Certaine preceptes or directions, for the well ordering and carriage of a mans life: as also œconomicall discipline for the gouernment of his house: with a platforme to a good foundation thereof, in the aduised choise of a wife: left by a father to his sonne at his death, who was sometimes of eminent note and place in this kingdome. And published from a more perfect copie, than ordinarily those pocket manuscripts goe unwarranted by. Burghley, William Cecil, Baron, 1520-1598. 1618 Approx. 17 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 10 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18303 STC 4898 ESTC S114691 99849915 99849915 15088 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18303) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 15088) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1478:09) Certaine preceptes or directions, for the well ordering and carriage of a mans life: as also œconomicall discipline for the gouernment of his house: with a platforme to a good foundation thereof, in the aduised choise of a wife: left by a father to his sonne at his death, who was sometimes of eminent note and place in this kingdome. And published from a more perfect copie, than ordinarily those pocket manuscripts goe unwarranted by. Burghley, William Cecil, Baron, 1520-1598. 16 p. Printed by Andro Hart, Edinburgh : 1618. An edition of: Burghley, William Cecil. Certaine precepts. Contains only the Cecil portion, precepts I-X, still anon[ymous].--STC. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Conduct of life -- Early works to 1800. 2007-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-07 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-09 Elspeth Healey Sampled and proofread 2007-09 Elspeth Healey Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion CERTAINE PRECEPTES , OR DIRECTIONS , For the well ordering and carriage of a mans life : As also oeconomicall Discipline for the gouernment of his house : with a platforme to a good foundation thereof , in the aduised choise of a Wife : Left by a Father to his Sonne at his death , who was sometimes of eminent Note and Place in this Kingdome . And published from a more perfect Copie ; than ordinarily those pocket Manuscripts goe warranted by . EDINBVRGH , Printed by ANDRO HART , 1618. TO THE READER . AGainst good Counsell who will shutte his Eare , At easie Rate maye buye Repentance deare . THE INDVCTION . BEloued Sonne , the manie religious and morall vertues inherent in your matchlesse Mother , vnder the winges of whose prudent and godly gouernment your infancie hath beene trayned and guided vp , together with your education , vnder so zealous and learned a Tutor , put me rather in assurance than hope ( as Tullie some time exacted from his Sonne , from the onelie hearing of Cratippus his Master ) that you are not ignorant of that summary bond , wherein you stand oblieged to your Creator and Redeemer ; which is onely able to make you happy , both here and hereafter , in life and death : In mentioning whereof , I meane not only a bare and Hystoricall knowledge , but with a reall and practicall vse adjoyned , without which , though with a seemely assumption , you could expresse to the World in a former habite and liuing portrayture , all Aristotles Morall Vertues , and walke that whole Booke in Life and Action , yet are you but a vaine and wretched Creature , the fayrest out-side of the miserablest in side , that euer was concealed by Tombe , or shadowing . And although I nothing doubt , your youth beeing guided , and your greene vessell seasoned by such wholsome documents and instructions , deriued from so all-sufficient Teachers , that you are not vnfurnished of such needefull helpes , as may bee furtherers to your life and conuersation : Yet that I may the better retaine and expresse the zealous affection , beseeming a Father to his Sonne , or that you should bee forced to deriue your stay and aduise , rather from the rule of Strangers , than from him from whom you are produced , and brought foorth . Out of these fore-going Considerations therefore , thinking it not vnmeete , I haue essayed , from the affection of a Father , to giue you such good aduertisements and rules for the fitting and squaring of your life , as are gayned rather by my lōg experience & obseruatiō , than by much reading or Study : beeing such ( in my hope ) with that good assistance , as shall Season your Youth like the draw of Age : to the end , that you entering into this exorbitant and intangling Worlde , may be the better furnished to auoyde those harmefull courses , whereinto these daungerous times , and your inexperience may easily insnare you . And because I woulde not confound your memory , I haue reduced them into tenne Preceptes : which , if next to MOSES Tables , you imprint in your minde , you shall reape the benefite , and I the ende of my expectation and content . And thus they follow . The Contents of this Booke . Precept I. FOr choyse of your Wiues . II. The education of Children . III. For House-holde Prouision , and the choyse of Seruantes . IV. How to intreat your Kindred and Allies . V. Aduiseth to keepe some great man to your Friende : and how to complement him . VI. How and when to vndertake suites . VII . Aduertiseth for Suretieship . VIII . How to behaue a mans selfe . IX . How farre to disclose a mans secretes . X. Be not scurrilous in conuersation . PRECEPT I , For the choyse