RELIGION.

1. QUestion not the least way, whe­ther there be a God, or not, nei­ [...]her be curious concerning [Page 30]him: Non nunquam de D [...] ­vera loqui periculum est, &▪ And God is rather known [...] what he is not, then what he [...]

2. Quarrel not in th [...] least manner with the Myste­ries of Religion, as the Tr [...] ­nitie, the Generation of th [...] Son, the Profession of th [...] Holy Ghost, but bring [...] humble minde with thee and go not without th [...] guide of Faith, and freque [...] Prayer.

3. Thou art by Professi [...] a Christian, therefore sit dow [...] and cast with thy selfe, tha [...] thou art to

• Love Things thou Seest not,
• Believe Things thou Knowest not,
• Apprehend Things thou Reachest not.

[Page 31] 4. Though the Spirit of God worketh a full perswa­sion in the heart, concern­ing the things of God, yet outward Arguments are neces­sary; for, that which gave Thomas the Apostle an assu­rance of the Truth of Christ, was his sensery, Reach hither thy finger, John 2.27.

5. Let your Prayers be fre­quent, and among your preme­ditated Petitions, remember to Pray, that God would not lead thee into Temptation, for in these last dayes, the shorter Satans reigne, the sharper is his rage,

6. Oppose not any Truth, and be not like the Sea Pie that cannot rise, except it be by rising against the winde.

[Page 32] 7. In matters of doubt, min­gle Charity with your Judge­ment, and temper your zeale with discretion.

8. Where there are many Sects of Religion, take great heed what thou doest, for no­thing is so hard, and charge­able to keep, as a good Con­science.

9. Remember this speech of one, that said, a good Re­ligion may be made of the Pa­pists Charity, the Puritans Words, and the Protestants Faith.

10. Read the Bible often, and with Reverence; in doubt­full matters Consult the Church, in the purest Ages thereof, which is the Pillar and ground of Truth, and the [Page 33]Gates of Hell shall not pre­vaile against thee.

11. Let your judgement be content, rather to wade where you finde footeing, then to swim in sence of Scripture; in the one you shall know your grounds, in the other you will foote in uncertainties, or have but a sandy foundati­on.

12. Despise not Profession of Holinesse, but take heed how you trust it, the Coat of Christ is more worne, then the practise of him.

Keep thy Conscience free and cleare, and let thy Con­versation shew it, that if dirt be cast at thee, it may not stick upon thy Reputati­on.

[Page 34] 14. Have a care of your Carriage in the World, for no action will please, which com­eth from one, whose Person and Profession is distasted.

15. If thy Teacher be wicked, looke well to thy selfe; for the Teachers error is the Peoples tryall.

16. Preaching doth lift up Christ more highly then Read­ing, like spice bruised or pounded; so is the Word of more sweet savour, when it is Preached.

17. Milke in the brest of the Mother, is farr better then Milke in the sucking-bottle; so Sermons, with lively acti­ons, are farr more edifying then the same Repeated.

18. Prayer is a most pre­vailing [Page 35]Duty, use it continu­ally by your selves, but Sol­lemnly twice a day.

19. Take heed of pride, and let the joynts of your conversation be oyled with Humility.

20. One bended knee will bend many hearts; but pride is an unwining quality, ma­king thee to be scorned of thy betters, hated by thy e­qualls, feared by thy inferi­ours, and beloved of no bo­dy,

21. Avoid sin, as to thy self, and consent not to it in others, for tis all one to hold the sack, and to fill it.

22 In all your losses, crosses, & sicknesses, set Gods Glory be­fore thine eyes, without much [Page 36]contemplation of thy particu­lar condition; our Saviour gave the giftes of Miracles to his Apostles, to cure others, yet could not, or did not cure their own weaknesse; as St. Paul, Timothy, 1 Tim. 5.28. nor his own, 2 Cor. 1.8.

23. Let not dangers or difficulties cause thee to neg­lect Religion, all weather is faire to a willing mind.

24. Curious questions in Schoole-Divinity do whet the wit, and sharpen the braine, but dulls Faith, and proves an Enemy to soule-edificati­on.

25. Ascube not to thine own endeavours, for Divine provi­dence doth act more vigorous­ly, then humane prudence.

[Page 37] 26. Let not the errors of thy Teachers cause thee to imitate their vices; they have Treasure in earthen vessells, 2 Cor. 4.7. and he that will prove a pitcher of clay to be a pot of gold, takes great paines to small purpose.

