Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
Atten. You have said well, in my mind. But suppose now, that Mr. Badman
was here, could he not object as to what you have said, saying, Go
and teach your Brethren, that are Professors, this lesson, for they,
as I am, are guilty of Breaking; yea I am apt to think, of that which
you call my Knavish way of breaking; to wit, of breaking before they
have need to break. But if not so, yet they are guilty of neglect in
their Calling, {102b} of living higher, both in Fare and Apparrel, than
their Trade or Income will maintain. Besides, that they do break, all
the world very well knowes, and that they have the art to plead for
a composition, is very well known to men; and that it is usual with
them, to hide their Linnen, their Plate, their Jewels, and (’tis to
be thought, sometimes Money and Goods besides,) is as common as four
eggs a penny. And thus they beguile men, debauch their consciences, sin
against their Profession, and make, ’tis to be feared, their lusts in
all this, and the fulfilling of them, their end. I say, if Mr. Badman
was here to object thus unto you, what would be your reply?
Wise. What! Why I would say, I hope no Good man, no man of good
conscience, no man that either feareth God, regardeth the credit of
Religion, the peace of Gods people, or the salvation of his own soul,
will do thus.
Professors, such perhaps there may be, and who, upon earth can help
it? Jades there be of all colours. {103a} If men will profess, and
make their profession a stalking-Horse to beguile their neighbours of
their estates, as Mr. Badman himself did, when he beguiled her that
now is with sorrow his wife, who can help it? The Churches of old
were pestered with such, and therefore no marvel if these perilous
difficult times be so. But mark how the Apostle words it: Nay do wrong
and defraud, and that your Brethren: Know you not, that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither
Fornicator, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effeminate, nor abusers
of themselves with Mankind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards,
nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. {103b}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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