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DIALOGUE Betwixt Mr. WISEMAN, And, Mr. ATTENTIVE.Part 2
Atten. `Tis a wonder, that in such a Family, amidst so many spiritual helps, nothing should take hold of his heart! What! not good Books, nor good Instructions, nor good Sermons, nor good Examples, nor good fellow-Servants, nor nothing do him good!
Wise. You talk, he minded none of these things; nay, all these were {43d} abominable to him.
1. For good Books, they might lie in his Masters house till they rotted for him, he would not regard to look into them; but, contrary-wise, would get all the bad and abominable Books that he could, as beastly Romances, and books full of Ribbauldry, even such as immediately tended to set all fleshly lusts on fire. True, he durst not be known to have any of these, to his Master; therefore would he never let them be seen by him, but would keep them in close places, and peruse them at such times, as yielded him fit opportunities thereto.
2. For good Instruction, he liked that, much as he liked good books; his care was to hear but little thereof, and to forget what he heard as soon as `twas spoken. Yea, I have heard some that knew him then, say, that one might evidently discern by the shew of his countenance and gestures, that good counsel was to him like {44a} little-ease, even a continual torment to him; nor did he ever count himself at liberty, but when farthest off of wholsom words. He would hate them that rebuked him, and count them his deadly enemies.
3. For good Example; which was frequently set him by his Master, both in Religious and Civil matters; these, young Badman would laugh at, and would also make a byword of them, when he came in place where he with safety could.
4. His Master indeed would make him go with him to Sermons, and that where he thought the best Preachers were, but this ungodly young man, what shall I say, was (I think) a Master of Art in all mischief; he had these wicked ways to hinder himself of hearing, let the Preacher thunder never so loud.
1. His {44b} way was, when come into the place of hearing, to sit down in some corner, and then to fall fast asleep.
2. Or else to fix his adulterous eyes upon some beautifull Object that was in the place, and so all Sermon-while, therewith be feeding of his fleshly lusts.
3. Or, if he could get near to some that he had observed would fit his humour, he would be whispering, gigling, and playing with them, till such time as Sermon was done.
Atten. Why! he was grown to a prodigious height of wickedness.
Wise. He was so, and that which aggravates all, was, this was his practice as soon as he was come to his Master, he was as ready at all these things, as if he had, before he came to his Master, served an Apprentiship to learn them.
Atten. There could not but be added (as you relate them) Rebellion to his sin. Methinks it is as if he had said, I will not hear, I will not regard, I will not mind good, I will not mend, I will not turn, I will not be converted.
Wise. You {45a} say true, and I know not to whom more fitly to compare him, {45b} than to that man, who when I my self rebuked him for his wickedness, in this great huff replied; What would the Devil do for company, if it was not for such as I.
Atten. Why did you ever hear any man say so.
Wise. Yes, that I did; and this young Badman was as like him, as an Egg is like an Egg. Alas! the Scripture makes mention of many that by their actions speak the same. They say unto God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways; Again, They refuse to hearken, and pull away their shoulder, and stop their ears; yea, they make their hearts hard as an Adamant-stone, lest they should hear the Law, and the words that the Lord of Host[s] hath sent. {45c} What are all these but such as Badman, and such as the young man but now mentioned? That young man was my Play- fellow when I was solacing my self in my sins: I may make mention of him to my shame; but he has a great many fellows.
Atten. Young Badman was like him indeed, and he trod his steps, as if his wickedness had been his very Copy; I mean, as to his desperateness: for had he not been a desperate one, he would never have made you such a reply, when you was rebuking of him for his sin. But when did you give him such a rebuke?
Wise. A while after God had parted him and I, by Calling of me (as I hope) by his Grace, still leaving him in his sins; and so far as I could ever gather, as he lived, so he died, even as Mr. Badman did: but we will leave him, and return again to our discourse.
Atten. Ha, poor obstinate sinners! doe they think that God cannot be even with them?
Wise. I do not know, what they think, but I know that God hath said, That as He cried, and they would not hear, so they shall crie, and I will not hear, saith the Lord. {45d} Doubtless there is a time a coming, when Mr. Badman will crie for this.
Atten. But I wonder that he should be so expert in wickedness, so soon! alas, he was but a Stripling, I suppose, he was, as yet, not Twenty.
Wise. No, nor Eighteen neither: but (as with Ishmael, and with the Children that mocked the Prophet) the seeds of sin did put forth themselves betimes in him. {46a}
Atten. Well, he was as wicked a young man as commonly one shall hear of.
Wise. You will say so, when you know all.
Atten. All, I think here is a great All; but if there is more behind, pray let us hear it.
Wise. Why, then I will tell you, that he had not been with his Master much above a year and a half, but he came {46b} acquainted with three young Villains (who here shall be nameless,) that taught him to adde to his sin, much of like kind; and he as aptly received their Instructions. One of them was chiefly given to Uncleanness, another to Drunkenness; and the third to Purloining, or stealing from his Master.
Atten. Alas poor Wretch, he was bad enough before, but these, I suppose, made him much worse.
Wise. That they made him worse you may be sure of, for they taught him to be an Arch, a chief one in all their wayes.
Atten. It was an ill hap that he ever came acqu[a]inted with them.
Wise. You must rather word it thus. It {46c} was the Judgement of God that he did; that is, he came acquainted with them, through the anger of God. He had a good Master, and before him a good Father: By these he had good counsel given him for Months and Years together; but his heart was set upon mischief, he loved wickedness more than to do good, even untill his Iniquity came to be hateful; therefore, from the anger of God it was, that these companions of his, and he, did at last so acquaint together. Sayes Paul, They did not like to retain God in their knowledge; {46d} and what follows? wherefore, God gave them over, or up to their own hearts lusts. And again, As for such as turn aside to their own crooked wayes, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. {46e} This therefore was Gods hand upon him, that he might be destroyed, be damned; because he received not the love of the Truth that he might be saved. He chose his Delusions and Deluders for him, even the company of base men, of Fools, that he might be destroyed. {46f} {47a}
Atten. I cannot but think indeed, that it is a Great Judgment of God for a man to be given up to the company of vile men; for what are such but the Devils {47b} Decoyes, even those by whom he drawes the simple into the Net? A Whoremaster, a Drunkard, a Thiefe, what are they but the Devils baits, by which he catcheth others?
