Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
I will tell you of another. [Picture: Take note symbol] About four
miles from St. Neots, there was a Gentleman had a man, and he would
needs be an Informer, and a lusty young man he was. Well, an Informer
he was, and did much distress some people, and had perfected his
Informations so effectually against some, that there was nothing
further to do, but for the Constables to make distress on the people,
that he might have the Money or Goods; and as I heard, he hastened them
much to do it. Now while he was in the heat of his work, as he stood
one day by the Fire-side, he had (it should seem) a mind to a Sop in
the Pan, (for the Spit was then at the fire,) so he went to make him
one; but behold, a Dog (so say his own Dog) took distaste at something,
and bit his Master by the Leg; the which bite, notwithstanding all the
means that was used to cure him, turned (as was said) to a Gangrene;
however, that wound was his death, and that a dreadful one too: for my
Relator said, that he lay in such a condition by this bite, (as the
beginning) till his flesh rotted from off him before he went out of
the world. But what need I instance in particular persons, when the
Judgement of God against this kind of people was made manifest, I think
I may say, if not in all, yet in most of the Counties in England where
such poor Creatures were. But I would, if it had been the will of God,
that neither I nor any body else, could tell you more of these Stories:
True stories, that are neither Lye, nor Romance.
Atten. Well, I also heard of both these my self, and of more too, as
remarkable in their kind as these, if I had any list to tell them:
but let us leave those that are behind to others, or to the coming of
Christ, who then will justifie or condemn them as the merit of their
work shall require; or if they repented, and found mercy, I shall be
glad when I know it, for I wish not a curse to the Soul of mine Enemy.
Wise. There can be no pleasure in the telling of such stories, though
to hear of them may do us a pleasure: They may put us in mind that
there is a God that judgeth in the earth, and that doth not alwayes
forget nor deferre to hear the Crye of the destitute; They also
carry along with them both Caution and Counsel to those that are the
survivors of such. Let us tremble at the Judgements of God, and be
afraid of sinning against him, and it shall be our protection. It shall
go well with them that fear God, that fear before him.
Atten. Well Sir, as you have intimated, so I think we have in this
place spoken enough about these kind of men; if you please, let us
return again to Mr. Badman himself, if you have any more to say of him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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