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
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
THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. BADMAN PRESENTED To the WORLD in a FAMILIAR DIALOGUE Between Mr. WISEMAN And Mr. ATTENTIVE By JOHN BVNYAN the Author of the Pilgrims Progress LONDON Printed by J. A. for Nath. Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultrey neer the Church 1680. THE AUTHOR TO THE READER Courteous Reader AS I was considering with my self what I had written concerning the Progress of the Pilgrim from this World to Glory and how it had been acceptable to many in this Nation It came again into my mind to write as then of him that was going to Heaven so now of the Life and Death of the Vngodly and of their travel from this world to Hell The which in this I have done and have put it as thou seest under the Name and Title of Mr. Badman a Name very proper for such a Subject I have also put it into the form of a Dialogue that I might with more ease to my self and pleasure to the Reader perform the work And although as I said I have put it forth in this method yet have I as little as may be gone out of the road of mine own observation of things Yea I think I may truly say that to the best of my remembrance all the things that here I discourse of I mean as to matter of fact have been acted upon the stage of this World even many times before mine eyes Here therefore courteous Reader I present thee with the Life and Death of Mr. Badman indeed Yea I do trace him in his Life from his Childhood to his Death that thou mayest as in a Glass behold with thine own eyes the steps that take hold of Hell and also discern while thou art reading of Mr. Badmans Death whether thou thy self art treading in his path thereto And let me entreat thee to forbear Quirking and Mocking for that I say Mr. Badman is dead but rather gravely enquire concerning thy self by the Word whether thou art one of his Linage or no For Mr. Badman has left many of his Relations behind him yea the very World is overspread with his Kindred True some of his Relations as he are gone to their place and long home but thousands of thousands are left behind as Brothers Sisters Cousens Nephews besides innumerable of his Friends and Associates I may say and yet speak nothing but too much truth in so saying that there is scarce a Fellowship a Community or Fraternity of men in the World but some of Mr. Badmans Relations are there yea rarely can we find a Family or Houshold in a Town where he has not left behind him either Brother Nephew or Friend The Butt therefore that at this time I shoot at is wide and 't will be as impossible for this Book to go into several Families and not to arrest some as for the Kings Messenger to rush into an house full of Traitors and find none but honest men there I cannot but think that this shot will light upon many since our fields are so full of this Game but how many it will kill to Mr. Badmans course and make alive to the Pilgrims Progress that is not in me to determine this secret is with the Lord our God only and he alone knows to whom he will bless it to so good and so blessed and end However I have put fire to the Pan and doubt not but the report will quickly be heard I told you before that Mr. Badman had left many of his Friends and Relations behind him but if I survive them as that 's a great question to me I may also write of their lives However whether my life be longer or shorter this is my Prayer at present that God will stir up Witnesses against them that may either convert or confound them for wherever they live and roll in their wickedness they are the Pest and Plague of that Countrey England shakes and totters already by reason of the burden that Mr. Badman and his Friends have wickedly laid upon it Yea our Earth reels and staggereth to and fro like a Drunkard the transgression thereof is heavy upon it Courteous Reader I will treat thee now even at the Door and Threshold of this house but only with this Intelligence that Mr. Badman lies dead within Be pleased therefore if thy leisure will serve thee to enter in and behold the state in which he is laid betwixt his Death-bed and the Grave He is not buried as yet nor doth he stink as is designed he shall before he lies down in oblivion Now as others have had their Funerals solemnized according to their Greatness and Grandure in the world so likewise Mr. Badman forasmuch as he deserveth not to go down to his grave with silence has his Funeral state according to his deserts Four things are usual at great mens Funerals which we will take leave and I hope without offence to allude to in the Funeral of Mr. Badman First They are sometimes when dead presented to their Friends by their compleatly wrought Images as lively as by cunning mens hands they can be that the remembrance of them may be renewed to their survivors the remembrance of them and their deeds And this I have endeavoured to answer in my discourse of Mr. Badman and therefore I have drawn him forth in his featours and actions from his Childhood to his Gray hairs Here therefore thou hast him lively set forth as in Cutts both as to the minority flower and seniority of his Age together with those actions of his life that he was most capable of doing in and under those present