Wise. You say right; but this young Badman was no simple one, if by simple, you mean one uninstructed; for he had often good counsel given him: but if by simple, you mean, him that is a Fool as to the true Knowledge of, and Faith in Christ, then he was a simple one indeed: for he chose death, rather than life, and to live in continual opposition to God, rather than to be Reconciled unto him; according to that saying of the wise man; The fooles hated knowledge, and did not choose the Fear of the Lord: {47c} and what Judgement more dreadfull can a fool be given up to, than to be delivered into the hands of such men, that have skill to do nothing, but to ripen sin, and hasten its finishing unto damnation? And therefore men should be afraid of offending God, because he can in this manner punish them for their sins. I {47d} knew a man that once was, as I thought, hopefully awakened about his Condition; yea, I knew two that were so awakened; but in time they began to draw back, and to incline again to their lusts; wherefore, God gave them up to the company of three or four men, that in less than three years time brought them roundly to the Gallows, where they were hanged like Dogs, because they refused to live like honest men. {47e}
Atten. But such men do not believe, that thus to be given up of God, is in Judgement and anger; they rather take it to be their liberty, and do count it their happiness; they are glad that their Cord is loosed, and that the reins are in their neck; they are glad that they may sin without controul, and that they may choose such company as can make them more expert in an evil way.
Wise. Their Judgement is therefore so much the greater, because thereto is added blindness of Mind, and hardness of Heart in a wicked way. They are turned up to the way of Death, but must not see to what place they are going: They must go as the Ox to the slaughter, and as the Fool to the Correction of the Stocks, {48a} till a Dart strikes through their Liver, not knowing that it is for their life. This, I say, makes their Judgement double, they are given up of God, for a while to sport themselves with that which will assuredly make them mourn at last, when their flesh and their body is consumed. {48b} These are those that Peter {48c} speaks of, that shall utterly perish in their own corruptions; these, I say, who count it pleasure to ryot in the day-time, and that sport themselves with their own deceivings, are, as natural bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed.
Atten. Well, but I pray now concerning these three Villains that were young Badmans companions: Tell me more particularly how he carried it then.
Wise. How he carried it! why, he did as they. I intimated so much before, when I said, they made him an arch, a chief one in their ways.
First, He became a Frequenter of {48d} Taverns and Tippling-houses, and would stay there untill he was even as drunk as a Beast. And if it was so, that he could not get out by day, he would, be sure, get out by night. Yea, he became so common a Drunkard, at last, that he was taken notice of to be a Drunkard even by all.
Atten. This was Swinish, for Drunkenness, is so beastly a sin, a sin so much against Nature, that I wonder that any that have but the appearance of Men, can give up themselves to so beastly (yea, worse than beastly) a thing.
Wise. It is a Swinish vanity indeed. I will tell you another Story. {48e} {48f} There was a Gentleman that had a Drunkard to be his Groom, and coming home one night very much abused with Beer, his Master saw it. Well (quoth his Master within himself,) I will let thee alone to night, but to morrow morning I will convince thee that thou art worse than a Beast, by the behaviour of my Horse. So when morning was come, he bids his man goe and water his Horse, and so he did; but coming up to his Master, he commands him to water him again; so the fellow rid into the water the second time, but his masters horse would now drink no more, so the fellow came up and told his Master. Then said his Master, Thou drunken sot, thou art far worse than my Horse, he will drink but to satisfie nature, but thou wilt drink to the abuse of nature; he will drink but to refresh himself, but thou to thy hurt and dammage; He will drink, that he may be more serviceable to his Master, but thou, till thou art uncapable of serving either God or Man. O thou Beast, how much art thou worse than the horse that thou ridest on.
Atten. Truly I think that his Master served him right; for in doing as he did, he shewed him plainly, as he said, that he had not so much government of himself as his horse had of himself, and consequently that his beast did live more according to the Law of his nature by far, than did his man. But pray go on with what you have further to say.
Wise. Why, I say, that there are {49a} four things, which if they were well considered, would make drunkenness to be abhorred in the thoughts of the Children of men.
1. It greatly tendeth to impoverish and beggar a man. The Drunkard, says Solomon, shall come to poverty. {49b} Many that have begun the world with Plenty, have gone out of it in Rags; through drunkenness. Yea, many Children that have been born to good Estates, have yet been brought to a Flail & a Rake, through this beastly sin of their Parents.
2. This sin of Drunkenness, it bringeth upon the Body, many, great, and incurable Diseases, by which Men do in little time come to their end, and none can help them. So, because they are overmuch wicked, therefore they dye before their time. {49c}
3. Drunkenness, is a sin that is often times attended with abundance of other evils. Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contention? Who hath babblings? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of the eyes? They that tarry long at the Wine, they that go to seek mixt wine. {49d} That is, the Drunkard.
4. By Drunkenness, Men do often times shorten their dayes; goe out of the Ale-house drunk, and break their Necks before they come home. Instances not a few might be given of this, but this is so manifest, a man need say nothing.
Atten. But {50a} {50b} that which is worse than all is, it also prepares men for everlasting burnings.
Wise. Yea, and it so stupifies and besotts the soul, that a man that is far gone in Drunkenness, is hardly ever recovered to God. Tell me, when did you see an old drunkard converted? No, no, such an one will sleep till he dies, though he sleeps on the top of a {50c} Mast, let his dangers be never so great and Death and damnation never so near, he will not be awaked out of his sleep. So that if a man have any respect either to Credit, Health, Life or Salvation, he will not be a drunken man. But the truth is, where this sin gets the upper hand, men are, as I said before, so intoxicated and bewitched with the seeming pleasures, and sweetness thereof; that they have neither heart nor mind to think of that which is better in itself; and would, if imbraced, do them good.
Atten. You said that drunkenness tends to poverty, yet some make themselves rich by drunken bargains.
Wise. I {50d} said so, because the Word says so. And as to some mens getting thereby, that is indeed but rare, and base: yea, and base will be the end of such gettings. The Word of God is against such wayes, and the curse of God will be the end of such doings. An Inheritance may sometimes thus be hastily gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed. Hark what the Prophet saith; Wo to him that coveteth an evil covetousness, that he may set his nest on high. {50e} Whether he makes drunkenness, or ought else, the engine and decoy to get it; for that man doth but consult the shame of his own house, the spoiling of his family, and the damnation of his Soul; for that which he getteth by working of iniquity, is but a getting by the devices of Hell; Therefore he can be no gainer neither for himself or family, that gains by an evil course. But this was one of the sins that Mr. Badman was addicted to after he came acquainted with these three fellows, nor could all that his Master could do break him of this Beastly sin.
