[From]


The Diamond of Devotion, Cut and Squared into Sixe Severall Points


by Abraham Fleming


The Schoole of Skill
or the rule of a reformed life.

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A Preface to the True Christian Reader.

IIt is the custome of parents, disposed to traine up their childré in learning and knowledge of toongs, arts and sciences: first in their infancie to commit them to some honest Schoolmaister, under whome they might be taught the principles of their owne naturall tongue, and afterwards in tract of time, as their capacitie increaseth the rudiments of forraine speeches. For hee that determineth to erecte and build a dwelling house, beginneth not at the roofe, but at the foundation: otherwise, as it were a proposterous kinde of attempt, so all the worlde would judge it fond & ridiculous.

Again, we see, and experience teacheth no leste, that the expertest and valiantest Captaine that ever fought in fielde, was not a perfect warriour borne, though peradventure there was in him some vehement inclination to martiall policie and prowes; but first he had his slender beginnings, and simple trainings up, fit and convenient for the nature of his age: which trainings up in militarie knowledge, and warlike activitie continued, the learner becommeth more skilfull and couragious, and at last, by frequenting the field, and enuring himselfe to trials of valiantnes, proveth a passing souldier.

Even so wee, whome nature indeede hath adorned with a goodlie likenes, with amiablenesse of countenance, and with apt proportion of bodie, but yet thrust out into the world with polluted soules, if we bee desirous to please God, and not to offend man, we must endevour our selves to leade a life agreeable to the written worde of the Lord. The waies and meanes to attaine hereunto, doo stand upon certaine principles, or positions, whereof some beeing affirmative, and some negative, doo joyntlie teach us what wee ought to followe, and what to escew.

These principles or rules leading us to the knowledge and practise of a godlie and upright life, I have thought good to call The Schoole of Skill. For as to neglect the due observation of such precepts, and utterlie to contemne the use of so wholesome counsels, is a manifest reason and argument of follie: so, to esteeme of them, as of acceptable treasures, and to order the course of life according to their prescription and platforme, is an evident signe and token of good skill.

Now the Schoolemaster, whose Schoole I intitle this to be, is such a one indeed, as being taught by the holy Ghost from above, hath had the use and practise of a godlie and blamelesse life: the commoditie whereof, and incomparable sweetenesse issuing from thence, when hee had tasted, and sawe that the end of the same was the reward of eternall life he pitied the miserable state of men walking in blindnesse, ignorance, and destruction: and to revoke them, or rather instruct and teach them knowledge, that thereby they might amend their inordinate trade of life, he professed himselfe a teacher in this Schoole, to the end that others, as well as hee, might perceive what advantage a well disposed life affoordeth.

This Schoolemaster we must presuppose to be such a one, whose hart the finger of the Lord had touched, and into whose understanding the sunne of sanctification had shined. He was not one that walked in carnall libertie, neither in the concupiscence of the eye, neither in the vanitie of the mind, for then should there be a repugnancie and dissention betwene his conversation and profession, which ought to agree like musicall concordes. Take him therefore to be such a one, as being renewed in the spirit of the inner man, is able to teach, to instruct, to rebuke, and to informe, that the man of God might be made perfect in all righteousnesse. But now entering into this Schoole of Skill, let us like good schollers with full purpose (Gods grace being our governour) to profit and go forward in that we professe, learne by hart our A,B,C, in this Schoole, and according to our lessons frame the course of our life.


Abraham Fleming To the Reader

The starkest foole, if well he marke
This skilfull Schoole, proves greatest clarke:
Come therefore you that wise would be,
And learne anew, this A,B,C.


The first sententious sequence Of the A, B, C,
delivering divers doctrines of vertue and vice
be followed and:
avoided:

A

A wise man shal heare and increase in learning, and a man of understanding shall attaine unto wise counsels.

B

Be not wise in thine owne eies, but feare the Lorde, and depart from evill.

C

Commit thy workes unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be directed.

D

Death and life are in the power of the toong, and they that love it, shall eat the fruit thereof.

E

Even a foole, when he holdeth his peace is counted wise: and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.

F

Favour is deceiptfull, and beauty is vanitie: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

G

Give yee strong drinke unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto them that have grase of heart.

H

Hee that turneth awaie his care from hearing the lawe, even his praier shall be abhominable.

I

In the transgression of an evill man is his snare, but the righteous doth sing and rejoise.

