discreetlie, and effectuallie, you haue endeuoured to minister sundrie
comforts to my diseased minde, in all which I confesse you haue dealt
with mee as appertayneth vnto a faithfull, courteous, and louing
brother, whereunto as much as possiblie may be expected, I yeelde my
selfe vnto you for the same most bounden and assured. Neither will I
wrong you so much as to denie that in perusing the contents thereof, I
was not sometimes by the force of your arguments a little withdrawne
from the deepe consideration and hard suppose of my present euils, but
entring againe into mine owne estate, and finding howe mightily the
shewe of my forward mishaps swayeth ouer my maistred spirites, I doe
imagine the greatnesse of my losse to bee so much, as in comparison
whereof, whatsoeuer you haue deliuered eyther in the mitigation, or
qualifying of my harmes, seemeth farre lesse in quantitie, then the
smallest that may be conceyued of all mine euils. Follie were it for
mee to thinke, or you to beleeue, that the pensiue imagination of a
thing so neere, as wherupon concerned erst, the sum of all my ioyes,
pleasures and happinesse, could with the vehemencie of a fewe speeches
(more of zeale then equitie deliuered) bee suddenlie remooued. But (as
hath the adage) _Omnes quum valemus recta consilia agrotis damus_.
For coūsell is plentifull in euery one whose conceits by freedom are
exempted from any passion at all. Take it not so good brother, that
I thinke you not for mee, as well as my selfe, to bee a partaker of
my griefe, for I knowe it well you are, but yet the one proceedeth of
charinesse, the other of extremitie, you in pitie of my sorrowes, and
I in the very touch of mine euils. What time may doe I cannot tell, to
weare away what presently I feele to be forcible vpon me, yet feare I
the woorst, but will giue my selfe notwithstanding as much as in me
lyeth, to the practise of your counsels. How euer the case standeth, I
must acknowledge, that very waightily you haue dealt concerning me, and
for the same will neuer cease to thanke you. Fare ye well, this of, &c.
_Of Epistles Monitorie and Reprehensorie.
Chap. 18._
=In this place wee will conclude our Epistles |Consolatorie|, and passe
out of the same title to the next therof, which are |Monitorie|, and
|Reprehensorie|. The one part thereof beeing |Monitorie|, consisteth in
forwarning to the vnexperienced such matters as hee knoweth not, in
sort as if therewith hee should be throughly acquainted: the other,
in skilful explaining the offence of a thing faulty, which standeth
vpon to be reformed. And insomuch as there be few men that gladlie
like to be supposed ouer much faultie, or loue much to be rebuked for
the greatnes of their errors, the order therfore of these |monitory|,
in setting forth what may be counted offensiue, shall not accuse
but admonish from the greatnes or smalnesse of the same, qualifying
the bitternesse of reprehension with a certaine maner of praise, how
euer desert doe affoord to the furtherance thereof. For in a gentle
condition or minde, not altogether bent vnto euill, to suppose that the
greatest part is the better inclined, and it also in some good measure
to commende, breedeth no small incouragment to do well, hee to whom
the admonition passeth, hauing mean therby to think that his behauiour
is not so far ouergrowne, but that presumption of his |Vertues| do
yet sway in mens opinions, or at the leastwise imagining that men are
ignorant altogither of that, whereof they seeme to take no notice at
all, he will study the rather to hearken to such wholesome directions,
and accordingly to reforme his maners thereunto betimes. And verilie
(as you haue before in the examples |Dissuasorie|) so in this also
it would not be amisse where we see an offence but new beginning, to
induce many good conditions of the partie to be opposed against the
same, and to lay before him, how ill sounding it would be to the due
commendation of the other, to bee touched therewith. Or otherwise
where wee see an inclination (though no matter in acion) to euill,
to say, that not for that we see him spotted with such offences, we
do warne him from their forces, but to the intent he may thereby the
better be instructed, in the vilenesse and discommended partes of the
same, or that because wee are for the most part led away and easily
sliding into euill, wee set before his eies therein, the hazard and
inconuenience of such euill. Now if the matter be so far forward, as
we find it a plain and open imperfection in him to whom we write, let
vs then consider yᵉ weight or inualiditie of the action, which beeing