Atten. But where, since he was but an Apprentice, could he get Money to follow this practice, for drunkenness, as you have intimated, is a very costly sin.
Wise. His Master {51a} paid for all. For, (as I told you before) as he learned of these three Villains to be a Beastly Drunkard; so he learned of them to pilfer and steal from his Master. Sometimes he would sell off his Masters Goods, but keep the Money, that is when he could; also sometimes he would beguile his Master by taking out of his Cashbox: and when he could do neither of these, he would convey away of his Masters wares, what he thought would be least missed, and send or carry them to such and such houses, where he knew they would be laid up to his use, and then appoint set times there, to meet and make merry with these fellowes.
Atten. This, was as bad, nay, I think, worse than the former; for by thus doing, he did, not only run himself under the wrath of God, but has endangered the undoing of his Master and his Familie.
Wise. Sins go not alone, but follow one the other as do the links of a Chain; he that will be a drunkard, must have money either of his own, or of some other mans; either of his Fathers, Mothers, Masters, or at the high-way, or some way.
Atten. I fear that many an honest man is undone by such kind of servants.
Wise. I am of the same mind with you, but {51b} this should make the dealer the more wary what kind of Servants he keeps, and what kind of Apprentices he takes. It should also teach him to look well to his Shop himself, also to take strict account of all things that are bought and sold by his Servants. The Masters neglect herein may embolden his servant to be bad, and may bring him too in short time to rags and a morsel of Bread.
Atten. I am afraid that there is much of this kind of pilfering among servants in these bad dayes of ours.
Wise. Now, while it is in my mind, I will tell you a story. {51c} When I was in prison, there came a woman to me that was under a great deal of trouble. So I asked her (she being a stranger to me) what she had to say to me. She said, she was afraid she should be damned. I asked her the cause of those fears. She told me that she had sometime since lived with a Shop-keeper at Wellingborough, and had robbed his box in the Shop several times of Money, to the value of more than now I will say; and pray, says she, tell me what I shall do. I told her, I would have her go to her Master, and make him satisfaction: She said, she was afraid; I asked her why? She said, she doubted he would hang her. I told her, that I would intercede for her life, and would make use of other friends too to do the like; But she told me, she durst not venture that. Well, said I, shall I send to your Master, while you abide out of sight, and make your peace with him, before he sees you; and with that, I asked her her Masters name. But all that she said in answer to this, was, Pray let it alone till I come to you again. So away she went, and neither told me her Masters Name, nor her own: This is about ten or twelve years since, and I never saw her again. I tell you this story for this cause; to confirm your fears, that such kind of servants too many there be; and that God makes them sometimes like old Tod, of whom mention was made before, (through the terrors that he layes upon them) to betray themselves.
I could tell you of another, {52a} that came to me with a like relation concerning her self, and the robbing of her Mistress; but at this time let this suffice.
Atten. But what was that other Villain addicted to, I mean, young Badmans third companion?
Wise. Uncleanness. {52b} I told you before, but it seems you forgot.
Atten. Right, it was Uncleanness. Uncleanness is also a filthy sin.
Wise. It is so; and yet it is one of the most reigning sins in our day.
Atten. So they say, and that too among those that one would think had more wit, even among the great ones.
Wise. The more is the pity: for usually Examples that are set by them that are great and chief, {52c} spread sooner, and more universally, then do the sins of other men; yea, and when such men are at the head in transgressing, sin walks with a bold face through the Land. As Jeremiah saith of the Prophets, so may it be said of such, From them is profaneness gone forth into all the land; that is, with bold and audacious face, Jer. 23. 15.
Atten. But pray let us return again to Mr. Badman and his companions. You say one of them was very vile in the commission of Uncleanness.
Wise. Yes, so I say; not but that he was a Drunkard and also Thievish, but he was most arch in this sin of Uncleanness: This Roguery was his Master-piece, for he was a Ringleader to them all in the beastly sin of Whoredom. He was also best acquainted with such houses where they were, and so could readily lead the rest of his Gang unto them. The Strumpets also, because they knew this young Villain, would at first discover themselves in all their whorish pranks to those that he brought with him.
Atten. That is a deadly thing: I mean, it is a deadly thing to young men, when such beastly queans, shall, with words and carriages that are openly tempting, discover themselves unto them; It is hard for such to escape their Snare.
Wise. That is true, therefore the Wise mans counsel is the best: Come not near the door of her house; {53a} for they are (as you say) very tempting, as is seen by her in the Proverbs. I looked (says the Wise man) through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned a young man void of understanding, passing through the streets near her corner, and he went the way to her house: In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night. And behold, there met him a Woman, with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart; ({53c} she is loud and stubborn, her feet abide not in her house. Now she is without, now she is in the street, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kiss`d him, and with an impudent face said unto him: I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of Tapestry, with carved works, with fine Linnen of AEgypt: I have perfumed my bed with Myrrhe, Aloes, and Cinnamon; come let us take our fill of love untill the Morning, let us solace our selves with loves. {53b} Here was a bold Beast: And indeed, the very eyes, hands, words and ways of such, are all snares and bands to youthful, lustful fellows: And with these was young Badman greatly snared.
Atten. This sin of Uncleanness {54a} is mightily cried out against both by Moses, the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles; and yet, as we see, for all that, how men run head-long to it!
Wise. You have said the truth, and I will adde, that God, to hold men back from so filthy a sin, has set such a stamp of his Indignation upon it, and commanded such evil effects to follow it, that were not they that use it bereft of all Fear of God, and love to their own health, they could not but stop and be afraid to commit it. For, besides the eternal Damnation that doth attend such in the next world, (for these have no Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God, Ephes. 5.) the evil effects thereof in this world are dreadfull.
Atten. Pray skew me some of them, that as occasion offereth it self, I may shew them to others for their good.
