 
The Life and Death of Mr. Badman

An Analysis of a Wicked Man's Life, as a Warning for Others

John Bunyan

Contents

Statement from the Editor

The Author to the Reader

Ch. 1: Badman's Death and Its Awful Consequences

Ch. 2: Badman's Wicked Behavior in Childhood

Ch. 3: Badman's Apprenticeship to a Godly Employer

Ch. 4: He Gets a New Boss As Bad As Himself

Ch. 5: Badman in Business

Ch. 6: Hypocritical Courtship and Marriage to a Godly, Rich Young Lady

Ch. 7: He Throws Off the Mask

Ch. 8: Badman Is Bankrupt and Gets a Lot of Money

Ch. 9: Badman's Fraudulent Dealings to Get Money

Ch. 10: Simple Christian Views of Extortion

Ch. 11: Instructions for Righteous Trading

Ch. 12: Badman's Pride, Atheism, Infidelity, and Envy

Ch. 13: Badman Gets Drunk and Breaks His Leg

Ch. 14: Badman's Phony Repentings and Promises of Reform

Ch. 15: Death Leaves Him for a Time, and His Return to Sin

Ch. 16: His Godly Wife Dies Brokenhearted

Ch. 17: Badman Tricked into a Second Marriage

Ch. 18: Badman Parts from His Wife and Dies in Sinful Security

Ch. 19: Future Happiness Not to Be Hoped from a Quiet, Hardened Death

Ch. 20: Without Godly Repentance, the Wicked Man's Hope and Life Die Together

About the Author
Statement from the Editor

The life of Badman is an interesting account − a true portrait representing life of the morally corrupt classes of the trading community during the reign of King Charles II. This is naturally a subject which led the author to use expressions familiar among such people, but which are now either obsolete or considered vulgar. In fact, it is the only work proceeding from the prolific pen and fertile imagination of Bunyan in which he uses terms that, in this delicate and refined age, may give offense. It is similar to how some objectionable expressions are found in respected translations of the Holy Scriptures, which now point to the age in which it was written when they were used in the politest company.

Today, these same ideas or facts would be expressed in language using terms which would not give offense. Every reader can take great pleasure in the improvement of our language, as seen in the contrast between the two periods. We can be especially grateful that the power of recalling facts of the period can be stated with equal precision, and reflections made with equal force, in terms which will not offend the most delicate mind.

Those who read the writings of Bunyan are continually reminded of his passionate affection for his Savior and his intense love for the souls of sinners. He was as gentle in his expressions as any writer of his age who addressed the openly vicious and wicked − calling things by their most powerful and popular names. For example, a willful untruth is, with him, a lie. To show the wickedness and extreme foolishness of swearing, he gives the swearwords and curses commonly in use then, but which, happily for us, we never hear, except among the most degraded classes of society. Swearing was formerly considered a habit of refinement and good breeding. Now it betrays the dishonorable or contemptible, even when disguised in genteel attire. Those dangerous diseases which prompt filth and uncleanness, he calls not by their Latin names, but instead uses their plain English names. In some cases, the editor has attempted to make the slightest alteration in these names, but leaves the author's plain and powerful meaning.

The life of Badman forms a third part to The Pilgrim's Progress, but it is not a delightful pilgrimage to heaven. On the contrary, it is a wretched downward journey to the infernal realms. The author's goal is to warn poor thoughtless sinners, not with smooth words they can ignore, but with words that thunder against their consciences regarding the danger of their souls and the increasing wretchedness into which they are madly hurrying. The one who is in imminent but unseen danger will bless the warning voice if it reaches his ears, however rough and startling it sounds.

The life of Badman was written in an age when abandonment of moral principles, vice, gluttony, intemperance, habitual lewdness, and the excessive unlawful indulgence of lust marched like a ravaging army through our land, headed by the king, along with officers from his polluted peers – men known to flatter him. They marched on with all the pomp and splendor that royalty could display. The king and his ministers knew that the most formidable enemies to tyranny, oppression, and misgovernment were the godliness and strict morality of the Puritans, Protestant Christians, and small groups of moral and upright citizens of other denominations. Therefore, every effort was made with allurements of pleasure and intimidation to lead them astray and to destroy or lessen the effect of moral principles on their minds.

Bunyan clearly says that "wickedness like a flood is like to drown our English world. It has almost swallowed up all our youth, our middle age, old age, and all are almost carried away of this flood. It reels to and fro like a drunkard, it is like to fall and rise no more. It is the very haunts and walks of the infernal spirits. England shakes and makes me totter for its transgressions."

The stages of the life of a wicked man in that evil age are graphically set before the reader, depicting life from cradle to grave. It's all drawn from reality and not from endeavors of imagination. Every example is a portrayal of some real occurrence, either within the view of the author, or from narratives of credible witnesses. "All the things that here I discourse of . . . have been acted upon the stage of this world, even many times before mine eyes."

Badman is represented as having the great advantage of godly parents and a godly employer, but he runs wild in wickedness from his childhood onward. Lying and pilfering stained his early days and his later life was filled with swearing, cheating, drunkenness, hypocrisy, infidelity, and atheism. His conscience became hardened to that awful extent where he had no restraint. That in hypocrisy shall speak lies; having their conscience seared as with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:2). The business of wickedness is often pictured in a way that encourages and cherishes immorality and profanity − to excite those whose minds remain in opposition to God to be a partaker of the sins of others (1 Timothy 5:22) with as little delay as possible.

That isn't the case in the life of Badman. The picture painted here displays, in biting words, the ugly, wretched, miserable consequences that undoubtedly follow such a brutish lifestyle. It alarms the conscience, and horrifically warns the sinner of his destiny, unless he happily finds that repentance which needs not be regretted. No habitually lewd person given to a life of self-indulgence ever read The Life and Death of Mr. Badman to gratify or increase his thirst for sin.

The tricks which generally accompanied trading in those days are liberally exposed: becoming bankrupt to make money (a kind of robbery which ought to be punished as a felony), differing weights and varying measures (too heavy for buying and too light to sell by), overcharging those who take credit, and taking advantage of the needs of others. The abuse of evil excess in pleasures and excessive unlawful indulgence of lust and its ensuing miseries are all faithfully displayed.

In the course of the narrative, a variety of fearful examples of divine vengeance are introduced. Some are from Samuel Clarke's A Mirrour or Looking-Glass both for Saints and Sinners, with others from Thomas Beard's The Theatre of God's Judgments, and many that happened according to the author's direct knowledge. The faithfulness of the passages he extracts from books has been fully verified. I personally had an opportunity of verifying (with the help of my kind friend Thomas Bateman, Esq., of Yolgrave) the awful death of Dorothy Mately, of Ashover, in Derbyshire. He sent me the following extract from the Ashover Register for 1660:

Dorothy Mately, supposed wife to John Flint of this parish, forswore herself; whereupon the ground opened, and she sunk over head, March 23, and being found dead, she was buried, March 25.

This fully confirms the facts as stated by Bunyan. The solemn foreseeing care and guidance of God, intended in the unfathomable wisdom of God for wise purposes, must not always be called divine judgment. A ship is lost. The good sink together with the bad. A missionary is murdered, a godly person from the Malay Peninsula is martyred. No one can presume these are instances of divine vengeance. But when the atrocious Bishop Bonner, in his old age, miserably died in prison, it reminds us of our Lord's saying, with the measure with which ye measure, ye shall be measured again (Matthew 7:2).