too monstrous or notorious, it then needeth not admonition, but sharpe
reprehension, and is thereby secluded from the partes hereof, but not
being intolerable in his age or estate, in whom the same is found,
then shall we not aggrauate, but extenuate the apparance therof,
shewing that it is a thing common for men to fall, chieflie young men,
who by the furious sting of their youth, and want they haue of aged
experience, are hastilie led thereunto: but yet therewithall how manie
wayes necessarie it is, that he be withdrawne from the same, least
happily the long intertainment giuen to a fault, make it seeme a great
offence, and consequentlie hee be thereby led into far more dangerous
euils. Hereupon may we manifest vnto him our loue and tender care wee
haue ouer him, compelling vs for such cause to forwarne him, declaring
that our selues falling into the like errours, would be glad at his
hand to find the like, if the skill and experience of the partie might
so much performe. Another kinde of admonishment or reprehension there
is also, when men deale with those who are highlie before them in
account, vnto whome either imminent daunger or occasion of great hate
or mislike pursuing the same, forbiddeth in expresse manner to vse
anie tearmes, insomuch as their estate (beeing peraduenture loftie,
and of power to commaund or sway ouer vs) will not admit by writing to
intermeddle with their actions, and yet happilie by reason of some
hard dealings offered vnto vs, or our friendes, might séeme much to
preuaile in one sort or other to giue them notice of it, whereby to
auoide (if it be possible) the expected vehemencie and intolerable
support of the same. With such men to deale, behooueth, if at least
wise we be compelled therunto, to make a recitall of many vertues,
such as might be commendable & beautifying vnto so great estate and
authoritie, and therwithall set forth the worthines to the vttermost of
that we wish to be in him planted: and fainedly also wee may suppose
those |Vertues| to be insinuate in his person, and howe much they are
furthering to his name and reputation, by occasion of which, we may in
the contrary haue meane to lay open all those vices, the insupportable
burthen, vileness, & execrable hatefulnes, or what bad purpose soeuer
is in them concluded, and shew how much they impugne the state, rule,
or authoritie of any one, what blemish they cast vpon him in whom
they are frequented, howe they destroie the good partes for which men
mightie and gracious haue desired to be commended, the conceit whereof,
may be with such facilitie and excellencie caried, as that he to whom
we write, shall with some insight thereinto, receiue a speciall view
of his owne faultinesse, yea and by the couertnes of the same, maie
also participate within his owne imaginations, the particular loue &
hate generallie attributed to either of both, wherein what other thing
shall we goe about, but in silence to admonish or reprehend what in
each of those ought to be bee refused or followed, which manner of
writing performed to suche ende and example, without shame and blushing
at all, each one may lawfullie vse, otherwise palpably to affirme,
those vertues and praises to be in a man in whose actions (becomming
most notorious in al kind of apparance) no one thing is to be found
so plentiful as very wickednes it selfe, this were a flatterie most
detestable, and of all others most filthie, to be in anie writer
receiued: yet such kinde of admonishment or reprehension as is before
recited, is pretily alledged to haue bene vsed by a certaine poore
man, who neghbouring néere vnto one worshipfull & of great account in
calling, but therewith more practising with vehemencie, then honestlie
vsing his knowledge of the lawes, had sustained a mishap by an Oxe of
the Gentlemans, who being a fierce beast, had goared a Cowe of the
poore mans. The poore man hauing receiued wrong, and doubting howe to
haue recompence, by reason that the Gentleman was of as noted authority
as knowne hardnes, and to whome expresly he durst not complain of
the iniurie, deuised yet this subtiltie wherewith to entrap him. Hee
commeth to this great mans house, and being brought to his presence:
Sir (said he) I am come to deliuer vnto your Wor. who are a Iusticer
in place, for righting of wrongs done and committed, a matter very
conscionable to be respected, & for which in my opinion there ought to
be made a recompence. An Oxe of mine being a naughtie beast, through
the default of mine own fence hath goared a Cow of your Worships, which
is nowe lost and dead by the mishape thereof. Saist thou so, saide this
