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. [Picture:
Take note symbol] I 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.
{48f} [Picture: Take note symbol] 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. [Picture:
Take note symbol] 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.
[Picture: Take note symbol] I could tell you of another, 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 Ægypt: 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.
[Picture: Take note symbol] I {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: [Picture: Take note symbol] I
knew 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. {56}
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. [Picture: Take note symbol] 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. [Picture: Take note symbol] I heard 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,
[Picture: Take note symbol] I heard 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. {57} 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.