Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
Wise. Because of the differing Carriage that he had for them, from
what he had when his old carnal companions came to see him: When his
old Campanions came to see him, he would stir up himself as much as he
could both by words and looks, to signifie they were welcome to him; he
would also talk with them freely, and look pleasantly upon them, though
the talk of such could be none other but such as David said, carnal men
would offer to him, when they came to visit him in his sickness: If
he comes to see me, says he, he speaketh vanity, his heart gathereth
iniquity to itself. {161b} But these kind of talks, I say, Mr. Badman
better brooked, than he did the company of better men.
But I will more particularly give you a Character {161c} of his
carriage to good men (and good talk) when they came to see him.
1. When they were come, he would seem to fail in his spirits at the
sight of them.
2. He would not care to answer them to any of those questions that they
would at times put to him, to feel what sence he had of sin, death,
Hell, and Judgment: But would either say nothing, or answer them by way
of evasion, or else by telling of them he was so weak and spent that he
could not speak much.
3. He would never shew forwardness to speak to, or talk with them, but
was glad when they held their tongues. He would ask them no question
about his state and another world, or how he should escape that
damnation that he had deserved.
4. He had got a haunt at last to bid his wife and keeper, when these
good people attempted to come to see him, to tell them that he was
asleep or inclining to sleep, or so weak for want thereof, that he
could not abyde any noyse. And so they would serve them time after
time, till at last they were discouraged from coming to see him any
more.
5. He was so hardned, now, in this time of his sickness, that he would
talk, when his companions came unto him, to the disparagement of those
good men (and of their good doctrine too) that of love did come to see
him, and that did labour to convert him.
6. When these good men went away from him, he would never say, Pray
when will you be pleased to come again, for I have a desire to more of
your company, and to hear more of your good instruction? No not a word
of that, but when they were going would scarce bid them drink, or say,
Thank you for your good company, and good instruction.
7. His talk in his sickness with his companions, would be of the World,
as Trades, Houses, Lands, great Men, great Titles, great places,
outward Prosperity, or outward Adversity, or some such carnal thing.
By all which I conclude, that he did not desire a sence and sight of
his sin, that he might repent and be saved.
Atten. It must needs be so as you say, if these things be true that you
have asserted of him. And I do the rather believe them, because I think
you dare not tell a lie of the dead.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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