of your Wiues . FIrst , when it shall please God to bring you vnto Mans estate , making you capable of that Calling , vse great prouidence and circumspection , in choyse of your Wiues , as the roote from whence may spring most of your future good or euill : For it is in the choyse of a Wife , as in a project of Warre , wherein to erre but once , is to be vndone for euer . And therefore bee well aduised before you conclude ought therein : For though your Errour may teach you wit , it is vncertaine whether you shall euer find time to practise it : Therefore the more securely to enter herein , First , well consider your estate , which , if in a true suruay , you finde firme and setteled , Match neare home , and with deliberation : But if otherwise , crazie and rented , then farre off , and with quicke expedition : Bee informed truely of their inclination , which , that there may be a more equall Sympathie , cōpare it with your own , how they agree : for you must know , that euery good womā maketh not for euery man a good wife : no otherwise than some one good Dish disgesteth with euery stomacke . After that , inquire diligently of her stocke & race , from whence she sprung , and howe her parentes haue beene affected in their youth . Let her not be poore , how generous soeuer : For Generosity without her support , is but a faire shell , without her kernell , Because a man can buy nothing in the Market without Money . And as it is the safest walking euer betweene two extreames , so choose not a Wife of such absolute perfection and Beauty , that euery carnall eye shall bespeake you injury : Neither so base and deformed , that may breede contempt in others , and bring you to a loathed Bedde . Make not choyse of a Dwarfe or a Foole : for from the one you may beget a race of Pigmeyes , as they other will be your daily griefe and vexation : for it will irke you so oft as you shall heare her talke : and you shall continually finde , to your sorrowe that feele that Crosse , There is nothing so fullsome as a shee-Foole . Touching the gouernment of your House , let your Hospitalitie bee moderate , equalled to the measure of your estate , rather bountifull than niggardly , yet not prodigall , nor ouer-costly : for though some , who hauing otherwise consumed themselues with secret vices , haue endeuored to colour their riots vpō their vertue , yet in my obseruation , I haue not heard nor known any man growe poore , by keeping an ordinary , decent , and thrifty Table . Banish Drunkennesse out of your Houses , and affect him not that is affected therevnto : for it is a vice that impaires health , consumes wealth , and transformes a man into a beast : a sinne of no single rank , no ordinary statiō , that neuer walks vnattended with a traine of misdemeanors at the heeles : besides , for the credite thereof , to induce a man , I neuer heard other commendation ascribed to a Drunkard , more than the wellbearing of his drink : which is a cōmendation fitter for a Bruers horse , or a Dray-mans backe , than either for Gentlemen or seruingmen : for especially the latter being taken tardy herin , is thereby doubly diuorced from himselfe : for , beeing first sober , hee is not his own man : and beeing drunke , hee falles short by two degrees . Beware thou spend not aboue three of the 4. parts of thy reuenue , nor aboue one third parte thereof in your house : for the other two partes wil but defray extraordinaries , which wil alway surmoūt your ordinaries by much : for otherwise you shall liue like Beggars in cōtinual wants : & the needy man can neuer liue happilie , nor contented , being broken & distracted with worldly cares : for the euery least disaster maks him ready to morgage or sell : and that Gentleman that selleth an acre of lande , looseth anounce of credite : for Gentilitie is nothing but auncient Riches : So that if the foundation doe sinke , the building must needes consequently fall . PRECEPT II , Teacheth the Education of Children . BRing your Children vp in obedience and Learning , yet without too much austeritie , praise them openly , reprehende them secretly : giue them good countenance , and conuenient maintenance , according to your abilitie : For otherwise your liues will seeme their bondage , and then as those are censured , that deferre all good to their ende ; so that portion you shall leaue them , they may thanke death for , and not you . Marry your daughters betimes , lest they marry themselues . Suffer not your Sonnes to passe the Alpes : for they shall exchaunge for their forraine trauell ( vnlesse they goe better fortified ) but others Vices for their owne Vertues , Pride , Blasphemie , and Atheisme , for Humility , Reuerence , and Religion : And if by chaunce , out of a more wary industry , they attain to any broken Languages , they will profite them no more , than to haue one Meate serued in diuers Dishes . Neither by mine aduise shall you traine them vp to Warres : For he that sets vp his rest to liue by that profession , in mine opinion , can hardly be an honest man , or a good Christian : For Euerie Warre of it selfe is vnjust , the good cause may make it lawfull : Besides , it is a Science no longer in request than vse : for Souldiours in Peace , are like Chimneyes in Summur , like Dogges past hunting , or Women when their beauty is done . As a person of quality once noted to the like effect , in these Verses following : Friendes , Souldiours , Women in