Gallows for his wickedness must first have his Irons knock't off his legs so he seems to goe most at liberty when indeed he is going to be executed for his transgressions Wicked men also have no bands in their death they seem to be more at liberty when they are even at the Wind-up of their sinfull life than at any time besides Hence you shall have them boast of their Faith and Hope in Gods Mercy when they lye upon their death-bed yea you shall have them speak as confidently of their salvation as if they had served God all their dayes when the truth is the bottom of this their boasting is because they have no bands in their death Their sin and base life comes not into their mind to correct them and bring them to repentance but presumptuous thoughts and an hope and faith of the Spiders the Devils making possesseth their soul to their own eternal undoing Hence wicked mens hope is said to dye not before but with them they give up the Ghost together And thus did Mr. Badman His sins and his hope went with him to the Gate but there his hope left him because it dyed there but his sins went in with him to be a worm to gnaw him in his conscience for ever and ever The opinion therefore of the common people concerning this kind of dying is frivolous and vain for Mr. Badman died like a Lamb or as they call it like a Chrisom child quietly and without fear I speak not this with reference to the strugling of nature with death but as to the strugling of the conscience with the Judgment of God I know that Nature will struggle with death I have seen a Dog and Sheep dye hardly And thus may a wicked man doe because there is an antipathy betwixt nature and death But even while even then when Death and Nature are strugling for mastery the soul the conscience may be as besotted as benummed as senceless and ignorant of its miserable state as the block or bed on which the sick lyes And thus they may dye like a Chrisom child in shew but indeed like one who by the Judgment of God is bound over to eternal damnation and that also by the same Judgment is kept from seeing what they are and whither they are going till they plunge down among the flames And as it is a very great Judgment of God on wicked men that so dye for it cuts them off from all possibility of repentance and so of salvation so it is as great a Judgment upon those that are their companions that survive them For by the manner of their death they dying so quietly so like unto chrisom children as they call it they are hardened and take courage to go on in their course For comparing their life with their death their sinful cursed lives with their child-like Lamb-like death they think that all is well that no damnation is happened to them Though they lived like Devils incarnate yet they dyed like harmless ones There was no whirl-wind no tempest no band nor plague in their death They dyed as quietly as the most godly of them all and had as great faith and hope of salvation and would talk as boldly of salvation as if they had assurance of it But as was their hope in life so was their death Their hope was without tryal because it was none of Gods working and their death was without molestation because so was the Judgment of God concerning them But I say at this their survivers take heart to tread their steps and to continue to live in the breach of the Law of God yea they carry it statelily in their villanies for so it follows in the Psalm There is no â—ands in their death but their strength is firm c. Therefore pride compasseth them the survivors about as a chain violence covereth them as a garment Therefore they take courage to do evil therefore they pride themselves in their iniquity Therefore Wherefore Why because their fellows died after they had lived long in a most profane and wicked life as quietly and as like to Lambs as if they had been innocent Yea they are bold by seeing this to conclude that God either does not or will not take notice of their sins They speak wickedly they speak loftily They speak wickedly of sin for that they make it better than by the Word it is pronounced to be They speak wickedly concerning oppression that they commend and count it a prudent act They also speak loftily They set their mouth against the Heavens c. And they say How doth God know and is there knowledge in the most High And all this so far as I can see ariseth in their hearts from the beholding of the quiet and lamb-like death of their companions Behold these are the ungodly that prosper in the world that is by wicked ways they increase in riches This therefore is a great Judgment of God both upon that man that dyeth in his sins and also upon his companion that beholdeth him so to dye He sinneth he dyeth in his sins and yet dyeth quietly What shall his companion say to this What Judgment shall he make how God will deal with him by beholding the lamb-like death of his companion Be sure he cannot as from such a sight say Wo be to me for Judgment is before him He cannot gather that sin is a dreadful and a bitter thing by the child-like death of Mr. Badman But must rather if he judgeth according to what he sees or according to his corrupted reason conclude with the wicked ones of old That every one that doth evil is good in the sight of the Lord and he delighteth in them or where is the God of Judgment Yea this is enough to puzzle the wisest man David himself was put to a stand by beholding the quiet death of ungodly men Verily sayes he I have cleansed my heart in vain and have washed my hands in innocency Psal. 73. 13. They to appearance fare better by far than I Their eyes stand out with fatness they have more than heart can wish But all the day long have I been plagued and chastned every morning This I say made David wonder yea and Job and Jeremiah too But he goeth into the Sanctuary and then he understands their end nor could he understand it before I went into the Sanctuary of God What place was that why there where he might enquire of God and by him be resolved of this matter Then says he understood I their end Then I saw that thou hast set them in slippery places and that thou castest them down to destruction Castest them down that is suddenly or as the next words say As in a moment they are utterly consumed with terrors which terrors did not cease them on their sick-bed for they had no bands in their death The terrors therefore ceased them there where also they are holden in them
of him that has a tender Conscience But if as you say and that truly the very Name of Hell is so dreadful what is the Place it self and what are the Punishments that are there inflicted and that without the least intermission upon the Souls of damned men for ever and ever Atten. Well but passing this my leisure will admit me to stay and therefore pray tell me what it is that makes you think that Mr. Badman is gone to Hell Wise. I will tell you But first do you know which of the Badmans I mean Atten. Why was there more of them thâ—n one Wise. O yes a great many both Brothers and Sisters and yet all of them the Children of a godly Parent the more a great deal is the pity Atten. Which of them therefore was it that died Wise. The eldest old in years and old in sin but the sinner that dies an hundred years old shall be accursed Atten. Well but what makes you think he is gone to Hell Wise. His wicked life and fearful death specially since the Manner of his death was so corresponding with his life Atten. Pray let me know the manner of his death if your self did perfectly know it Wise. I was there when he died But I desire not to see another such man while I live die in such sort as he did Atten. Pray therefore let me hear it Wise. You say you have leisure and can stay and therefore if you please we will discourse even orderly of him First we will begin with his Life and then proceed to his Death Because a relation of the first may the more affect you when you shall hear of the second Atten. Did you then so well know his Life Wise. I knew him of a Child I was a man when he was but a boy and I made special observation of him from first to last Atten. Pray then let me hear from you an account of his Life but be as brief as you can for I long to hear of the manner of his death Wise. I will endeavour to answer your desires and first I will tell you that from a Child he was very bad his very beginning was ominous and presaged that no good end was in likelyhood to follow thereupon There were several sins that he was given to when but a little one that manifested him to be notoriously infected with Orginal corruption for I dare say he learned none of them of his Father or Mother nor was he admitted to go much abroad among other Children that were vile to learn to sin of them Nay contrariwise if at any time he did get abroad amongst others he would be as the Inventer of bad words and an example in bad actions To them all he used to be as we say the Ring-leader and Master-sinner from a Childe Atten. This was a bad Beginning indeed and did demonstrate that he was as you say polluted very much polluted with Original Corruption For to speak my mind freely I do confess that it is mine opinion that Children come polluted with sin into the World and that oft-times the sins of their youth especially while they are very young are rather by vertue of Indwelling sin than by examples that are set before them by others Not but that they learn to sin by example too but Example is not the root but rather the Temptation unto wickedness The root is sin within for from within out of the heart of man proccedeth sin Wise. I am glad to hear that you are of this opinion and to confirm what you have said by a few hints from the Word Man in his birth is compared to an Ass an unclean Beast and to a wretched Infant in its blood besides all the first-born of old that were offered unto the Lord were to be redeemed at the age of a month and that was before they were sinners by imitation The Scripture also affirmeth that by the sin of one Judgement came upon all and renders this reason for that all have sinned nor is that Objection worth a rush That Christ by his death hath taken away Original Sin First Because it is Scriptureless Secondly Because it makes them incapable of Salvation by Christ for none but those that in their own Persons are sinners are to have Salvation by him Many other things might be added but between persons so well agreed as you and I are these may suffice at present but when an Antagonist comes to deal with us about this matter then we have for him often other strong Arguments if he be an Antagonist worth the taking notice of Atten. But as was hinted before he used to be the Ring-leading Sinner or the Master of mischief among other children yet these are but Generals pray therefore tell me in Particular which were the sins of his Childhood Wise. I will so When he was but a Child he was so addicted to Lying that his Parents scarce knew when to believe he spake true yea he would invent tell and stand to the Lyes that he invented and told and that with such an audacious face that one might even read in his very countenance the symptoms of an hard and desperate heart this way Atten. This was an ill beginning indeed and argueth that he began to harden himself in sin betimes For a lye cannot be knowingly told and stood in and I perceive that this was his manner of way in Lying but he must as it were force his own heart unto it Yea he must make his heart hard and bold to doe it Yea he must be arrived to an exceeding pitch of wickedness thus to doe since all this he did against that good education that before you seemed to hint he had from his Father and Mother Wise. The want of good Education as you have intimated is many times a cause why Children doe so easily so soon become bad especially when there is not only a want of that but bad Examples enough as the more is the pity there is in many Families by vertue of which poor Children are trained up in Sin and nursed therein for the Devil and Hell But it was otherwise with Mr. Badman for to my knowledge this his way of Lying was a great grief to his Parents for their hearts were much dejected at this beginning of their Son nor did there want Counsel and Correction from them to him if that would have made him better He wanted not to be told in my hearing and that over and over and over That all Lyars should have their part in the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone and that whosoever loveth and maketh a lye should not have any part in the new and heavenly Jerusalem But all availed nothing with him when a fit or an occasion to lie came upon him he would invent tell and stand to his Lie as steadfastly as if it had been the biggest of truths that he told and that
