Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
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.
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