27. Be not much wedded to your own opinion, but consult with men of know­ledge and Religion, and then be firme and fixed, like the Axle-tree, though the wheeles oft time run forward or back­ward.

28. You may serve, or beare office under them, that have ascended to the Throne by blood-shed; for there were some in Nero's house, Phil. 4.22. and in Herods also, Acts [Page 38]13.1. and other instances in Scripture.

29. Duells are an inventi­on of the Devill, and against Piety and Religion, if thou o­vercomest, thou loosest, and gainest a stinge of Consci­ence, scarce to be pulled out again.

30. As a man that lieth uneasie, is subject to turning and tos­sing, so, a man unconstant in his Principles, is soon moved to change.

31. In times of change, men account of the Institu­tion of the Church, as old Coyne, not much better then counters; but slight not thou wholsome Doctrine, because of the Generall ble­mish it lieth under.

[Page 36] 32. Reverence Antiquity, but conclude it not infallible; yet, take her word sooner then any particular learning, Doct­rine being much cleared by experience.

33. If God blesse thy bas­ket, be charitable, though man be unthankfull; for God will have some to be so, the better to reserve requitall to himselfe.

34. Marke this, when the Common Wealth fadeth, the Church flourisheth not, one side of the face will not smile, when the other frownes.

35. 'Tis a vanity to use Pomps at Burialls, Mourn­ers like Crowes devour the Living, under pretense of [Page 40]Honouring a dead car­case.

36. That man deserves to be forgotten, that hath no­thing to Register his name, but a grave-stone.

37. Use not Religion as birds do their shells, which, while they are hatching, do preserve them; but, when they are hatched, are bro­ken, and cast away.

38. Be not given to Acts of Cruelty; for bloody hands have rowing feet.

39. How little soever thou hast, get it honestly; no good useing of any thing, will make amends for the ill get­ting of it.

40. Thou art born in the Pale of the Church, and so [Page 41]art a visible Christian; but, content not thy selfe with that; many knew Nathani­el to be an Israelite, but, none but Christ could say, Behold, an Israelite, in whom there is no guile.

41. Have frequent thoughts of thy death, for life is but like a little bird, that flieth in at one window of the house, and goeth out at a­nother.

42. Be eminent in nothing but Religion, Godlinesse hath the Promise of this life, and that which is to come; 1 Tim. 4.8.

43. While the men of the World hunt after greatness, do thou study goodnesse, [Page 42]it was great Honour that Paul giveth Ephenetus, that he was the first man that embraced the Faith in Acham, Rom. 16.5.

44. In Adam we lost three things, Gods

• 1. Image.
• 2. Favour.
• 3. Fellowship.

Assure thy selfe of Christ, he is the Image of the Father, that hath purchased favour for thee, and fellowship with thee.

45. I fear that Popery will spread again in these Nations, trie if your Prin­ciples [Page 33]be sound in the Faith, profound in Judge­ment.

In order to this last Advice, observe these that follow.

OPINIONS.

1. TAke heed of enter­taining a new Opini­on in point of Religion, for, if the passions of the minde be strong, they will easily sophis­ticate the understanding, and make it apt to believe upon slender warrant, and imagine infallible truth, where scarce any probable shew appear­eth.

2. The Socinian Religion is [Page 45]to a Triall, subtle and light; [...]e Roman is too earthy [...]nd worldly; embrace, and [...]old fast the Reformed Re­ [...]igion, as the soundest and sa­ [...]est way to Salvation.

3. The Religion of the Church of Rome, especially of the Jesuites, is imperious, and if they cannot bend others [...]o it, they will burn them; but, [...]f thou canst warrant thy call, [...]ather die, then denie the Truth.

4. The Millinaries have something like truth in them, nor were they condem­ned by any Councell, for three hundred yeares after Christ.

One M^r. Archer hath a book of that Opinion, buy it, [Page 39]if the Lord bless thee, an [...] observe it well.

5. The Scismatick in Gene [...] ­rall, and the Anabaptist in par­ticular, is very fiery, and wi [...] not be contented, unlesse [...] hath such a Sanctity here o [...] Earth, which God never tru­sted yet out of Heaven [...] &c.