of his life that you at large have given me Wise. I think verily that you need not call back your sentence for 't is thought by many that by his Cups and his Queans he brought himself to this his destruction he was not an old man when he dyed nor was he naturally very feeble but strong and of a healthy complexion Yet as I said he moultered away and went when he set a going rotten to his Grave And that which made him stink when he was dead I mean that made him stink in his Name and Fame was that he died with a spice of the foul disease upon him A man whose life was full of sin and whose death was without repentance Atten. These were blemishes sufficient to make him stink indeed Wise. They were so and they did do it No man could speak well of him when he was gone His Name rotted above ground as his Carkass rotted under And this is according to the saying of the wise man The memory of the just is blessed but the name of the wicked shall rot This Text in both the parts of it was fulfilled upon him and the woman that he married first For her Name still did flourish though she had been dead almost seventeen years but his began to stink and rot before he had been buried seventeen dayes Atten. That man that dieth with a lifâ— full of sin and with an heart void â—f repentance although he should die of the most Golden disease if there were any that might be so called I will warrant him his Name shall stink and that in Heaven and Earth Wise. You say true and therefore doth the name of Cain Pharoah Saul Judas and the Pharisees though dead thousands of years agoe sâ—ink as fresh in the nostrils of the world as if they were but newly dead Atten. I do fully acquiesce with you in this But Sir since you have charged him with dying impenitent pray let me see how you will prove it not that I altogether doubt it because you have affirmed it but yet I love to have proof for what men say in such weighty matters Wise. When I said he died without repentance I meant so far as those that knew him could judge when they compared his Life the Word and his Death together Atten. Well said they went the right way to find out whether he had that is did manifest that he had repentance or no. Now then shew me how they did prove he had none Wise. So I will And first this was urged to prove it He had not in all the time of his sickness a sight and sence of his sins but was as secure and as much at quiet as if he had never sinned in all his life Atten. I must needs confess that this is a sign he had none For how can a man repent of that of which he hath neither sight nor sence But 't is strange that he had neither sight nor sence of sin now when he had such a sight and sence of his evil before I mean when he was sick before Wise. He was as I said as secure now as if he had been as sinless as an Angel though all men knew what a sinner he was for he carried his Sins in his Forehead His debauched Life was read and known of all men but his Reputation was read and known of no man for as I said he had none And for ought I know the reason why he had no sence of his sins now was because he profited not by that sence that he had of them before He liked not to retain that knowledge of God then that caused his sins to come to remembrance Therefore God gave him up now to a reprobate mind to hardness and stupidity of Spirit and so was that Scripture fulfilled upon him He hath blinded their eyes And that Let their eyes be darkned that they may not see Oh! for a man to live in sin and to goe out of the world without Repentance for it is the saddest Judgement that can overtake a man Atten. But Sir although both you and I have consented that without a sight and sence of sin there can be do Repentance yet that is but our bare Say-so let us therefore now see if by the Scripture we can make it good Wise. That is easily done The three thousand that were converted Acts the second repented not till they had sight and sence of their sins Paul repented not till he had sight and sence of his sins the Jailor repented not till he had sight â—â—d sence of his sins nor could theâ— For of what should a man repent The Answer is of Sin What is it to Repent of sin The answer is To be sorry for it to turn from it But how can a man be sorry for it that has neither sight nor sence of it David did not only commit sins but abode impenitent for them untill Nathan the Prophet was sent from God to give him a sight and sence of them and then but not till then he indeed repented of them Job in order to his Repentance cries unto God Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me And again That which I see not teach thou me I have born chastisement I will not offend any more That is not in what I know for I will repent of it nor yet in what I know not when thou shalt shew me it Also Ephraims Repentance was after he was turned to the sight and sence of his sins and after he was instructed about the evil of them Atten. These are good testimonies of this truth and doe if matter of fact with which Mr. Badman is charged bâ— true prove indeed that he did not repent but as he lived so he dyed in his sin For without Repentance a man is sure to dye in his sin for they will lie down in the dust with him rise at the Judgement with him hang about his Neck like Cords and Chains when he standeth at the Barre of Gods Tribunal and goe with him too when he goes away from the Judgment-seat with a Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and there shall fret and gnaw his Conscience because they will be to him a neâ—er-dying worm Wise. You say well and I will add a word or two more to what I have said Repentance as it is not produced without a sight and sence of sin so every sight and sence of sin cannot produce it I mean every sight and sence of sin cannot produce that Repentance that is Repentance unto salvation repentance never to be repented of For it is yet fresh before us that Mr. Badman had a sight and sence of sin in that fit of sickness that he had before but it dyed without procuring any such godly fruit as was manifest by his so soon returning with the Dog to his Vomit
Many people think also that Repentance stands in Confession of sin only but they are very much mistaken For Repentance as was said before is a being sorry for and a turning from transgression to God by Jesus Christ. Now if this be true that every sight and sence of sin will not produce Repentance then Repentance cannot be produced there where there is no sight and sence of sin That every sight and sence of sin will not produce repentance to wit the godly repentance that we are speaking of is manifest in Cain Pharaoh Saul and Judas who all of them had sence great sence of sin but none of them repentance unto life Now I conclude that Mr. Badman did die impenitent and so a death most miserable Atten. But pray now before we conclude our discourse of Mr. Badman give me another proof of his dying in his sins Wise. Another proof is this He did not desire a sight and sence of sins that he might have repentance for them Did I say he did not desire it I will add he greatly desired to remain in his security and that I shall prove by that which follows First He could not endure that any man now should talk to him of his sinfull life and yet that was the way to beget a sight and sence of sin and so of repentance from it in his soul. But I say he could not endure such discourse Those men that did offer to talk unto him of his ill-spent Life they were as little welcome to him in the time of his last sickness as was Elijah when he went to meet with Ahab as he went down to take possession of Naboths Vineyard Hast thou found me said Ahab O mine enemy So would Mr. Badman say in his heart to and of those that thus did come to him though indeed they came even of love to convince him of his evil life that he might have repented thereof and have obtained mercy Atten. Did good men then goe to see him in his last sickness Wise. Yes Those that were his first wifes acquaintance they went to see him and to talk with and to him if perhaps he might now at last bethink himself and cry to God for mercy Atten. They did well to try now at last if they could save his soul from Hell But pray how can you tell that he did not care for the company of such Wise. Because of the differing Carriage that he had for them from what he had when his old carnal companions came to see him When his old Campanions came to see him he would stir up himself as much as he could both by words and looks to signifie they were welcome to him he would also talk with them freely and look pleasantly upon them though the talk of such could be none other but such as David said carnal men would offer to him when they came to visit him in his sickness If he comes to see me says he he speaketh vanity his heart gathereth iniquity to it self But these kind of talks I say Mr. Badman better brooked than he did the company of better men But I will more particularly give you a Character of his carriage to good men and good talk when they came to see him 1. When they were come he would seem to fail in his spirits at the sight of them 2. He would not care to answer them to any of those questions that they would at times put to him to feel what sence he had of sin death Hell and Judgment But would either say nothing or answer them by way of evasion or else by telling of them he was so weak and spent that he could not speak much 3. He would never shew forwardness to speak to or talk with them but was glad when they held their tongues He would ask them no question about his state and another world or how he should escape that damnation that he had deserved 4. He had got a haunt at last to bid his wife and keeper when these good people attempted to come to see him to tell them that he was asleep or inclining to sleep or so weak for want thereof that he could not abide any noyse And so they would serve them time after time till at last they were discouraged from coming to see him any more 5. He was so hardned now in this time of his sickness that he would talk when his companions came unto him to the disparagement of those good men and of their good doctrine too that of love did come to see him and that did labour to convert him 6. When these good men went away from him he would never say Pray when will you be pleased to come again for I have a desire to more of your company and to hear more of your good instruction No not a word of that but when they were going would scarce bid them drink or say Thank you for your good company and good instruction 7. His talk in his sickness with his companions would be of the World as Trades Houses Lands great Men great Titles great places outward Prosperity or outward Adversity or some such carnal thing By all which I conclude that he did not desire a sence and sight of his sin that he might repent and be saved Atten. It must needs be so as you say if these things be true that you have asserted of him And I do the rather believe them because I think you dare not tell a lie of the dead Wise. I was one of them that went to him and that beheld his carriage and manner of way and this is a true relation of it that I have given you Atten. I am satisfied But pray if you can shew me now by the Word what sentence of God doth pass upon such men Wise. Why the man that is thus averse to repentance that desires not toâ—hear of his sins that he might repent and be saved is said to be a man that saith unto God Depart from me for I desire not the knowledge of thy wayes He is a man that sayes in his heart and with his actions I have loved strangers sins and after them I will goe He is a man that shuts his eyes stops his ears and that turneth his spirit against God Yea he is the man that is at enmity with God and that abhorres him with his soul. Atten. What other signe can you give me that Mr. Badman died without repentance Wise. Why he did never heartily cry to God for mercy all the time of his affliction True when sinking fits stitches or pains took hold upon him then he would say as other carnal men use to do Lord help me Lord strengthen me Lord deliver me and the like But to cry to God for mercy that he did not but lay as I hinted before as if he never had sinned Atten. That is another bad sign indeed for crying to God for mercy is one of the
many of his guts hung out of the bed on the side thereof But I cannot confirm all particulars but the general of the story with these circumstances above mentioned is true I had it from a sober and credible person who himself was one that saw him in this bloody state and that talked with him as was hinted before Many other such dreadful things might be told you but these are enough and too many too if God in his wisdom had thought necessary to prevent them Atten. This is a dreadful Story and I would to God that it might be a warning to others to instruct them to fear before God and pray lest he gives them up to doe as John Cox hath done For surely self-murderers cannot go to Heaven and therefore as you have said he that dieth by his own hands is certainly gone to Hell But speak a word or two of the other man you mentioned Wise. What of a wicked man dying in Despair Atten. Yes of a wicked man dying in despair Wise. Well then This Mr. Badmans other Brother was a very wicked man both in Heart and Life I say in Heart because he was so in Life nor could any thing reclaim him neither good Men good Books good Examples nor Gods Judgements Well after he had lived a great while in his sins God smote with a sickness of which he died Now in his sickness his Conscience began to be awakened and he began to roar out of his ill-spent Life insomuch that the Town began to ring of him Now when it was noysed about many of the Neighbours came to see him and to read by him as is the common way with some but all that they could doe could not abate his terror but he would lie in his Bedgnashing of his teeth and wringing of his wrists concluding upon the Damnation of his Soul and in that horror and despair he dyed not calling upon God but distrusting in his Mercy and Blaspheming of his Name Atten. This brings to my mind â—â— man that a Friend of mine told me of He had been a wicked liver â—â— whâ—n he came to die he fell into despair and having concluded that God had no mercy for him he addressed himself to the Devil for favour saying Good Devil be good unto me Wise. This is almost like Saul who being forsaken of God went to the Witch of Endor and so to the Devil for help But alas should I set my self to collect these dreadful Stories it would be easie in little time to present you with hundreds of them But I will conclude as I began They that are their own Murderers or that die in Despair after they have lived a life of wickedness do surely go to Hell And here I would put in a Caution Every one that dieth under consternation of spirit that is under amazement and great fear do not therefore die in Despair For a good man may have this for his bands in his death and yet go to Heaven and Glory For as I said before He that is a good man a man that hath Faith aâ—d Holiness a lover and Worshipper of God by Christ according to his Word may die in consternation of spirit for Satan will not be wanting to assault good men upon their death-bed but they are secured by the Word and Power of God yea and are also helped though with much agony of spirit to exercise themselves in Faith and Prayer the which he that dieth in Despair can by no means doe But let us return to Mr. Badman and enter further Discourse of the manner of his Death Atten. I think you and I are both of a mind for just now I was thinking to call you back to him also And pray now since it is your own motion to return again to him let us discourse a little more of his quiet and still death Wise. With all my heart You know we were speaking before of the manner of Mr. Badmans death How that he dyed very stilly and quietly upon which you made observation that the common