The Young Mans Counsellor:
OR,
A Guide for New Beginners.
Which, being put in practice, may prove both acceptable, Useful, and profitable, to a[ll]
such as are beginning to Deal in the World. With directions how to order their Affairs
to the glory of God; and their own benefit.
He that into the Ocean doth set sail,
Pours forth his Prayers to have a prosperous gale,
So likewise he that doth the World begin,
Must pray to God; to guide his wayes therein.
Tune of, Aim not to high, etc.
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ALl you that to begin the World intend,
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Come take instructions from a loving friend,
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Some precepts I will here lay down in brief,
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Which may, in time, of need yield you relief.
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First be not rash in choosing of a wife,
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Least that thou dost repent thee all thy life,
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A portions good, it cannot be denyd,
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But yet be sure let virtue be thy guide.
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If that too much for riches thou doest go,
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By doing so thou mayest procure thy woe,
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But mark the story which hath oft been told,
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A virtuous wife is worth her weight in gold.
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According as thy means is great and small,
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Begin the world and have a care withal
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For he that aims too high before his time,
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May chance to fall in offering for to climb.
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The counsel of thy friends, at all times take,
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Their good advice be sure do not forsake,
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For in thy greatest need it will avail,
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And help thee out, when troubles do assail.
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Use conscience in thy dealings every one,
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For riches they have wings and may be gone,
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To tell thee as a friend, I dare presume.
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Ill gotten goods, thy substance will consume.
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The second Part to the same Tune.
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IN selling of thy wares do not exact,
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But still be just to what thou doest contract.
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Let not extortion ever bring a curse,
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Small gains in time will make a heavy purse.
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Be courteous unto all, do none disdain,
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And thou thereby great benefit shalt gain.
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Humility will win thee many a friend,
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When haughty looks do every one offend,
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Unto good husbandry, be thou inclind,
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Let thy occasions busie still thy mind,
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Never repent thee of thy labour past,
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For thou shalt reap the benefit at last
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Be sure all sorts of gaming, thou do shun,
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For thereby many a man hath been undone:
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Twill make thee thy occasions to neglect,
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And live in scandal, and in disrespect.
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Immoderate drinking likewise see thou flee,
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And count it as thy greatest enemy,
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For thy imployment, it will thee unfit.
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And rob thee of thy reason and thy wit,
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As in a Looking-glass thou mayest discern,
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And from the same this Lesson thou mayest learn,
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That those who steep their brains in beer and wine,
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Do differ little from the brutish Swine.
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If God shall bless thy labours in such wise,
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That to a good estate thou doth arise,
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Do not forget the poor that live in woe,
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But give them some relief before they go.
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So shalt thou have the prayers of them that want.
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And for so doing, blessings God will grant,
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In his good time, he will increase thy store,
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And send thee mercies daily more and more.
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If that a loving wife thou doest possess,
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And God with children doth thy Table bless,
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To give them education be so kind,
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And so from them great comfort thou wilt find.
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Let thy example still before them be,
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Such as may suit with pleasing modesty,
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Most commonly what is by Parents shewn.
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They readiest are heerafter for to own.
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Likewise thy servants, see thou do direct,
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That they no time, their duty do neglect,
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If they be just and faithful unto thee,
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The better for themselves be sure twill be.
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At home and eke abroad, be kind to all,
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Least that into disgrace thou chance to fall,
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Respect thy Neighbours, and then thou wilt find,
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That unto thee, they will be free and kind.
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By following of these rules which here are shewn.
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Thou mayst be sure a happy life to own,
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That every one by thy example may,
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Know how to govern, and how to obey,
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Thus have I shown you in my true respect;
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Wherefore these precepts, pray do not neglect:
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A good beginning, if you make my friend;
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And so continue, doubt not a good end.
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