circumstances of time place strength and the opportunities that did attend him in these Secondly There is also usual at great mens Funerals those Badges and Scutcheons of their honour that they have received from their Ancestors or have been thought worthy of for the deeds and exploits they have done in their life And here Mr. Badman has his but such as vary from all men of worth but so much the more agreeing with the merit of his doings They all have descended in state he only as an abominable branch His deserts are the deserts of sin and therefore the Scutcheons of honour that he has are only that he died without Honour and at his end became a fool Thou shalt not be joyned with them in burial The seed of evil doers shall never be renowned The Funeral pomp therefore of Mr. Badman is to wear upon his Hearse the Badges of a dishonourable and wicked life since his bones are full of the sins of his Youth which shall lye down as Job sayes in the dust with him nor is it fit that any should be his Attendants now at his death but such as with him conspired against their own souls in their life persons whose transgressions have made them infamous to all 2that have or shall know what they have done Some notice therefore I have also here in this little discourse given the Reader of
them who were his Confederates in his life and Attendants at his death with a hint either of some high Villany committed by them as also of those Judgments that have overtaken and fallen upon them from the just and revenging hand of God All which are things either fully known by me as being eye and car-witness thereto or that I have received from such hands whose relation as to this I am bound to believe And that the Reader may know them from other things and passages herein contained I have pointed at them in the Mâ—rgent as with a finger thus ☞ Thirdly the Funerals of persons of Quality have been solemnized with some suitable Sermon at the time and place of their Burial but that I am not come to as yet having got no further than to Mr. Badmans death but for as much as he must be buried after he hath stunk out his time before his beholders I doubt not but some such that we read are appointed to be at the burial of Gog will do this work in my stead such as shall leave him neither skin nor bone above ground but shall set a sign by it till the bâ—riers have buried it in the Vallâ—y of Hamon-gog Ezek. 39. Foâ—rthly At Funerals there does use to be Mourning and lamentation but hâ—re also Mr. Badman differs from others his Familiars cannot lament his departure for they have not sence of his damnable state they rather ring him and sing him to Hell in the sleep of death in which he goes thither Good men count him no loss to the world his place can well be without him his loss is only his own and 't is too late for him to recover that dammage or loss by a Sea of bloody tears could he shed them Yea God has said he will laugh at his destruction who then shall lament for him saying Ah! my brother He was but a stinking Weed in his life nor was he better at all in his death such may well be thrown over the wall without sorrow when once God has plucked them up by the roots in his wrath Reader If thou art of the race linge stookâ— or fraternity of Mr. Badman I tell thee â—â—fore thou readest this Book thou wilt neither brook the Author nor it because he hath writ of Mr. Badman as he has For he that condemneth the wicked that die so passeth also the sentence upon the wicked that live I therefore expect neither credit of nor countenance from thee for this Narration of thy kinsmans life For thy old love to thy Friend his wayes doings c. will stir up in thee enmity rather in thy very heart against me I shall therefore incline to think of thee that thou wilt rent burn or throw it away in contempt yea and wish also that for writing so notorious a truth some mischief may befall me I look also to be loaded by thee with disdain scorn and contempt yea that thou shouldest railingly and vilifyingly say I lye and am a bespatterer of honest mens lives and deaths For Mr. Badman when himself was alive could not abide to be counted a Knave though his actions told all that went by that indeed he was such an one How then should his brethren that survive him and that tread in his very steps approve of the sentence that by this Rook is pronounced against him Will they not rather imitate Corah Dathan and Abiram's friends even rail at me for condemning him as they did at Moses for doing execution I know 't is ill pudling in the Cockatrices den and that they run hazards that hunt the Wild-Boar The man also that writeth Mr. Badmans life had need be fenced with a Coat of Mail and with the Staffe of a Spear for that his surviving friends will know what he doth but I have adventured to do it and to play at this time at the hole of these Asps if they bite they bite if they sting they sting Christ sends his Lambs in the midst of Wolves not to do like them but to suffer by them for bearing plain testimony against their bad deeds But had one not need to walk with a Guard and to have a Sentinel stand at ones door for this Verily the flesh would be glad of such help yea a spiritual man could he tell how to get it Acts 23. But I am stript naked of these and yet am commanded to be faithful in my servicce for Christ. Well then I have spoken what I have spoken and now come on me what will Job 13. 