their prime , Are like to Dogges in Hunting time : Occasion , Warres , and Beautie gone , Friendes , Souldiours , Women heere are none . PRECEPT III , For House-holde Prouision , and of the choyse of Seruantes . LIue not in the Countrey without Corne and Cattle about you : For he that must present his Hande to his Purse for euery Expence of House-hold , shall as hardly keepe Money therein , as it is for one to hold Water in a Siue . And for your Prouision , Lay to buy it at the best hand , for there may be sometimes a pennie saued , betweene buying at your neede or when the season most fitly may furnish you . Be not willingly attended , or serued by Kinsmen or Friendes , which will seeme to bee men , as it were intreated to stay : for such will expect much , and stead little : neither by such as are amorous ; for their heads are commonly intoxicated . Keepe rather too few , than one too manie : feede them well , and paye them with the most , so maye you lawfully demaund seruice at their handes , and boldly exact it . PRECEPT IV , How to intreat your Kindred and Allies . LEt your Kindred and Allies bee welcome to your Table : Grace them with your countenance , and euer further them in all their honest actions , by worde , liberalitie , or industrie : For by that meanes you shall double the bonde of Nature : Bee a Neighbour to their good , as well as to their blood : By which reasonable deseruinges , you shall finde them so manie Aduocates , to pleade an Apologie for you behind your backe , so manie Witnesses of your Vertues , whensoeuer others shall seeke to depraue you : But shake off the Glow-wormes , I meane Parasites and Sycophantes , who will feede and fawne on you , in the Summer of your Prosperitie ; but in anie aduerse Storme , will shelter you no more than a Cloake of Taffatie , or an Arbour in Winter . PRECEPT V , Aduiseth to keepe some great Man to your Friend , and how to complement him . BE sure you keep some great Man alwayes to your Friend : yet trouble him not for trifles : Complement him often : present him with manie , yet small gifts , and of little charge . And if you haue cause to bestow any great gratuitie on him , then let it be no Chest commodity , or obscure thing : but such a one as may bee dayly in sight , the better to be remembred : for otherwise you shall liue but like a Hop without Pole , or a Vine without her Elme , subject to injury & oppression , ready to be made a Football for euery superior insulting companion to spurne at . PRECEPT VI , How and when to vndertake suites . VNdertake no Suit against a poore man , without receiuing of great wrong , for therin you make him your Compeditor : Besides that , it is helde a base Conquest , to triumph vpon a weak Aduersary . Neither vndertake law against any man , before you be fully resolued you haue the Right on your side : which being once so ascertained , then spare neither cost nor paines to accomplish it : For a Cause or two being so close followed , and well accomplished , may after free you from Suits a great part of your life . PRECEPT VII , Aduertiseth for Suretieshippe . BEware of Suretieshippe , yea for your best Friend : For hee that payeth another mans debts , goeth the way to leaue other men to pay his , and seeketh his owne ouer-throwe . Therefore if hee bee such a one , as you cannot well say nay , choose rather then , to lend that mony from your selues , vpon good bonds , though you borrowe it : so may you pleasure your Friende , and happily secure your selues . In borrowing of Money , bee euermore precious of your word : For hee that hath a care to keepe daye of payment , is lord-commaunder many times of another mans Purse . PRECEPT VIII , How to carrie a Mans selfe towardes his Superiours , and Inferiours . TOwards your Superiours bee humble , yet generous : with your Equalles familiare , yet respectiue : towardes your Inferiours shewe much humilitie , with some familiaritie ; as to bow your body , stretch foorth your hand , vncouer your head , and such like populare complements : the first prepareth way to aduancement : the second will make you knowne for men well bred : the thirde gaineth a good report , which once gained , may easily bee kept ; for high humilities are of such respect in the opinion of the multitude , that they are easilier won by vnprofitable Courtesies , than by churlish benefits : Yet doe I not aduise you , ouermuch to affect or neglect popularitie . PRECEPT IX , How farre to disclose a Mans Secrets . TRust no man with your Credite , or Estate : For it is a meere follie for a man to inthrall himselfe further to his Friende , than that hee needeth not feare him beeing his Enemie . PRECEPT X. BE not scurrilous in conuersation , nor Stoicall in your wittes ; for the one maketh you vnwelcome to all companies , as the other pulleth quarrels on your heads , and maketh you hated of your best Friends . Iestes , when they doe sauour of too much trueth , leaue a bitternesse in the minds of those that are touched . And , although I haue alreadie pointed at these inclusiue , yet I thinke it necessarie to leaue it to you as a Cantion , because I haue seene manie so prone to quippe and girde , that they had rather lose their Friende than their Iest : And if by chaunce their boyling Brayne yeeld a quaint Scoffe , they will trauell to bee deliuered of it , as a Woman with Childe : But I thinke those nimble Apprehensions , are but the Froth of the Wittes . FINIS .