people conclude that if a man dyes quietly and as they call it like a Lamb he is certainly gone to Heaven when alas if a wicked man dyes quietly if a man that has all his dayes lived in notorious sin dyeth quietly his quiet dying is so far off from being a sign of his being saved that it is an uncontrollable proof of his damnation This was Mr. Badmans case he lived wickedly even to the last and then went quietly out of the world therefore Mr. Badman is gone to Hell Att. Well but since you are upon it and also so confident in it to wit that a man that lives a wicked life till he dyes and then dyes quietly is gone to Hell let me see what shew of proof you have for this your opinion Wise. My first argument is drawn from the Necessity of repentance No man can be saved except he repents nor can he repent that sees not that knows not that he is a sinner and he that knows himself to be a sinner will I will warrant him be molested for the time by that knowledge This as it is testified by all the Scriptures so it is testified by Christian experience He that knows himself to be a sinner is molested especially if that knowledge comes not to him untill he is cast upon his death-bed molested I say before he can dye quietly Yea he is molested dejected and cast down he is also made to cry out to hunger and thirst after mercy by Christ and if at all he shall indeed come to dye quietly I mean with that quietness that is begotten by Faith and Hope in Gods mercy to the which Mr. Badman and his brethren were utter strangers his quietness is distinguished by all Judicious observers by what wâ—nt before it by what it flows from and also by what is the fruit thereof I must confess I am no admirer of sick-bed repentance for I think verily it is seldom good for any thing but I say he that hath lived in sin and profaneness all his dayes as Mr. Badman did and yet shall dye quietly that is without repentance steps in 'twixt his life and death he is assuredly gone to Hell and is damned Atten. This does look like an argument indeed for Repentance must come or else we must goe to Hell-fire and if a lewd liver shall I mean that so continues till the day of his death yet goe out of the world quietly 't is a sign that he dyed without repentance and so a sign that he is damned Wise. I am satisfied in it for my part and that from the Necessity and Nature of repentance It is necessary because God calls for it and will not pardon sin without it Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish This is that which God hath said and he will prove but a fool-hardy man that shall yet think to goe to Heaven
and glory without it Repent for the Ax is laid to the root of the tree every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit but no good fruit can be where there is not sound repentance shall be hewn down and cast into the fire This was Mr. Badmans case he had attending of him a sinfull life and that to the very last and yet dyed quietly that is without repentance he is gone to Hell and is damned For the Nature of repentance I have touched upon that already and shewed that it never was where a quiet death is the immediate companion of a sinfull life and therefore Mr. Badman is gone to Hell Secondly My second argument is drawn from that blessed Word of Christ While the strong man armed keeps the house his goods are in peace till a stronger than he comes but the strong man armed kept Mr. Badmans house that is his heart and soul and body for he went from a sinfull life quietly out of this world the stronger did not disturb by intercepting with sound repentance betwixt his sinful life and his quiet death Therefore Mr. Badman is gone to Hell The strong man armed is the Devil and quietness is his security The Devil never fears losing of the sinner if he can but keep him quiet can he but keep him quiet in a sinfull life and quiet in his death he is his own Therefore he saith his goods are in peace that is out of danger There is no fear of the Devils losing such a soul I say because Christ who is the best Judge in this matter saith his goods are in peace in quiet and out of danger Atten. This is a good one too for doubtless peace and quiet with sin is one of the greatest signs of a damnable state Wise. So it is Therefore when God would shew the greatness of his anger against sin and sinners in one word he saith They are joyned to Idols let them alone Let them alone that is disturb them not let them goe on without controll let the Devil enjoy them peaceably let him carry them out of the world unconverted quietly This is one of the sorest of Judgments and bespeaketh the burning anger of God against sinfull men See also when you come home the fourteenth Verse of the Chapter last mentioned in the Margent I will not punish your daughters when they commit Whoredom I will let them alone they shall live and dye in their sins But Thirdly My third argument is drawn from that saying of Christ He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their hearts and be converted and I should heal them There are three things that I will take notice of from these words 1. The first is That there can be no conversion to God where the eye is darkned and the heart hardened The eye must first be made to see and the heart to break and relent under and for sin or else there can be no conversion He hath blinded their eyes and hardned their hearts lest they should see and understand and So be converted And this was clearly Mr. Badmans case he lived a wicked life and also died with his eyes shut and heart hardened as is manifest in that a sinful life was joyned with a quiet death and all for that he should not be converted but partake of the fruit of his sinfull life in Hell fire 2. The second thing that I take notice of from these words is That this is a dispensation and manifestation of Gods anger against a man for his sin When God is angry with men I mean when he is so angry with them this among many is one of the Judgments that he giveth them up unto to wit to blindness of mind and hardness of heart which he also suffereth to accompany them till they enter in at the gates of death And then and there and not short of then and there their eyes come to be opened Hence it is said of the rich man mentioned in Luke He dyed and in Hell he lift up his eyes Implying that he did not lift them up before He neither saw what he had done nor whither he was going till he came to the place of execution even into Hell He died asleep in his soul he dyed besotted stupified and so consequently for quietness like a Child or Lamb even as Mr. Badman did this was a sign of Gods anger he had a mind to damn him for his sins and therefore would not let him see nor have an heart to repent for them lest he should convert and his damnation which God had appointed should be frustrate lest they should be converted and I should heal them 3. The third thing that I take notice of from hence is That a sinfull life and a quiet death annexed to it is the ready the open the beaten the common high-way to Hell there is no surer sign of Damnation than for a man to dye quietly after a sinfull life I do not say that all wicked men that are molested at their death with a sence of sin and fears of Hell do therefore goe to Heaven for some are also made to see and are left to despair not converted by seeing that they might go roaring out of this world to their place But I say there is no surer sign of a mans Damnation than to dye quietly after a sinful life than to sin and dye with his eyes shut than to sin and dye with an heart that cannot repent He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their heart that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart no not so long as they are in this world lest they should see with their eyes and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them God has a Judgment for wicked men God will be even with wicked men God knows how to reserve the ungodly to the day of Judgment to be punished And this is one of his wayes by which he doth it Thus it was with Mr. Badman 4. Fourthly It is said in the Book of Psalms concerning the wicked There is no bâ—nds in their death but their strength is firm By no bands he means no troubles no gracious chastisements no such corrections for sin as fall to be the Lot of Gods people for theirs yea that many times falls to be theirs at the time of their death Therefore he adds concerning the wicked They are not troubled then like other men neither are they plagued like other men but go as securely out of the world as if they had never sinned against God and put their own souls into danger of damnation There is no band in their death They seem to go unbound and set at liberty out of this world though they have lived notoriously wicked all their dayes in it The Prisoner that is to dye at the
themselves repent and turn to God 〈◊〉 the Judgments for their sins should prove here ditary For the God of Heaven hath threatneâ— to visit the iniquity of the fathers upon thâ— children if they hate him to the third anâ— fourth generation Exod. 20. 5. Nebuchadnezzars punishment for his priâ— being open for he was for his sin driven froâ— his Kingly dignity and from among men too 〈◊〉 eat grass like an Ox and to company with thâ— beasts Daniel did not stick to tell Belshazzâ—â— his son to his face thereof nor to publish 〈◊〉 that it might be read and remembred by the gâ—nerations to come The same may be said 〈◊〉 Judas and Ananias c. for their sin and pâ—nishment were known to all the dwellers at Jeâ—salem Acts 1. Chap. 5. Nor is it a sign but of desperate impeâ—tence and hardness of heart when the offspring or relations of those who have fallen by open fearfull and prodigious Judgments for their sin shall overlook forget pass by or take no notice of such high outgoings of God against them and their house Thus Daniel aggravates Belshazzars crime for that he hardened his heart in pride though he knew that for that very sin and transgression his father was brought down from his height and made to be a companion for Asses And thou his son O Belshazzar sayes he hast not humbled thy heart though thou knewest all this Dan. 5. A home reproof indeed but home is most fit for an open and a continued-in transgression Let those then that are the Offspring or relations of such who by their own sin and the dreadfull Judgments of God are made to become a sign Deut. 16. 9 10. having been swept as dung from off the face of the earth beware lest when Judgment knocks at their door for their sins as it did before at the door of their Pregenitors it falls also with as heavy a stroak as on them that went before them Lest I say they in that day instead of finding mercy find for their high daring and Judgment-affrontingsins Judgment without mercy To conclude let those that would not dye Mr. Badmans death take heed of Mr. Badmans wayes for his wayes bring to his end Wickedness will not deliver him that is given to it though they should cloak all with a Profession oâ— Religion If it was a transgression of Old for a maâ— to wear a Womans Apparel surely it is a transâ—gression now for a sinner to wear a Christiaâ— Profession for a Cloak Wolves in Sheeps Cloathing swarm in England this day Wolves botâ— as to Doctrine and as to Practice too Somâ— men make a Profession I doubt on purpose that they may twist themselves into a Trade and thence into an Estate yea and if need be into an Estate Kuavishly by the ruins of their Neighbour let such take heed for those that dâ— such things have the greater damnation Christian make thy Profession shine by a Conversation according to the Gospel Or else thou wilt damnifie Religion bring scandal to thy Brethren and give offence to the Enemies and 't would be better that a Millstone was hanged about thy neck and that thou as so adorned wast cast into the bottom of the Sea than so to do Christian a Profession according to the Gospel is in these dayes a rare thing seek then after it put it on and keep it without spot and as becomes thee white and clean and thou shalt be a rare Christian. The Prophecy of the last times is that professing men for so I understand the Text shall be many of them base 2 Tim. 3. but continue thou in the things that thou hast learned not of wanton men not of licentious times but of the Word and Doctrine of God that is according to Godliness and thou shalt walk with Christ in white Now God Almighty give his people Grace not to hate or malign Sinners nor yet to choose any of their wayes but to keep themselves pure from the blood of all men by speaking and doing according to that Name and those Rules that they profess to know and love for Jesus Christs sake John Bunyan Books lately Printed for and Sold by Nathaniel Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultrey neer the Church BIblia Sacra sive Testamentum Vetus aâ— Im. Tremellio Fr. Junio ex Hebraeâ— Latinè redditum Et Testamentum Novum 〈◊〉 Theod. Beza è Graeco in Latinum versum Argumentis Capitum additiâ— versibúsque singuliâ— distinctis seorsum expressis 12o. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or A Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ God and Man With the Infinite Wisdom Love and Power of God in the contrivance and constitution thereof As also of the Ground and Reasons of his Incarnation the nature oâ— his Ministry in Heaven the present State oâ— the Church above thereon and the Use of 〈◊〉 Person in Religion With an Account and Vindication of the Honour Worship Faith Love and Obedience due unto him in and from the Church By John Owen D. D. Divine Breathings or a Manual of practical Contemplations in one Century Tending to promote Gospel-Principles and good Conversation in Christ. Comprizinâ— brief many of those great Truths that are to known and practised by a Christian. By T. Youth's Comedy or the Souls Tryals and Triumph a Dramatick Poem With Divers Meditations intermixt upon several Subjects Set forth to help and encourage those that are seeking a Heavenly Country By the Author of Youth's Tragedy A Treatise of the Fear of God shewing what it is and how distinguished from that which is not so Also Whence it comes Who has it What are the Effects And What the Priviledges of those that have it in their hearts By John Bunyan The Tragical History of Jetzer Or a Faithful Narrative of the Feigned Visions Counterfeit Revelations and false Miracles of the Dominican Fathers of the Covent of Bern in Switzerland to Propagate their Superstitions For which Horrid Impieties the Prior Sub-Prior Lecturer and Receiver of the said Covent were Burnt at a Stake Anno Dom. 1509. Collected From the Records of the said City by the Care of Sir William Waller Knight Translated from his French Copy by an Impartial Pen and now made Publick for the Information of English Protestants who may hence learn that 〈◊〉 will stick at no 〈◊〉 which may Adiunce their Designs nor at any Perâ—â—ries that may Conceal them With an Epistle wherein are some soft and gentle Reflections upon the Lying Dying Speeches of the Jesuites lately Executed at Tyburn The Second Edition The Pilgrims Progress from this World to that which is to come Delivered in the Similitude of a Dream By John Bunyan This fourth Impression hath the Authors Picture and many Additions There is now in the Press and will be suddenly published An Exposition on the 6 7 8 9 and 10 th Chapters on the Hebrews Being a Third Volume By John Owen D. D. ERRATA PAge 127. line 8. for amated read amazed
