ed the hand of God that was gone out against him, and should have smote upon the breast and have returned. His behavi our under his decays. Wise. Consideration, good consideration was far from him; he was as stout and proud now as ever in all his life, and was as high too in the pursuit of his sin, as when he was in the midst of his fulness; only he went now like a tired jade; the devil had rid him almost off his legs. Atten. Well, but what did he do when all was almost gone? Wise. Two things were now his play. 1. He bore all in hand by swearing, and cracking, and lying, that he was as well to pass as he was the first day he set up for himself, yea, that he had rather got than lost; and he had at his beck some of his companions that would swear to confirm tas fast as he. Atten. This was double wickedness, it was a sin to say it, and another to swear it. Wise. That is true; but what evil is that that he will not do, that is left of God, as I believe Mr Badman was? Atten. And what was the other thing? hinted before, he was for look- Badman is for a rich now I am come to some more wife. of his invented, devised, de signed, and abominable roguery, such that will yet declare him to be a most desperate sinner. He calls his companions to gether, and they advise him how to get her. The thing was this: A wife he wanted, or rather money; for, as for a woman, he could have whores enow at his whistle. But, as I said he wanted money, and that must be got by a wife, or no way; nor could he so easily get a wife neither, except he became an artist at the way of dissembling; nor would dissembling do among that people that could dissemble as well as he. But there dwelt a maid not far from him, that was both godly, and one that had a good portion; but how to get her, there lay all the craft. Well, he calls a council of some of his trusty and cunning companions, and breaks his mind to them; to wit, that he had a mind to marry: and he also told them to whom: But, said he, how shall I accomplish my end; she is religious, and I am not? Then one of them made reply, saying, Since she is religious, you must pretend to be so likewise, and that for some time before you go to her: Mark therefore whi ther she goes daily to hear, and do you go thither also; but there you must be sure to behave yourself soberly, and make as if you liked the word wonderful well; stand also where she may see you; and when you come home, be sure that you walk the street very soberly, and go within sight of her: This done for a while, then go to her, and first talk of how sorry you are for your sins, and shew great love to the religion that she is of, still speaking well of her preachers, and of her godly acquaintance, bewailing your hard hap, that it was not your lot to be acquainted with her and her fellow professors sooner; and this is the way to get her. Also you must write down sermons, talk of scriptures, and protest that you came a wooing to her, only because she is godly, and because you should count it your greatest happiness if you might but have such a one: As for her money, slight it, it will be never the further off; that is the way to come soonest at it: for she will be jealous at first that you come for her money; know what she has, but make not a word about it. Do this, and you shall see if you do not intangle the lass. you Thus was the snare laid for this poor honest maid, and she was quickly catched in his pit. Atten. Why, did he take this counsel ? Wise. Did he! yes, and after a while, went as boldly to her, and that under a vizard of religion, as if he had been for honesty and godliness, one of the most sincere and uprighthearted in England. He observed all his points, and followed the advice of his counsellors, and quickly obtained her too; for natural parts he had; he was tall, and fair, and had plain but very good cloaths on his back; and his religion was the more easily attained: for he had seen something in the house of his father, and first master, and so could the more readily put himself into the form and shew thereof. Badman's compliment, his lying compliment. So he appointed his day, and went to her, as that he might easily do, for she had neither father nor mother to oppose. Well, when he was come, and had given her a civil compliment, to let her understand why he was come, then he began and told her, That he had found in his heart a great deal of love to her person and that of all the damsels in the world he had pitched upon her, if she thought fit to make her his beloved wife. The reasons, as he told her, why he had pitched upon her were, her religious and personal excellencies; and therefore intreated her to take his condition into her tender and loving consideration. As for the world, quoth he, I have a very good trade, and can maintain myself and family well, while my wife sits still on her seat; I have got thus and thus much already, and feel money come in every day; but that is not the thing that I aim at: it is an honest and godly wife. Then he would present her with a good book or two, pretending how much good he had got by them himself. He would also be often speaking well of godly ministers, especially of those that he perceived she liked, and loved most. Besides, he would be often telling of her, what a godly father he had, and what a new man he was also become himself; and thus did this treacherous dealer deal with this honest and good girl, to her great grief and sorrow, as afterwards you shall hear. Atten. But had the maid no friend to look after her ? Wise. Her father and mother were dead, and that he knew well enough, and so she was the more easily overcome by his naughty lying tongue. But if she had never so many friends, she might have been beguiled by him. It is too much the custom of young people now; to think themselves wise enough Neglect of counsel about marriage dangerous. to make their own choice; and they that need not ask counsel of those that are elder, and also wiser than they; but this is a great fault in them, and many of them have paid dear for it. Well, to be short, in little time Mr Badman obtains his desire, gets this honest girl, and her money, is married to her, brings her home, makes a feast, entertains her royally, but her portion must pay for all. Badman obtains his desire, is married, &c. Atten. This was wonderful deceitful doings, a man shall seldom hear of the like. Wise. By this his doing, he shewed how little he feared God, and what little dread he had of his judgments. For all this carriage, and all these words were by him premeditated G |