WHat answere may be returned to all or any of these Letters, is to be expected according to the griefe or presente condition of the partie. The efficacie of the one whereof may bee such, as endureth small arguing, and the inclination of the other so plausible, as beareth with whatsoeuer may sounde vnto them comforting. But for because the labour were endlesse to measure by writing, the affections of each one in particular, I will onely set downe for this one fourme, the generalitie wherof may be inferred to the circumstances of any other. A Letter Responsorie therefore vnto anie of these Epistles, should in the generall parts thereof containe (as séemeth me) a Remuneration or friendlie acceptance of their good wils, that so haue béene imploied in comforting, and (if the partie so thinke meete, or the occasion so standeth) to commend the wisedome, learning, fauour, care or liking of him that so writeth, and therein also the good effects, the same haue wrought, if some things (that may bee alledged) did not impugn it, shewing his counsel is far lesse vehement then our euill, and therfore swayeth not in respect therof, in our minds, so much as might haue done with many others. In conclusion, that we acknowledge neuerthelesse his great discretion therin, & that deserued account of his trauell. Each of which places, howe they are to be distributed appeareth in the example following.
A Letter Responsorie to be conferred to an
Epistle Consolatorie.
GOod brother, I haue receyued your kinde Letters, wherein carefullie, 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,Antithesis. 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.
THE execrable force of mischieuous euill, is such, Exordium. 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.
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,Paradigma. 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.
You must call to minde that liuing in a place so ordinarilie frequented as is the Citie,Monitiō. 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.
The asse goeth out in the morning to carie burthens, and in the euening receiueth his prouender for aduantage.Parimia. The Oxe grazeth all day in the pasture, and at night is caried to the butchers stal: their rewarde is their feeding,Antithesis. 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?Antipophora. 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)Parimia. 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.Perorasiō. 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.