13. True the Text sayes Rebuke a scorner and he will hate thee and that He that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a Blot and Shame but what then Open rebuke is better than secret love and he that receives it shall find it so afterwards So then whether Mr. Badmans friends shall rage or laugh at what I have writ I know that the better end of the staffe is mine My endeavour is to stop an hellish Course of Life and to save a soul from death Jam. 5. and if for so doing I meet with envy from them from whom in reason I should have thanks I must remember the man in the dream that cut his way through his armed enemies and so got into the beauteous Palace I must I say remember him and do my self likewise Yet four things I will propound to the consideration of Mr. Badmans friends before I turn my back upon them 1. Suppose that there be an Hell in very deed not that I do question it any more than I do whether there be a Sun to shine but I suppose it for argument sake with Mr. Badmans friends I say suppose there be an Hell and that too such an one as the Scripture speaks of one at the remotest distance from God and Life eternall one where the Worm of a guilty Conscience never dyes and where the fire of the Wrath of God is not quenched Suppose I say that there is such an Hell prepared of God as there is indeed for the body and soul of the ungodly World after this life to be tormented in I say do but with thy self suppose it and then tell me Is it not prepared for thee thou being a wicked man Let thy conscience speak I say is it not prepared for thee thou being an ungodly man And dost thou think wast thou there now that thou art able to wrestle with the judgment of God Why then do the fallen Angels tremble there thy hands cannot be strong nor can thy heart endure in that day when God shall deal with thee Ezek. 22. 14. 2. Suppose that some one that is now a soul in Hell for sin was permitted to come hither again to dwelt and that they had a grant also that upon amendment of life next time they dye to change that place for Heaven and Glory what sayest thou O wicked man would such an one thinkest thou run again into the same course of life as before and venture the
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
and swallow 〈◊〉 up Now upon the 23. of March 1660. this Dorothy was washing of Ore upon the top of a steep Hill about a quarter of a mile from Asâ—over and was there taxed by a Laâ— for taking of two single Pence out of his Pocket for he had laid his Breeches by and was at work in his Drawers but she violently denyed it wishing That the ground might swallow her up if she had them She also used the same wicked words on several other occasions that day Now one George Hodgkinson of Ashover a man of good report there came accidentally by where this Dorothy was and stood still a while to talk with her as she was washing her Ore there stood also a little Child by her Tub-side and another a distance from her calling aloud to her to come away wherefore the said George took the Girle by the hand to lead her away to her that called her But behold they had not gone above ten yards from Dorothy but they heard her crying out for help so looking back he saw the Woman and her Tub and Sive twirling round and sinking into the ground Then said the man Pray to God to pardon thy sin for thou art never like to be seen alive any longer So she and her Tub twirled round and round till they sunk about three yards into the Earth and then for a while staid Then she called for help again thinking as she said that she should stay there Now the man though greatly amazed did begin to think which way to help her but immediately a great stone which appeared in the Earth fell upon her head and brake her Skull and then the Earth fell in upon her and covered herâ— She was afterwards digged up and found about four yards within ground with the Boys two single Pence in her pocket but her Tâ—b and Sive could not be found Atten. You bring to my mind a sad story the which I will relate unto you The thing is this About a bow-shoâ—â— from where I once dwelt there was a blind Ale-house and the man that kept it had a Son whose name was Edward This Edward was as it were an half-fool both in his words and manner of behaviour To this blind Ale-house certain joviâ—â— companions would once or twice a week come and this Ned for so they called him his Father would entertain his guests withall to wit by calling for him to make them sport by his foolish words and gestures So when these boon blades came to this mans house the Father would call for Ned Ned therefore would come forth and the villain was devilishly addicted to cursing yea to cursing his Father and Mother and any one else that did cross him And because though he was an half-fool he saw that his practice was pleasing he would do it with the more audaciousness Well when these brave fellows did come at their times to this Tippling-house as they call it to fuddle and make merry then must Ned be called out and because his Father was best acquainted with Ned and best knew how to provoke him therefore He would usually ask him such questions or command him such business as would be sure to provoke him indeed Then would be