p. 149. l. 15. for herhaps r. perhaps p. 162. l. 3 4. for diaâ—aâ—olical r. diâ—bolical p. 287. l. 9. for for r. so p. 304. for reputation r. repentance THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. BADMAN Presented to the World in a Familiar DIALOGUE Betwixt Mr. WISEMAN And Mr. ATTENTIVE Wiseman GOOD morrow my good Neighbour Mr. Attentive whither are you walking so early this morning methinks you look as if you were concerned about something more than ordinary Have you lost any of your Cattel or what is the matter Attentive Good Sir Good morrow to you I have not as yet lost ought but yet you give a right ghess of me for I am as you say concerned in my heart but 't is because of the badness of the times And Sir you as all our Neighbours know are a very observing man pray therefore what do you think of them Wise. Why I think as you say to wit that they are bad times and bad they will be untill men are better for they are bad men that make bad times if men therefore would mend so would the times 'T is a folly to look for good dayes so long as sin is so high and those that study its nourishment so many God bring it down and those that nourish it to Repentance and then my good Neighbour you will be concerned not as you are now Now you are concerned because times are so bad but then you will be so cause times are so good Now you are concerned so as to be perplexed but then you will be concerned so as to lift up your voice with shouting for I dare say could you see such dayes they would make you shout Atten. Ai so they would such times I have prayed for such times I have longed for but I fear they 'l be worse before they be better Wise. Make no Conclusions man for he that hath the hearts of men in his hand can change them from worse to better and so bad times into good God give long life to them that are good and especially to those of them that are capable of doing him service in the world The Ornament and Beauty of this lower World next to God and his Wonders are the men that spangle and shine in godliness Now as Mr. Wiseman said this he gave a great sigh Atten. Amen Amen But why good Sir do you sigh so deeply is it for ought else than that for the which as you have perceived I my self am concerned Wise. I am concerned with you for the badness of the times but that was not the cause of that sigh of the which as I see you take notice I sighed at the remembrance of the death of that man for whom the Bell tolled at our Town yesterday Atten. Why I trow Mr. Goodman your Neighbour is not dead Indeed I did hear that he had been sick Wise. No no it is not he Had it been he I could not but have been concerned but yet not as I am concerned now If he had died I should only have been concerned for that the world had lost a Light but the man that I am concerned for now was oue that never was good therefore such an one who is not dead only but damned He died that he might die he went from Life to Death and then from Death to Death from Death Natural to death Eternal And as he spake this the water stood in his eyes Atten. Indeed to goe from a death-bed to Hell is a fearful thing to think on But good Neighbour Wiseman he pleased to tell me who this man was and why you conclude him so miserable in his death Wise. Well if you can stay I will tell you who he was and why I conclude thus concerning him Atten. My leisure will admit me to stay and I am willing to hear you out And I pray God your discourse may take hold on my heart that I may be bettered thereby So they agreed to sit down under a tree Then Mr. Wiseman proceeded as followeth Wise. The man that I mean is one Mr. Badman he has lived in our Town a great while and now as I said he is dead But the reason of my being so concerned at his death is not for that he was at all related to me or for that any good conditions died with him for he was far from them but for that as I greatly fear he hath as was hinted before died two deaths at once Atten. I perceive what you mean by two deaths at once and to speak truth 't is a fearfull thing thus to have ground to think of any for although the death of 〈◊〉 ungodly and sinners is laid to heart but of few yet to die in such a state is more dreadful and fearful than any man can imagine Indeed if a man had no Soul if his state was not truely Immortal the matter would not be so much but for a man to be so disposed of by his Maker as to be appointed a sensible being for ever and for him too to fall into the hands of revenging Justice that will be always to the utmost extremity that his sin deserveth punisbing of him in the dismal dungeon of Hell this must needs be unutterably sad and lamentable Wise. There is no man I think that is sensible of the worth of one Soul but must when he hears of the death of unconverted men he stricken with sorrow and grief because as you said well that mans state is such that he has a sensible being for ever For 't is sense that makes punishment heavy But yet sense is not all that the Damned have they have sense and reason too so then as Sense receiveth punishment with sorrow because it feels and bleeds under the same so by Reason and the exercise thereof in the midst of torment all present Affliction is aggravated and that three manner of wayes 1. Reason will consider thus with himself For what am I thus tormented and will easily find 't is for nothing but that base and filthy thing Sin and now will Vexation be mixed with Punishment and that will greatly heighten the Affliction 2. Reason will consider thus with himself How long must this be my state And will soon return to himself this Answer This must be my state for ever and ever Now this will greatly increase the torment 3. Reason will consider thus with himself What have I lost more than present ease and quiet by my sins that I have committed And will quickly return himself this answer I have lost Communion with God Christ Saints and Angels and a share in Heaven and eternal Life And this also must needs greaten the misery of poor damned souls And this is the case of Mr. Badman Atten. I feel my heart even shake at the thoughts of coming into such a state Hell who knows that is yet alive what the torments of Hell are This word Hell gives a very dreadful sound Wise. 〈◊〉 so it does in the ears
also rob his Father methinks that was an unnatural thing Wise. Natural or unnatural all is one to a Thief Besides you must think that he had likewise Companions to whom he was for the wickedness that he saw in them more firmly knit than either to Father or Mother Yea and what had he cared if Father and Mother and died for grief for him Their death would have been as he would have counted great release and liberty to him For the truth is they and their counsel was his Bondage yea and if I forget not I have heard some say that when he was at times among his Companions he would greatly rejoyce to think that his Parents were old and could not live long and then quoth he I shall be mine own man to do what I list without their controul Atten. Then it seems he counted that robbing of his Parents was no crime Wise. None at all and therefore he fell directly under that Sentence Whoso robbeth his Father or his Mother and saith it is no transgression the same is the companion of a destroyer And for that he set so light by them as to their Persons and Counsels 't was a sign that at present he was of a very abominable spirit and that some Judgement waited to take hold of him in time to come Atten. But can you imagin what it was I mean in his conceit for I speak not now of the suggestions of Satan by which doubtless he was put on to do these things I say what it should be in his conceit that should make him think that this his manner of pilfering and stealing was not great matter Wise. It was for that the things that he stole were small to rob Orchards and Gardens and to steal Pullen and the like these he counted Tricks of Youth nor would he be beat out of it by all that his Friends could say They would tell him that he must not covet or desire and yet to desire is less than to take even any thing the least thing that was his Neighbours and that if he did it would be a transgression of the Law but all was one to him what through the wicked Talk of his Companions and the delusion of his own corrupt heart he would go on in his pilfering course and where he thought himself secure would talk of and laught at it when he had done Atten. Well I heard a man once when he was upon the Ladder with the Rope about his Neck confess when ready to be turned off by the Hangman that that which had brought him to that end was his accustoming of himself when young to piâ—fer and steal small things To my best remembrance he told us that he began the trade of a Thief by stealing of Pins and Points and therefore did forewarn all the Youth that then were gathered together to see him die to take heed of beginning though but with little sins because by tampering at first with little ones way is made for the commission of bigger Wise. Since you are entred upon Storyes I also will tell you one the which though I heard it not with mine own Ears yet my Author I dare believe It is concerning one old Tod that was hanged about Twenty years agoe or more at Hartford for being a Thief The Story is this At a Summer Assizes holden at Hartfort while the Judge was sitting upon the Bench comes this old Tod into the Court cloathed in a green Suit with his Leathern Girdle in his hand his Bosom open and all on a dung sweat as if he had run for his Life and being come in he spake aloud as follows My Lord said he Here is the veryest Rogue that breaths upon the face of the earth I have been a Thief from a Child When I was but a little one I gave my self to rob Orchards and to do other such like wicked things and I have continued a Thief ever since My Lord there has not been a Robbery committed thus many years within so many miles of this place but I have either been at it or privy to it The Judge thought the fellow was mad but after some conference with some of the Justices they agreed to Indict him and so they did of several felonious Actions to all which he heartily confessed Guilty and so was hanged with his Wife at the same time Atten. This is a remarkable Story indeed and you think it is a true one Wise. It is not only remarkable but pat to our purpose This Thief like Mr. Badman began his Trade betimes he began too where Mr. Badman began even at robbing of Orchards and other such things which brought him as you may perceive from sin to sin till at last it brought him to the publick shame of sin which is the Gallows As for the truth of this Story the Relator told me that he was at the same time himself in the Court and stood within less than two yards of old Tod when he heard him aloud to utter the words Atten. These two sins of lying and stealing were a bad sign of an evil end Wise. So they were and yet Mr. Badman came not to his end like old Tod Though I fear to as bad nay worse than was that death of the Gallows though less discerned by spectators but more of that by and by But you talk of these two sins as if these were all that Mr. Badâ—man was addicted to in â—is Youth Alas alas he swarmed with sins even as a Begger does with Vermin and that when he was but a Boy Atten. Why what other sins was he addicted to I mean while he was but a Child Wise. You need not ask to what other sins was he but to what other sins was he not addicted that is of such as suited with his Age for a man may safely say that nothing that was vile came amiss to him if he was but capable to do it Indeed some sins there be that Childhood knows not how to be tampering with but I speak of sins that he was capable of committing of which I will nominate two or three more And First He could not endure the Lords Day because of the Holiness that did attend it the beginning of that Day was to him as if he was going to Prison except he could get out from his Father and Mother and lurk in by-holes among his Companions untill holy Duties were over Reading the Scriptures hearing Sermons godly Conference repeating of Sermons and Prayer were things that he could not away with and therefore if his Father on such days as often he did though sometimes notwithstanding his diligence he would be sure to give him the slip did keep him strictly to the observation of the day he would plainly shew by all carriages that he was highly discontent therewith he would sleep at Duties would talk vainly with his Brothers and as it were think every godly opportunity seven times
