Selected quad for the lemma: friend_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A35407
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Morall discourses and essayes, upon severall select subjects written by T.C., Esquire.
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Culpeper, Thomas, Sir, 1626-1697.
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1655
(1655)
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Wing C7559; ESTC R13555
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55,194
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182
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his hand being without other information wholly derived from his own breast Sallâ—st treads fast upon their heels His weighty Argument and composed Style resemble a still stream in a deep Chanel and shew to what perfection the Art of writing was grown in his Age To forget Plutarch were to affront Vertue his choice of excellent Themeâ— his Characters of noble persons whereby he hath even Canonized them his wise and accurate comparisons of Graecian and Roman Worthies equallize him with the best Writers As none that converses with the Stoicks can continue an Epicure so neither can any not void of Ingenuity read the life of Catâ— in Plutarch without being transformed into that Idea He that will know much History with little study let him turn to Plutarch Florus is so trim an Epitomist that it is pity he wrote not more or more largely For Annâ—ls are but Pigmy-Histories and render us rather not ignorant then intelligent their chief use is to read them before History as Preparatives or after History as Recapitulations but the pleasure is more then the profit they being rather Land-skipâ— then Mapps Amongst modern Authours Philip de Commines is famous His Memoires are so exact and withall so natural that it appears he was a great Agent in the affaires he treats of Truth and Ingenuity are so much beholden to hâ—m that he seems more tender to them then to his own honour for in discovering the policies then used he makes himself a kind of Interloper and leaves the Reader to judge whether he served Câ—arls or Lewis more faithfully The History of the Council of Trent cannot be enough extolled for judgement learning and moderation It is as straight as the flight of Arrows as transparent as the light This Authour whilst he only recites confutes and hath the Vigour of a Satyre without the Spleen or Aggravation The Pope cannot justly accuse yet will never absolve him for to some persons nothing is so terrible or offensive as truth Thuanus is as an Atlas of History so orderly and withall so large that his industry and vast intelligence would passe for a miracle if it did not appear that where it was needful he wisely supplied his own defects by calling in forein ayd What Encomium can I give to D' Avila who in his notable History of the Civil Warres of France hath done so much right both to Italians and Frenchmen To those by his â—minent Ability to these by his singular exactness and Fidelity Others find enough to do in representing the affairs of their own Countries to dive into forein interests is indeed a work which deserves the activity of a Trans-Alpine wit I know I have passed by very many Authours of no lesse worth then those I mention but to treat of them all were to write a History my self I once more conclude we ought to enshrine the memories of such Hiâ—torians VII Of Education AMongst the many miscarriages of our times there seems not to be any of greater importance then the errours committed in the Education of Youth which yet having taken root by Custom are hard to be removed If we understood the value of good Education what Vices it prevents what Manners it plants Parents would not be so indifferent in the discharge of a duty which imports their Children more then all the fortunes they can leave them There is no nature so fierce no not that of wild Beasts but it may be tamed if endeavoured in Youth no inclination so violent but it may be checked before it take head and be fortified with habit all vices being yet as curable as flesh wounds whilst they are green but as we grow old our faults learn to prescribe then if the Parent reproves he is answered with snarling and resistance if the friend go to perrwade he makes himself an enemy The Ghostly Father hath a fine time to wear out his lungs with invectives Alas good precepts work upon well-disposed minds but a vicious person is a prejudicate Auditor and hath so sick a palate that he can relish nothing that is good or wholsom One early and seasonable reproof shall prevent what a hundred Sermons cannot reform When men have contracted so much rust that they are past all remedies but the Law And indeed are fitter to be made examples then hear precepts But not to shoot at random the errours I observe in our vulgar breeding are these First I conceive in outward accomplishments we study too early and greedily to advance our Youth and by such out-sides they commonly are valued but as for just and sober principles the love of Vertue and restraints of Conscience these goodly and fruitful plants we neglect to cherish in them Hence it happens that our best hopes are freedom from enormousâ— vices and a kind of female 〈◊〉 but the foot steps of that masculine worth which was in our Ancestors are even worn out we have little Nobility left us save that of the pedigree neither are the seeds of knowledge so â—ertile in aâ— as in many Heâ—thens who lived by the light of Reason and principlâ—s of Philosophy Some indeed there are that judiciously observe the diffâ—rence betwixt a sure foundation and a curious paper-building or painted Balconeyâ— but then perhaps they either think by flacking the reigns of Authority to decoy and flatter their youth into Duty or else by an over-austerity will needs precipitatâ— it into perfection and cut down tall Vices like great Trees with one stroak of the Hatchet or make Vertues spring like Mandrakes both of these are erroneous for Vertue is the issue of Discipline and Time Our Education in respect of Arts Professions seems much like the methodical Travels of the Germans in France which they say consists in riding a certain tour or Circuit For first Children are put to school at a venture where they are exposed to the fury of Pedants and like Galley-slaves condemned to the Oar till dull experience proves them unfit for learning and perhaps renders them uncapable of other course When they have learned to construe Latine though possibly not to understand it they are either directed to some Trade wherein that little which they have learned is useless and soon forgotten or else they are sent to Universities Innes of Court and beyond the Seâ—s there to surfeit as fatally of liberty as starved stomacks do of plenty Thus â—kipping all degrees methods of Children they become men at a stride And it is well if they prove not Senators I know it is easie sometimes for fools to censure what the wisâ—st men can hardly reform And withall I am not ignorant that much hath been written upon this subject and by men whose wits and abilities I dare not so much as emulate yet in a matter of so great and publick importance I hope I shall not be too severely blamed if I adventure likewise in a short Essay to offer some expedients of redress to those many mischiefs which proceed from