6. The Ranters of Englan [...] are the same with the famil [...] of love, formally, or rather o [...] the family of lust.

7. The Lutherans, abou [...] the Sacrament of the Suppe [...] do erre; yet follow thou Lu­thers Motto, In quo aliqui [...] Christi video, illium dilig [...].

8. Run not eagerly afte [...] new Lights, nor endeavour t [...] put them out; for, he tha [...] [Page 37]will not quench the smoaking of flax, may possibly accept of candles, though made of rush­es.

9. Be not hasty to oppose one of a different opinion from thee; for new opinions rather gain reputation, then loose it by opposition.

10. When pretenses of Re­ligion are imperious, men car­ry brests of steele against o­thers of their own Profes­sion.

11. Schisme, like a flood let out, is only of force, at the first opening to drive on de­signs of Innovation; loosing it selfe afterward, either out of wearinesse, or doubt of con­sequence.

12. If thou hast attained [Page 48]to any perfection in any thing, take heed you blemish it not by any absurditie; for his name that burnt the Temple of Diana, outlasted his that built it.

MORALITY.

1. TAke heed of wanton nesse, in word or deed for, the snuffe of lust, goeth out with the stinke of loath­ing.

2. Strive not for the upper­hand with the Pharisees, least thou loose the right hand of, friendship among Christians.

3. The Cordiall woundings of a faithfull friend, will keep thee from the wounding cor­dialls [Page 50]of a flattering foe.

4. Grieve not for what thou canst not helpe, for what is past cure, should be past care.

5. If God sends abundance into thy basket, deny thy self; for necessity will teach thee more, then overmuch enjoyed prosperity.

6. Go to the houses of Great men, for, men in Pow­er esteem better of such, to whom they have done courte­sies, then of those they have received greater from, they looking upon this as a shame, the other as an Honour.

7. Let nothing unjustifiable, dangerous, or, to be construed in an ill sence, come under your hand, for, some time it [Page 51]may rise up in judgement a­gainst you, when things spo­ken are forgotten, Litera scripta manet.

8. Speake disgracefully of no body at Publick Meetings, lest a friend, or a kinsman be present, and heare thee; there­fore look upon all free dis­course, as dangerous in mixed companies.

9. Tell not to others your vices and infirmities, least you make them censorious of your Actions, and judges of your condition.

10. Reveale not the pranks of other men to every body, least thou sell thy friend, and give him an argument of di­strust of your fidelity, and se­cresie in other things.

[Page 52] 11. Let your wit serve you rather as a buckler to defend you from others, then a sword to wound them; for a word cuts deeper then a sharp wea­pon; and a blow proceedeth from the hand, but a dis­gracefull speech from the heart.

12. Regard not vaine talke, they are light leaves that do wagg with every winde.

13. When thou art inno­cent, be not afraid of the high language of an insulting foe; the Sun lookes then biggest on the earth, when it is ready to set.

14. Put not your sickle into another mans corne, least you cut your fingers.

[Page 53] 15. Burthen not your selfe with uselesse notions, no body will carry about with him that key, that will unlock no Trea­sure.

16. Search for the truth in a matter, before thou speakest, and then be bold, for truth may be blamed, but never sha­med.

17. If thou beest a Ten­nant to any man, consider who was before you, for, that man will get little with his forke, that succeedes him, that went before him with a rake.

18. When you write a Let­ter, so write it, as if the Person to whom you write it, were present with you.

19. Have a care that you [Page 54]use no words, or phrases, which may be thought to be learned in unlearned company.

20. Give Advice, when you are desired, and continue it no longer, then you see 'tis ac­ceptable.

21. Be not accounted an intelligencer, least you come under the odious notion of a spie.

22. Grant a courtesie when asked, at the first, for expe­dition doubleth the worth of it. Bis dat qui citò dat.

23. Mend not the Copie of your Master, nor contra­dict his Commands, least you be thought to value your con­ceipt above his, and so be ac­counted proud.

[Page 55] 24. Write not the faults of Great Persons in a Letter, least it be intercepted, and you sent out of the World before your time.

25. Weare your cloathes neat, but suitable to your for­tune, least on the one hand you be accounted a soven, or on the other, proud, and vain glorious.

