Mary Countess Dowager of Warwick, who died 1678, P. 77 Some mention of feveral other Examples of this fort, together with the Names of the Authors that have given fome Account of their great Piety and Virtue, notwithstanding all the Temp- tations that might arife from their Riches and Honour, p. 99. The Imitation of thefe Examples earnestly recommended, p.101 The inftructive as well as animating Examples before produced make it the lefs neceffary to infift much on thefe Means, p. 104 How much it concerns young Gentlemen and Ladies to guard them- Jelves against the Flatteries of those that are apt to footh and A true and faithful Friend well chofen may furnish them with pro- per Antidotes against the Poyfon of the Flatterer, Ufeful Confiderations for the overcoming the Temptations that arife from the Riches, Pleafures and Honours of this World, p. 110 1: That they contemplate the Dignity of that rational and im- 2. That they labour by a lively Faith to take a daily Profpect of the great, future, eternal Things of the other World, P. 115 3. That they humbly and affectionately contemplate, adore, and imitate our most meek and lowly, felf-denying, and crucify'd ibid. 5. That they watch, as well as pray, that they enter not 6. That they arm themselves with a stedfast Resolution at all times to chufe and act according to that true Judgment of Things which is the Refult of a watchful Circumfpe&ion, P. 133 7. That they furnish themselves with particular Arguments against the particular Sins to which their Rank, and Quality, and Con- dition in the World, may occafionally expose them. As against being proud of their Birth or Fortune, against Contempt of meaner People, oppreffing the Poor, Luxury, Intemperance, Lafcivioufnefs, and all immoderate Love of or Complacency in In thefe Particulars there is the lefs need of enlarging, because they have been confidered by the pious, learned, and ingenuous Author of The Gentleman's Calling. They are here briefly 5. That of Reputation and Efteem in the World, ibid ADVERTISEMENT. THE former Book, unto which this refers, was publish- ed with this Title, Youth's Grand Contern: Or, Advice London, Printed for John Wyat, at the Rofe in St. Paul's PAR- PARTICULAR ADVICE ΤΟ ΤΗΕ Young GENTRY, &c. T The Introduction. HERE is no great need of inftructing Young Gentlemen and Ladies what Afcendant they have over their Inferiors by Privileges of Birth, Titles of Honour, Precedency, Riches, and the like external Advantages, which distinguish them from meaner People. Thefe things for the most part they foon understand, and fufficiently value. But with a tender Regard to their Souls, as well as with all Deference to their Quality, I beg Leave to remind them of a far more important Distinction amongst themselves than the fore-mentioned between them and others, viz. That thofe of them alone are truly noble and honourable to whom Honour is due upon a higher Account, and in whom it is made durable and immortal by the Addition of a folid intrinsick Goodness to " to the fuperficial and vanifhing Splendor of outward Greatnefs. Such of them fhall be renowned while they live, and carry Honour and Felicity with them into another World, where they fhall for ever enjoy the utmost Confummation thereof in the Perfection of Glory, while the rest, who neither love nor chufe what is really good, notwithstanding all the glittering Appearance of Earthly Pomp, fhall be extinguifhed with Ignominy, and forced to lie down at laft in obfcure Darknefs, infupportable Anguish, and eternal Confufion. The very Heathen Philofophers, Hiftorians, Poets, and Orators, do all agree, that Honour and Nobility took its first Rife from Virtue; and fome of them are fo fevere as to maintain, That Virtue is the only true Nobility, the only fubftantial lafting Honour, far above all the perifhing Shadows of it. Neither will they give any Man Leave to arrogate to himself the Merit of his Ancestors, but plainly tell him, that unless he himself act worthily he difhonours his noble Progenitors, difgraces himself, and entails a Blemish on his Pofterity. Is it not then greatly to be lamented, that any Perfons defcended from an ancient and illuftrious Family, ingenuously educated, and poffeffing fair Eftates, magnificent Houfes, and large Revenues, fhould have no juft Senfe of Honour, nor take any Care that their Lives and Actions anfwer the Nobility of their Extraction, and the Eminency of their Rank and Station? Although their Titles and Efcocheons may fhew fhew that their Ancestors had Piety and Virtue, Courage and Magnanimity; that they adored God, obeyed their Prince, ferved their Country, and were famous in their Generation; yet if any of the Pofterity of fuch wor thy Perfons fhall fo far degenerate as to lead an atheistical and profane, or a lewd and diffolute, or a voluptuous and effeminate Life, will the Glory of their Ancestors preferve them, either from the Difefteem of Men, or the Reproaches of their own Minds, or the Indignation of Almighty God? This fort of PREFACE, more honest than polite, may perhaps feem not very proper to conciliate the good Opinion of fome Young Perfons of Quality, who are every Day entertained with Applaufes and Panegyricks, Complements and Careffes. But I would humbly befeech them to confider with themselves who is the Man that does them the most faithful Service. Is he the treacherous Flatterer, who intoxicates and deftroys them with his luscious Poyfon? Or is he not rather the fincere Monitor, who by plain Advice opens, their Eyes, that they may fee and avoid their Danger? Early Piety, which I have recommended in a former Book as the Grand Concern of Youth in general, is as much the Concern of the Young Nobility and Gentry in particular as of any others. The Supreme Father and Lord of the Univerfe has propofed to all forts of Perfons, whether high or low, rich or poor, the |