their Ease . Sly Sneaks , that would my Secrets over-look ; Proud Fools , or Talking Ones , I cannot brook . I like not those , that are unapt to learn ; Nor those , that grudgingly their Wages earn . Those I detest , who Cards and Dice do use , Quarrel with Fellow-Servants , and abuse . The Loyterer too , who does of Errands stay , By false Occasions making long his way . Those too I hate , who only serve the Eye ; Nor longer labour , than whil'st I am by . And such , by Night , who revel out of Doors , Are only fit to serve the Galley-Oars . The false , deceitful Soul , I hate as Hell ; Only with me the Honest Heart shall dwell , That 's Humble , Painful , willing to Obey , And well deserves to Rule another Day . DIstinctly thus the PATHS to You I've Read , In which I sev'rally would have you tread . But something , sure , remains for me to do ; For I 'm but Man , and frail as well as you . Oh then , Kind Heav'n , propit'ous to me prove ! Let all my serious Thoughts be fixt Above , Contemplating on my Creator's Love . Praise then with me , that Great , that Glorious Name , By which to wretched Man Salvation came . FINIS .