greate man, by my faith thou must then pay for her. And good reason
too, said the poore neighbour, for it was a wilfull offence, but and
if it please your Worsh. I mistook mine arrande, for in trueth, it is
your Oxe that by defaulte of your owne fence hath entred my ground,
& goared my Cow. Oh then (quoth the other) the case is altered, wee
will talke thereof at some more leisure hereafter. Nowe howbe it the
poore man happely departed without recompence, yet at the least by
this prety deuise he made the Gentleman to vnderstand his fault, & so
far as hee best might, did both admonish and reprehende his owne harde
and iniurious dealing by so witty a conclusion: for had hee not thus
gone about the bush, it is like he had not onely bene frustrate of
recompence, but also voide of any sentence at all of wrong, which by
this handling the matter, was by the Gentlemans selfe clearely on his
part adiudged. Infinite sortes of these, as well in the wise sayings
of Philosophers, as in other written histories are extant, which for
breuitie I omit and leaue to the desirous thereof, for their better
satisfaction, and hence will proceede to the examples of these two
seuerall sorts of Epistles.=
_An example Monitorie concerning
a stayed and well gouer-
ned life._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
The execrable force of mischieuous euill, is such, and the maleuolente
disposition of the heauens to some people so greate, as that hauing
once throughlie planted the fatall sting thereof in the mindes of
manie, it seemeth they bee created to none other ende, but onelie
by daring to perpetrate whatsoeuer matter of villainie cometh in
their mindes, to purchase to themselues with the determination of a
shamelesse life, the limited rewarde of a shamelesse and ignominious
death: This inchaunted course, perceiuing in these dangerous times howe
much it hath bewitched the estate of the whole worlde, and considering
with my selfe, that by reason of your fathers late decease, you beeing
a greene youth, voide of experience, bente to the triall of all
companies, richlie possessed, and wealthilie endued, are nowe lefte
into your owne handes, and thereby deliuered from the plausible and
quiet moderation of a faithfull and louing guide, vnto the endlesse
reach of a youthfull, carelesse and vncontrouled libertie, hath mooued
mee in respecte of the care that euer I erst had of you, beeing yet but
a childe, and in assured testimonie of the memorie I haue otherwise
protested to the ghost of your deceased louing parentes, to admonish
you of some few thinges, for the order and conuersation of your liuing,
beeing a course so important, as that in the admittance and exercise
thereof, cannot but consist the scope and after fruition of all your
happinesse, and benefit whatsoeuer.
[Sidenote: _Paradigma._]
And first of all, will I call vnto your remembraunce, that beeing the
sonne of so vertuous a father as you are, howe greatlie it importeth
vnto your estate to bee well gouerned, that as well the precedent
vertues, as auncient possessions of your antecessour, may in your
person bee resiant, that of your deceased parent (as well as in
corporall shape and fauour) you beare (in minde) the verie true image
and portraiture, that you stand not more in your actions vppon the
glorious name or title of a Gentleman, then of the verie true and
woorthie conditions and behauiours, that rightlie doe produce and
make a Gentleman. And albeit I finde no greate apparante cause (your
youthfull heade and vnstayed state of headestrong libertie onelie
excepted) that may induce anie argument or supposall to the contrarie,
but that you are of such and so worthie regarde, as that in your life
and conuersation, you deeplie ynough do conceiue of all or anie part of
these instructions or admonishmentes, which I nowe goe about to offer
and preferre vnto you; yet knowing howe manie, and howe sundrie are
the euils wherewith our mortall state is endangered, howe diuers are
the motions to wickednes, and how manie waies we are readie to fall
into the crooked paths of the same. I coulde not but warne you that
comming euen nowe into the middest of the worlde as you do you shall
finde sundrie baites and allurementes drawing you into the worst and
most vilest parts thereof, that vnles you were directlie gouerned with
the righte rule and square of an honest and sober life, twentie to
one you would not onelie fall verie deeplie into the inconueniences
thereof, but (without great and vnexpected matter leading you to the
contrarie) be drowned and ouerwhelmed in the gulf therof for euer.