Bunyan admirably paints a continued series of pictures from the life of Badman. He excellently draws the extraordinary depths of hypocrisy used in gaining the love of a godly, wealthy, young woman, and entrapping her into a marriage, as well as its counterpart when Badman, in his widowerhood, permits a shameful prostitute to entice him into a miserable marriage, as he so richly deserved. The deathbed scene of the godly, brokenhearted Mrs. Badman is a masterpiece. In fact, the entire story is a series of pictures drawn by a most admirable artist and calculated to warn the sinner from his downward course.

In comparison with the times of Bunyan, England has [at the time this was written, though it has backslidden again] become wonderfully reformed from those grosser effects of sin which disgraced her name. People of mature age, whose memories go back to the times of the slave trade, slavery, and war, will call to mind scenes of depravity, brutality, openly excessive unlawful indulgence of lust, and abandonment of all moral principles, which in these peaceful and prosperous times would instantly be repressed and properly punished. If we hope to see peace preserved, then domestic, social, and national purity and happiness must increase. Civilization and Christianity will triumph over the exercise of absolute power – especially in a cruel and oppressive way, in corruption, and in false religions, and the time is quickly approaching in which the divine art of making each other happy will occupy the attention of all mankind. Much still needs to be done for the conversion of the numerous relatives of Mr. Badman, but the leaven of Christianity must, in spite of all opposition, eventually spread over the whole group.

Simple proverbs abound in this narrative, all of which are worthy of being treasured in our memories. For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest (Luke 8:17). And we are told that "Hedges have eyes and pitchers have ears." Those who encourage evil tendencies are "nurses to the devil's brats." It is said about the one who hurries forward in a life of foolishness and sin that "The devil rides him off his legs." And, "As the devil corrects vice," refers to those who pretend to correct bad habits by methods intended to promote them. "The devil is a cunning schoolmaster." Satan taking the wicked into his foul embraces is "like to like, as the devil said to the coal miner."

In two ways, the times have certainly improved. Bunyan describes all pawnbrokers as vile wretches, and when it comes to extortion, he says that the women were worse than the men. Happily, today we can find good and even godly pawnbrokers, who are honorable exceptions to Mr. Bunyan's sweeping rule, nor do women today appear to be greater extortioners than our men in any respect. The instructions, encouragements, and scriptural guidelines and examples to carry out honest dealings are interspersed as reflections throughout this narrative and are invaluable and will, I trust, prove beneficial to every reader.

I have taken the liberty of dividing this long-continued dialogue into chapters, to make it easier to reference for the reader and make it convenient to mark his progress through this deeply interesting narrative.

– George Offor (1787-1864)

* * *

 From the preface of The Triumphs of God's Revenge against Murder. London, 1679, by Frederick Reynolds with recommendatory preface by Philip Batteson.

 Parallels to these important proverbs are found in all languages. Derived from the Hebrew. Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing hidden from thee (Jeremiah 32:17), and There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, nor hid that shall not be known (Matthew 10:26). In French, Leo murailles ont des oreilles – "The walls have ears." Shakespeare, alluding to a servant bringing in a pitcher, as a pretense to enable her to overhear a conversation, uses this proverb: "pitchers have ears and I have many servants." May that solemn truth be impressed upon every heart, that however screened from human observation, "You, God, see me."
The Author to the Reader

Courteous Reader,

As I considered what I had written concerning the progress of the Pilgrim from this world to glory and how many in this nation found it acceptable, a new idea came to me. Just as I wrote about the Pilgrim going to heaven, so now, I write about the life and death of the ungodly, and about their travel from this world to hell. I've titled this work as you see, under the name and title of The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, a very proper title for such a subject.

I have also written this work in the form of a dialogue, to make it easier for myself to write, and to make it more enjoyable for the reader. And while I've written it using this method, I have gone out of my way as little as possible to add my own observation of things. And I think I can truly say that, to the best of my knowledge, all the things I talk about here I propose as fact – as having taken place on the stage of this world, many times even before my eyes.

Therefore, considerate reader, I present to you here the life and death of Mr. Badman. I trace his life from his childhood to his death so you can see with your own eyes, like in a mirror, the steps that start to have an effect proceeding from hell. While you are reading about Mr. Badman's death, you will also discern whether you yourself are walking in his path too. And let me implore you to refrain from the artful evasion of the truth and mocking, because I say Mr. Badman is dead. Rather seriously go to the Word and ask yourself whether you are of his lineage or not, because Mr. Badman has left many of his relatives behind.

Those near and dear to him cover the surface of the earth. Some of his people, like him, have gone to their eternal home, but thousands upon thousands are left behind, as brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, and innumerable friends and associates. I can speak nothing but the truth and say there are very few fellowships, communities, or fraternities in the world that don't at least have some of Mr. Badman's friends and relatives included. We can rarely find a family or household in a town where he hasn't left behind either a brother, nephew, or friend.

At this time, my aim is to reach a mark set up to shoot at a wide spectrum of people. Therefore, it will be almost impossible for this book not to hit its mark in many homes − about as impossible as the king's messenger rushing into a house full of traitors and finding only honest men there. I can only believe that this shot will find its mark with many, since our fields are so full of this game. But how many will it kill on the way to Mr. Badman's course, and how many will it make alive to the Pilgrim's progress? That is not for me to determine. This is something only the Lord our God knows. He alone knows whom He will bless to receive such favor with God in the end. However, I have put fire to the pan, and doubt nothing but the sound of the shot will quickly be heard.

I told you before that Mr. Badman left many of his friends and relatives behind, but if I outlive them, which is in question for me, I can also write about their lives. However, whether my life is longer or shorter, my current prayer is that God will stir up witnesses against them – people who can either convert or confound them, because wherever they live and spread their wickedness, they are the pest and plague of that country. England shakes and totters already, because of the burden that Mr. Badman and his friends have wickedly laid upon it. Yes, our earth reels and staggers to and fro like a drunkard, because wrongdoing is heavy upon it. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard and shall be removed like a cottage; and its transgression shall be heavy upon it (Isaiah 24:20).

Courteous reader, I will handle this matter in writing to entertain you now, but only cross this threshold with this understanding − that Mr. Badman lies dead within. If your spare time allows, please enter in and see the state in which he is laid, between his deathbed and the grave. He isn't buried, nor does he stink yet, as he is designed to do, before he lies down in oblivion. Like others before him have had their funerals performed with ritual ceremonies and respect, according to their greatness and grandeur in the world, so too, Mr. Badman doesn't deserve to go down to his grave with silence. He too has a funeral according to his rewards.

Four things are usual at great men's funerals, which we won't represent in the funeral of Mr. Badman − I hope without offense.

First, sometimes the dead are presented to their friends by a completely contrived persona. Their lives are represented by cunning men who portray the memorial of the deceased and their deeds with artifice so their survivors can be encouraged in their grief. I've endeavored to address this in my discourse of Mr. Badman. This is why I've drawn him into the open to reveal his characteristics and actions from his childhood until he is old and gray. I've written about his life, in pieces, including his childhood, as he blossomed into adulthood, and when he got old. Within these sections, I also discuss what he did during those times, as well as what he was capable of doing, taking into consideration his existing circumstances of time, place, strength, and the opportunities before him.