26. Live frugally at pre­sent, that thou mayest grap­ple with what may come here­after.

27. Have a care you med­dle not with womens quarrels, for womens braules, are mens thralls.

28. Let not thy judge­ment be corrupted by a gift, a bribe may not be ta­ken, [Page 56]a boone may.

29. In expenses, spare, when you may, that you may spend when you should.

30. If anger do boile in your heart, let it not run over in your mouth, open scandall doth more hurt then conceal­ed vice.

31. Do not too much enjoy prosperity, for Manna was de­spised for variety.

32. Be mindfull of recei­ved curtesies, and, write not good turnes in sand, and ill turnes in brass.

33. Reverence your Mo­ther, and, if need be relieve her; love your brothers and sisters, remembring that ye are of a piece, and differ from one another in name only.

[Page 57] 34. Take heed you lay not the aspersion of a witch upon any one, for, we are strangers to the secret Malignities of Nature, and madd men in their melancholly extasies, have had as prodigious con­fessions, and gestures as they.

35. At a conference be si­lent a while, to speak last is a great advantage, for, thereby shall you heare the matter debated, and the strength, or weaknesse of others Ar­guments, to guide your speech.

36. Despise none for the meannesse of their birth, or poverty of breeding, for true virtue maylodge in a poor Cottage.

[Page 58] 37. Be neither pleased nor grieved at reports, the good is enlarged, and the bad quen­ched, by nothing sooner then neglect.

38. Judge of nothing by the voice of fame, nor desire it much, for it carrieth a trumpet, which, for the most part, gathereth more enemies then friends.

39. Provoke not a cow­ard too farr, least he turne valiant to thy overthrow.

40. Take heed what com­pany you keep, for example prevaileth more then pre­cepts.

41. When you speak to any, look them full in the face, other gestures do be­wray want of breeding, con­fidence, [Page 59]or honesty, and de­jected, eyes, argue, guilt or folly.

42. Ride not hastily tho­rough a Town, men do think that either the horse, or your braines are none of your own.

43. Keep a good horse, it is very usefull for you, and much may be done that way, to oblige a friend.

44. If it may be, ne­ver buy, but with ready money: and not common­ly of your friends and ac­quaintance; for they will take it ill, if you will not be cheated some times, to humour them.

45. When guilty of a [Page 60]fault, seeke not to excuse it by niceties, a fine thred will soone be broke in the spin­ning.

Concerning GOVERNOURS.

1. A wicked man, and a bad Instrument, is to be obeyed, Christ and his Apo­stles did so.

2. In bad times tis better to be passive, then active; our blessed Saviour was never heard to inveigh against the present Power, though it made the head of John Baptist to be cut off.

[Page 62] 3. Owne the Power, but not the faults of Magistrates, and comply not with them, that under Pretence of Law, would defraud Naboth of his Vineyard.

4. Forfeit not the trust which is imposed upon you, in neither Peace nor Warr, there is none but will befriend vertue, though it be found in Armes against him.

5. Submit to that Govern­ment, which Providence hath placed over you, for Consci­ence sake, though of meane beginnings, and necessary de­formities in obtaining the So­veraignty; David from a small rise, was made a King, and Treason it was not to obey him.

[Page 63] 6. Stand not upon your innocency with those that are able to bring the greatest into a fault, tis no dishonour to submit to thieves, if fallen in­to their hands.

7. To whom your Person must be subject, let your tongue be silent; a fooles tongue will sometimes or o­ther cut his head off.

8. If you can enjoy your Conscience, and the designes of Gods Glory, question not the Authority of those under whom you do it.

9. Consider all States and Kingdomes had their founda­tion laid in the dirt; be not therefore misled in Point of civill obedience, least you make your guide your stum­bling [Page 64]block.

11. If Religion, in the Pro­fession thereof, be blemished, and Law lie dead, a golden tongue in a prudent head, will have great influence in a Common-Wealth.

11. Meddle not with the Powers of a Land, for, he that drawes his sword against his Prince, must throw away his scabbard.

12. What is required by men in Authority, though it be not thanks worthy to grant, yet tis dangerous to de­ny.

13. Censure not, nor talke at randome of State Matters, there may be a moath under the Carpet of Council Tables, or a flea may leap into the [Page 65]bed chamber of Princes, and these are lesse then the birds which Solomon spoke of, Ec­cles. 10.20.

Concerning. STUDY.