[Sidenote: _Monitiō._]
You must call to minde that liuing in a place so ordinarilie frequented
as is the Citie, wherein you are, and being in fellowship with so
manie and diuers sorts of men as you now be, conuersing also with the
innumerable multitudes of persons, of all estates, conditions and
faculties, as you there doe, it is no difficult thing for a young
youth of your birth and qualitie to be led into lewdnes, of a wanton
to become dissolute, of a spender to bee made a consumer, or of a
towardlie gentleman to be framed to an vntowardlie companion. Much may
the euill example of some lewdlie giuen, conduce hereunto, making you
to beleeue, that to become a roister, is credit: to become a swearer,
valiant: to shewe your selfe a waster, liberall: to be a drunkard, is
fellowship: to maintaine rakehels, is bountie: to become fantastical,
is youthful: and to bee an vnthrift, is to be counted gentle: But
better entring into these things then by common aduisement men in your
case ordinarilie doe, it shall appeare contrariwise, that in gaining
of credite you are to become modest and discreetlie behaued: in being
noted to bee valiant, you ought to bee a supporter of honour: shewing
your selfe liberall, it shall bee in rewarding the good: in maintaining
of fellowshippe, you shall vse sobrietie: in beeing bountifull, you
shall remunerate seruices: in manifestation of your youth, you shall
entertaine honest pleasures: and in beeing gentle, shewe your selfe
therewithall frugall.
[Sidenote: _Parimia._]
[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]
[Sidenote: _Antipophora._]
[Sidenote: _Parimia._]
[Sidenote: _Perorasiō._]
The asse goeth out in the morning to carie burthens, and in the
euening receiueth his prouender for aduantage. The Oxe grazeth all day
in the pasture, and at night is caried to the butchers stal: their
rewarde is their feeding, and the contentment they require is onelie
to fill their bellies: behooueth that men also who from beastes are
sequestred by manie degrees of reason, should of their continuance and
finall determination liue a like carelesse? No verilie, it is too much
vnseemely. Such illusions as these are not fitte for a man, who by
the nobilitie of his creation was ordained to swaie ouer, and not to
become subiect to such vilities. You nowe beeing at your owne choice
and libertie, must beware and giue great and diligent aduertisement
to all your waies, you must eschewe and auoide not onelie the verie
euils thēselues, but also all occasions inducing or partaking with
those euils, you must imagine, that to bee in all thinges temperate
and discreete, doeth solie argue a reputation to bee within you, shun
vice as you would doe a serpent, flie wicked companie as a pestilent
infection, doe alwaies thinges woorthie your selfe, affecte not so much
the vaineglorious title of praise, as desire how and in what sort to
deserue and win praise. Esteeme nothing so precious as time, abandon
sloth, and in all your societie (as neere as may bee) accompanie with
the best. Consider that such as is the tree, such is the fruite. Who
toucheth pitch must needes bee defiled. With the good thou shalt bee
made good, and with the euill thou shalt bee peruerted. Thinke none so
greate an enemie as he that misleadeth you. Misdeeme no man willinglie,
and giue occasion to all men to iudge of you indifferentlie. These
counsels (forewarninges of your ruine or happines) if aduisedlie you
will hearken vnto, and faithfully lay vp among your chiefest secrets,
it shall no waies repent you to haue beene admonished, nor discontent
me in this sort so much to haue counselled you, in that pursuing the
effectes hereof, you shall become such as I with you, and your carefull
father if he had liued wold haue bene glad to haue seene you. The
Almightie giuer and moderator of al our actions, blesse and keep you.
Farewel from my house at _D._ this of, &c.