Second, usually at great men's funerals, there are those symbols of their honor including a shield or emblem bearing the family coat of arms. These are items received from their ancestors, or which have been thought worthy to include because they represent the deeds and exploits accomplished in their life. Here in this book, Mr. Badman has his, but while they vary from men of worth, they do agree with the value of his actions. They've all dropped in rank, leaving him only as an offensive, repulsive branch. His rewards are payment for sin, and therefore, all he has left are the symbols of honor on the coat of arms, a stark reminder that he died without honor − at his end shall be a fool (Jeremiah 17:11). Thou shalt not be numbered with them in burial . . . the seed of evildoers shall not be forever (Isaiah 14:20).

The funeral pageantry of Mr. Badman, therefore, is to display the symbols of a dishonorable and wicked life on his hearse, since his bones are full of the sins of his youth, as Job says, which shall be buried with him in the dust (Job 20:11). Nor is it fitting that any accompany his funeral procession now at his death. People connected with him conspired against their own souls in life – people whose sins have made them dishonorable to all who will know what they have done.

I have also given some attention in this little discourse regarding those who were his co-conspirators in life and who were tied to him at his death with a hint of either some great crime or other wrongdoing committed by them, or those whose judgments caught up with them and fell upon them from the just and avenging hand of God. All these are things either fully known by me, as an eyewitness and earwitness, or that I have received from reputable sources whom I'm bound to believe. I have marginally noted them, so the reader can tell them apart from other things and passages contained in the narrative.

Third, funerals of people of character have been honored with a suitable sermon at the time and place of their burial, but I haven't gotten to that yet. I haven't gotten any further than Mr. Badman's death. But since he must be buried, after he stinks out his time before those who come to view his body, I don't doubt that some such person will be appointed to be at the "burial of Gog," to do this work in my place. Such will leave him neither skin nor bone above ground, but will set a sign by it until the buriers bury it in the valley of Hamongog.

Fourth, at funerals, there used to be mourning and weeping, but here also Mr. Badman differs from others. His family and friends can't mourn his departure, because they don't have a sense that he is worthy of eternal punishment. Instead, they circle around him in the sleep of death and sing him to hell as he goes to that place. Good men count his death as no loss to the world, because it will be a better place without him. His loss is only his own, and it is too late for him to recover that damage or loss even with a sea of bloody tears, if he could shed them. God has said He will laugh at his destruction. Then who will mourn for him, saying, "Ah! My brother." He was nothing but a stinking weed in life and no better in death. Such a person can be thrown over the wall without sorrow, once God has plucked him up by the roots in His wrath.

Dear reader, if you are of the race, lineage, stock, or character of Mr. Badman, I tell you before you read this book, that you will not be in favor of the author or the book, because I've written about Mr. Badman. I condemn the wicked who die, and so pass sentence on the wicked who are alive. Therefore, I don't expect credit or kindness from you, because this story is about your relative's life, and your deep-rooted love for your friend, his ways, his doings, etc., will stir up animosity in your heart against me. For this reason, I'm inclined to think you will tear, burn, or throw it away in contempt, and that you will wish me harm for writing such notorious a truth. I also expect to be burdened with disdain, scorn, and contempt because of you. You will vilify me with offensive language, saying that I lie and make false and injurious charges about honest men's lives and deaths.

When Mr. Badman was alive, he couldn't tolerate being thought of as a false or deceitful fellow, even though his actions said just that to everyone near him. So, do you think his associates and family who survive him and walk in his very steps will approve of the sentence pronounced against him by this book? Won't they, by preference, imitate Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's friends, even speak evil against me for condemning him, as they did to Moses for the execution? But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD (Numbers 16:41).

I know those who hunt wild boars run risks, and so does the man who writes about Mr. Badman's life. He needs the protection of a coat of mail and a spear, because Mr. Badman's surviving friends will know what he's done. But I had to do it, and at this time, I had to play 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 be like them, but to bear clear testimony against their bad deeds. The one who does this needs to walk with a guard and have a sentinel stand at his door. The flesh would certainly be glad to have such help and a spiritual man can tell how to get it. But I am stripped naked of these things, and yet I'm commanded to be faithful in my service for Christ.

Well, I've said what I've said, and now let come on me what will (Job 13:13). True, the Bible says, Chasten not a scorner lest he hate thee (Proverbs 9:8), and he that chastens a scorner brings shame unto himself, and he that chastens a wicked man brings himself a blot (Proverbs 9:7). But what would happen in that case? Open rebuke is better than secret love (Proverbs 27:5), and he who receives it will afterwards find it to be true.

So then, whether Mr. Badman's friends rage or laugh at what I've written, I know that the better end of the staff is mine. My endeavor is to stop a hellish course of life, and to save a soul from death (James 5:20). And if I meet with envy from them for doing so, when really I should be thanked, 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 remember him, and do the same myself.

Before I turn my back on Mr. Badman's friends, I still have four things I want to offer for their consideration.

1. Suppose that there is indeed a hell − not that I question its existence any more than I do whether there is a sun to shine − but for the sake of argument with Mr. Badman's friends, I say, "suppose" there is a hell. The Scripture speaks of one which is at the farthest distance from God and life eternal, where the worm of a guilty conscience never dies, and where the fire of the wrath of God is never quenched.

Suppose, I say, there is such a hell, prepared by God − as there is − for the body and soul of the ungodly to be tormented after this life. I say to you, just suppose it, and then tell me if it isn't prepared for you, you being a wicked man. Let your conscience speak. Isn't it prepared for you, you being an ungodly man? And do you think if you were there now, that you would be able to wrestle with the judgment of God? If that's the case, then why do the fallen angels tremble there? Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong in the days that I shall deal with thee? (Ezekiel 22:14).

2. Suppose someone whose soul is now in hell for sin was permitted to come here to live again, and that they had a gift granted to them, that with a transformed life, next time they die, they could change hell for heaven and glory. What do you say, oh wicked man? Do you think such a person would follow the same course of life as before, and risk the same damnation he'd already experienced for sin? Would he choose to lead that cursed life all over again and kindle afresh the flames of hell upon himself? Flames that would constrain him under the heavy wrath of God? No, he would not. Luke 16 insinuates it in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Reason itself would clearly abhor it and tremble at such a thought.

3. Suppose again, that you who live and wrap yourself in sin, and who haven't yet known anything but the pleasure of sin – what if an angel carried you to some place where you could easily view heaven and hell. From here, you could see the joys of the one and the torments of the other. Suppose from this vantage you might have such a view of the two that it convinces you that both heaven and hell are real, just the like the Word declares them to be. When brought to your home again, do you think you would choose to continue on with your former way of life to return to your foolishness again? No. If you believe what you saw, and that belief remained with you, would your first choice be to eat fire and brimstone?

4. Suppose we were governed by a law that required a magistrate to inflict the penalty for every sin openly committed by you, and this penalty involved your flesh to be plucked from your bones with burning pincers. Would you go on openly lying, swearing, drinking, and doing something for unworthy motives to make money with the same delight you do now? Surely not. The fear of the punishment would make you abstain. Even when your lusts were powerful, it would make you tremble to think about the punishment you'd receive as soon as the pleasure was over.

