Lo here the Genius of the great Arguyle Whose Politicks and Ethicks in one pyle Like Anchor Buoys appeare to teach thee Wit To shun those rocks on which himselfe was split Instructions to a Son BY ARCHIBALD Late Marquiss of Argyle WRITTEN In the time of his Confinement London Printed for J. Latham at the Mitre in Saint Pauls Church-yard 1661. THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER THat the Author of this ensuing Treatise was an able States-man and of excellent natural endownments a Master of reason and the most accomplish'd Scholar of experience will without scruple be allowed to his ashes From them this product of his notable spirit these Posthuma he having envyed the uncharitable world other remains of his choise literature and observation have taken wing into the world and by your candid acceptance may surmount his Fate He hath not at all herein consulted his reputation and esteem of learning or abilities which were very eminent in him but hath descended to the plainness which affections require without any art or elegancy of Ornament as more becoming the sincerity of his paternal love This was judged fit to be premised that the expecting Reader might not be stumbled at the easiness and common language with which he hath cloathed his most difficult cares and thoughts for his Children and withall to let you know that this copy was transmitted hither by a worthy hand and saving the alteration of some Scoth words which would puzzle the English Reader is faithfully Printed To them I commend it and remain Your Friend The Contents THe Marquess of Argyls instructions to his Son fol. 1 The Marquess of Argyls instructions to his Children fol. 20 CHAP. I. Of Religion fol. 29 CHAP. II. Of Marriage fol. 39 CHAP. III. Of the Court. fol. 49 CHAP. IV. Of Friendship fol. 59 CHAP. V. Of Travail fol. 69 CHAP. VI. Of Hous keeping and Hospitality fol. 79 CHAP. VII Tenants and other concerns of Estate fol. 89 CHAP. VIII Of Study and Exercise fol. 98 CHAP. IX Of Pleasure Idleness c fol. 107 CHAP. X. Considerations of life fol. 116 Maxims of State fol. 125 Miscellaneous Observations fol. 169 The Marquiss OF ARGYL'S Instructions to his Son SON I Know there are several books in Print written Prudently Politickly and Piously of this very title of late years I confess most of them were of particular entendment to their own relations the reason probably that they are not of such general observation and use others designed out of presumptuous ambition of exceeding by imitation such rare patterns as went before in the accessions of wit and elegant discourse discoloured sometime with urbane facete Prophaness Ido acknowledge 't is a singular and the right way of transmiting of a mans memory to posterity especially to his own it argues a kind of reverence that men bear to themselves when they can so impartially unbosome themselves in the account and register of all their Actions and can shew no disliked experience of them as to their own proper guilt I do not hereby understand what concerns religion who can excuse or extenuate his failings but of moral transient Acts to the evil of which no man is so strongly inclinable but by the bias of a corrupt education Many very sententious pieces are extant among Ancient Authors of this subject but I know none Testamentary but among the Moderns and of them we have some excellent Princes and renowned Statesmen My care of you whom I would have to consider your self as the prop of an ancient Honorable Family is no way less then theirs however I am inferiour to them in Dignity and Judgment and therefore I will trace a beaten way rather then lose my self and you in a general discourse what I come short of here you cannot misse in their common places and so I may be sure I shall attain my end Probably men may think I can adde nothing to that store but if they consider my station and how far concerned in these Times they may rather expect novel Politicks from me such a variation of the Latitude of the most approved and received maximes of State lying in the sphere in which I acted but the managery of the Counsels of those times were by success or the monstrous guilt and fraud of the Politicians so irregular that I cannot if I would bring them under Heads though up and down as they occur I may point at them I confess 't was my great misfortune to be so deeply engaged in these Fatal Times I know the Nobility of Scotland have always bickered with their Princes and from the insolency of that Custome not any of our Kings have been free 'T is also true the perpetual Family feuds among us which by all the industry and Authority of our Princes could never be so pacified but that they revived again and took upon themselves as they had advantage to revenge their quarrel and yet like sudden floods which violently over-run and as peacably return within their banks abated to their due allegiance did easily perswade me that there was no such apparent danger in the first beginnings of the contest betwixt the King and my Nation of Scotland I had laid it for a maxime that a Reformation