after his foolish manner Curse his Father most bitterly at which the old man would laugh and so would the rest of the guests as at that which pleased them best still continuing to ask that Ned still might be provoked to curse that they might still be provoked to laugh This was the mirth with which the old man did use to entertain his guests The curses wherewith this Ned did use to curse his father and at which the old man would laugh were these and such like The Devil take you The Devil fetch you He would also wish him Plagues and Destructions many Well so it came to pass through the righteous Judgement of God that Neds Wishes and Curses were in a little time fulfilled upon his Father for not many months passed between them after this manner but the Devil did indeed take him possess him and also in few days carried him out of this world by death I say Satan did take him and possess him I mean so it was judged by those that knew him and had to do with him in that his lamentable-condition He could feel him like a live thing goe up and down in his body but when tormenting time was come as he had often tormenting â—its then he would lye like an hard 〈◊〉 in the soft place of his chest I mean I saw it so and so would rent and tare him and make him roar til he died away I told you before that I was an ear and eye witness of what I here say and so I was I have heard Ned in his Roguery cursing his Father and his Father laughing thereat most hearâ—ily still provoking of Ned to curse that his mirth might be encreased I saw his Father also when he was possessed I saw him in one of his fits and saw his flesh as 't was thought by the Devil gathered up on an heap about the bigness of half an Egge to the unutterable torture and afflicton of the old man There was also one Freeman who was more than an ordinary Doctor sent for to cast our this Devil and I was there when he attempted to do it The manner whereof was this They had the possessed into an out-room and laid him on his belly upon a Form with his head hanging ouer the Forms end then they bound him down thereto which done they set a pan of Coals under his 〈◊〉 and put something therein which 〈…〉 great smoak by this means 〈…〉 said to fetch out the Death There therefore they kept the 〈…〉 he was â—â—st â—â—â—thered in the 〈…〉 out of him at which Freeman was somewhat abashed the man greatly afflicted and I made to go away wondering and fearing In a little time therefore that which possessed the man carried him out of the World according to the cursed Wishes of his Son And this was the end of this hellish mirth Wise. These were all sad Judgements Atten. These were dreadful Judgments indeed Wise. Ai and they look like the Threatning of that Text though chiefly it concerned Judas As he loved cursing so let it come unto him as he delighted not in blessing so let it be far from him As he cloathed himself with cursing as with a garment so let it come into his bowels like water and as oyl into his bones Atten. It is a fearful thing for Youth to be trained up in a way of Cursing and Swearing Wise. Trained up in them that I cannot say Mr. Badman was for his Father hath oft-times in my hearing bewailed the badness of his Children and of this naughty Boy in particular I believe that the wickedness of his Children made him in the thoughts of it goe many a Night with heavy heart to bed and with as heavy an one to rise
the Constables to make distress on the people that he might have the Money or Goods and as I heard he hastened them much to do it Now while he was in the heat of his work as he stood one day by the Fire-side he had it should seem a mind to a Sop in the Pan for the Spit was then at the fire so he went to make him one but behold a Dog some say his own Dog took distaste at something and bit his Master by the Leg the which bite notwithstanding all the means that was used to cure him turned as was said to a Gangrene however that wound was his death and that a dreadful one too for my Relator said that he lay in such a condition by this bite as the beginning till his flesh rotted from off him before he went out of the world But what need I instance in particular persons when the Judgement of God against this kind of people was made manifest I think I may say if not in all yet in most of the Counties in England where such poor Creatures were But I would if it had been the will of God that neither I nor any body else could tell you more of these Stories True stories that are neither Lye nor Romance Atten. Well I also heard of both these my self and of more too as remarkable in their kind as these if I had any list to tell them but let us leave those that are behind to others or to the coming of Christ who then will justifie or condemn them as the merit of their work shall require or if they repented and found mercy I shall be glad when I know it for I wish not a curse to the Soul of mine Enemy Wise. There can be no pleasure in the telling of such stories though to hear of them may do us a pleasure They may put us in mind that there is a God that judgeth in the earth and that doth not alwayes forget nor deferre to hear the Crye of the destitute They also carry along with them both Caution and Counsel to those that are the survivers of such Let us tremble at the Judgements of God and be afraid of sinning