far gone in Drunkenness is hardly ever recovered to God Tell me when did you see an old drunkard converted No no such an one will sleep till he dies though he sleeps on the top of a Mast let his dangers be never so great and Death and damnation never so near he will not be awaked out of his sleep So that if a man have any respect either to Credit Health Life or Salvation he will not be a drunken man But the truth is where this sin gets the upper hand men are as I said before so intoxicated and bewitched with the seeming pleasures and sweetness thereof that they have neither heart nor mind to think of that which is better in it self and would if imbraced do them good Atten. You said that drunkenness tends to poverty yet some make themselves rich by drunken bargains Wise. I said so because the Word says so And as to some mens getting thereby that is indeed but rare and base yea and base will be the end of such gettings The Word of God is against such wayes and the curse of God will be the end of such doings An Inheritance may sometimes thus be hastily gotten at the beginning but the end thereof shall not be blessed Hark what the Prophet saith Wo to him that covereth an evil covetousness that he may set his nest on high Whether he makes drunkenness or ought else the engine and decoy to get it for that man doth but consult the shame of his own house the spoiling of his family and the damnation of his Soul for that which he getteth by working of iniquity is but a getting by the devices of Hell Therefore he can be no gainer neither for himself or family that gains by an evil course But this was one of the sins that Mr. Badman was addicted to after he came acquainted with these three fellows nor could all that his Master could do break him of this Beastly sin Atten. But where since he was but an Apprentice could be get Money to follow this practice for drunkenness as you have intimated is a very costly sin Wise. His Master paid for all For as I told you before as he learned of these three Villains to be a Beastly Drunkard so he learned of them to pilfer and steal from his Master Sometimes he would fell off his Masters Goods but keep the Money that is when he could also sometimes he would beguile his Master by taking out of his Cash-box and when he could do neither of these he would convey away of his Masters wares what he thought would be least missed and send or carry them to such and such houses where he knew they would be laid up to his use and then appoint set times there to meet and make merry with these fellowes Atten. This was as bad nay I think worse than the former for by thus doing he did not only run himself under the wrath of God but has endangered the undoing of his Master and his Familie Wise. Sins go not alone but follow one the other as do the links of a Chain he that will be a drunkard must have money either of his own or of some other mans either of his Fathers Mothers Masters or at the high-way or some way Atten. I fear that many an honest man is undone by such kind of servants Wise. I am of the same mind with you but this should make the dealer the more wary what kind of Servants he keeps and what kind of Apprentices he takes It should also teach him to look well to his Shop himself also to take strict account of all things that are bought and sold by his Servants The Masters neglect herein may embolden his servant to be bad and may bring him too in short time to rags and a morsel of Bread Atten. I am afraid that there is â—uch of this kind of pilfering among servants in these bad dayes of ours Wise. Now while it is in my mind I will tell you a story When I was in prison there came a woman to me that was under a great deal of trouble So I asked her she being a stranger to me what she had to say to me She said she was afraid she should be damned I asked her the cause of those fears She told me that she had sometime since lived with a Shop-keeper at Wellingborough and had robbed his box in the Shop several times of Money to the value of more than now I will say and pray says she tell me what I shall do I told her I would have her go to her Master and make him satisfaction She said she was afraid I asked her why She said she doubted he would hang her I told her that I would intercede for her life and would make use of other friends too to do the like But she told me she durst not venture that Well said I shall I send to your Master while you abide out of sight and make your peace with him before he sees you and with that I asked her her Masters name But all that she said in answer to this was Pray let it alone till I come to you again So away she went and neither told me her Masters Name nor her ownâ— This is about ten or twelve years since and I never saw her again I tell you this story for this cause to confirm your fears that such kind of servants too many there be and that God makes them sometimes like old Tod of whom mention was made before through the terrors that he layes upon them to betray themselves I could tell you of another that came to me with a like relation concerning her self and the robbing of her Mistress but at this time let this suffice Atten. But what was that other Villain addicted to I mean young Badmans third companion Wise. Uncleanness I told you before but it seems you forgot Atten. Right it was Vncleanness Vncleanness is also a filthy sin Wise. It is so and yet it is one of the most reigning sins in our day Atten. So they say and that too among those that one would think had more wit even among the great ones Wise. The more is the pity for usually Examples that are set by them that are great and chief spread sooner and more universally then do the sins of other men yea and when such men are at the head in transgressing sin walks with a bold face through the Land As Jeremiah saith of the Prophets so may it be said of such From them is profaneness gone forth into all the land that is with bold and audacious face Jer. 23. 15. Atten. But pray let us return again to Mr. Badman and his companions You say one of them was very vile in the commission of Vncleanness Wise. Yes so I say not but that he was a Drunkard and also Thievish but he was most arch in this sin of Uncleanness This Roguery was his Master-piece
to all that are about him I will here tell you another story or two I have read in Mr. Clark's Looking-glass for Sinners That upon a time a certain drunken fellow boasted in his Cups that there was neither Heaven nor Hell also he said He believed that man had no Soul and that for his own part he would sell his soul to any that would buy it Then did one of his companions buy it of him for a cup of Wine and presently the Devil in mans shape bought it of that man again at the the same price and so in the presence of them all laid hold on this Soul-seller and carried him away through the Air so that he was never more heard of In pag. 148. he tells us also That there was one at Salisbury in the midst of his health drinking and carousing in a Tavern and he drank a health to the Devil saying That if the Devil would not come and pledge him he would not believe that there was either God or Devil Whereupon his companions stricken with fear hastened out of the room and presently after hearing a hideous noise and smelling a stinking savour the Vintner ran up into the chamber and coming in he missed his Guest and found the window broken the Iron barr in it bowed and all bloody But the man was never heard of afterwards Again in pag. 149. he tells us of a Bailiff of Hedly Who upon a Lords Day being drunk at Melford got upon his horse to ride through the streets saying That his horse would carry him to the Devil and presently his horâ—e threw him and broke his neck These things are worse than the breaking of Mr. Badmans Leg and should be a caution to all of his friends that are living lest they also fall by their sin into these sad Judgements of God But as I said Mr. Badman quickly forgot all his conscience was choaked before his legg was healed And therefore before he was well of the fruit of one sin he tempts God to send another Judgment to seize upon him And so he did quickly after For not many months after his legg was well he had a very dangerous fit of sickness insomuch that now he began to think he must dye in very deed Atten. Well and what did he think and do then Wise. He thought he must go to Hell this I know for he could not forbear but say so To my best remembrance he lay crying out all one night for fear and at times he would so tremble that he would make the very bed shake under him But Oh! how the thoughts of Death of Hell-fire and of eternal Judgment did then wrack his conscience Fear might be seen in his face and in his tossings to and fro It might also be heard in his words and be understood by his heavy groans He would often cry I am undone I am undone my vile life has undone me Atten. Then his former atheistical thoughts and principles were too weak now to support him from the fears of eternal damnation Wise. Aie they were too weak indeed They may serve to stifle conscience when a man is in the midst of his prosperity and to harden the heart against all good counsel when a man is left of God and given up to his reprobate mind But alas atheistical thoughts Notions and Opinions must shrink and melt away when God sends yea comes with sickness to visit the soul of such a sinner for his sin There was a man dwelt abour 12 miles off from us that had so trained up himself in his atheistical Notions that at last he attempted to write a book against Jesus Christ and against the divine Authority of the Scriptures But I think it was not printed Well after many days God struck him with sickness whereof he dyed So being sick and musing upon his former doings the Book that he had written came into his mind and with it such a sence of his evil in writing of it that it tore his Conscience as a Lyon would tare a Kid. He lay therefore upon his death-bed in sad case and much affliction of conscience some of my friends also went to see him and as they were in his chamber one day he hastily called for Pen Ink and Paper which when it was given him he took it and writ to this purpose I such an one in such a Town must goe to Hell-fire for writing a Book against Jesus Christ and against the Holy Scriptures And would also have leaped out of the window of his house to have killed himself but was by them prevented of that so he dyed in his bed such a death as it was 'T will be well if others take warning by him Atten. This is a remarkable story Wise. 'T is as true as remarkable I had it from them that I dare believe who also themselves were eye and ear witnesses and also that catcht him in their arms and saved him when he would have leaped out of his chamber-window to have destroyed himself Atten. Well you have told me what were Mr. Badmans thoughts now being sick of his condition pray tell me also what he then did when he was sick Wise. Did he did many things which I am sure he never thought to have done and which to be sure was not looked for of his wife and children In this fit of sickness his Thoughts were quite altered about his wife I say his Thoughts so far as could be judged by his words and carriages to her For now she was his good wife his godly wife his honest wife his duck and dear and all Now he told her that she had the best of it she having a good Life to stand by her while his debaucheries and ungodly Life did always stare him in the face Now he told her the counsel that she often gave him was good though he was so bad as not to take it Now he would hear her talk to him and he would lie sighing by her while she so did Now he would bid her pray for him that he might be delivered from Hell He would also now consent that some of her good Ministers might come to him to comfort him and he would seem to shew them kindness when they came for he would treat them kindly with words and hearken diligently to what they said only he did not care that they should talk much of his ill spent life because his conscience was clogged with that already he cared not now to see his old companions the thoughts of them was a torment to him and now he would speak kindly to that child of his that took after its mothers steps though he could not at all abide it before He also desired the prayers of good people that God of his mercy would spare him a little longer promising that if God would but let him recover this once what a new what a penitent man he would be toward God and
not cried unto me with their heart when they howled upon their bed Atten. Yet one may see by this the desperateness of mans heart for what is it but desperate wickedness to make promise to God of amendment if he will but spare them and yet so soon as they are recovered or quickly after fall to sin as they did before and never to regard their promise more Wise. It is a sign of desperateness indeed yea of desperate madness For surely they must needs think that God took notice of their promise that he heard the words that they spake and that he hath laid them up against the time to come and will then bring out and testifie to their faces that they flattered him with their mouth and lyed unto him with their tongue when they lay sick to their thinking upon their death-bed and promised him that if he would recover them they would repent and amend their ways But thus as I have told you Mr. Badman did He made great promises that he would be a New man that he would leave his sins and become a Convert that he would love c. his godly wife c. Yea many fine words had Mr. Badman in his sickness but no good actions when he was well Atten. And how did his good wife take it when she saw that he had no Amendment but that he returned with the Dog to his vomit to his old courses again Wise. Why it broke her heart it was a worse disappointment to her than the cheat that he gave her in marriage At least she laid it more to heart and could not so well grapple with it You must think that she had put up many a prayer to God for him before even all the time that he had carried it so badly to her and now when he was so aâ—â—righted in his sickness and so desired that he might live and meâ—d poor woman she thought that the time was come for God to answer her prayers nay she did not let with gladness to whisper it out amongst her Friends that 't was so but when she saw her self disappointed by her husbands turning Rebel again she could not stand up under it but falls into a languishing distemper and in a few weeks gave up the Ghost Atten. Pray how did she dye Wise. Die she dyed bravely full of comfort of the faith of her Interest in Christ and by him of the world to come she had many brave Expressions in her sickness and gave to those that came to visit her many signs of her salvation the thoughts of the Grave but specially of her Rising again were sweet thoughts to her She would long for Death because she knew it would be her Friend She behaved her self like to some that were making of them