K

Keépe thine heart with all diligence, for thereout commeth life.

L

Let thine eyes beholde the right, and let thine eielids direct thy way before thee.

M

Manie reverence the face of the prince, and everie man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

N

Northerne windes drive away the raine, so doth an angrie countenance the slandering tongue.

O

Obey thy father that hath begotten thee, and despise not thy mother when shee is old.

P

Pride goeth before destruction, and an high minde before the fall.

Q

Quietnes in a poore cottage, is better than strife in a Princes palace.

R

Riches gather manie friends, but the poore is separated from his neighbour.

S

Smite a scorner and the foolish will beware: reprove the prudent, and heé will understand knowledge.

T

The foolishnes of man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord.

V

Valiantnes in a king, is like the strégth of a Lion, his lookes shall fray his foes.

W

Wisedome is high to a foole, therefore hee cannot open his mouth in the gate.

Y

Youth is woorthie to be reverenced, if it be adorned with discretion and continencie.

Z

Zeal without knowledge is foolishnes, love without honestie is lewdnesse, and friendship without faith is flatterie.

 


The second sententious sequence of the A, B,C,
delivering diverse doctrines of virtue and vice,
to be followed and avoided

A

Apply thine hart to instruction, and thine eares to the words of knowledge.

A

A man that wandreth out of the way of wisdome, shall remaine in the congregation of the dead.

B

Be not light of credit, but lay thine eare open to truth and honestie, so shalt thou beé worshipfull.

B

Be not thou envious against evill men, neither desire to bee with them.

C

Count nothing thine owne, whiles thou livest in this worlde, for everie man hath his talent but lent.

C

Cast out the scorner, and the seditious man, so shall contention and reproch cease.

D

Do good to thine enemy to the uttermost of thy might, so shalt thou fulfill the law of charitie.

D

Drawe towardes the wise to learne wisdome, so shalt thou be had in reputation.

E

Eate thou not the breade of him that hath an evill eie; neyther desire his daintie meates.

E

Even in laughing the heart is sorrowfull, and the ende of that mirth is heavinesse.

F

Foolishnesse is joy to him that is destitute of understanding, but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

F

Flatterie is like unto the weéping of a Crocodile, and when he talketh most friendlie, he meaneth least honestie.

G

God overthroweth the wicked, and they are not, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

G

Give no eare to the report of a slanderer, for in his tongue lieth deadlie poison.

H

Hee that keépeth his tongue, keépeth his life: but he that openeth his lippes, destruction shall be to him.

H

He shall be sore vexed that is suretie for a stranger: and heé that hateth suretiship is sure.

I

Intend nothing that may turne to the harme of thy neighbour, for heé is as thine owne selfe.

I

Justice and truth are in such as feare God, as for the wicked, they abhorre vertue.

K

Keépe not company with drunkards nor with gluttons: for the feéte of such go to death.

K

Know him well whom thou makest of thy counsell, least hee bewraie thy secrets.

L

Looke not uppon the wine when it is redde, and when it sheweth his colour in the cup, or goeth out pleasantlie.

L

Let not thine heart bee envious against sinners, but let it be in the feare of the Lord continuallie.

M

Mercy and truth do preserve the King, for his throne shall be established with mercy.

M

Make no friendship with an angrie man, neither goe with the furions man.

N

Notortous liars fleé from, as from a Scorpion: for they are the very frie of Sathan.

N

Never give thy consent in a thing that is wicked, for God rewardeth both with shame.

O

Opprobrious wordes defile the soule of him from whome they proceéd, and wound to the death.

O

Of thine encrease, spare somewhat to the poore, that God may blesse thy store.

P

Pitie the case of such as beé succourlesse, and shut not thine eies against the naked.

P

Patience is a soveraigne vertue, and bringeth the soule of the just to everlasting comfort.

Q

Quicken thy heart with honest mirth, least too much heavines overthrowe thy health.

Q

Quietlie tarrie the Lordes leasure in the time of thy trouble: for so to doo is wisdome.

R

Rob not the poore, because heé is poore: neither oppresse the afflicted in judgement.

R

Righteous lips are the kings delight, and hee loveth them that speake right thinges.

S

Set not thy minde upon vanitie, for therein consisteth nothing that is sound.

S

Submit thy necke to the yoke of obedience, so shalt thou be praised among the people.

