even as it lays hold of the act of wickedness itself. A man then that desires to be as bad as Mr Badman, (and desires to be so wicked, have many in their hearts), though he never attains to that proficiency in wickedness as he, shall yet be judged for as bad a man as he, because it was in his desires to be such a wicked one.

Atten. But this height of wickedness in Mr Badman will not yet out of my mind. This hard, desperate, or what shall I call it? diabolical frame of heart, was in him a foundation, a ground-work, to all acts and deeds that were evil.

A bad heart makes a bad

man.

Wise. The heart, and the desperate wickedness of it, is the foundation and groundwork of all. Atheism, professed and practical, spring both out of the heart, yea, and all manner of evil besides. For they be not bad deeds that make a bad man, but he is already a bad man that doth bad deeds. A man must be wicked before he can do wickedness: "Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked. It is an evil tree that bears evil fruit. Men gather no grapes of thorns;" the heart therefore must be evil, before the man can do evil, and good before the man doth good.

Atten. Now I see the reason why Mr Badman was so base, as to get a wife by dissimulation, and to abuse her so like a villain when he had got her; it was because he was

before by a wicked heart prepared to act wickedness.

Wise. You may be sure of it; "for from within, out of the heart of man, proceedeth evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these things come from within, and defile a man.” And a man, as his naughty mind inclines him, makes use of these, or any of these, to gratify his lust, to promote his designs, to revenge his malice, to inrich, or to wallow himself in the foolish pleasures and pastimes of this life: And all these did Mr Badman do, even to the utmost, if either opportunity, or purse, or perfidiousness, would help him to the obtaining of his purpose,

Atten. Purse! Why, he could not but have a purse to do almost what he would, having married a wife with so much money.

Wise. Hold you there; some of Mr Badman's sins were costly; as his drinking, whoring, and keeping other bad company; though he was a man that had ways too many to get money, as well as ways too many to spend it.

Atten. Had he then such a good trade, for all he was such a bad man? Or, Was his calling so gainful to him, as always to keep his purse's belly full, though he was himself a great spender?

Wise. No; it was not his trade that did it,

though he had a pretty trade too. He had another way to get money, and that by hatfuls and pocketfuls at a time.

Atten. Why, I trow he was no highwayman was he?

Wise. I will be sparing in my speech as to that; though some have muttered as if he could ride out now and then, about no body but himself knew what, over night, and come home all dirty and weary next morning, But that is not the thing I aim at.

Atten. Pray let me know it, if you think it convenient that I should.

Wise. I will tell you; it was this, he had an art to break, and get money by hatfuls by breaking.

Atten. But what do you mean by Mr Badman's breaking? You speak mystically, do you not?

Mr Badman had an art to break and to get money that avay.

Wise. No, no; I speak plainly: or, if you will have it in plainer language it is this; when Mr Badman had swaggered and whored away most of his wife's portion, he began to feel that could not much longer stand upon his legs in this course of life, and keep up his trade and repute (such as he had) in the world, but by the new engine of breaking. Wherefore, upon a time, he gives a great and sudden rush into several mens debts, to the value of about four or five thousand pounds, driving

after a little

He breaks.

at the same time a very great trade, by selling many things for less than they cost him, to get him custom, therewith to blind his creditors eyes. His creditors therefore seeing that he had a great employ, and dreaming that it must needs at length turn to a very good account to them, trusted him freely without mistrust, and so did others too, to the value of what was mentioned before. Well, when Mr Badman had well feathered his nest with other mens goods and money, time he breaks, And by and by it is noised abroad that Mr Badman had shut up his shop, was gone, and could trade no longer. Now by that time his breaking had come to his creditors ears, he had by craft and knavery made so sure ofwhathe had, that his creditors could not touch a penny. Well, when he had done, he sends his mournful sugared letters to his creditors, to let them understand what had happened unto him, and desired them not to be severe with him; for he bore towards all men an honest mind, and would pay so far as he was able. Now, he sends his letters by a man confederate with him, who could make both the worst and best of Mr Badman's case: The best for Mr Badman, and the worst for his creditors: So when he comes to them, he both bemoans them, and condoles Mr Badman's condition; telling of them, that, without a speedy bringing of things to a conclusion, Mr Badman would

be able to make them no satisfaction; but at present he both could, and would, and that to the utmost of his power; and to that end he desired that they would come over to him. Well, his creditors appoint him a time and come over; and he, mean while, authorises another to treat with them, but will not be seen himself, unless it was on a Sunday, lest they should snap him with a writ. So his deputed friend treats with them about their concern with Mr Badman, first telling them of the great care that Mr Badman took to satisfy them and all men for whatsoever he owed, as far as in him lay, and how little he thought a while since to be in this low condition. He pleaded also the greatness of his charge, the greatness of taxes, the badness of the times, and the great losses that he had by many of his customers, some of which died in his debt, others were run away, and for many that were alive, he never expected a farthing from them. Yet nevertheless he would shew himself an honest man, and would pay as far as he was able and if they were willing to come to terms, he would make a composition with them; for he was not able to pay them all. The creditors asked what he would give? It was replied, Half a crown in the pound: At this they began to huff, and he to renew his complaint and intreaty; but the creditors

What Mr Badman propounds to his creditors.