against him and it shall be our protection It shall go well with them that fear God that fear before him Atten. Well Sir as you have intimated so I think we have in this place spoken enough about these kind of men if you please let us return again to Mr. Badman himself if you have any more to say of him Wise. More we have yet scarce throughly begun with Any thing that we have said All the particulars are in themselves so full of badness that we have rather only looked in them than indeed said any thing to them but we will pass them and proceed You have heard of the sins of his Youth of his Apprentiship and how he set up and married and what a life he hath led his wife and now I will tell you some more of his pranks He had the very knack of Knavery had he as I said before been bound to serve an Apprentiship to all these things he could not have been more cunning he could not have been more artificial at it Atten. Nor perhaps so artificially neither For as none can teach Goodness like to God himself so concerning Sin and Knavery none can teach a man it like the Devil to whom as I perceive Mr. Badman went to School from his Childhood to the end of his life But pray Sir make a beginning Wise. Well so I will You may remember that I told you what a condition he was in for Money before he did marry and how he got a rich Wife with whose Money he paid his debts Now when he had paid his debts he having some Moneys left he sets up again as briskly as ever keeps a great Shop drives a great Trade and runs again a great way into debt but now not into the debt of one or two but into the debt of many so that at last he came to owe some thousands and thus he went on a good while And to pursue his ends the better he began now to study to please all men and to suit himself to any company he could now be as they say as they that is if he listed and then he would list when he perceived that by so doing he might either make them his Customers or Creditors for his Commodities If he dealt with honest men as with some honest men he did then he would be as they talk as they seem to be sober as they talk of Justice and Religion as they and against Debauchery as they yea and would too seem to shew a dislike of them that said did or were otherwise than honest Again when he did light among those that were bad then he would be as they but yet more close and cautiously except he were sure of his company Then he would carry it openly be as they say Damn 'em and Sink 'em as they If they railed on Good men so could he if they railed on Religion so could he if they talked beastly vainly idlely so would he if they were for drinking swearing whoring or any the like Villanies so was he This was now the path he trod in and could do all artificially as any man alive And now he thought himself a perfect man he thought he was always a Boy till now What think you now of Mr. Badman Atten. Think why I think he was an Atheist For no man but an Atheist can do this I say it cannot be but that the man that is such as this Mr. Badman must be a rank and stinking Atheist for he that believes that there is either God or Devil Heaven or Hell or Death and Judgment after cannot doe as Mr. Badman did I mean if he could do these things without reluctancy and check of Conscience yea if he had not sorrow and remorse for such abominable sins as these Wise. Nay he was so far off from reluctancies and remorse of Conscience for these things that he counted them the excellency of his Attainments the quintessence of his Wit his rare and singular vertues such as but few besides himself could be the Masters of Therefore as for those that made boggle and stop at things and that could not in Conscience and for fear of Death and Judgement do such things as he he would call them Fools and Noddies and charge them for being frighted with the talk of unseen Bugbears and would encourage them if they would be men indeed to labour after the attainment of this his excellent art He would often-times please himself with the thoughts of what he could do in this matter saying within himself I can be religious and irreligious I can be any thing or nothing I can swear and speak against swearing I can lye and speak against lying I can drink wench be unclean and defraud and not be troubled for
say with good conscience I went not out of my place and state in which God by his providence had put me but have abode with God in the calling wherein I was called and have wrought hard and fared meanly been civilly apparelled and have not directly nor indirectly made away with my Creditors goods Then has his fall come upon him by the immediate hand of God whether by visible or invisible wayes For sometimes it comes by visible wayes to wit by Fire by Thieves by loss of Cattel or the wickedness of sinful dealers c. And sometimes by means invisible and then no man knows how we only see things are going but cannot see by what way they go Well Now suppose that a man by an immediate hand of God is brought to a morsel of Bread what must he do now I answer His surest way is still to think that this is the fruit of some sin though possibly not sin in the management of his calling yet of some other sin God casteth away the substance of the wicked Therefore let him still humble himself before his God because his hand is upon