_An other Epistle Monitorie, touching the reformation
of a Couetous life._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Metonomia._]
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Ecphonesis._]
[Sidenote: _Merismus._]
[Sidenote: _Asyndeton._]
[Sidenote: _Brachiologa._]
[Sidenote: Metonomia.]
[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Sententia._]
Albeit good brother, I knowe the matter of my writing will become
offensiue vnto you, and that I am not ignorant what heauie aduersaries
you haue, that daylie doe goe about to suppresse the soūd & faithful
aduise of those, who without flattery doe wish heartilie wel vnto you,
and studiouslie are busied at al times for and towardes your good.
Such neuerthelesse is the loue and dutie that I owe you, as seeing you
in so great an errour as you are ouerwhelmed in, I cannot in respect of
our brotherlie affection, but I must needes warne you of it, whereof if
you become not repentant, and a renouncer betimes, I doubt, not onelie
the worlde will crie out agaynst you, but God also in high displeasure
will bee angrie with you. Trulie for mine owne part I am ashamed, and
also it greatlie grieueth me euerie where to heare of this extreame
couetousnesse and harde dealings, by you vsed towardes your poore
tenants, and other the inhabitants about you, who notwithstanding that
God hath aboundantlie blessed you with ryches more then sufficient,
you bee yet so miserablie bent vpon the worlde, as you care not by
what district and seuere handling you doe attaine vnto your wealth,
onelie so you haue it, or can come by it, you holde no conscience or
question at all of the winning it. Alas what cries doe you procure
agaynst you of the poore and wretched people, who beeing plagued with
the harde yoke you laie vppon them, are not able of themselues to
redresse, but onelie doe pray to God that hee will for them reuenge
it. The matter is too hatefull, and so great is the oppression and
wrong thereby offered, as it cannot continue. Might my woordes become
of weight vnto you, I woulde wish you to leaue it, and if not for my
sake, or in regard of your owne credite thereby so greatlie blemished
and impayred, and your good name and fame vtterlie by such meanes
obscured and defaced, yet for Gods sake, who commaundeth charitie and
right to all men, who willeth that wee doe to euerie one as wee would
bee done vnto, who forbiddeth by such execrable lucre to heape to our
selues so vniust and filthie gaine, you will refraine it, reforme it,
amende it. In trueth you doe not knowe, howe much euill thereby you
procure vnto your selfe, the blind desire you haue to heape vp riches
will not permit you to see, what rancour, mischiefe, impietie, terrour
and dread, you crowde so neare togither, the little care you haue of
the world to come, so quencheth your affections, as you haue not power
to beholde the enormitie wherein you are so vehementlie transported.
For shame abstaine and become not the common obloquie of all men, bee
not you the man alone whome so manie shall curse, and all men for the
most part crie vengeance vpon. Otherwise if by no admonition you will
relent, assure your selfe, God who is the righter of all wronges, will
in most seuere manner compell you vnto it, and in the ende by great
rigour punish you for it. It little liketh mee that herein, so iust
cause remaineth, as whereby I am forced in this sort to argue with you,
in which action the nature of a brother may giue you to vnderstande in
what sort I admonish you, and with what louing care I retaine you: the
consideratien of which hath mooued mee (as my selfe woulde wish in the
like of whatsoeuer I shoulde haue erred, to bee dealt withall by you)
to account the sweete rebukes of a friend to bee farre more profitable
then the dissembling glozes of a cruell and bitter enemie; to which
end whatsoeuer I haue sayde, may in like maner be conceyued by you.
Farewell. L. this of, &c.
_An Epistle Monitorie to a father, touching the lewd
and ill demeanour of his sonne._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Narratiō._]
[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]
[Sidenote: _Erotema._]
[Sidenote: _Aporia._]
[Sidenote: _Prolepsis._]
[Sidenote: _Orismus._]
[Sidenote: _Parimia._]
[Sidenote: _Metanoia._]
[Sidenote: _Sententia._]
[Sidenote: _Allegoria._]
[Sidenote: _Metonomia._]
[Sidenote: _Antithesis._]
[Sidenote: _Peroratiō._]