was sooner effected per Gladium Oris then per Os Gladii and certainly true Religion is rather a setler then stickler in Policy and rather confirms men in obedience to the Government established then invites them to the erecting of new which they neither do nor can know till it be discovered and declared Wherein I did not look upon our intended Reformation as any way taxable since it had the whole stream of universal consent of the whole Nation I never thought of those dire consequences which presently followed till by that confusion my thoughts became distracted and my self incountred so many difficulties in the way that all remedies that were applyed did the quite contrary operation whatever therefore hath been said by me and others in this matter you must repute and accept them as from a distracted Man of a distracted Subject in a distracted Time wherein I lived and this shall serve to let you know how far I waded unwarily in that business I will not however counsel you if any such lamentable commotions which God forbid should break out for my unhappiness to withdraw your self from interposing to quench and allay them as much as by your Authority you can however I was mistaken by some in my Actions I did labour for a right understanding but be sure let your Allegiance keep the ballance by no means stand like a neuter in the cause of your King and Country That Decree of Solons that every man that in a general Commotion was of neither party should be adjudged infamous is rightly decreed of great men Popular furies would never have end if not awed by their Superiours who supinely neglecting such outrages not ordinarily are rnined and depress'd in their own Estates and Honours a late
been bred up without them and the Nation of Scotland otherwise affected and therefore you shall do well to continue in this Kirk though I would rather have it your own choice then any other consideration whatsoever Diversity in any thing distracteth the mind and leaves it waving in a dubious perplexity and then how easy is it to sway the mind to either side this is most true and experienced in Religion you must therefore obfirmate your eares and confirm your judgment being once satisfied of the Excellency of your profession and having received the true and sincere Doctrine Neither would I have you only fixt and constant in your Religion but also very devout in the practise of it that as heretofore your ancestors have been eminent for Honour you that come short of them by this deliquium or Eclipse of it in me may nevertheless exceed them in the true way to it by your Zeal and Piety and remember this that he that is not truly religious will hardly be esteemed such since nothing is of less continuance then Hypocrisie and dissimulation and if your religion be such such will your greatness and honour be a fained thing and a meer shadow The observance of Religion and the exercise of good manners do become none so much as illustrious persons other glories have lifted them beyond the pitch and reach of men but this is a ray of the Divinity which advanceth them neer to the Diety and like the Diamond out-shines the lustre of all other Jewels A religious heart and a clear conscience will make you truly conspicuous it is as the mother of all other vertues what brave effects of obedience to Princes hath it wrought in Subjects look back to the primitive times and the Emperors how courageous were they in all enterprises hardy and resolute in dangers liberal to their necessities ready to do their utmost devoir in the distrest affairs of the Empire and this from one pious principle that in serving their Prince they served God whose Leiutenant he is nor was there any difficulty over which their faith did not triumph Nevertheless some have taxed and it hath been along and strong imputation that this Kirk of Scotland doth teach sedition against or at least the diminution of the Authority of their Princes For my part I know no such matter nor did I ever embrace or adhere to such opinions though censured for them if any mans entemperature hath vented such dangerous Tenets or his rash presumption ventilated such questions I have nothing to do with them I disown and disclaim them and therefore to remove this prejudice from you also I charge you to make your duty to your Soveraign one of the chief points of your Religion so far forth as it may consist with your obedience to God who ought to be served best and in the first place There is such a reciprocation between both those services that commonly they go together Whatever the late miscarriages have been by the peoples strugling for their Liberty of Conscience as they are past so they have left the means whereby they may be prevented for the future and no doubt the good temperament of the King with an easie indulgent hand of his Ministers will keep Religion from the scandal of a Civil War 'T is a maxime of State that where Princes and People are of a different Religion they will not well agree yet Modern experience and since the Reformation arrived to a setled constitution and Church