T

The wrath of a king, is as the messenger of death: but a wise man will pacifie him.

T

The heart of man purposeth his way, but the Lorde doth direct his steps.

V

Violence and tyrany are the ruine of a Realme, but mercie upholdeth the kings throne.

V

Upbraid not thy better with contumelious talke, least thou heape hot coles upon thine own head.

W

Without counsell thoughtes come to naught: but in the multitude of counsellors is stedfastnesse.

W

Wisedome resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding and is unknowne in the minds of fooles.

Y

Yeéld to the magistrate dutifulness, and with thine equall use courtesie.

Y

Young or olde, rich or poore, strong or weake, thou art not thine owne, but Gods who made theé.

Z

Zacheus the Publican, offering to make restitution if hee had done anie man wrong, teacheth the rich of this worlde what their duties should be.

Z

Zerubbabell shall laie the highest stone of the spirituall temple, his hands have laid the foundation of the same.



The third sententious sequence Of the A,B,C,
delivering diverse doctrines of virtue and vice,
to be followed and avoided.

A

A sound heart is the life of the flesh but envie is the rotting of the bones.

A

A faithfull witnes delivereth soules, but a deceiver speaketh lies.

A

An angrie man stirreth up strife: but he that is slowe to wrath appeaseth strife.

B

Better is a dinner of greene hearbs where love is, than a stalled oxe & hatred therewith.

B

Better is a little with the feare of the Lorde, than great treasure and trouble therewith.

B

Better is a drie morsell, if peace bee with it, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

C

Childrens children are the crowne of the Elders, and the glorie of the children are their fathers.

C

Contemne not anie that is in authoritie, for that is the readie waie to runne into Gods wrath.

C

Chasten thy sonne whiles there is hope, and let not thy soule spare for his murmurings.

D

Diverse weights are an abhomination unto the Lorde, and deceiptfull Ballances are not good.

D

Depart from the foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

D

Destruction shall light upon them that imagine evill, but to such as thinke on good things, shall be mercies and truth.

E

Enter not into lawe with a rich man, for it is in him to pervert equitie and right.

E

Exercise thy selfe in that which is honest, so shal no shame follow thereupon.

E

Exempt thy selfe from the companie of wanton women, for they leade thee the waie to hell.

F

Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a childe, but the rod of correction shall drive it away.

F

Frowardnesse is the token of a foole, and inconstancie is a signe of little trust.

F

Followe not the cousell of the wicked, least thou be partaker of their punishment.

G

Give admonition to the wise, and hee will be the wiser: teach a righteous man, and hee will increase in learning.

G

Good understanding maketh acceptable, but the waie of the disobedient is hated.

G

Grudge not to give of thine abundance to him that is needie, lest God be angrie.

H

Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him that made him: and hee that rejoyceth at destruction, shall not escape unpunished.

H

Hee that is slow unto anger, is better than the mightie man: and hee that ruleth his owne minde, is better than hee that winneth a citie.

H

How much better is it to get wisedome than golde: and to get understanding, is more to be desired then silver.

I

In the mouth of the foolish is the boasting of pride, but the lips of the wise will beware of such.

I

It is a great abomination when Kinges are wicked, for a Kings seate shoulde bee upholden with righteousnesse.

I

If thou smitest a scornefull person, the ignorant shall take better heed: and if thou reprovest one that hath understanding he wil be the wiser.

K

keepe thy selfe from strife, for therein consisteth a mans honour: but they that have pleasure in brauling, are fooles everie one.

K

Kings ought to be feared, as the roaring of a Lion: who so provoketh him to anger, offendeth against his own soule.

K

Kindle not contention betweéne neighbour and neighbour, for the Lord wil roote such out of the land.

L

Lay no privie waite wickedlie uppon the house of the righteous, and disquiet not his resting place.

L

Let not thy wrath and jelousie move thee to followe the wicked and ungodly.

L

Like as the cold of snow in the hearvest, so is a faithfull messenger to them that sende him: for he refresheth his maisters mind.

M

Make not thy boast of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what may happen today.

M

Many there be that seéke the Princes favour, but everie mans judgemente commeth fró the Lord.

M

Mercie in a King, is like a pearle of great value in a golden crowne: O happie is the land that hath such a king!

N

Nurture thy sonne with correction, and thou shalt be at rest: yea, he shall do thee good at thine heart.