Oh, the foolishness − the desperate madness in the hearts of Mr. Badman's friends who, despite the threatening of a holy and sin-avenging God, and the outcries and warnings of all good men − despite the groans and torments of those now in hell for sin − go on following a sinful course of life, even though every sin is a step of descent down into that infernal cave. Solomon's saying is so true: the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness (Ecclesiastes 9:3). Oh, the habitual lewdness, the excessive unlawful indulgence of lust − what you've done in England. You've corrupted our young men and turned our old men into beasts. You've deflowered our virgins and made older women foul and dirty.

You've made our earth reel to and fro like a drunkard. It's in danger of being removed like a cottage, because its transgression shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall and never rise again (Isaiah 24:20). Oh, how I mourn for England and for the sins committed there, as I see that without repentance, the men of God's wrath are about to deal with us, each having his destroying weapon in his hand (Ezekiel 9:1). I've written, and with God's help, I pray that this flood can be stopped in England; if I could just see the tops of the mountains above it, I would think that these waters were abating.

It is the responsibility of those who can to cry out against this deadly plague and lift up their voices like a trumpet against it so people can be roused from their sleep and flee from it, as if fleeing from the greatest of evils. Sin overthrows kingdoms. It pulled angels out of heaven, and it pulls men down to hell. Who sees a house on fire and doesn't sound the alarm to warn those who live there? Who sees invaders march into the land without setting the beacons ablaze? Who sees devils like roaring lions continually devouring souls without crying out? Above all, when we see sin swallowing up a nation, sinking a nation, and bringing its inhabitants to worldly, spiritual, and eternal ruin, shouldn't we cry out and say, "They are drunk but not with wine. They stagger, but not with strong drink. They are intoxicated with the deadly poison of sin. If its malignity isn't allayed by wholesome methods, won't it lead soul, body, estate, country, and everything else to ruin and destruction?"

In and by this outcry, I will deliver myself from any guilt for the ruin of those who perish, because a man in my position can do no more in this matter than to detect and condemn the wickedness, warn the evildoer of the judgment, and flee from there myself. But oh, how I hope that I won't just deliver myself − that many would hear and turn from sin at my outcry so they can be saved from the death and judgment that goes with it. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die and thou dost not give him warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, that he might live, the same wicked man shall die for his iniquity; but his blood I will require at thine hand (Ezekiel 3:18).

In the writing of this book, I've concealed most of the names of the people whose sins or punishments I've included because neither the sins nor the judgments were all alike or out in the open. The sins of some were committed and the judgments executed but only in secret. So, I've handled the matter in the way I thought best. Not to say that I couldn't learn some of their names − I could have − but I still wasn't sure I should make them public, because I didn't want to provoke or offend their relatives who survived them. So, I decided to dwell on each person and the punishment for their sins and to make them known to the world without laying them under disgrace and contempt, which would unavoidably have happened if I'd inserted their names.

As for those whose names I mention, their crimes or judgments were publicly known as often happens with things of that nature. Therefore, such people have published their own shame by their sin, and God has made public His anger by taking open vengeance. As Job says, God has struck them as wicked men in the open sight of others (Job 34:26). Since their sin and judgment were so conspicuous, I can't imagine that my admonishing the world about it would be to their detriment, because making these things known is intended to be a warning, so far as family members are concerned, so they can think about the sin in their own lives, repent, and turn to God for fear of the judgments for their sins. For the God of heaven has threatened to visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons unto the third and fourth generation of those that hate me (Exodus 20:5).

Nebuchadnezzar's punishment for his pride was public. He was driven from kingly dignity and from among men, to eat grass like an ox and to live among the beasts because of his sin. Daniel didn't hesitate to tell Belshazzar his sin to his face or in public so it could be read and remembered by generations to come. The same can be said about Judas and Ananias, because their sin and punishment was known unto all the dwellers of Jerusalem (Acts 1:19).

When family and friends of those who have fallen by awful, public, and astonishing judgments for their sin just overlook, forget, or take no notice of such important acts of God against them and their house, it is a sign of a hopeless absence of contrition or sorrow for sin and hardness of heart. In this fashion, Daniel magnified Belshazzar's crime, because he hardened his heart in pride, even though he knew his father was brought down from his high position and made to be a companion for asses because of that very same sin. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this (Daniel 5:22). Definitely a severe reproof, but severe is most fitting for a public, ongoing sin.

The deceased, by their own sin and the dreadful judgments of God, became a sign. When judgment knocked at their door, they were swept like dung from off the face of the earth. So let those who are related to such a person beware, for fear that when judgment knocks at their door for their sins, it will fall with as heavy a stroke, that they find judgment without mercy, instead of finding mercy in that day for their excessive, daring, and judgment-defying sins.

To conclude, let those who don't want to die Mr. Badman's death take notice of Mr. Badman's ways, because his ways brought him to his end. Wickedness won't deliver the one given over to it, even if they conceal what they do by professing to be religious. As it was a sin long ago for a man to wear a woman's clothing, surely it is a sin now for a sinner to profess to be a Christian as a cloak. Wolves in sheep's clothing swarm in England these days − wolves both in regard to doctrine and practice. Some people make a profession for Christ with the purpose of manipulating themselves into a job, and then to establish a fortune, and if need be, to do so dishonestly by the destruction of their neighbor.

Let such people take care, because those who do such things have the greater damnation. Christian, make your profession shine with conversation according to the gospel. Otherwise, you will cause damage to Christianity, bring scandal on your brethren, and give the enemies a weapon of offense. It would be better that a millstone was hanged about your neck and you were cast into the bottom of the sea. Christian, in these days, a profession according to the gospel is a rare thing. Seek after it, put it on, and keep it without a spot, white and clean, and you will be a rare Christian.

Prophecy of the last times says that many professing men will be vile and worthless, but continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and in that which has been entrusted unto thee, knowing of whom thou hast learned them (2 Timothy 3:14), not from lewd men or unrestrained times, but from the Word and doctrine of God − according to godliness. You will walk with Christ in white.

Now, God Almighty gave His people grace, not to hate or malign sinners, or to choose any of their ways, 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 Christ's sake. Therefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of everyone (Acts 20:26).

– John Bunyan

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman

* * *

 Fire to the pan, alluding to the mode of using firearms by applying a lighted match to the pan before the firelock was invented.

 Ezekiel 39

 Acts 23

 In the single combat of quarter-staff, he who held the best end of the staff usually gained the victory.

 From The Pilgrim's Progress while at the Interpreter's house. This is a remarkable illustration of a difficult part of the allegory − faithful admonitions repaid by murderous revenge but overcome by Christian courage.

 From The Holy War Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World.

 Luke 16:24, 28
Chapter 1

Badman's Death and Its Awful Consequences

WISEMAN: Good morning, my good neighbor, Mr. Attentive. Where are you walking so early this morning? You look like you're concerned about something out of the ordinary. Have you lost some of your cattle, or what's the matter?

ATTENTIVE: Good morning to you, good sir. I haven't lost any cattle, but you've guessed right about me. I'm concerned in my heart, because of the badness of the times. And you, sir, as all our neighbors know, are a very observant man, so what do you think about them?

WISEMAN: I agree with you that they are bad times, and they will stay bad, until people are better, because bad people make bad times. For that reason, if people would change for the good, so would the times. It is foolish to look for good days so long as sin is so rampant, and as long as those who set their minds on its instruction are so many. May God bring it down, along with those who promote it, to repentance. Then, my good neighbor, you will be concerned, but not like you are now. Now you're concerned because times are so bad, but then it will be because times are so good. At this time, your concern leaves you perplexed, but then you will be so excited that you'll lift up your voice with shouting, because I dare say, if you could see such days, they would make you shout.