Wise. So I will. 1. {54b} It bringeth a man (as was said of the sin before) to want and poverty; for by means of a Whorish woman, a man is brought to a piece of bread. The reason is, for that an Whore will not yield without hire; and men when the Devil and Lust is in them, and God and his Fear far away from them, will not stick, so they may accomplish their desire, to lay their Signet, their Bracelets, and their Staff to pledge, {54c} rather than miss of the fulfilling of their lusts. 2. Again, by this sin men diminish their strength, and bring upon themselves, even upon the Body, a multitude of Diseases. This King Lemuel`s Mother warned him of. What my Son, said she, and what the son of my womb, and what the Son of my Vows: Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth Kings. {54d} This sin is destructive to the Body. Give me leave to tell you another story. I {54e} {54f} have heard of a great man that was a very unclean person, and he had lived so long in that sin, that he had almost lost his sight. So his Physicians were sent for, to whom he told his to Disease; but they told him, that they could do him no good, unless he would forbear his Women. Nay then, said he, farewell sweet Sight. Whence observe, that this sin, as I said, is destructive to the Body; and also, that some men be so in love therewith, that they will have it, though it destroy their body.
Atten. Paul says also, that he that sins this sin, sins against his own Body. But what of that? he that will run the hazard of eternal Damnation of his Soul, but he will commit this sin, will for it run the hazard of destroying his Body. If young Badman feared not the Damnation of his Soul, do you think that the consideration of impairing of his Body, would have deterred him therefrom?
Wise. You say true. But yet, methinks, there are still such bad effects follow, often, upon the commission of it, that if men would consider them, it would put, at least, a stop to their career therein.
Atten. What other evil effects attend this sin?
Wise. Outward shame and disgrace, and that in these particulars: {55a}
First, There often follows this foul sin, the Foul Disease, now called by us the Pox. A disease so nauseous and stinking, so infectious to the whole body (and so intailed to this sin) that hardly are any common with unclean Women, but they have more or less a touch of it to their shame.
Atten. That is a foul disease indeed: I knew {55b} a man once that rotted away with it; and another that had his Nose eaten off, and his Mouth almost quite sewed up thereby.
Wise. It is a Disease, that where it is, it commonly declares, that the cause thereof is Uncleanness. It declares to all that behold such a man, that he is an odious, a beastly, unclean person. This is that strange punishment that Job speaks of, that is appointed to seize on these workers of Iniquity. {55c}
Atten. Then it seems you think that the strange punishment that Job there speaks of, should be the foul disease.
Wise. I have thought so indeed, and that for this reason: We see that this Disease is entailed as I may say, to this most beastly sin, nor is there any disease so entailed to any other sin, as this to this. That this is the sin to which the strange Punishment is entailed, you will easily perceive when you read the Text. I made a covenant with mine eyes, said Job, why should I think upon a Maid? For what portion is there (for that sin) from above, and what Inheritance of the Almighty from on high? And then he answers himself; Is not destruction to the wicked, and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? This strange Punishment is the Pox.
Also I think that this foul Disease is that which Solomon intends, when he saith, (speaking of this unclean and beastly creature) A wound and dishonour shall he get, and his reproach shall not be turned away. {56a} A Punishment Job calls it, a Wound and Dishonour, Solomon calls it; and they both do set it as a Remark upon this sin; Job calling it a strange punishment, and Solomon a reproach that shall not be turned away from them that are common in it.
Atten. What other things follow upon the commission of this beastly sin?
Wise. Why, often-times it is attended with Murder, with the murder of the Babe begotten on the defiled bed. How common it is for the Bastard-getter and Bastard-bearer, to consent together to murder their Children, will be better known at the day of Judgement; yet something is manifest now.
I will tell you another story. {56b} An ancient man, one of mine acquaintance, a man of good credit in our Countrey, had a Mother that was a Midwife: who was mostly imployed in laying great persons. To this womans house, upon a time, comes a brave young Gallant on horseback, to fetch her to lay a young Lady. So she addresses herself to go with him; wherefore, he takes her up behind him, and away they ride in the night. Now they had not rid far, but the Gentleman litt off his horse, and taking the old Midwife in his arms from the horse, turned round with her several times, and then set her up again; then he got up, and away they went till they came at a stately house, into which he had her, and so into a Chamber where the young Lady was in her pains: He then bid the Midwife do her Office, and she demanded help, but he drew out his Sword and told her, if she did not make speed to do her Office without, she must look for nothing but death. Well, to be short, this old Midwife laid the young Lady, and a fine sweet Babe she had; Now there was made in a Room hard by, a very great Fire: so the Gentleman took up the Babe, went and drew the coals from the stock, cast the Child in, and covered it up, and there was an end of that. So when the Midwife had done her work, he paid her well for her pains, but shut her up in a dark room all day, and when night came, took her up behind him again, and carried her away, till she came almost at home; then he turned her round, and round, as he did before, and had her to her house, set her down, bid her Farewell, and away he went: And she could never tell who it was.
This Story the Midwifes son, who was a Minister, told me; and also protested that his mother told it him for a truth.
Atten. Murder doth often follow indeed, as that which is the fruit of this sin: but sometimes God brings even these Adulterers, and Adulteresses to shameful ends. I heard {57a} of one, (I think, a Doctor of Physick) and his Whore, who had had three or four Bastards betwixt them, and had murdered them all, but at last themselves were hanged for it, in or near to Colchester. It came out after this manner: The Whore was so afflicted in her conscience abort it, that she could not be quiet untill she had made it known: Thus God many times makes the actors of wickedness their own accusers, and brings them by their own tongues to condigne punishment for their own sins.
Wise. There has been many such instances, but we will let that pass. I was once in the presence of a Woman, a married woman, that lay sick of the sickness whereof she died; and being smitten in her conscience for the sin of Uncleanness, which she had often committed with other men, I heard {57b} her (as she lay upon her Bed) cry out thus: I am a Whore, and all my Children are Bastards: And I must go to Hell for my sin; and look, there stands the Devil at my beds feet to receive my Soul when I die.
Atten. These are sad storyes, tell no more of them now, but if you please shew me yet some other of the evil effects of this beastly sin.
Wise. This sin is such a snare to the Soul, that unless a miracle of Grace prevents, it unavoidably perishes in the enchanting and bewitching pleasures of it. This is manifest by these, and such like Texts.
The Adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Whoso committeth adultery with a woman, lacketh understanding, and he that doth it destroys his own soul. {57c} An Whore is a deep ditch, and a strange woman is a narrow pit. Her house inclines to death, and her pathes unto the dead. None that go in unto her return again, neither take they hold of the path of life. She hath cast down many wounded; yea many strong men have been slain by her, her house is the way to Hell, going down to the Chambers of Death. {58a}
Atten. These are dreadful sayings, and do shew the dreadful state of those that are guilty of this sin.