Government evinceth the contrary as at present in the Kingdome of France and in Germany where the quite opposite religions are peaceably and quietly profest But God be thanked there is no such contrariety in the religion professed in these two neighbouring Kingdomes which may not without animosity and interest keep the breach open be reconciled All impatient zeal being turned into an aemulation of Loyalty to the King Cherish and maintain the Ministers of the Gospel especially painful able Preachers Nothing brings more contempt upon or aviles religion and the service of God in the eyes of the vulgar then the necessities wants and miseries of Church-men what esteem you confer upon them will soon redound and reflect again upon you What the Heathen said of their Poets that by their means and writings famous men were transmitted to immortality who otherwise would have lain un perpetual oblivion is very true of Evangelical Doctors their prayers and their instructions and their recommendations of you together with your own endeavour after Holiness which is the only Fame and Glory will transmit and place you hereafter in Heaven and establish you here living and dead in the good will and praise of all men Let charity be a chief ingredient in your religion both in giving and forgiving As you shall have abilities indulge the poor and let them in some measure partake with you in your outward blessings and enjoyments For the other as you are always liable to offences so be always as apt and prone to pardon or pass them by which in the greatest adversities you can undergo will never be out of your power to do Frequent the Church and the Houses of God let no business invade or intrude upon your religious Houres what you have destined to the Service of God is already sacred to him and cannot without great profaness be alienated from him and conferred upon others use private prayers as well as go to the publick Ordinances For other duties necessary for a Christians practise I refer you to the discipline and instructions of the Kirk it being needless to repeat them here being so exactly laid down by her whom I take to be the purest Church For search all religions through the world and you will find none that ascribes so much to God nor that constitutes such a firm love among men as does the Establish'd Doctrine I except the Schisms amongst us of the Protestant Church among you In whose Armes I leave you and Her to the everlasting protection and guidance of God CHAP. II. Of Marriage HAving devoted your self principally to the Service of God and subordinatly to your Prince which includes your Country the next duty or affection you owe to your self in the ordering or governing of your life according to your several inclinations and dispositions And among the most important and strong sways of Nature I reckon marriage especially in great and noble Families where interest forbids perpetual virginity nor ever since the suppressing of Nunneries and such Monastick Privacies and renunciations to the world have we had in this Kingdome many if any of the daughters of Jephtha Marriage no doubt was one of the greatest favours that God conferred on mankind and when he bestows a vertuous mate whose humility chastity and affection are eminently great he doth renew his first intentions of kindness to man and gives grace upon grace and infinitely happy is he that can find and make such a choice 'T was therefore well
he who deliberates and resolves such great and important affairs who ought to be more just then he who governs the laws who ought to be more reserved then he to whom all is permitted and who hath more need of courage and valour then he who protects and defends all Truth never or seldome approaches the ears of Princes without a disguise or blemish'd by the injury and cunning of those who would indirectly gain the favour of the Prince without deserving it A Prince ought to take Counsel when it pleases himself and not at the will of another if he be not sufficient of himself he will hardly be well advised if he be not committed to the conduct of one particular person who is solely and entirely to govern him and whatever good shall be effected by his Counsels ought to be ascribed to the prudence of the Prince rather then his Counsellours The best Counsel that can be given to Princes who are well advanced in years and in extreme old age and who must leave unexperienced raw successors is to treat rather of peace and alliances with their neighbours then to enterprise a war A King is obliged as diligently and carefully to keep the goods of his Crown as a Tutor those of his Pupil A Prince must be punctual in his religion for nothing so sadly presages his ruin as his negligence in that and therefore his most lively thoughts must be intent on it and in serving God without hypocrisie It much imports a Prince to preserve union and friendship with his brothers as being the dearest part of himself and as ready to his assistance as his own eyes his hands and his feet Princes must beware of attempting what 's above their strength or