ATTENTIVE: Yes, they would. I've prayed and longed for such times, but I fear things will get worse before they get better.

WISEMAN: Make no hasty judgment, because He who has the hearts of men in His hand can change them from worse to better, and from bad times into good. God give long life to those who are good, and especially to those capable of doing Him service in the world. The ornament and beauty of this lower world, next to God and His wonders, are the people who sparkle and shine with godliness.

As Mr. Wiseman said this, he let out a great sigh.

ATTENTIVE: Amen, amen. But why do you sigh so deeply, good sir? Is it for nothing else than the same thing you can see I'm concerned about myself?

WISEMAN: I'm in agreement about the badness of the times, but that's not the reason for that sigh you heard. I sighed as I thought about the death of that man for whom the bell tolled in our town yesterday.

ATTENTIVE: I trust your neighbor Mr. Goodman isn't dead. To be sure, I heard he'd been sick.

WISEMAN: No, no, it's not him. If it had been, I wouldn't have been concerned like I am now. If he had died, I would only have felt concern because the world lost a light. But the man I'm concerned about now was one who was never good, and as such a man, he is not only dead but also damned. He died that he might die the second death. He went from life to death, and then from death to death − from death natural to death eternal. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and fornicators and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death − Revelation 21:8.

As he said this, tears brimmed in his eyes.

ATTENTIVE: To go from a deathbed to hell is undeniably a fearful thing to think about. But, good neighbor Wiseman, please tell me who this man was, and why you suppose him to be so miserable in his death.

WISEMAN: Well, if you can stay, I'll tell you who he was, and why I presume this about him.

ATTENTIVE: My free time allows me to stay, and I'd like to hear you out. I pray to God that what you say can take hold on my heart, so I can be bettered by it.

The two of them agreed to sit down under a tree, and Mr. Wiseman proceeded with his discussion.

WISEMAN: The man I'm talking about is Mr. Badman. He lived in our town a long time, and now, as I said, he is dead. But the reason for my being so concerned about his death is not that he was related to me in any way, or that any benefits died with him. That's the furthest from my concerns, for as I hinted at earlier, what I greatly fear is that he has died two deaths at once.

ATTENTIVE: I understand what you mean by two deaths at once, and to tell the truth, it's a fearful thing to think along these lines – about anyone who dies in such a state. For although the death of the ungodly and sinners is applied to the heart of only a few, yet such a state is more dreadful and fearful than any man can imagine.

Without a doubt, if a man had no soul, if his state was not truly immortal, it wouldn't matter so much. But for a man to be set in place by his Maker and decreed an intelligent, discerning being forever, and for him too to fall into the hands of avenging justice, which will last forever to the greatest extreme that his sin deserves − punishing him in the dismal dungeon of hell − this must be unspeakably sad and regrettable.

WISEMAN: I don't think there's any person who is truly aware of the significance of one soul, but when a person hears about the death of unconverted men, he must be stricken with sorrow and grief because, as you said, that man's state is such that he is an intelligent, discerning being forever. For the soul has the capacity to perceive by the intellect. It can fear and discern, which makes punishment heavy. The damned can reason too, and just as intellect and discernment let the soul receive punishment with sorrow because it feels and bleeds, so by reason, in the midst of torment, all present affliction is aggravated in three ways.

First, reason will reflect with the person in this way: Why am I tormented like this? And with no trouble, he will know the reason. It's for nothing but that corrupt and filthy thing – sin. Now, annoyance and frustration will mix with punishment, and that will greatly heighten the suffering.

Second, reason will ponder the situation and the person will ask himself, How long must this be my state of affairs? But as quickly as he asks the question, the answer returns to him: This must be my state forever and ever. Now this will greatly increase the torment.

And as a result, thirdly, reason will ask, What more have I lost besides comfort and peace here and now, by the sins I've committed? And this answer will quickly return to him: I have lost fellowship with God, Christ, saints, and angels, and a share in heaven and eternal life. This also will greatly increase the misery of poor damned souls. And this is the case of Mr. Badman.

ATTENTIVE: The very thought of coming into such a state disturbs my heart. Hell! Who still alive knows what the torments of hell are? This word HELL has a very dreadful sound.

WISEMAN: Yes, so it does to the ears of him who has a tender conscience. But if the very name of hell is so dreadful, as you say and which is true, then what is the situation like there? Punishments inflicted upon the souls of damned men there are without even a short break – they go on forever and ever.

ATTENTIVE: My leisure time will allow me to stay beyond this; therefore, please tell me what it is that makes you think Mr. Badman has gone to hell.

WISEMAN: I will tell you. But first, do you know which of the Badmans I mean?

ATTENTIVE: There's more of them than one?

WISEMAN: Oh yes, a great many, both brothers and sisters, and yet they are all the children of a godly parent, which makes it all the more a great pity.

ATTENTIVE: Which of them was it that died?

WISEMAN: The eldest, old in years, and old in sin, but he who sins at one hundred years of age shall be accursed (Isaiah 65:20).

ATTENTIVE: But what makes you think he has gone to hell?

WISEMAN: His wicked life and fearful death, especially since the manner of his death so corresponded with his life.

ATTENTIVE: How did he die? Please tell me, since you know.

WISEMAN: I was there when he died, but as long as I live, I never want to see another man die in such a way as he did.

ATTENTIVE: Please tell me. I want to hear it.

WISEMAN: You say you have time, so, if you desire, we will talk about him in an orderly fashion. First, we will begin with his life and work our way toward his death, because an account of the facts about the first part of his life may affect you even more when you hear about the second.

ATTENTIVE: Did you know his life so well?

WISEMAN: I knew him as a child. I was a man, when he was just a boy, and I made special observation of him from the beginning to the end.

ATTENTIVE: Please let me hear the account of his life from you then, but be as brief as you can, because I need to hear about his death.

* * *

 The unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9). Instead of Christ, the Prince of Peace, being theirs, the prince of the power of the air is theirs. Instead of the comforts of the gospel, the curses of the law are theirs. Instead of heaven, hell is theirs and an exclusion from God and happiness forever! Sinner, think NOW on these things. − Mason
Chapter 2

Badman's Wicked Behavior in Childhood

WISEMAN: I'll try to answer as you wish. I'll start by saying he was very bad as a child. His beginning was ominous and foreshadowed that, in all likelihood, he was headed for no good. Even as a little one, he was inclined to several sins that showed him to be notoriously infected with sin so extensively that it affected every element of his nature. I'm quite certain he learned none of this from his father or mother, and he wasn't allowed to socialize with children who were wicked, so he didn't learn to sin from them. Rather, it was the other way around. Any time he freely moved about among others, he taught them new bad words to use along with bad behavior. To all of them he used to be the ringleader and master-sinner even as a child.

ATTENTIVE: This was undeniably a bad beginning and certainly demonstrated he was, as you say, corrupted − very much polluted with sin's effect on his nature. If I may speak freely, I confess that in my opinion, children are born into the world polluted with sin. I think that often the sins of their youth, especially while they are very young, come about rather by voluntary obedience to indwelling sin than by examples set by others. Not that they don't learn to sin by example too, but example is not the root but rather the temptation to wickedness. The root is sin within, for from within, out of the heart of men, proceeds sin (Mark 7:21).

