Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
Wise. That’s true, but what evil is that that he will not doe, that is
left of God, as I believe Mr. Badman was?
Atten. And what was the other thing?
Wise. Why, that which I hinted before, he was for looking out for
a rich Wife: {70d} and now I am come to some more of his invented,
devised, designed, and abominable Roguery, such that will yet declare
him to be a most desperate sinner.
The thing was this: A Wife he wanted, or rather Money; for as for a
woman, he could have Whores enow at his whistle. But, as I said, he
wanted Money, and that must be got by a Wife, or no way; nor could he
so easily get a Wife neither, except he became an Artist at the way
of dissembling; nor would dissembling do among that people that could
dissemble as well as he. But there dwelt a Maid not far from him, that
was both godly, {70e} and one that had a good Portion, but how to get
her, there lay all the craft. {71a} Well, he calls a Council of some
of his most trusty and cunning Companions, {71b} and breaks his mind
to them; to wit, that he had a mind to marry: and he also told them to
whom; But, said he, how shall I accomplish my end, she is Religious,
and I am not? Then one of them made reply, saying, Since she is
Religious, you must pretend to be so likewise, and that for some time
before you go to her: Mark therefore whither she goes daily to hear,
and do you go thither also; but there you must be sure to behave your
self soberly, and make as if you liked the Word wonderful well; stand
also where she may see you, and when you come home, be sure that you
walk the street very soberly, and go within sight of her: This done
for a while, then go to her, and first talk of how sorry you are for
your sins, and shew great love to the Religion that she is of; still
speaking well of her Preachers and of her godly acquaintance, bewailing
your hard hap, that it was not your lot to be acquainted with her and
her fellow-Professors sooner; and this is the way to get her. Also you
must write down Sermons, talk of Scriptures, and protest that you came
a wooing to her, only because she is Godly, and because you should
count it your greatest happiness if you might but have such an one: As
for her Money, slight it, it will be never the further off, that’s the
way to come soonest at it, for she will be jealous at first that you
come for her Money; you know what she has, but make not a word about
it. Do this, and you shall see if you do not intangle the Lass.
Thus was the snare laid for this poor honest Maid, and she was quickly
catched in his pit.
Atten. Why, did he take this counsel?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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