ready to go meet their Bridegroom Now said she I am going to rest from my sorrows my sighs my tears my mournings and complaints I have heretofore longed to be among the Saints but might by no means be suffered to goe but now I am going and no man can stop me to the great Meeting to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in Heaven There I shall have my hearts desire there I shall worship without Temptation or other impediment there I shall see the face of my Jesus whom I have loved whom I have served and who now I know will save my soul. I have prayed often for my husband that he might be converted but there has been no answer of God in that matter Are my prayers lost are they forgotten are they thrown over the barr No they are hanged upon the horns of the golden Altar and I must have the benefit of them my self that moment that I shall enter into the gates in at which the righteous Nation that keepeth truth shall enter I say I shall have the benefit of them I can say as holy David I say I can say of my husband as he could of his enemies As for me when they were sick my cloathing was of sack-cloth I humbled my soul with fasting and my prayer returned into my bosom My prayers are not lost my tears are yet in Gods bottle I would have had a Crown and Glory for my husband and for those of my children that follow his steps but so far as I can see yet I must rest in the hope of having all my self Atten. Did she talk thus openly Wise. No this she spake but to one or two of her most intimate acquaintance who were permitted to come and see her when she lay languishing upon her death-bed Atten. Well but pray go on in your relation this is good I am glad to hear it this is as a cordial to my heart while we sit thus talking under this tree Wise. When she drew near her end she called for her husband and when he was come to her she told him That now he and she must part and said she God knows and thou shalt know that I have been a loving faithful Wife unto thee my prayers have been many for thee and as for all the abuses that I have received at thy hand those I freely and heartily forgive and still shall pray for thy conversion even as long as I breathe in this world But husband I am going thither where no bad man shall come and if thou dost not convert thou wilt never see me more with comfort let not my plain words offend thee I am thy dying wife and of my faithfulness to thee would leave this Exhortation with thee Break off thy sins fly to God for mercy while mercies gate stands open remember that the day is coming when thou though now lusty and well must lye at the gates of death as I do And what wilt thou then do if thou shalt be found with a naked soul to meet with the Cherubims with their flaming swords yea what wilt thou then do if Death and Hell shall come to visit thee and thou in thy sins and under the Curse of the Law Atten. This was honest and plain but what said Mr. Badman to her Wise. He did what he could to divert her talk by throwing in other things he also shewed some kind of pity to her now and would ask her What she would have and with various kind of words put her out of her talk for when she see that she was not regarded she fetcht a deep sigh and lay still So he went down and then she called for her Children and began to talk to them And first she spake to those that were rude and told them the danger of dying before they had grace in their hearts She told them also that Death might be nearer them than they were aware of and bid them look when they went through the Church-yard again if there was not little graves there And ah children said she will it not be dreadful to you if we only shall meet
at the day of Judgment and then part again and never see each other more And with that she wept the Children also wept so she held on her discourse Children said she I am going from you I am going to Jesus Christ and with him there is neither sorrow nor sighing nor pain nor tears nor death Thither would I have you go also but I can neither carry you nor fetch you thither but if you shall turn from your sins to God and shall beg mercy at his hands by Jesus Christ you shall follow me and shall when you dye come to the place where I am going that blessed place of Rest and then we shall be for ever together beholding the face of our Redeemer to our mutual and eternal joy So she bid them remember the words of a dying mother when she was cold in her grave and themselves were hot in their sins if perhaps her words might put check to their vice and that they might remember and turn to God Then they all went down but her Darling to wit the child that she had most love for because it followed her ways So she addressed her self to that Come to me said she my sweet child thou art the child of my joy I have lived to see thee a Servant of God thou shalt have eternal life I my sweet heart shall goe before and thou shalt follow after if thou shalt hold the beginning of thy confidence stedfast to the end When I am gone do thou still remember my words love thy Bible follow my Ministers deny ungodliness still and if troublous times shall come set an higher price upon Christ his Word and Wayes and the testimony of a good conscience than upon all the world besides Carry it kindly and dutifully to thy Father but choose none of his ways If thou mayest goe to service choose that rather than to stay at home but then be sure to choose a service where thou mayest be helped forwards in the way to heaven and that thou mayest have such a service speak to my Minister he will help thee if possible to such an one I would have thee also my dear child to love thy Brothers and Sisters but learn none of their naughty tricks Have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkness but rather reprove them Thou hast Grace they have none do thou therefore beautifie the way of salvation before their eyes by a godly life and conformable conversation to the revealed will of God that thy Brothers and Sisters may see and be the more pleased with the good wayes of the Lord. If thou shalt live to marry take heed of being served as I was that is of being beguiled with fair words and the flatteries of a lying tongue But first be sure of godliness Yea as sure as it is possible for one to be in this world trust not thine own eyes nor thine own Judgment I mean as to that persons godliness that thou art invited to marry Ask counsel of good men and do nothing therein if he lives without my Ministers advice I have also my self desired him to look after thee Thus she talked to her children and gave them counsel and after she had talked to this a little longer she kiss'd it and bid it go down Well in short her time drew on and the day that she must die So she died with a soul full of Grace an heart full of comfort and by her death ended a life full of trouble Her husband made a Funerall for her perhaps because he was glad he was rid of her but we will leave that to be manifest at Judgment Atten. This Woman died well And now we are talking of the dying of Christians I will tell you a story of one that died some time since in our Town The man was a godly old Puritan for so the godly were called in time past This man after a long and godly life fell sick of the sickness whereof he died And as he lay drawing on the woman that looked to him thought she heard Musick and that the sweetest that ever she heard in her life which also continued untill he gave up the Ghost now when his soul departed from him the Musick seemed to withdraw and to go further and further off from the house and so it went untill the sound was quite gone out of hearing Wise. What do you think that might be Atten. For ought I know the melodious Notes of Angels that were sent of God to fetch him to Heaven Wise. I cannot say but that God goes out of his Ordinary Road with us poor mortals sometimes I cannot say this of this woman but yet she had better musick in her heart than sounded in this womans ears Atten. I believe so but pray tell me did any of her other children hearken to her words so as to be bettered in their souls thereby Wise. One of them did and became a very hopefull young man but for the rest I can say nothing Atten. And what did Badman do after his wife was dead Wise. Why even as he did before he scarce mourned a fortnight for her and his mourning then was I doubt more in fashion than in heart Atten. Would he not sometimes talk of his Wife when she was dead Wise. Yes when the fit took him and could commend her too extremely saying she was a good godly vertuous woman But this is not a thing to be wondred at It is common with wicked men to hate Gods Servants while alive and to commend them when they are dead So served the Pharisees the Prophets Those of the Prophets that were dead they commended and those of them that were alive they condemned Atten. But did not Mr. Badman marry again quickly Wise. No not a good while after and when he was asked the reason he would make this slighty answer Who would keep a Cow of their own that can have a quart of milk for a penny Meaning Who would be at the charge to have a Wife that can have a Whore when he listeth So villanous so abominable did he continue after the death of his wife Yet at last there was one was too hard for him For getting of him to her upon a time and making of him sufficiently drunk she was so cunning as to get a promise of marriage of him and so held him to it and forced him to marry her And she as the saying is was as good as he at all his vile and ranting tricks she had her companions as well as he had his and she would meet them too at the Tavern and Ale-house more commonly than he was aware of To be plain she was a very Whore and had as great resort came to her where time and place was appointed as any of them all Aie and he smelt it too but could not tell how to help it For if he began to talk she could lay in his dish
the whores that she knew he haunted and she could fit him also with cursing and swearing for she would give him Oath for Oath and Curse for Curse Atten. What kind of Oaths would she have Wise. Why damn her and sink her and the like Atten. These are provoking things Wise. So they are but God doth not altogether let such things goe unpunished in this life Something of this I have shewed you already and will here give you one or two Instances more There lived saith one in the year 1551. in a City of Savoy a man who was a monstrous Curser and Swearer and though he was often admonished and blamed for it yet would he by no means mend his manners At length a great plague happening in the City he withdrew himself into a Garden where being again admonished to give over his wickedness he hardned his heart more Swearing Blaspheming God and giving himself to the Devil And immediately the Devil snatched him up suddenly his wife and kinswoman looking on and carried him quite away The Magistrates advertised hereof went to the place and examined the Woman who justified the truth of it Also at Oster in the Dutchy of Magalapole saith Mr. Clark a wicked Woman used in her cursing to give her self body and soul to the Devil and being reproved for it still continued the same till being at a Wedding-Feast the Devil came in person and carried her up into the Air with most horrible outcries and roarings And in that sort carried her round about the Town that the Inhabitants were ready to dye for fear And by and by he tore her in four pieces leaving her four quarters in four several high-wayes and then brought her Bowels to the Marriage-feast and threw them upon the Table before the Maior of the Town saying Behold these dishes of meat belong to thee whom the like destruction waiteth for if thou dost not amend thy wicked life Atten. Though God forbears to deal thus with all men that thus rend and tare his Name and that immediate Judgments do not overtake them yet he makes their lives by other Judgments bitter to them does he not Wise. Yes yes And for proof I need goe no further than to this Badman and his wife for their railing and cursing and swearing ended not in words They would fight and fly at each other and that like Cats and Dogs But it must be looked upon as the hand and Judgment of God upon him for his villany he had an honest woman before but she would not serve his turn and therefore God took her away and gave him one as bad as himself Thus that measure that he meted to his first wife this last did mete to him again And this is a punishment wherewith sometimes God will punish wicked men So said Amos to Amaziah Thy wife shall be an Harlot in the City With this last wife Mr. Badman lived a pretty while but as I told you before in a most sad and hellish manner And now he would bewail his first wifes death not of love that he had to her Godliness for that he could never abide but for that she used alwayes to keep home whereas this would goe abroad his first wife was also honest and true to that Relation but this last was a Whore of her Body The first woman loved to keep things together but this last would whirl them about as well as he The first would be silent when he chid and would take it patiently when he abused her but this would give him word for word blow for blow curse for curse so that now Mr. Badman had met with his match God had a mind to make him see the baseness of his own life in the wickedness of his wives But all would not do with Mr. Badman he would be Mr. Badman still This Judgment did not work any reformation upon him no not to God nor man Atten. I warrant you that Mr. Badman thought when his wife was dead that next time he would match far better Wise. What he thought I cannot tell but he could not hope for it in this match For here he knew himself to be catcht he knew that he was by this woman intangled and would therefore have gone back again but could not He knew her I say to be a Whore before and therefore could not promise himself a happy life with her For he or she that will not be true to their own soul will neither be true to husband nor wife And he knew that she was not true to her own soul and therefore could not expect she should be true to him but Solomon says An whore is a deep pit and Mr. Badman found it true For when she had caught him in her pit she would never leave him till she had got him to promise her Marriage and when she had taken him so for she forced him to marry indeed And after that they lived that life that I have told you Atten. But did not the neighbours take notice of this alteration that Mr. Badman had made Wise. Yes and many of his Neighbours yea many of those that were carnal said 'T is a righteous Judgment of God upon him for his abusive carriage and language to his other wife for they were all convinced that she was a vertuous woman and that he vile wretch had killed her I will not say with but with the want of kindness Atten. And how long I pray did they live thus together Wise. Some fourteen or sixteen years even untill though she also brought somthing with her they had sinned all away and parted as poor as Howlets And in reason how could it be otherwise he would have his way and she would have hers he among his companions and she among hers he with his Whores and she with her Rogues and so they brought their Noble to Nine-pence Atten. Pray of what disease did Mr. Badman die for now I percieve we are come up to his death Wise. I cannot so properly say that he died of one disease for there were many that had consented and laid their heads together to bring him to his end He was dropsical he was consumptive he was surfeited was gouty and as some say he had a tang of the Pox in his bowels Yet the Captain of all these men of death that came against him to take him away was the Consumption for 't was that that brought him down to the grave Atten. Although I will not say but the best men may die of a consumption a dropsie or a fuâ—feit yea that these may meet upon a man to end him yet I will say again that many times these diseases come through mans inordinate use of things Much drinking brings dropsies consumptions surfeits and many other diseases and I doubt that Mr. Badmans death did come by his abuse of himself in the use of lawfull and unlawfull things I ground this my sentence upon that report