1. IN the first place, study t [...] know God, and call t [...] minde that advice of Davi [...] to his Son Solomon, 1 Chro. 28 [...] 9. And, thou my Son, know tho the God of thy Father, and serv [...] him with a perfect and willin [...] minde; if thou seekest him, [...] will be found of thee, if th [...] forsakest him, he will cast th [...] off for ever.

[Page 67] 2. Latin is more necessary for you, then your own Mo­ther tongue, being an univer­sall Language, and much Lear­ning is conveyed in it, apply your selfe to the study of it.

3. Good and true writing is part of Grammer, and a bles­sing which God gave to one of the Tribes of Israel, (viz,) Ze­bulon, Judg. 5.14. Practice it dayly, a competent substance is got by it, and tis very usefull in a Common-Wealth.

4. Arithmatick is a very li­berall Science, Nature, Rea­son, and Art, freely contribu­ting to it; of this, I may say, what Solomon speaketh Prov. 22.29. Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before Kings, he shall [Page 68]not stand before meane men.

5. Have some inspection in Physick, that will add to your welcom where ever you come:

6. But, do not imagine the diseases you read of, are in he­rent in your selfe, for, that will argue melancholy.

7. As for bookes, si non ha­bes, quos leges, lege quos habes, few bookes well studied, nurish the understanding more, then many hundered, which are but gargled in the mouth, as many do.

8. Read as much as you can, but, withall consider, that the more you gather out of books, the poorer you proclaim your Naturall parts.

9. Spend no time in difficult trifles and niceties, which, like [Page 69]tough meat aske more paines to chew, then they do yield profitable nourishment.

10. If you make use of Po­etry, let it be rather your re­creation, then your businesse; for, men of sound Judgement looke upon it rather as fancy, than solid perswasion.

11. Content your selfe with ordinary Invention, for, constant exercise in any Art, will teach you to attaine ex­cellent habits.

12. Make not Musicke your study, for, besides the unpro­fitablenesse of it, it rendreth a man suspected of Levity.

13. If thou attainest to any proficiency in parts, be humble; no greater ornament to Lear­ning, than humility.

[Page 70] 14. Leave your bed, when first sleep hath left you, tis ve­ry ill for your eyes to read ly­ing, and worse for the mind, to be a cage of uncleane thoughts.

15. Eate not so long as you are able, meates in England, which do most inveagle the stomach, are stewd up at last in great houses.

16. Drinke not while you are hot, unlesse your drinke be not, rather chew liquorish, or take tobacco.

17. Let not the Irreligious­nesse of any place, cause thee to forget thy duty toward God; remember, God heard the Prayer of Daniel in Ba­bylon, as well as David in [...]on.

[Page 71] 18. Disputation is for the Schooles, and shun thou all Disputes concerning Religion, tis commonly unprofitable, and sometimes dangerous.

19. But, if it be unavoid­dable, make queries, rather then Arguments, for, a young Student must rather learne, then teach.

20. Be not curious concer­ning things that are future, least you render your present condition uncomfortable.

21. Provide not roome in your breast for the passion of feares, by a tedious expecta­tion of what may come; ill fortune, it is as unconstant as good, and a wet day may be as short, as a faire day is plea­sant.

[Page 72] 22. Make not your selfe stupid, by poring upon des­paire, nor wanton under con­templation of hope.

MARIAGE.

1. BE neither a Misogamist, nor a Misogunist, love is a winning quality, but lust is a deadly sin.

2. Pray for the guift of continency, and if God do give it thee, account it a most precious Jewell.

3. Mariage is Honoura­ble in all, but, not all kinde of Mariage; tis lawfull for any to marry, but, not to mar­ry [Page 74]with any, they that marry, must marry in the Lord, 1 Cor. 7.39.

4. Boast not of the fa­voures women bestow of you, least you be accounted light.

5. Fly the embraces of women, and remember Jo­seph, least you loose your li­berty, strength, and Religion, and turne that to you, which is theirs (viz.) to have your will subject to them, Gen. 3.16.

6. Dote not upon beau­ty, tis the fruit of that Tree, which first of all destroyed man, and made him sub­ject to slavery; suffering her to command, who, in right rea­son, ought to obey.

[Page 75] 7. Marry not for beauty, [...], unendowed handsomness, [...]st you bury your judge­ [...]ent in sensuall affection.