Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
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.
[Picture: Take note symbol] Wise. You 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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