N

Never trust a flatterer with anie secret: for such a one cannot keépe counsell.

N

Notwithstanding thou bee poore, and yet hast wisdom, thou shalt be had in reverence:

O

One poore man oppressing another by violence, is like a continuall raine that destroieth the fruit.

O

Oppresse not the fatherlesse and widow, for the Lorde himselfe will take vengeance.

O

Overcome evill with good, so shall the Lord blesse thee in all thy proceedings.

P

Put thou nothing unto the word of the Lorde, least hee reprove thee, and thou be found a lier.

P

Plentie bringeth loathsomnes, and forgetfulnes of God: O wel is he that keepeth measure!

P

Pitch not thy tentes among the wicked, least thou bee overthrowne in their destruction.

Q

Queénes and kings are to be feared of their subjectes, O well is hee whose heart is obedient!

Q

Quench the wrath of thine adversarie with patience, so shall his anger asswage.

Q

Quicklie reforme thy selfe, if thou have offended: and excuse not the thing wherein thou hast done amisse.

R

Riches and honour waite uppon wisedome: yea, excellent goodes and righteousnesse.

R

Receive knowledge before silver, and understanding before the finest gold.

R

Remoove from thee all malice and envie: for the hearte of the froward is a tormenting hell.

S

Some men are rich, though they have nothing: againe, some men are poore having great riches.

S

Seeke wisedome in thy youth, so shalt thou bee honoured in thine age.

S

Set aside all slouthfulnesse, and walke uprightlie in thy vocation and calling.

T

The law is a well of life unto the wise, that it may keepe him from the snares of death.

T

The righteous eateth and is satisfied, but the bellie of the ungodlie hath never inough.

T

The poore is hated, even of his owne neighbours, but the rich hath many friends.

V

Visit thy friend in the time of his adversitie, so shalt thou shew thy faithfulnesse.

V

Vaine are all thinges under the Sunne, onelie the word of God lasteth forever.

V

Unto the counsell of the wise let thine eares be open, but flee the conversation of the wicked.

W

When it goeth well with the righteous, the citie is merrie: and when the ungodlie perish, there is gladnesse.

W

Weépe over the sinnes which thou hast committed, and pray to God, penitentlie for pardon.

W

Where pride is, there is shame and confusion: but where lowlines is, there is wisedome.

Y

Yrke and loath the follies of the flesh, for the end of them is everlasting confusion.

Y

Yeelde not thy selfe into the handes of thine enemies, for they seeke nothing but to sucke thy bloud.

Y

Youthfull array is unseemelie for the aged, but gravitie maketh youth lovely and gratious.

Z

Zealouslie maintaine the truth, yea before a Judge, for truth will prevaile and get the victorie.

Z

Zeale in a good cause is commendable and praiseworthie, O happie is he that hath such a zeale!

Z

Zealouslie to follow the commandements of God, and trulie to love his lawe, is life everlasting.
  FINIS

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Notes and Sources for Fleming’s School of Skill

 

reformed: regenerate; morally upright; also specifically protestant

Preface

childré: children.
toongs: tongues.
peradventure: Perchance, haply; maybe, perhaps; not improbably, belike(OED).
enuring: inuring; continual exposure or exercise to attain a desired state of mind (OED).
contemne: contemn; scorne, disdain, slight (OED).
concupiscence:extreme desire for worldly things, carnal desire (OED).
clarke: clerk, cleric or scholar.


Notes and Sources for "First Sententious Sequence"

sententious: aphoristic, full of meaning.
1A: Prov. 1:5.
1B: Prov. 3:7.
1C: Prov. 16:3.
1D: Prov. 18:21.
1E: Prov. 17:28.
1F: Prov. 31:30.
1G: Prov. 31:6.
1H: Prov. 28.9.
1: Prov. 29:6.
1K: Prov. 4:23.
1L: Prov. 4:25.
1M: Prov. 19:6.
1N: Prov. 25:23.
1O: Prov. 23:22.
1P: Prov 16:18.
1R: Prov. 14:20.
1S: Prov. 19:25.
1T: Prov. 19:3.
1V: strégth: strength;fray: stay? (probable printer's error).

1W: Prov. 24:7.
1Y: see 1 Tim. 4:12; continencie: continency; self-restraint.
1Z: Prov. 19:2.