WISEMAN: I'm glad to hear you are of this opinion and can confirm what you've said with a few mentions from the Word. Man, in his birth, is compared to an ass. Man is born like a wild ass's colt (Job 11:12), to an unclean beast, and to a wretched infant in its blood. Hast thou not remembered the days of thy youth when thou wast naked and bare? Thou wast polluted in thy blood (Ezekiel 16:22). In addition, all the firstborn who were offered to the Lord were to be redeemed at the age of a month − clearly a tender age before which they could be sinners by imitation. The Scripture also establishes that by the sin of one, judgment came on all, and it assigns this reason − all have sinned (Romans 5:12; 3:23).

Nor is that baseless objection that Christ has taken away original sin by His death worth notice. First, because it isn't found in Scripture. Secondly, it makes them incapable of salvation by Christ, because only those who personally recognize they are sinners are to have salvation through Him. Many other things could be added to this argument, but between two people who so well agree as you and me, these can suffice for now. But when an opponent of this matter comes to deal with us, then we'll often have other strong arguments for him, if he's an antagonist worth taking notice of.

ATTENTIVE: But, as was suggested before, he used to be the ringleading sinner, or the master of harm among other children. Still, these are only generalities, so please tell me in detail about the sins of his childhood.

WISEMAN: All right, I will. When he was just a child, he was so addicted to lying that his parents hardly knew when to believe anything he said. He not only invented and told lies, he also continued to maintain these lies as the truth, with such a bold face, that in his very countenance a person could clearly see the symptoms of a hard and desperate heart.

ATTENTIVE: This was certainly a wicked beginning and proves he began to harden himself in sin by that time. Because, unless he forced his heart to do so, a lie can't be knowingly told and carried on as I see he did. Such a liar must harden his heart and muster courage in the execution of it. He must have reached a greater degree of wickedness to do this, since all he did went against that good upbringing you suggest he had from his father and mother.

WISEMAN: A lack of good upbringing, as you suggested, is often a cause for why children so easily become bad so soon, but even more when such training is absent and there are bad examples enough to contribute to such behavior. It is sad to say, but it is like this in many families, and as a result, poor children are trained up in sin and nursed within the home for the devil and hell.

But this wasn't the case with Mr. Badman, because to my knowledge his lying behavior brought great grief to his parents. Their hearts were broken when they saw this in their young son, because they hadn't fallen short in encouraging and correcting him in an effort to make him better. But he didn't want to be told, but I heard it said to him over and over and over that all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8, 27), and that whosoever loves and makes a lie would have no part in the new and heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 22:15).

But nothing helped. When a suitable time or an occasion to lie came upon him, he easily invented, told, and stood firm in his lie as if it were nothing but the truth. And he hardened his heart in this way with a straight face. It caused those around him to stand by and wonder. He even continued his lying when punished under the rod of correction, which is appointed by God for parents to use so they might keep their children from hell. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15). Do not withhold correction from the child; for if thou shall beat him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol. (Proverbs 23:13-14)

ATTENTIVE: Truly it was, as I said, a bad beginning. He served the devil early on, and he became nurse to one of his brats, for a spirit of lying is the devil's brat, for he is a liar and the father of it (John 8:44).

WISEMAN: Right, he is truly the father of it. A lie is spawned by the devil as the father, and is brought forth by the wicked heart as the mother. There is another Scripture which also says, Why has Satan filled thy heart to lie? (Acts 5:3). He calls the heart that is big with a lie, a heart that has conceived − by the devil. Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God (Acts 5:4). True, his lie was a lie of the highest nature, but every lie has the same father and mother as this lie. For he is a liar and the father of it. As a result, a lie is the brat of hell, and it can't be in the heart before the person has committed a kind of spiritual adultery with the devil. Therefore, the person who tells a known lie has lain with and conceived it by the devil, the only father of lies. For a lie has only one father and mother, the devil and the heart. It's no wonder then, that the hearts which hatch and bring forth lies are so much like the devil in regards to temperament, habits, or natural disposition. It's no surprise that even though God and Christ have resolved their word against liars, a liar is wedded to the devil himself.

ATTENTIVE: It seems unbelievable to me that since a lie is among the offspring of the devil, and since a lie brings the soul to the very den of devils, specifically the dark dungeon of hell, that people should be so desperately wicked as to become familiar with such a horrible thing.

WISEMAN: It also seems unbelievable to me, especially when I see for how minor a matter some men will study, contrive, and tell a lie. You'll have some who lie over and over just for a monetary profit. Yes, lie and stand firm in it, although they know they've lied. You will have some people who won't hesitate to tell lie after lie, even when they gain nothing by it. They'll tell lies while in ordinary conversations with their neighbors, as they share their news, jests, and their tales – all adorned with lies. If they don't, they don't seem to sound interesting or show much to the imagination to the one being told.

Sadly, what will these liars do when they are tossed down into hell, to be with that devil that conceived those lies in their heart, and so be tormented by fire and brimstone, with him forever and ever for their lies?

ATTENTIVE: Can you give some examples of God's judgments on liars that someone can tell to liars when they hear them lie, so perhaps they can be made afraid and ashamed to do so when they hear it?

WISEMAN: Examples! Why, one would think that Ananias and his wife are enough of an example to put a stop to a spirit addicted to lying. They were both stricken down dead by God Himself for telling a lie, in the midst of a group of people. But if God's threatening of liars with hellfire and the loss of the kingdom of heaven won't succeed in convincing them to stop lying, I can't imagine what telling them about worldly judgments that have swept liars out of the world in times past would do. Now, as I said, this lying was one of the first sins Mr. Badman was addicted to, and he could think them up and tell them in a manner that filled his listeners with admiration and astonishment.

ATTENTIVE: I'm sorry to hear this about him, and even more because I fear this sin wasn't the only one to reign in him, because usually one who is accustomed to lying is also accustomed to other evils. If that wasn't the case with Mr. Badman, it would indeed be a surprise.

WISEMAN: What you say is true. The liar is a captive slave of more than the spirit of lying, and therefore, this Mr. Badman was also given to pilfering and stealing − just like he was a liar from childhood. Anything he could lay his hands on he counted his own, whether they were the things of other children, or something he could lay hold of at a neighbor's house. He would just take it. You must understand me, for being yet a child, he stole things of little value and nothing more, especially at first. But as he grew up in strength and maturity of intellect, he attempted to pilfer and steal things of more value than in the beginning. In the end, he took great pleasure in robbing gardens and orchards, and as he grew up, stealing poultry from the neighborhood. What belonged to his father couldn't escape his fingers. He was so hardened in this mischief that in the end, everything was like fish that came to his net.

STEALING

Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15)

Whosoever robs his father or his mother and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of the destroyer. (Proverbs 28:24)

This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth; for every one that steals . . . shall be destroyed. (Zechariah 5:3)

ATTENTIVE: You make me wonder more and more. He wantonly and thoughtlessly played the thief so young too? Even though he was just a child, he had to know that what he took from others did not belong to him. Besides, if his father was a good man, as you've said, he must have also heard from him that to steal was to disobey the law of God and run the danger of eternal damnation.