him and say What sin is this for which this hand of God is upon me and let him be diligent to find it out for some sin is the cause of this Judgment for God doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men Either the heart is too much set upon the world or Religion is too much neglected in thy Family or some thing There is a Snake in the grass a Worm in the gourd some sin in thy bosom for the sake of which God doth thus deal with thee Thirdly This thus done let that man again consider thus with himself Perhaps God is now changing of my Condition and state in the world he has let me live in fashion in â—ulness and abundance of worldly glory and I did not to his glory improve as I should that his good dispensation to me But when I lived in full and fat pasture I did there lift up the heel Therefore he will now turn me into hard Commons that with leanness and hunger and meanness and want I may spend the rest of my days But let him do this without murmering and repining let him do it in a godly manner submitting himself to the Judgment of God Let the rich rejoyce in that he is made low This is duty and it may be priviledg to those that are under this hand of God And for thy encouragement to this hard work for this is a hard work consider of these four things 1. This is right lying down under Gods hand and the way to be exalted in Gods time when God would have Job embrace the Dunghill he embraces it and says The Lord giveth and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. 2. Consider That there are blessings also that attend a low condition more than all the world are aware of A poor condition has preventing mercy attending of it The poor because they are poor are not capable of sinning against God as the rich man does 3. The Poor can more clearly see himself preserved by the providence of God than the rich for he trusteth in the abundance of his riches 4. It may be God has made thee poor because he would make thee rich Hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in Faith and heirs of a Kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him I am perswaded if men upon whom this hand of God is would thus quietly lye down and humble themselves under it they would find more peace yea more blessing of God attending them in it than the most of men are aware of But this is an hard Chapter and therefore I do not expect that many should either read it with pleasure or desire to take my counsel Having thus spoken to the Broken man with reference to his own self I will now speak to him as he stands related to his Creditors In the next place therefore let him fall upon the most honest way of dealing with his Creditors and that I think must be this First Let him timely make them acquainted with his condition and also do to them these three things 1. Let him heartily and unfeignedly ask them forgiveness for the wrong that he has done them 2. Let him proffer them all and the whole all that ever he has in the world let him hide nothing let him strip himself to his raiment for them let him not keep a Ring a Spoon or any thing from them 3. If none of these two will satisfie them let him proffer them his Body to be at their dispose to wit either to abide imprisonment their pleasure or to be at their service till by labour and travel he hath made them such amends as they in reason think fit only reserving something for the succour of his poor and distressed Family out of his labour which in Reason and Conscience and Nature he is bound also to take care of Thus shall he make them what amends he is able for the Wrong that he hath done them in wasting and spending of their Estates By thus doing he submits himself to Gods rod commits himself to the dispose of his Providence yea by thus doing he casteth the lot of his present and future condition into the lap of his Creditors and leaves the whole dispose thereof to the Lord even as he shall order and incline their hearrs to do with him And let that be either to forgive him or to take that which he hath for satisfaction or to lay his body under affliction this way or that according to Law can he I say thus leave the whole dispose to God let the issue be what it will that man shall have peace in his mind afterward And the comforts of that state which will be comforts that attend Equity Justice and Duty will be more unto him because more according to Godliness than can be the comforts that are the fruits of Injustice Fraudulency and Deceit Besides this is the way to engage God to favour him by the sentence of his Creditors for He can intreat them to use him kindly and he will do it when his ways are pleasing in his sight When a mans ways please the Lord his enemies shall be at peace with him And surely for a man to seek to make restitution for wrongs done to the utmost of his power by what he is has and enjoys in this world is the best way in that capacity and with reference to that thing that a man can at this time be found active in But he that doth otherwise abides in his sin refuses to be disposed of by the Providence of God chuseth an high Estate though not attained in Gods way when Gods Will is that he should descend into a low one yea he desperately saith
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
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. †〈◊〉