Wise. Verily so they doe. But yet that which makes the whole more dreadful, is, That men are given up to this sin, because they are abhorred of God, and because abhorred, therefore they shall fall into the commission of it; and shall live there. The mouth (that is, the flattering Lips) of a strange woman is a deep pit, the abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. {58b} Therefore it saith again of such, that they have none Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. {58c}
Atten. Put all together, and it is a dreadful thing to live and die in this transgression.
Wise. True. But suppose, that instead of all these Judgments, this sin had attending of it all the felicities of this life, and no bitterness, shame, or disgrace mixed with it, yet one hour in Hell will spoil all. O! this Hell, Hell-fire, Damnation in Hell, it is such an inconceivable punishment, that were it but throughly believed, it would nip this sin, with others, in the head. But here is the mischief, those that give up themselves to these things, do so harden themselves in Unbelief and Atheism about the things, the punishments that God hath threatned to inflict upon the committers of them, that at last they arrive to, almost, an absolute and firm belief that there is no Judgment to come hereafter: Else they would not, they could not, no not attempt to commit this sin, by such abominable language as some do.
I heard {58d} of one that should say to his Miss, when he tempted her to the committing of this sin, If thou wilt venture thy Body, I will venture my Soul. {58e} And I my self heard another say, when he was tempting of a Maid to commit uncleanness with him, (it was in Olivers dayes) That if she did prove with Child, he would tell her how she might escape punishment, (and that was then somewhat severe,) Say (saith he) when you come before the Judge, That you are with Child by the Holy Ghost. I heard {59a} him say thus, and it greatly afflicted me; I had a mind to have accused him for it before some Magistrate; but he was a great man, and I was poor, and young: so I let it alone, but it troubled me very much.
Atten. `Twas the most horrible thing that ever I heard in my life. But how far off are these men from that Spirit and Grace that dwelt in Joseph!
Wise. Right; when Joseph`s Mistress tempted him, yea tempted him daily; {59b} yea, she laid hold on him, and said with her Whores forehead, Come lie with me, but he refused: He hearkned not to lie with her, or to be with her. Mr. Badman would have taken the opportunity.
And a little to comment upon this of Joseph. {59c}
1. Here is a Miss, a great Miss, the Wife of the Captain of the Guard, some beautiful Dame, I`le warrant you.
2. Here is a Miss won, and in her whorish Affections come over to Joseph, without his speaking of a word.
3. Here is her unclean Desire made known; Come lie with me, said she.
4. Here was a fit opportunity. There was none of the men of the house there within.
5. Joseph was a young man, full of strength, and therefore the more in danger to be taken.
6. This was to him, a Temptation, from her, that lasted days.
7. And yet Joseph refused, 1. Her daily Temptation; 2. Her daily Solicitation: 3. Her daily Provocation, heartily, violently and constantly. For when she caught him by the Garment, saying, Lie with me, he left his Garment in her hand, and gat him out. Ay, and although contempt, treachery, slander, accusation, imprisonment, and danger of death followed, (for an Whore careth not what mischief she does, when she cannot have her end) yet Joseph will not defile himself, sin against God, and hazard his own eternal salvation.
Atten. Blessed Joseph! I would thou hadst more fellows!
Wise. Mr. Badman has more fellows than Joseph, else there would not be so many Whores as there are: For though I doubt not but that that Sex is bad enough this way, yet I verify believe that many of them are made Whores at first by the flatteries of Badmans fellows. Alas! there is many a woman plunged into this sin at first even by promises of Marriage. {60a} I say, by these promises they are flattered, yea, forced into a consenting to these Villanies, and so being in, and growing hardened in their hearts, they at last give themselves up, even as wicked men do, to act this kind of wickedness with greediness. But Joseph you see, was of another mind, for the Fear of God was in him.
I will, before I leave this, tell you here two notable storyes; and I wish Mr. Badmans companions may hear of them. They are found in Clarks Looking-glass for Sinners; and are these.
Mr. Cleaver (says Mr. Clark) reports of one whom he knew, that had committed the act of Uncleanness, whereupon he fell into such horror of Conscience that he hanged himself; leaving it thus written in a paper. Indeed, (saith he) I acknowledge it to be utterly unlawful for a man to kill himself, but I am bound to act the Magistrates part, because the punishment of this sin is death.
Clark doth also in the same page make mention of two more, who as they were committing Adultery in London, were immediately struck dead with fire from Heaven, in the very Act. Their bodyes were so found, half burnt up, and sending out a most loathsom savour.
Atten. These are notable storyes indeed.
Wise. So they are, and I suppose they are as true as notable.
Atten. Well, but I wonder, if young Badmans Master knew him to be such a Wretch, that he would suffer him in his house.
Wise. They liked one another even as {60c} fire and water doe. Young Badmans wayes were odious to his Master, and his Masters wayes were such as young Badman could not endure. Thus in these two, was fulfilled that saying of the Holy Ghost: An unjust man is an abomination to the just, and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked. {60d}
The good mans wayes, Mr. Badman could not abide, nor could the good man abide the bad wayes of his base Apprentice. Yet would his Master, if he could, have kept him, and also have learnt him his trade.
Atten. If he could! why he might, if he would, might he not?
Wise. Alas, Badman ran away {61a} from him once and twice, and would not at all be ruled. So the next time he did run away from him, he did let him go indeed. For he gave him no occasion to run away, except it was by holding of him as much as he could (and that he could do but little) to good and honest rules of life. And had it been ones own case, one should have let him go. For what should a man do, that had either regard to his own Peace, his Childrens Good, or the preservation of the rest of his servants from evil, but let him go? Had he staid, the house of Correction had been most fit for him, but thither his Master was loth to send him, because of the love that he bore to his Father. An house of correction, I say, had been the fittest place for him, but his Master let him go.
Atten. He ran away you say, but whither did he run?
Wise. Why, to one of his own trade, {61b} and also like himself. Thus the wicked joyned hand in hand, and there he served out his time.
Atten. Then, sure, he had his hearts desire, when he was with one so like himself.
Wise. Yes. So he had, but God gave it him in his anger.
Atten. How do you mean?
