Epistles Volume 1, Title page – Table of contents
EPISTLES, THE FIRST Volume: Conteining two DECADS.
By IOSEPH HALL.
LONDON Printed by A. H. for S. MACHAM & E. EDGAR.
1608.
TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE Prince, HENRY, Prince of GREAT BRITAINE, Sonne and Heire Apparent to our Souereigne Lord, IAMES, King of Great Britaine, &c. all glory in either world.
Most gracious PRINCE:
IT is not from any conceit of such worth in my labours, that they durst looke so hie. A lower Patronage would hauehave serued an higher worke. It were well, if ought of mine could be worthie of popular eyes: Or if J could wring ought from my selfe, not vnwoorthie of a iudicious Reader. I know your Highnesse wants neither Presents, nor counsels: Presents from strangers, counsels from your Teachers; neither of them matchable by my weaknesse: Only dutie heerein excuses me from presumption. For, J thought it iniustice to deuote the fruit of my labour, to any other hand beside my Maisters: which also J knew to be as gracious, as mine is faithfull. Yet (since euen good affections can not warrant too much vilenesse in gifts to Princes) lest while my modestie disparages my worke, J should hazard the acceptation; here shall your Grace finde varietie, not without profit. J hate a Diuine, that would but please; and, withall, thinke it impossible for a man to profit, that pleaseth not. And if, while my stile fixeth it selfe vponupon others, any spirituall profit shall reflect vponupon your Highnesse, how happie am J! who shall euer thinke, I hauehave liued to purpose, if (by the best of my studies) J shall hauehave done any good office to your Soule. Further (which these times account not the least praise) your Grace shall heerein perceiue a new fashion of discourse by Epistles; new to our language, vsuall to others: and (as Noueltie is neuer without some plea of vse) more free, more familiar. Thus, we do but talke with our friends by our pen, and expresse our selues no whit lesse easilie; some-what more digestedlie.
Whatsoeuer it is, as it can not be good enough to deserue that countenance; so, the countenance of such Patronage shall make it worthie of respect from others. The God of Princes protect your person, perfect your graces, and giuegive you as much fauor in heauen, as you hauehave honor on earth.
Your Highnesse humbly-deuoted seruant, IOS. HALL.
THE CONTENTS and Subiect of eueryevery Epistle.
DECAD. I.
EP. I. To IACOB WADSVVORTH, Lately reuolted, in SPAINE.
Expostulating for his departure, and perswading his returne. 1
EP. II. To my Lord & Patron, the Lord DENNY, Baron of Waltham.
Of the Contempt of the world. 11
EP. III. To my Lord HAY, H. and P.
Of true Honour. 19
EP. IV. To Mr. NEVVTON, Tutor to the Prince.
Of Gratulation, for the hopes of our Prince; with an aduising apprecation. 27
EP. V. To Sr. THO. CHALLONER.
A report of some Obseruations in my trauell. 35
EP. VI. To Sr. DAVID MVRRAY.
Concerning the Miracles of our time. 53
EP. VII. To Mr. WILLIAM BEDELL, at Venice.
Lamenting the death of our late Diuines, and inciting to their imitation. 69
EP. IIX. To my Lord, the Earle of ESSEX.
Aduice for his trauels. 79
EP. IX. To Sr. ROBERT DRVRY, and his Ladie.
Concerning my Remoouall from them. 91
EP. X. Written to Mr. I. B. and Dedicated to my Father, Mr. I. HALL.
Against the feare of death. 97
DECAD. II.
EP. I. To Sr. ROBERT DARCY.
The estate of a true, but weake Christian. 105
EP. II. To Sr. EDMVND BACON.
Of the benefit of Retirednesse, and Secresie. 111
EP. III. To Mr. IOHN WHITIMG.
An Apologeticall Discourse of the Marriage of Ecclesiasticall persons. 119
EP. IV. To my sister, Mrs. B. BRINSLY.
Of the Sorrow not to be repented of. 137
EP. V. To Mr. HVGH CHOLMLEY.
Concerning the Metaphrase of the Psalmes. 145
EP. VI. To Mr. SAMVEL SOTHEBY.
A Preface to his Relation of the Russian affaires. 151
EP. VII. To STANISLAVS BVCHINSKI, late Secretarie to DEMETRIVS Emp. of RVSSIA.
Of the comfort of Imprisonment. 161
EP. IIX. To my father in law, Mr. GEOR. WENYFFE.
Exciting to Christian cheerefulnesse. 169
EP. IX. To Mr. W. R. Dedicated to Mr. THOMAS BVRLZ.
Consolations of immoderate griefe for the death of friends. 175
EP. X. To Mr. I. A. Merchant.
Against sorrow for worldly losses. 185