WISEMAN: His father didn't lack in trying methods to reclaim him. As I've been told, he often urged him, saying that in the law of Moses it says, Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15). And also that This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth; for every one that steals (as it is written on one side of the roll) shall be destroyed (Zechariah 5:3). Though he was little, the understanding given with natural qualities must have shown him that what he took from others was not his own, and that he wouldn't willingly have been treated that way himself. But all was fruitless. Let father and conscience say what they would to him, he was resolved to go on in his wickedness.

ATTENTIVE: But as you detailed, his father sometimes rebuked him for his wickedness. Please, tell me how he acted then.

WISEMAN: How! Why, like a thief who was found out, he stood staring sulkily and hanging his head in a sullen, pouting manner. A person might read, as we used to say, the picture of bad luck in his face. When his father demanded his answer to such questions concerning his wrongdoing, he grumbled and muttered at him, but that would be all he could get.

ATTENTIVE: But you said that he would also rob his father. I think that's an unnatural thing.

WISEMAN: Natural or unnatural, it's all the same to a thief. Besides, you must realize that he had companions who acted similarly to him, and the wickedness he saw in them more firmly knit their relationships, making them closer than either father or mother. And what did he care if his father and mother died because of heartache for him. If they died, he would have counted it a great release and freedom, because, to tell the truth, they and their guidance and advice were to him an oppressing burden. If I remember right, I heard some say that when he was among his companions, at times he greatly rejoiced that his parents were old and wouldn't live long. "Then," he said, "I will be my own man, to do what I desire, without their control."

ATTENTIVE: Then it seems he didn't view robbing his parents as a crime.

WISEMAN: Not at all. And for this reason, he fell directly under that sentence. Whosoever robs his father or his mother and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of the destroyer (Proverbs 28:24). And because he valued who they were and their advice so lightly, it was a sign that he was of a very abominable spirit and that some judgment waited to overtake him in the future. If one man sins against another, the judges shall judge him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they did not hearken unto the voice of their father because the LORD had already decided to kill them (1 Samuel 2:25).

ATTENTIVE: But can you imagine what it was like? I'm not talking about the suggestions of Satan by which he was, without a doubt, pressed to do these things. I'm talking about his conceit. What could he be thinking that would make him feel his manner of pilfering and stealing was no great matter?

WISEMAN: For that reason he stole small things. He robbed orchards, gardens, and stole poultry, and the like. He looked at these as pranks of youth, and he wouldn't be talked out of it by anything his friends said. They told him he must not covet or desire even the smallest thing belonging to his neighbors, but that to desire anything was less grievous than taking it. If he did, it would be an offense against the law, but it was all the same to him. Between the wicked talk of his companions, and the delusion of his own corrupt heart, he went on with his pilfering ways, and where he thought it safe to do so, he talked and laughed about it when he had finished.

ATTENTIVE: Once I heard a man on the ladder with the hangman's noose about his neck confess the deeds that had brought him to that end. When young, he got used to pilfering and stealing small things. To the best of my recollection, he told us that he began the trade of a thief by stealing small things, and because of that he warned all the youth gathered to see him die to listen to his warning − that even though he started out with little sins, by fooling around with little ones in the beginning only made way for the committing of the bigger ones.

WISEMAN: Since you've opened the way to telling stories, I also will tell you one. While I didn't hear it with my own ears, I do believe my source. It is concerning one old fox who was hanged about twenty years ago or more at Hertford, for being a thief. The story is this: At a summer court session held at Hertford, while the judge sat upon the bench, in comes this old fox into court dressed in a green suit, with his leather belt in his hand, his shirt open, and perspiring profusely as if he'd run for his life. Once in, he spoke aloud. "My lord," he said, "here is the worst rogue to breathe upon the face of the earth. I've been a thief since I was a child. When I was just a little one, I started to rob orchards, and to do other similar wicked things, and I have continued as a thief ever since. My lord, for many years there hasn't been a robbery committed within miles of this place that I've either not been a part of or not privy to."

The judge thought the fellow was crazy, but after talking with some of the justices, they agreed to indict him for several criminal actions. He heartily confessed his guilt to all of them, and so was hanged along with his wife at the same time.

ATTENTIVE: What a remarkable story! And you think it's true?

WISEMAN: It's not only remarkable, but it's also a perfect example to our purpose. This thief, like Mr. Badman, began his trade early in life. He began where Mr. Badman began, even robbing orchards and other such things, which brought him, as you can see, from sin to sin, until finally it brought him to the public shame of sin, which is the gallows.

As for the truth of this story, the one who told it to me was in the court at the same time. He stood within less than two yards of old Tod, when he heard him speak the words aloud.

ATTENTIVE: These two sins of lying and stealing were a bad sign of an evil end.

WISEMAN: So they were. And yet Mr. Badman didn't come to his end like old Tod, though I'm afraid to say it was just as bad – actually, no – it was worse than death on the gallows, though less seen by spectators. But I can tell you more of that later. You talk about these two sins as if they were all that Mr. Badman was addicted to in his youth. Sadly, while he was only a boy, he bred multitudes of sins, like a beggar with lice.

ATTENTIVE: Why, what other sins was he addicted to − I mean, while he was just a child?

WISEMAN: You don't need to ask what other sins he was addicted to, but rather which other sins he wasn't addicted to, because you can safely say that nothing that was vile came mistakenly to him. Anything that suited the abilities of his age − if he was capable, he did it. In reality, there are some sins which childhood doesn't know how to tamper with, but I'm talking about sins that he was capable of committing. I'll tell you about two or three more.

First, he couldn't tolerate the Lord's Day, because of the holiness that accompanied it. He felt like the beginning of that day was like going to prison, unless he could get away from his father and mother and loiter in some small unpleasant place among his companions, until holy duties were over. Reading the Scriptures, hearing sermons and godly conversations, and repeating sermons and prayers were things he couldn't bear to endure. While his father did his best to keep a strict eye on him regarding the observation of the day, when his father wasn't looking he often gave him the slip. When he wasn't able to get away, he clearly showed through his actions that he was highly discontent with all of it. He thoughtlessly went through the motions, idly talked with his brothers, and thought every godly occasion to be seven times longer that it was and resented it all until it was over.

ATTENTIVE: I don't think his detesting of the Lord's Day was because of the day itself. Because since it is a day, it is just like all the other days of the week. But I suppose the reason he hated it had to do with the holiness and sanctity of God which are connected to it, because it is the day above all the days of the week that ought to be spent in holy devotion, in remembrance of our Lord's resurrection from the dead.

WISEMAN: Yes, that's why he was so against it, because even more restraint was placed on him on that day, so he couldn't just do what he wanted.

ATTENTIVE: By establishing a day set apart for holy undertakings and obligations, doesn't God create a great confirmation of how the hearts and inclinations of people stand in relation to holiness of heart and conversation in holy responsibilities?

WISEMAN: Yes, without a doubt. A person will show his heart and his life and what they are more by one Lord's Day than by all the other days of the week. The reason is that on the Lord's Day there is a special restraint laid on men regarding thoughts and life, more than on other days of the week. Also, men are commanded on that day to a stricter performance of holy obligations, with a limitation of worldly business compared with other days. Therefore, if their hearts are not naturally inclined to good, they will show it on the Lord's Day, because they will be seen for what they are. The Lord's Day is a kind of symbol of the heavenly Sabbath above, and it makes how the heart views holiness obvious all the time, more than in how a short-lived responsibility or obligation does.