Wise. I mean as before, that for a wicked man to be by the Providence of God, turned out of a good mans doors, into a wicked mans house to dwell, is a sign of the Anger of God. {61c} For God by this, and such Judgements, says thus to such an one: Thou wicked one, thou lovest not me, my wayes, nor my people; Thou castest my Law and good Counsel behinde thy back: Come, I will dispose of thee in my wrath; thou shalt be turned over to the ungodly, thou shalt be put to school to the Devil, I will leave thee to sink and swim in sin, till I shall visit thee with Death and Judgment. This was therefore another Judgment that did come upon this young Badman.
Atten. You have said the truth, for God by such a Judgment as this, in effect says so indeed; for he takes them out of the hand of the just, and binds them up in the hand of the wicked, and whither they then shall be carried, a man may easily imagin.
Wise. It is one of the saddest tokens of Gods anger that happens to such kind of persons: And that for several reasons. {62a}
1. Such an one, by this Judgment, is put out out of the way, and from under the means which ordinarily are made use of to do good to the soul. For a Family where Godliness is professed, and practised, is Gods Ordinance, the place which he has appointed to teach young ones the way and fear of God. {62b} Now to be put out of such a Family into a bad, a wicked one, as Mr. Badman was, must needs be in Judgment, and a sign of the anger of God. For in ungodly Families men learn to forget God, to hate goodness, and to estrange themselves from the wayes of those that are good.
2. In Bad Families, they have continually fresh Examples, and also incitements to evil, and fresh encouragements to it too. Yea moreover, in such places evil is commended, praised, well-spoken of, and they that do it, are applauded; and this, to be sure, is a drowning Judgement.
3. Such places are the very haunts and Walks of the infernal Spirits, who are continually poysoning the Cogitations and Minds of one or other in such Families, that they may be able to poyson others. Therefore observe it, usually in wicked Families, some one, or two, are more arch for wickedness then are any other that are there. Now such are Satans Conduit-pipes; for by them he conveighs of the spawn of Hell, through their being crafty in wickedness, into the Ears and Souls of their Companions. Yea, and when they have once conceived wickedness, they travel with it, as doth a woman with Child, till they have brought it forth; Behold, he travelleth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falshood. {62c} Some men, as here is intimated in the Text, and as was hinted also before, have a kind of mystical, but hellish copulation with the Devil, who is the Father, and their Soul the Mother of sin and wickedness; and they, so soon as they have conceived by him, finish, by bringing forth sin, both it, and their own damnation. {62d}
Atten. How {63a} much then doth it concern those Parents that love their Children, to see, that if they go from them, they be put into such Families as be good, that they may learn there betimes to eschew evil, and to follow that which is good?
Wise. It doth concern them indeed; and it doth also concern them {63b} that take Children into their Families, to take heed what Children they receive. For a man may soon by a Bad boy, be dammaged both in his Name, Estate, and Family, and also hindred in his Peace and peaceable pursuit after God and godliness; I say, by one such Vermin as a wicked and filthy Apprentice.
Atten. True, for one Sinner destroyeth much good, and a poor man is better than a Lier. But many times a man cannot help it; for such as at the beginning promise very fair, are by a little time proved to be very Rogues, like young Badman.
Wise. That is true also, but when a man has done the best he can to help it, he may with the more confidence expect the Blessing of God to follow, or he shall have the more peace, if things go contrary to his desire.
Atten. Well, but did Mr. Badman and his Master agree so well? I mean his last Master, since they were Birds of a Feather, I mean, since they were so well met for wickedness.
Wise. This second Master, was, as before I told you, bad enough, but yet he would often fall out {63c} with young Badman his Servant, and chide, yea and some times beat him too, for his naughty doings.
Atten. What! for all he was so bad himself! This is like the Proverb, The Devil corrects Vice.
Wise. I will assure you, `tis as I say. For you must know, that Badmans wayes suited not with his Masters gains. Could he have done as the Damsel that we read of Acts 16. {63d} did, to wit, fill his Masters Purse with his badness, he had certainly been his White-boy, but it was not so with young Badman; and therefore, though his Master and he did suit well enough in the main, yet in this and that point they differed. Young Badman {63e} was for neglecting of his Masters business, for going to the Whore-house, for beguiling of his Master, for attempting to debauch his Daughters, and the like: No marvel then if they disagreed in these points. Not so much for that his Master had an antipathy against the fact it self, for he could do so when he was an Apprentice; but for that his servant by his sin made spoil of his Commodities, &c. and so damnified his Master.
Had (as I said before) young Badmans wickedness, had only a tendency to his Masters advantage; as could he have sworn, lied, cousened, cheated, and defrauded customers for his Master, (and indeed sometimes he did so) but had that been all that he had done, he had not had, no not a wry word from his Master: But this was not always Mr. Badmans way.
Atten. That was well brought in, even the Maid that we read of in the Acts, and the distinction was as clear betwixt the wickedness, and wickedness of servants.
Wise. Alas! men that are wicked themselves, yet greatly hate it in others, not simply because it is wickedness, but because it opposeth their interest. Do you think that that Maids master would have been troubled at the loss of her, if he had not lost, with her, his gain: No, I`le warrant you; she might have gone to the Devil for him: But when her master saw that the hope of his gain was gone, then, then he fell to persecuting Paul. {64a} But Mr. Badmans master did sometimes lose by Mr. Badmans sins, and then Badman and his master were at odds.
Atten. Alas poor Badman! Then it seems thou couldest not at all times please thy like.
Wise. No, he could not, and the reason I have told you.
Atten. But do not bad Masters condemn themselves in condemning the badness of their servants. {64b}
Wise. Yes; {64c} in that they condemn that in another which they either have, or do allow in themselves. And the time will come, when that very sentence that hath gone out of their own mouths against the sins of others, themselves living and taking pleasure in the same, shall return with violence upon their own pates. The Lord pronounced Judgment against Baasha, as for all his evils in general, so for this in special, because he was like the house of Jeroboam, and yet killed him. {64d} This is Mr. Badmans Masters case, he is like his man, and yet he beats him. He is like his man, and yet he rails at him for being bad.
Atten. But why did not young Badman run away from this Master, as he ran away from the other?
