Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
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. {60b}
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?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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