Notes and Sources for "Second Sententious Sequence"

2A1: Prov: 23:12.
2A2: Prov. 21:16.
2B1: credit: belief; credence

2B2: Prov. 24:1.
2C2: Prov. 22:10.
2D1:see Prov. 25:21-22.
2E1: Prov. 23:6.
2E2: Prov. 14:13.
2F1: Prov. 15:21.
2F2: weéping of a Crocodile: hypocritical show of sorrow or emotion (OED).
2G1: Prov. 12.7.
2G2: James 3:8.
2H1: Prov. 13:3.
2H2: Prov. 11:15; suretie: surety; pledge or bond to fulfill an undertaking (OED).
2I2: see Prov. 1:7; I/J: the early modern alphabet did not distinguish between I and J.
2K1: see Prov. 23:20-21.
2K2: see Prov. 20:19; bewraie: bewray; harm or discredit by exposing secrets (OED);least: lest.
2L1: Prov. 23:31.
2L2: Prov. 23:17.
2M1: Prov. 20:28.
2M2: Prov. 22:24; furions: furious? (probable printer's error).
2N1: Notortous: Notorious? (probable printer's error); Notortous liars fleé from: flee from notorious liars (imperative).
2O1: see Ps. 59:12-13.
2O2: see Prov. 22:9; Opprobrious: injurious, disgraceful, abusive (OED).
2P1: see Prov. 31:9; succourlesse: helpless.
2Q1: Prov. 17:22; least: lest.
2R1: Prov. 22:22.
2R2: Prov. 16:13.
2S1: see Prov. 21:6, Eccles. 6:4.
2T1: Prov. 16:14.
2T2: Prov. 16.9.

2V1: see Prov. 20:28.
2V2: Upbraid: insult;contumelious: humiliating, insolent (OED). V/U: the early modern alphabet did not distinguish between U and V.

2W1: Prov. 15:22.
2W2: Prov. 14.33.
2Y2: Prov. 22:2
2Z1: Luke 19; Zacheus: Luke 19; Publican: tax collector.
2Z2: Ezra 3-5, Zech. 4:9; Zerubbabell: Ezra 3-5, Zech. 4:9.


Notes and Sources for "Third Sententious Sequence"

3A1: Prov. 14:30.
3A2: Prov. 14:5.
3A3: Prov. 29:22.
3B1: Prov. 15:17; Better is a dinner… hatred therewith: hardship coupled with love is preferable to comfort coupled with hatred.
3B2: Prov. 15:16.
3B3: Prov. 17:1.
3C1: Prov. 17:6.
3C2: Contemne: disdain, despise, scorne (OED).

3C3: Prov 19:18.
3D1: Prov. 20:23.
3D2: Prov. 14:7.
3E3: see Prov. 6:32.
3F1: Prov. 22:15.
3F2: frowardnesse: perversity, untowardness (OED); contrariness.
3F3: least: lest.
3G1: Prov. 9:9.
3G2: see Prov. 13:15.
3G3: see Prov. 28:27.
3H1: Prov. 17:5.
3H2: Prov. 16:32.
3H3: Prov. 16:16.
3I1: Prov. 14:3.
3I2: Prov. 16:12.
3I3: see Prov. 19:25.
3K1: Prov. 20:3?
3K2: Prov. 20:2.
3L3: Prov. 25:13.
3M1: Prov. 27:1.
3M2: Prov. 29:26; fró: from.
3N1: see Prov. 29:17.
3N2: see Prov. 20:19.
3O1: Prov. 28:3.
3O3: see Rom. 12:21.
3P1: Prov. 30:6; least: lest.
3P3: least: lest

3Q2: Prov. 28:13; asswage: assuage; appease, mitigate, calm (OED).
3R2: Prov. 16:16.
3R3: the froward:
one who is perverse, difficult to deal with, hard to please; refractory, ungovernable (OED).
3S1: Prov. 13:7.
3T1: Prov. 13:14.
3T2: Prov. 13:25; inough: enough.
3T3: Prov. 14:20.
3V2: see Eccles. 1:14; least: lest.
3V3: see Prov. 14:7, 19:20.
3W1: Prov. 11:10.
3W2: see Prov. 28:13.
3W3: Prov. 11:2.
3Y1: Yrke: Irk; be weary or disgusted with (OED).
3Z1: see Prov. 12:17.
3Z3: see Prov. 3:1.

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