Wise. He did not. And if I be not mistaken, the reason {65a} why, was this. There was Godliness in the house of the first, and that young Badman could not endure. For fare, for lodging, for work, and time, he had better, and more by this Masters allowance, than ever he had by his last; but all this would not content, because Godliness was promoted there. He could not abide this praying, this reading of Scriptures, and hearing, and repeating of Sermons: he could not abide to be told of his transgressions in a sober and Godly manner.
Atten. There is a great deal in the Manner of reproof, wicked men both can, and cannot abide to hear their transgressions spoken against.
Wise. There is a great deal of difference indeed. This last Master of Mr. Badmans, would tell Mr. Badman of his sins in Mr. Badmans own dialect; he would swear, and curse, and damn, when he told him of his sins, and this he could bear better, {65b} than to be told of them after a godly sort. Besides, that last Master would, when his passions and rage was over, laugh at and make merry with the sins of his servant Badman: And that would please young Badman well. Nothing offended Badman but blows, and those he had but few of now, because he was pretty well grown up. For the most part when his Master did rage and swear, he would give him Oath for Oath, and Curse for Curse, at least secretly, let him go on as long as he would.
Atten. This was hellish living.
Wise. `Twas hellish living indeed: And a man might say, that with this Master, young Badman compleated himself {65c} yet more and more in wickedness, as well as in his trade: for by that he came out of his time, what with his own inclination to sin, what with his acquaintance with his three companions, and what with this last Master, and the wickedness he saw in him; he became a sinner in grain. I think he had a Bastard laid to his charge before he came out of his time.
Atten. Well, but it seems he did live to come out of his time, {66a} but what did he then?
Wise. Why, he went home to his Father, and he like a loving and tender-hearted Father received him into his house.
Atten. And how did he carry it there?
Wise. Why, the reason why he went home, {66b} was, for Money to set up for himself, he staied but a little at home, but that little while that he did stay, he refrained himself {66c} as well he could, and did not so much discover himself to be base, for fear his Father should take distaste, and so should refuse, or for a while forbear to give him money.
Yet even then he would have his times, and companions, and the fill of his lusts with them, but he used to blind all with this, he was glad to see his old acquaintance, and they as glad to see him, and he could not in civility but accomodate them with a bottle or two of Wine, or a dozen or two of Drink.
Atten. And did the old man give him money to set up with?
Wise. Yes, above two hundred pounds.
Atten. Therein, I think, the old man was out. Had I been his Father, I would have held him a little at staves-end, till I had had far better proof of his manners to be good; (for I perceive that his Father did know what a naughty boy he had been, both by what he used to do at home, and because he changed a good Master for a bad, &c.) He should not therefore have given him money so soon. What if he had pinched a little, and gone to Journey-work for a time, that he might have known what a penny was, by his earning of it? Then, in all probability, he had known better how to have spent it: Yea, and by that time perhaps, have better considered with himself, how to have lived in the world. Ay, and who knows but he might have come to himself with the Prodigal, and have asked God and his Father forgiveness for the villanies that he had committed against them. {66d}
Wise. If his Father could also have blessed this manner of dealing to him, and have made it effectual for the ends that you have propounded; then I should have thought as you. But alas, alas, you talk as if you never knew, or had at this present forgot what the bowels and compassions of a Father are. Why did you not serve your own son so? But `tis evident enough, that we are better at giving good counsel to others, than we are at taking good counsel our selves. {67a} But mine honest neighbour, suppose that Mr. Badmans Father had done as you say, and by so doing had driven his son to ill courses, what had he bettered either himself or his son in so doing?
Atten. That`s true, but it doth not follow, that if the Father had done as I said, the son would have done as you suppose. But if he had done as you have supposed, what had he done worse than what he hath done already? {67b}
Wise. He had done bad enough, that`s true. But suppose his Father had given him no Money, and suppose that young Badman had taken a pett thereat, and in an anger had gone beyond Sea, and his Father had neither seen him, nor heard of him more. Or suppose that of a mad and headstrong stomach he had gone to the High-way for money, and so had brought himself to the Gallows, and his Father and Family to great contempt, or if by so doing he had not brought himself to that end, yet he had added to all his wickedness, such and such evils besides: And what comfort could his Father have had in this?
Besides, when his Father had done for him what he could, with desire to make him an honest man, he would then, whether his son had proved honest or no, have laid down his head with far more peace, than if he had taken your Counsel.
Atten. Nay I think I should not a been forward to have given advice in the cause; but truly you have given me such an account of his vilianies, that the hearing thereof has made me angry with him.
Wise. In an angry mood we may soon out-shoot our selves, but poor wretch, as he is, he is gone to his place. But, as I said, when a good Father hath done what he can for a bad Child, and that Child shall prove never the better, he will lie down with far more peace, than if through severity, he had driven him to inconveniencies.
I remember that I have heard of a good woman, that had (as this old man) a bad and ungodly {68a} son, and she prayed for him, counselled him, and carried it Motherly to him for several years together; but still he remained bad. At last, upon a time, after she had been at prayer, as she was wont, for his conversion, she comes to him, and thus, or to this effect, begins again to admonish him. Son, said she, Thou hast been and art a wicked Child, thou hast cost me many a prayer and tear, and yet thou remainest wicked. Well, I have done my duty, I have done what I can to save thee; now I am satisfied, that if I shall see thee damned at the day of Judgment, I shall be so far off from being grieved for thee, that I shall rejoyce to hear the sentence of thy damnation at that day: And it converted him.
I tell you, that if Parents carry it lovingly towards their Children, mixing their Mercies with loving Rebukes and their loving Rebukes with Fatherly and Motherly Compassions, they are more likely to save their Children, than by being churlish and severe toward them: but if they do not save them, if their mercy doth them no good, yet it will greatly ease them at the day of death, to consider; I have done by love as much as I could, to save and deliver my child from Hell.
Atten. Well I yield. But pray let us return again to Mr. Badman: You say, that his Father gave him a piece of money that he might set up for himself.
Wise. Yes, his Father did give him a piece of money, and he did set up, {68b} and almost as soon set down again: for he was not long set up, but by his ill managing of his matters at home, together with his extravagant expences abroad, he was got so far into debt, and had so little in his shop to pay, that he was hard put to it to keep himself out of prison. But when his Creditors understood that he was about to marry, and in a fair way to get a rich Wife, they said among themselves, We will not be hasty with him, if he gets a rich Wife he will pay us all.
Atten. But how could he so quickly run out, for I perceive `twas in little time, by what you say?