first signs of repentance When Paul lay repenting of his sin upon his bed the Holy Ghost said of him Behold he prayes But he that hath not the first signs of repentance 't is a sign he hath none of the other and so indeed none at all I do not say but there may be crying where there may be no sign of repentance They cryed says David to the Lord but he answered them not but that he would have done if their cry had been the fruit of repentance But I say if men may cry and yet have no repentance be sure they have none that cry not at all It is said in Job They cry not when he bindeth them that is because they have no repentance no repentance no cryes false repentance false cryes true repentance true cryes Wise. I know that it is as possible for a man to forbear crying that hath repentance as it is for a man to forbear groaning that feeleth deadly pain He that looketh into the Book of Psalms where repentance is most lively set forth even in its true and proper effects shall there find that crying strong crying hearty crying great crying and uncessant crying hath been the fruits of repentance But none of this had this Mr. Badman therefore he dyed in his sins That Crying is an inseparable effect of repentance is seen in these Scriptures Have mercy upon me O God according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed My soul is also vexed but thou O Lord how long Return O Lord deliver my soul O save me for thy mercies sake O Lord rebuke me not in thy wrath neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure for thine arrows stick fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin For mine iniquities are gone over mine head as an heavy burthen they are too heavy for me My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness I am troubled I am bowed down greatly I goe mourning all the day long My loyns are filled with a loathsom disease and there is no soundness in my flesh I am feeble and sore broken I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart I might give you a great number more of the holy sayings of good men whereby they express how they were what they felt and whether they cryed or no when repentance was wrought in them Alas alas it is as possible for a man when the pangs of Guilt are upon him to forbear praying as it is for a woman when pangs of travel are upon her to forbear crying If all the world should tell me that such a man hath repentance yet if he is not a praying man I should not be perswaded to believe it Atten. I know no reason why you should for there is nothing can demonstrate that such a man hath it But pray Sir what other sign have you by which you can prove that Mr. Badman died in his sins and so in a state of damnation Wise. I have this to prove it Those who were his old sinfull companions in the time of his health were those whose company and carnal talk he most delighted in in the time of his sickness I did occasionally hint this before but now I make it an argument of his want of grace for where there is indeed a work of Grace in the heart that work doth not only change the heart thoughts and desires but the conversation also yea conversation and company too When Paul had a work of grace in his soul he assayed to Joyn himself to the Disciples He was for his old companions in their abominations no longer he was now a Disciple and was for the company of Disciples And he was with them coming in and going out in Jerusalem Atten. I thought something when I heard you make mention of it before Thought I this is a shrewd sign that he had not grace in his heart Birds of a feather thought I will flock together If this man was one of Gods childâ—en he would heard with Gods children his delight would be with and in the company of Gods children As David said I am a companion of all them that fear thee and of them that keep thy precepts Wise. You say well for what fellowship hath he that believeth with an Infidel And although it be true that all that joyn to the godly are not godly yet they that shall inwardly choose the company of the ungodly and open profane rather than the company of the godly as Mr. Badman did surely are not godly men but profane He was as I told you out of his element when good men did come to visit him but then he was where he would be when he had his vain companions about him Alas grace as I said altereth all heart life company and all for by it the heart and man is made new and a new heart a new man must have objects of delight that are new and like himself Old things are passed away Why For all things are become new Now if all things are become new to wit heart mind thoughts desires and delights it followeth by consequence that the company must be answerable hence it is said That they that believed were together that they went to their own company that they were added to the Church that they were of one heart and of one soul and the like Now if it be objected that Mr. Badman was sick and so could not goe to the godly yet he had a tongue in his head and could had he had an heart have spoken to some to call or send for the godly to come to him Yea he would have done so yea the company of all others specially his fellow sinners would even in every appearance of them before him have been a burden and a grief unto him His heart and affection standing bent to good good companions would have suited him best But his Companions were his old Associates his delight was in them therefore his heart and soul were yet ungodly Atten. Pray how was he when he drew near his end for I perceive that what you say of him now hath reference to him and to his actions at the beginning of his sickness Then he could endure company and much talk besides perhaps then he thought he should recover and not die as afterwards he had cause to think when he was quite wasted with pining sickness when he was at the graves mouth But how was he I say when he was as we say at the graves mouth within a step of death when he saw and knew and could not but know that shortly he must dye
and appear before the Judgment of God Wise. Why there was not any other alteration in him than what was made by his disease upon his body sickness you know will alter the body also pains and stitches will make men groan but for his mind he had no alteration there His mind was the same his heart was the same He was the self-same Mr. Badman still not onely in Name but Conditions and that to the very day of his death yea so fâ—r as could be gathered to the very moment in which he died Atten. Pray how was he in his death was Death strong upon him or did he dye with â—ase quietly Wise. As quietly as a Lamb. There seemed not to bâ— in it to standers by so much as a strong struggle of Nature and as for his Mind it seemed to be wholly at quiet But pray why do you ask me this question Atten. Not for mine own sake but for others For there is such an opinion as this among the ignorant That if a man dies as they call it like a Lamb that is quietly and without that consternation of mind that others shew in their death they conclude and that beyond all doubt that such an one is gone to Heaven and is certainly escaped the wrath to come Wise. There is no Judgment to be made by a quiet death of the Eternal state of him that so dieth Suppose one man should die quietly another should die suddenly and a third should die under-great consternation of spirit no man can Judge of their eternall condition by the manner of any of these kinds of deaths He that dies quietly suddenly or under consternation of spirit may goe to Heaven or may goe to Hell no man can tell whether a man goes by any such manner of death The Judgment therefore that we make of the eternall condition of a man must be gathered from another consideration To wit Did the man die in his sins did he die in unbelief did he die before he was born again then he is gone to the Devil and hell though he died never so quietly Again Was the man a good man had he faith and holiness was he a lover and a Worshipper of God by Christ according to his Word Then he is gone to God and Heaven how suddenly or in what consternation of mind soever he died But Mr. Badman was naught his life was evil his wayes were evil evil to his end he therefore went to Hell and to the Devil how quietly soever he died Indeed there is in some cases a Judgment to be made of a mans eternal condition by the manner of the death he dieth As suppose now a man should murder himself or live a wicked life and after that die in utter despair these men without doubt do both of them goe to Hell And here I will take an occasion to speak of two of Mr. Badmans Brethren for you know I told you before that he had Brethren and of the manner of their death One of them killed himself and the other after a wicked life died in utter despair Now I should not be afraid to conclude of both these that they went by and through their death to hell Atten. Pray tell me concerning the first how he made away himself Wise. Why he took a knife and cut his own Throat and immediately gave up the Ghost and died Now what can we judge of such a mans condition since the Scripture saith No murderer hath eternall life c. but that it must be concluded that such an one is gone to Hell He was a murderer a Self-murderer and he is the worst murderer one that slays his own body and soul nor doe we find mention made of any but cursed ones that doe such kind of deeds I say no mention made in holy Writ of any others but such that murder themselves And this is a sore Judgment of God upon men when God shall for the sins of such give them up to be their own Executioners or rather to execute his Judgment and Anger upon themselves And let me earnestly give this Caution to sinners Take heed Sirs break off your sins lest God serves you as he served Mr. Badmans Brother That is lest he gives you up to be your own Murderers Atten. Now you talk of this I did once know a man a Barber that took his own Raisor and cut his own Throat and then put his head out of his Chamber-window to shew the neighbours what he had done and after a little while died Wise. I can tell you a more dreadfull thing than this I mean as to the 〈◊〉 of doing the fact There was about twelve years since a man that lived at Brafield by Northamptoâ— named John Cox that murdered himself the manner of his doing of it was thus He was a poor man and had for some time been sick and the time of his sickness was about the beginning of â—ay-timeâ— and taking too many thoughts how he should live afterwards if he lost his present season of work he fell into deep despair about the world and cryed out to his wife the morning before he killed himâ—elf saying We are undone But quickly after he desired his wife to depart the room Because said he I will see if I can get any rest so she went out but he instead of sleeping quickly took his Raisor and therewith cut up a great hole in his side out of which he pulled and cut off some of his guts and threw them with the blood up and down the Chamber But this not speeding of him so soon as he desired he took the same Raisor and therewith cut his own throat His wife then hearing of him sigh and fetch his wind short came again into the room to him and seeing what he had done she ran out and called in some Neighbours who came to him where he lay in a bloody manner frightfull to behold Then said one of them to him Ah! John what have you done are you not sorry for what you have done He answered roughly 'T is too late to be sorry Then said the same person to him again Ah! John pray to God to forgive thee this bloody act of thine At the hearing of which Exhortation he seemed much offended and in angry manner said Pray and with that flung himself away to the wall and so after a few gasps died desperately When he had turned him of his back to the wall the blood ran out of his belly as out of a boul and soaked quite through the bed to the boards and through the chinks to the boards it ran pouring down to the ground Some said that when the neighbours came to see him he lay â—roaping with his hand in his bowels reaching upward as was thought that he might have pulled or cut out his heart 'T was said also that some of his Liver had been by him torn out and cast upon the boards and that
