You must call to minde that liuing in a place so ordinarilie frequented as is the Citie, 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. The Oxe grazeth all day in the pasture, and at night is caried to the butchers stal: their rewarde is their feeding, 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? 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) 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. 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.