Wise. `Twas in little time indeed, I think he was not above two years and a half in doing of it: but the reason {69a} is apparent; for he being a wild young man, and now having the bridle loose before him, and being wholly subjected to his lusts and vices, he gave himself up to the way of his heart, and to the sight of his eye, forgetting that for all these things God will bring him to Judgment; {69b} and he that doth thus, you may be sure, shall not be able long to stand on his leggs.
Besides, he had now an addition of {69c} new companions; companions you must think, most like himself in Manners, and so such that cared not who sunk, if they themselves might swim. These would often be haunting of him, and of his shop too when he was absent. They would commonly egg him to the Ale-house, but yet make him Jack-pay-for-all; They would be borrowing also money of him, but take no care to pay again, except it was with more of their company, which also he liked very well; and so his poverty came like one that travelleth, and his want like an armed man.
But all the while they studied his temper; {69d} he loved to be flattered, praised and commanded for Wit, Manhood, and Personage; and this was like stroking him over the face. Thus they Collogued with him, and got yet more and more into him, and so (like Horse- leaches) they drew away that little that his father had given him, and brought him quickly down, almost to dwell next dore to the begger.
Atten. Then was the saying of the wise man fulfilled, He that keepeth company with harlots, and a companion of fools, shall be destroyed. {69e}
Wise. Ay, and that too, A companion of riotous persons shameth his father; {69f} For he, poor man, had both grief and shame, to see how his son (now at his own hand) behaved himself in the enjoyment of those good things, in and under the lawfull use of which he might have lived to Gods glory, his own comfort, and credit among his neighbours. But he that followeth vain persons, shall have poverty enough. {69g} The way that he took, led him directly into this condition; for who can expect other things of one that follows such courses? Besides, when he was in his Shop, he could not abide to be doing; He was naturally given to Idleness: He loved to live high, but his hands refused to labour; and what else can the end of such an one be, but that which the wise man saith? The Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall cloath a man with rags. {70a}
Atten. But now, methinks, when he was brought thus low, he should have considered the hand of God that was gone out against him, and should have smote upon the breast, and have returned.
Wise. Consideration, good consideration was far from him, he was as stout and proud now, as ever in all his life, and was as high too in the pursuit of his sin, as when he was in the midst of his fulness; only he went now {70b} like a tyred Jade, the Devil had rid him almost off of his leggs.
Atten. Well, but what did he do when all was almost gone?
Wise. Two things were now his play. {70c} 1. He bore all in hand by Swearing, and Cracking and Lying, that he was as well to pass, as he was the first day he set up for himself, yea that he had rather got than lost; and he had at his beck some of his Companions that would swear to confirm it as fast as he.
Atten. This was double wickedness, `twas a sin to say it, and another to swear it.
Wise. That`s true, but what evil is that that he will not doe, that is left of God, as I believe Mr. Badman was?
Atten. And what was the other thing?
Wise. Why, that which I hinted before, he was for looking out for a rich Wife: {70d} and now I am come to some more of his invented, devised, designed, and abominable Roguery, such that will yet declare him to be a most desperate sinner.
The thing was this: A Wife he wanted, or rather Money; for as for a woman, he could have Whores enow at his whistle. But, as I said, he wanted Money, and that must be got by a Wife, or no way; nor could he so easily get a Wife neither, except he became an Artist at the way of dissembling; nor would dissembling do among that people that could dissemble as well as he. But there dwelt a Maid not far from him, that was both godly, {70e} and one that had a good Portion, but how to get her, there lay all the craft. {71a} Well, he calls a Council of some of his most trusty and cunning Companions, {71b} and breaks his mind to them; to wit, that he had a mind to marry: and he also told them to whom; But, said he, how shall I accomplish my end, she is Religious, and I am not? Then one of them made reply, saying, Since she is Religious, you must pretend to be so likewise, and that for some time before you go to her: Mark therefore whither she goes daily to hear, and do you go thither also; but there you must be sure to behave your self soberly, and make as if you liked the Word wonderful well; stand also where she may see you, and when you come home, be sure that you walk the street very soberly, and go within sight of her: This done for a while, then go to her, and first talk of how sorry you are for your sins, and shew great love to the Religion that she is of; still speaking well of her Preachers and of her godly acquaintance, bewailing your hard hap, that it was not your lot to be acquainted with her and her fellow-Professors sooner; and this is the way to get her. Also you must write down Sermons, talk of Scriptures, and protest that you came a wooing to her, only because she is Godly, and because you should count it your greatest happiness if you might but have such an one: As for her Money, slight it, it will be never the further off, that`s the way to come soonest at it, for she will be jealous at first that you come for her Money; you know what she has, but make not a word about it. Do this, and you shall see if you do not intangle the Lass.
Thus was the snare laid for this poor honest Maid, and she was quickly catched in his pit.
Atten. Why, did he take this counsel?
Wise. Did he! yes, and after a while, went as boldly to her, {71c} and that under a Vizzard of Religion, as if he had been for Honesty and Godliness, one of the most sincere and upright-hearted in England. He observed all his points, and followed the advice of his Counsellers, and quickly obtained her too; for natural parts he had, he was tall, and fair, and had plain, but very good Cloaths on his back; and his Religion was the more easily attained; for he had seen something in the house of his Father, and first Master, and so could the more readily put himself into the Form and Shew thereof.
So he appointed his day, and went to her, as that he might easily do, for she had neither father nor mother to oppose. Well, when he was come, and had given her a civil Complement, {72a} to let her understand why he was come, then he began and told her, That he had found in his heart a great deal of love to her Person; and that, of all the Damosels in the world he had pitched upon her, if she thought fit, to make her his beloved wife. The reasons, as he told her, why he had pitched upon her were, her Religious and personal Excellencies; and therefore intreated her to take his condition into her tender and loving consideration. As for the world, quoth he, I have a very good trade, and can maintain my self and Family well, while my wife sits still on her seat; I have got thus, and thus much already, and feel money come in every day, but that is not the thing that I aim at, `tis an honest and godly Wife. Then he would present her with a good Book or two, pretending how much good he had got by them himself. He would also be often speaking well of godly Ministers, especially of those that he perceived she liked, and loved most. Besides, he would be often telling of her, what a godly Father he had, and what a new man he was also become himself; and thus did this treacherous Dealer, deal with this honest and good Girl, to her great grief and sorrow, as afterward you shall hear.
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