for ever This he found out I say but not without great painfulness grief and pricking in his reins so deep so hard and so difficult did he find it rightly to come to a determination in this matter And indeed this is a deep Judgment of God towards ungodly sinners it is enough to stagger a whole world only the Godly that are in the world have a Sanctuary to go to where the Oracle and Word of God is by which his Judgements and a reason of many of them are made known to and understood by them Atten. Indeed this is a staggering dispensation It is full of the wisdom and anger of God And I believe as you have said that it is full of Judgment to the world Who would have imagined that had not known Mr. Badman and yet had seen him die but that he had been a man of an holy life and conversation since he died so stilly so quietly so like a Lamb or Chrisom child Would they not I say have concluded that he was a righteous man or that if they haâ— known him and his life yet to see him die 〈◊〉 quietly would they not have concluded tâ—â—t he had made his peace with God Nay furâ—â—er if some had known that he had died in his sins and yet that he died so like a Lamb would they not have concluded that either God doth not know our sins or that he likes them or that he wants power or will or heart or skill to punish them since Mr. Badman himself went from a sinfull life so quietly so peaceably and so like a Lamb as he did Wise. Without controversie this is an heavy judgment of God upon wicked men Job 21. 23. one goes to Hell in peace another goes to Hell in trouble one goes to Hell being sent thither by his own hands another goes to Hell being sent thither by the hand of his companion one goes thither with his eyes shut and another goes thither with his eyes open one goes thither roaring and another goes thither boasting of Heaven and Happiness all the way he goes One goes thither like Mr. Badman himself and others go thither as did his Brethren But above all Mr. Badmansâ— death as to the manner of dying is the fullest of Snares and Traps to wicked men therefore they that die as he are the greatest stumble to the world They goe and goe they go on peaceably from Youth to old Age and thence to the Grave and so to Hell without noyse They goe as an Ox to the slaughter and as a fool to the correction of the Stocks that is both sencelesly and securely O! but being come at the gates of Hell O! but when they see those gates set open for them O! but when they see that that is their home and that they must go in thither then their peace and quietness flies away for ever Then they roar like Lions yell like Dragons howl like Dogs and tremble at their Judgment as do the Devils themselves Oh! when they see they must shoot the Gulf and Throat of Hell when they shall see that Hell hath shut her ghastly Jaws upon them when they shall open their eyes and find themselves within the belly and bowels of Hell then they will mourn and weep and hack and gnash their teeth for pain But this must not be or if it must yet very rarely till they are gone out of the sight and hearing of those mortals whom they do leave behind them alive in the world Atten. Well my good Neighbour Wiseman I perceive that the Sun grows low and that you have come to a conclusion with Mr. Badmans Life and Death and therefore I will take my leave of you Only first let me tell you I am glad that I have met with you to day and that our hap was to full in with Mr. Badmans state I also thank you for your freedom with me in granting of me your reply to all my questions I would only beg your Prayers that God will give me much grace that I may neither live nor die as did Mr. Badman Wise. My good Neighbour Attentive I wish your welfare in Soul and Body and if ought that I have said of Mr. Badmans Life and Death may be of benefit unto you I shall be heartily glad only I desire you to thank God for it and to pray heartily for me that I with you may be kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation Atten. Amen Farewell Wise. I wish you heartily Farewell FINIS Original sin is the root of Actual transgressions Mark 7. Job 11. 12 Ezek. 16. Exod. 12. 13. Chap. 34. 20. Rom. 5. * 〈◊〉 addicted to Lying from a child * A Lie knowingly told demonstrates that the heart is desperately hard The Lyers portion Rev. 21. 8. 27. Chap. 22. 15. Prov. 22. 15. Chap. 2â— 13 14. †Joh. 8. 44. * The Devils Brat Acts 5. 3 4. * The Father and Mother of a Lie †Mark * Some will tell a Lie for a Peny profit * An Example for Lyers Acts 5. * A Spirit of Lying accompanyed with other sins * Badman given to pilfer * Badman would rob his Father Exod. 20. 15. Zech. 5. 3. Jer. 2. 26. * How Badman did use to carry it when his Father used to chide him for his sins * Badman more firmly knit to his Companions than either to Father or Mother †Badman would rejoyce to think that his Parents death were at hand Prov. 28. 24. * 1 Sam. 2. 25. * Badman counted his thieving no great matter ☞ The Story of old Tod * Young Thieves take notice * Old Tod began his waâ— to the Gallows by robbing of Orchards and the like * Badman could not abide the Lords Day * Why Raâ—man could not abide the Lords Day * God proves the heart what it is by instituting of the Lords day and setting it apart 〈◊〉 his service Gen. 2. 2. Exod. 31. 13 14 15 16 17 Mar. 16. 1. Acts 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. Mar. 2. 27 2â— Revel 1. 10. Isa. 5. 8 13. Chap. 56. 2. Amos 8. 5. Heb. 4. 9. * How Badman did use to spend the Lords Day â—phes 5. 6. * Badman given to Swearing and Cursing Rom. 6. 13. * Swearing and Cursing a badge of Mr. Badmans honour * Difference â—etwixt Swearing and Cursing * What swearing is Exod. â—0 7. †A manâ— may sin in swearing to a truth Jer. 5. 2. †He that swears to a Lie concludes that God is as wicked as himself Zech. â— 3. Jer. 7. â— Hos. 4. â— 3. * Six Causes of vain Swearing Jam. 3. 6 7 8 9. * How Cursing is distinguished from Swearing * Of Cursing what it is 2 Sam. 16. 6 7 8. 1 King 2. 8. * How the profane ones of our times Curse Job 30. 31. Badmans way of Cursing * The Damme Blade Badman would curse his Father c. * Badman would curse his Fathers Cattel Job 15. Eccles. 7. 22. †〈◊〉
like the Devil 2 Question How those that are Bâ—â—ckrupts 〈◊〉 deal with their consciencies Good advice Rom. 12. 11. 1 Tim. 5. 8. Pro. 18. 9. * Good counâ—â—â— again How to find that thy decay came by the Judgement of God or by thy miscarriage Another question Pro. 10. 3. 1 Pet. 5. 6. Lâ—â— 3. 33. Good advice again Deut. 32. 15. James 1. 9â— 10. Consider four things Job 1. 2â— Chap. 2. 8. Psal. 49. 6. Jam. 2. 5. †Honest dealing with Creditors Pro. 16. 33. Jer. 15. 10 11. Pro. 16. 7. A heavy blot upon Religion * If Knaves will make profession their cloak to be vile who can help it 1 Cor. 6. 8 9 10. 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5. Matt. 18. 6 7 8. * Let such be 〈…〉 men Jer. 17. 11. Ezek. 20. 38 39. 2 Cor. 7. 2. Mar. 10. 19. 1 Sam. 12. 3. Ver. 4. * A question * An answer 2 King 4. 1 2. Hag. 1. 9. God does sometimes blow upon his own people How they should doe at that time Philip. 4. 12. Moâ— of Mr. 〈…〉 dealing 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 Levit. 19. 35 36. Of Just weights and measures Ezek. 45. 10. Pro. 20. 23. Chap. 11. 1. The evil of deceitful Ballances Weights and Measures Deut. 25. 13 14 15 16. The Old and New Law commands all men to be honest and upright in their weights and measures Luke 6. 8â— Pat Scriptures for our purpose Where false weights and measures are to be found 1. With evil doers Mic. 6. 12. 2. With the 〈◊〉 and Oppressors Eos 12. 7. 3. With such as would swalloâ— up the poor Amos 8. 4 5 6 7. 4. With impure ones Mâ—â— 6. 11. Dâ—ut 5. 27. How Mr. Badman did cheat and hide his cheating Good Weights and a bad Ballance a deep piece of Knavery Mat. 23. A cloak of Religion to blind Mr. Châ—ats Knavery * Some plead Custom to cheat * Deut. 16. 20. They get nothing that eâ—â—n and cheat Mar. 9. Prov. 10. 3. Jer. 15. 13. Chap. 17. 3. Job 27. 17. Pro. 13. 22. More of Mr. Badmans Bad tricks Amos 8. * Another art to cheat withall Zeph. 1. 9. Servants observe these words Of Extortion 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Who are Extorâ—ioners * Hucksters Pro. 22. 16 22. Deut. 23. 19. Whether it be lawful for a man to make the best of his own Proved in negative by 8 reasons * Good conscience must be used in selling We must not 〈◊〉 a prey of our 〈…〉 Nor of his Neighbours 〈◊〉 Nor of his 〈…〉 We must use good conscience in buying Gen. 23. 8 9 1 Crhon 21 22. 24. * Levit. 25. 14. Charity must be used in our dealings 1 Cor. 16. 14. 1 Cor. 13. Ephes. 4. 25. There may be and is sin in trading Matt. 7. 12. A man in trading must not offer violence to the Law of naâ—ure Joâ— 37. 7. We must not abuse the 〈◊〉 we have in the knowledge of earthly things 1 Cor. 10. 1â— * An eye â— the glory â— God in all we should have Colo. 3. 1â— Acts. 24. 15 16. Levit. 25. 14. * Badman used to laugh at them that told him of his faults 〈…〉 14 15. â—ap 6. 25. 〈…〉 An answers * Preparations to be a good dealer â—ccle 5. 10 11. 1 Tim. 6. 7 8 9. Ezek. 2. 13. Pro. 15. 17. Chap. 16. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 5. Pro. 5. 21. Job 14. 17. Eccles. 5. 13 14 15. Prov. 2â— 14. Amâ—â— 8. â— * A Judgment of God 2 King 7. Pro. 11. 26. Isa. 58. 6 7 8. Philip. 4. 5. Mr Badman a very proud man Of pride in â—eneral Pro. 21. 24. Pride sticks cloâ—e to nature Pro. 8. 13. Chap. 29. 23. Isa. 25. 11. Mal. 4. 1. Proud men do not love to bâ— called proud Two sorts of pride Pro. 16. 5 Châ—p 21. 4. Eccle. â— 8. Isa. â— 17. 18 1â— 20 21 22. Wicked men do hate that word that reproves their vice Signes of a proud man in general Pro. 32. 13. Pro. 17. 19. Mar. 7. In particular Psal. 1â— 2. Psal. 10. 4. Pro. 1â— 10. Psal. 11. 51. Ver. 122. Jer. 13. 17. Chap. 43. 2. Mal. 3. 15. * Of outward pride 1 Tim. 2. 1. 1 Pet. 3. 3 4 5. Mr. Badman was not for having pride called pride 〈…〉 Jer. â— 3. 1 Tim. 2. 9. 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 3. Jer. 23. 15. * Ezra 9. 2. Pride in profeâ—â—ors a shame and stumbling-block to the world ☞ Why pride is in such request 1 Reason Mar. 7. 22 23. Obad. 3. 1 Joh. 2. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 1 3 4 5. 3 Reason 4 Reason Isa. 6. 5 Reason The evil effects of the sin of Pride 1 Evil effect 1 Tim. 3. 6. 2 Evil effect Psal. 138. 9. â— Evil effect â—aâ— 4. 6. 4 Evil effect Pro. 16. 25. 5 Evil effect Pro. 11. 2. Prov. 16. 8. 6 Evil effect 1 Tim. 3. 6. A general character of Mr. Badman Psal. 36. 1. A brief relation of Mr. Badmans ways Isa. 26. 10. Isa. 9. 13. Isa. 26. 11. Psal. 29. 5. Pro. 17. 6. Isa. 26. 10. Mr. Badmans judgment of the Scriptures Good men Mr. Badmans lonâ— Psal. 5â— 19. 20. Rom. 3. 7 8. Jer. 23. 10. When the wicked watch Gods people should be wary * Badman an angry envious man Pro. 14. 16. Eccle. 7. 9. Whence Envy flows Pro. 27. 3 4. Envie the worst of the four Gal. 5. 19 2 Pro. 14. 30. * Envy is the father and mother of a many wickednesses Jam. 3. 14 15. Some of the births of Envy Job 5. 2. Matt. 27. 18. Mar. 15. 10. Acts. 7. 9. Isa. 11. 13. Acts 13. 14. * A rare thing 〈◊〉 Mr. Badman under some trouble of mind Mr. Badman brake his legg * He swears * He prays It has no good effect upon him How many sins do accompany drunkenness Aâ—ts 1â— 30 31 3â— Job 34. 24 25 26. * An open 〈◊〉 pag. 41. Mr. Badman fallen sick His conscience is wounded * He cryes out in his sickness * His Atheism will not help him now A dreadful example of Gods anger ☞ What Mr. Badman did more when he was sick Great alteration made in Mr. Badman The Town-talk of Mr. Badmans change His wife is comforted Mr. Badman recovers and returns to his old course Ignorant physicians kill souls while they cure bodyes Gen. 4. 12. 14. Exo. 9. 27. 1 Sam. 1â— â—4 Matt. 27. 3 4 5. The true symptoms of conversion wanting in all Mr. Badmans sence of sin and desires of mercy Exo. 19. 28. Aâ—ts 8. 24. Luk. 16. 27 28. * Oâ—sick-bed repentance and that it is to be suspected Hos. 7. 14 A sign of the desperateness of mans heart Deut. 1. 34 35. Psal. 78. 34 35 36 37. * Mr. Badmans wiâ—â—s hâ—art is broken * Her Christian speech Heb. 12. 22 23 24. Her talk to her friends Psal. 〈◊〉 13. Her call to her husband He diverts her discourse Her speech to her children that were rude Rev. 7. 16. Chap. 21. 3 4. * Her 〈◊〉 to her dâ—rling Heb. 3. 14. Ephes. 5. 11. * Her death ☜ One of her children converted by her dying words Mat. 23. Mr. Badmans base language He marryes again and how he got this last wife What she was and how they lived Clarks Looking-Glass Amo. 7. 16 17. * He is punished in his last wife for his bad carriages towards his first †He is not at all the better None did pity him for his sorrow but looked upon it as a just reward * Badman and this last wife part as poor as Howlets Mr. Badmans sickness and diseases of which he died * Badmans name stinks when he is dead Pro. 10. 7. Thâ—t Mr. â—â—dman dies 〈◊〉 is proved 1 Proof that he died impenitent Isa. 6. Ro. 11. * No sence of sin no repentance proved Acts 2. Chap. 9. Chap. 16. Psal. 38. 18. 2 Sam. 12. Job 10. 2. Chap. 34. 32. Jer. 31. 18 19 20. Job 20. 11. Pâ—ov 5. 22. Matt. 25. Isa. 66. 21. Mar. 9. 44. * Every sight and sence of sin cannot produce repentance 2 proof that he died impenitent 1 King 21. 17. 18 19 20 21. Psal. 41. 6. * How Badman carried it to good men when they came to visit him in his last sickness Job 21. 14. Jer. 2. 25. Zech. 7. 11 12. Acts. 〈◊〉 26 27. 3 Proof that he died impenitent Acts 9. 11. Psal. 18. 41. Job 36. 13. Psal. 51. 1. Psal. 6 1 2 3 4. Psal. 38. 4 Proof that he died impenitent Acts. 9. 26. 28. Psal. 119. 63. 2 Cor. â— 17. Acts. 4. 32 33. Chap. 2. 44 45 46 47. * How Mr. Badman was wâ—en â—ear his End †〈…〉 * The opinion of the Ignoront about his manner of dying * How we must judge whether men dye well or no. * When we may judge of a mans eternal state by the manner of his death ☞ ☞ * 〈…〉 * Of dying in Despair ☞ ☞ 〈…〉 Psal. 73. 4. Further discourse of Mr. Badmans death He that after a sinfull life dies quietly that is without repentance goes to Hell 1 Proof * Sick-bed repentance seldom good for any thing Luke 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2 Proof * Peace in a sinfull stâ—te is a sign of damnation Hos. 4. 17. 3 Proof Joh. 12. 40. Luk. 16. 22. Rom. 2. 1 2 3 4 5. Acts 28. 26 27. 2 Pet. 2. 4 Proof Psal. 73. 4 5 6. Job 8. 13 14. * A frivolous opinion * When a wicked man dyes in 〈…〉 quietly it is a Judgment of God upon his wiâ—â—ed beholder Ver. 6. Ver. 8. 9 10 11. Vers. 12. 〈◊〉 2. 17.