to enterprise any thing in which they are not sure to come off with honour Kingdomes Treasures the robe of purple the Diadem are not such splendid ornaments of a Prince as vertue and wisdome for a Prince that knows himself to be but a man will never be proud Those Princes then begin to lose their estates when they begin to break the ancient laws manners and customes under which their subjects have long lived for Princes must have as much regard to the safety of their subjects which consists in the protection of the laws as of their lives A Prince newly come to the Crown must especially avoid giving any occasion to his subjects to wish and sigh for the government of his predecessor as the people of Rome did under Tiberius after Augustus Caesar. When Princes send Ambassadors they must chuse such whose manners and qualities are suitable and agreeable to the Court whither they are sent A good Prince does not only do good to the good by making them better but also to the bad by restraining them from being worse and the felicity of subjects is the true glory of Kings Princes are mistaken that think to raign over men without permitting God to rule over them The request of a Prince is equal to a commandement Princes sometimes disgrace their favourits for their good and restore them again for their hurt A Prince who truly is and effectually appears to be religious is always feared and reverenced by his subjects who will never rebell or revolt from him believing that he is under the particular protection of God Offences which Princes take are like fixed pillars but their love like the spokes in a running wheel Princes bestow offices Favorites give admission nature good extraction parents patrimony and merits give honour but wâ—sedome and discretion come from God alone and are not in mans disposing Kings have diverse sorts of thunder as well as Jupiter that which tears and rends all that resist it in solid bodies and that which passes the soft and pliable The science which we learn by books is water out of a Cistern that which we gain by experience is living water and in its spring so though among scholastick men we find couragious and refined polite spirits yet Princes take not usually such as they intend for their service from the schools though they be knowing and able persons for 't is business and action that strengthens the brain while contemplation weakneth it 'T is dishonorable for a great Prince or Monarch to defend and maintain with his Quill which his prodecessors have acquested with their Lance. A Prince that would get much must pardon much though 't is a maxime among Grandees especially such as are raised from obscurity that though they be mortal yet the indignities done them are immortal 'T is folly to solicite tediously great men for a thing which cannot be obtained The good words of a Prince accompanied with promises are most forcible and powerful engines 'T was a precept of the Emperour Charles the fifth to his son King Philip the second to exercise himself always in some vertue befitting and convenient for a King to the end that holding his subjects in admiration of his actions no time should be given their thoughts to entertain other affections He must never see the picture of fear any where but on the shoulders and backs of his enemies It is not only a sign of modesty and clemency but also of a superlative courage when Kings take no notice of ungrateful mens speeches Nothing can please a good King so much as concord among his subjects whereas that makes a Tyrant to fear them A Prince must by all means prevent flighting not the smallest things and obviate factions and conspiracies for as the loudest storms and tempests are caused by secret exhalations and insensible vapours so seditions and civil wars begin often from light occasions and which no man would think could come to such an issue The retinue and train of a Prince let it be never so retrench'd and ordered is always very troublesome to the places through which they pass 'T is a true foundation and principal maxime of State to have an eye to the growing greatness of a neighbour Prince and to have always a jealous fear of his power this makes the friendship between them more firm and durable for when they have reason alike to dread one another either of them will but coldly attempt a breach The will of a Prince is to be executed not interpreted Princes commonly pay flatterers in their own coin for they dissemble the vices of the Princes and they dissemble the lies of the flatterers At the death of a Prince 't is discretion to seem neither sorrowful nor glad A Prince cannot be said to be potent who is not strong at sea and cannot joyn maritime to his land-forces When mean Princes pass the limits of mediocrity they are neer past the bounds of security It is necessary that a Prince defer nothing to the deliberation of his Council of Estate which hath not first past the Counsel of his Conscience It is not good to frequent the presence of a Prince whom you have offended he was well advised who having provoked his Soveraign protested