On other days, in fifteen minutes a person can be inconsistent and unreliable about holy duties, but the Lord's Day is a day that commands a person to a continuous holiness. Thou shalt remember the sabbath day, to sanctify it (Exodus 20:8). And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made (Genesis 2:2). Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you. . . . It is a sign between me and the sons of Israel for ever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed (Exodus 31:14, 17). Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the congregations of Galatia, do ye likewise. Each first sabbath let each one of you set aside in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no collections when I come (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

Therefore, the way one lives out the Lord's Day is a greater proof of the frame and temper of the heart. It makes clear their tendencies more than the performance of other responsibilities does. Therefore, God marks a great difference between those who truly call and walk in this day as holy, and who honor it because it offers an opportunity to show how they delight to honor Him. They don't just have an hour to show it, but a whole day to show it. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy will on my holy day; and call the sabbath the delightful, holy, glorious day of the LORD; and shalt honour him by not doing thine own ways, nor seeking thine own will, nor speaking thine own words (Isaiah 58:13).

To Him, there's a big difference between these and the other sort who say, "When will the Sabbath be over so we can get on with our worldly business?" After the sabbath day we will open the storehouse of bread, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit (Amos 8:5). The first He calls blessed, but brands the others as unsanctified worldlings. Certainly, to delight ourselves in God's service on His holy days gives a better verification of a sanctified nature than to begrudge the day or to be weary of the holy responsibilities of such days, like Mr. Badman did.

ATTENTIVE: There may be something in what you say, because if a person can't bear to keep one day holy to God, to be sure, they've given sufficient proof they are unsanctified. As such, what would they do in heaven, since it is a place where a perpetual Sabbath is to be kept to God forever. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9). And, for all I know, one reason why one day in seven has been set apart for holy duties for men by our Lord may be to convict them that there is hostility in the hearts of sinners to the God of heaven, because he who hates holiness hates God Himself. They pretend to love God, and yet don't love a holy day or spending that day in one continuous act of holiness to the Lord.

They may just as well say nothing, as to call Him Lord, Lord, and still don't do the things He says. And this Mr. Badman was just such a person. He couldn't bear this day, or any of the responsibilities or obligations related to it. In fact, when he could get away from it, he'd spend it with his friends in all manner of idleness and speaking about the things of God. Then he'd be happy enough. But when people do this, isn't it nothing more than taking an opportunity at God's forbidding, to follow our passions for comfort and to satisfy our lusts and delights of the flesh? I take the liberty to speak like this about Mr. Badman based on confidence in that what you've said about him is true.

WISEMAN: You don't need to make an apology for your censoring of Mr. Badman, because all who knew him will confirm what you say about him to be true. He couldn't stand either that day or anything else that had the stamp or image of God on it. Sin, sin, and to do what was of no value – that's what he delighted in from the time he was a little child.

ATTENTIVE: I must say again, I'm sorry to hear it, for his own sake and for the sake of his parents, who must have been shattered with such undertakings as these, because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6). And, without a doubt, he has gone to hell, if he died without repentance, and to bring up a child for hell is sad for parents to think on.

WISEMAN: About his dying, as I told you, I will give you an account of the details later, but right now we are talking about his life and the manner of his days in his childhood, even about the sins that showed up in his life then, some of which I have mentioned already. But there are still more to follow, which aren't at all minor compared to what you've already heard.

ATTENTIVE: Please tell me, what were they?

WISEMAN: As a young boy, he was greatly given to dreadful swearing and cursing. Eventually, he thought no more of swearing and cursing than I do of counting my fingers. He'd do it without anything exciting his anger to provoke him. He considered it an honor to swear and curse, and it came as natural to him as eating, drinking, and sleeping.

ATTENTIVE: Oh, what a young villainous person he was! It's certainly as the apostle says, a yielding of members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin (Romans 6:13). This is proceeding from evil to evil with a witness. This argues that he was definitely a foul-mouthed young wretch.

WISEMAN: He was. And as I told you, he considered this kind of sinning to be a badge of honor above everything. He thought of himself as a man's man once he learned to swear and curse boldly.

ATTENTIVE: I'm convinced that many think like you've said − that to swear is a thing that boldly becomes them, and that the best way for them to add authority or terror into their words is to stuff them full with swearing.

WISEMAN: You're right. I'm also persuaded that men wouldn't usually just belch out their blasphemous oaths as they do. They take pride in it and think that to swear is gentleman-like. Once it becomes a regular habit, it's hard for them to abandon it all the days of their lives.

ATTENTIVE: Now that we are into it, please show me the difference between swearing and cursing, because there is a difference, isn't there?

WISEMAN: Yes, there's a difference between swearing and cursing. Swearing – empty, worthless swearing – is what young Badman was accustomed to doing. Such sinful swearing is a light and wicked use of God's name to witness our conceited and foolish declaring of things. Of these, there are two sorts.

First are things we swear are or will be done. You swear you have done such a thing, that such a thing is so, or will be so. It doesn't matter which of these it is, if it is done lightly, wickedly, and groundlessly. It's not effectual, because it is a sin against the third commandment, which says, Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain (Exodus 20:7). For this is a vain using of that holy and sacred name and so is a sin. Without wholeheartedly repenting, there is no forgiveness, nor can it be rightly expected.

The second is the making of a solemn declaration or affirmation that something is true or false in His name.

ATTENTIVE: Then it appears that when a man swears sincerely according to the facts, yet swears carelessly and groundlessly, his oath is evil, and by making it, he is under sin.

WISEMAN: Yes. Someone can say, The LORD lives, and that is true, and yet in so saying he swears falsely, because he swears foolishly, needlessly, and without a valid reason. And if they should say, The LORD lives; surely they swear falsely (Jeremiah 5:2). To swear unavoidably for legitimate reasons, which a man does when he swears as being called to it by God, that is tolerated by the Word. But this wasn't the case regarding Mr. Badman's swearing, and so that's not what we are concerned about in this conversation.

ATTENTIVE: Through the prophet Jeremiah, I see that a person can sin in swearing to a truth. Therefore, those who swear to confirm their jests and lies, and, to their way of thinking, better embellish their foolish talking, must necessarily sin most horribly.

WISEMAN: They sin by personal whim, rather than any reason, because they presume to imagine that God is as wicked as they are, that is to say, that He declares lies to be true. For, as I said before, to swear is to call God to witness, and to swear to a lie is to call God to witness that that lie is true. This, therefore, must offend, because it puts the highest insult upon the holiness and righteousness of God. As a result, His wrath must sweep them away. This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth; for every one that steals (as it is written on one side of the roll) shall be destroyed; and every one that swears (as it is written on the other side of the roll) shall be destroyed (Zechariah 5:3).

In Scripture, this kind of swearing is categorized with lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery, and so must not go unpunished. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not (Jeremiah 7:9). By swearing and lying and murdering and stealing and committing adultery, they prevailed, and blood touches blood. Therefore the earth shall mourn, and every one that dwells therein shall be cut off, with the beasts of the field and the fowls of heaven; and even the fishes of the sea shall be caught (Hosea 4:2-3). For if God will not hold guiltless anyone that takes his name in vain (Exodus 20:7), which I have shown a person can do when they swear to a truth, how can anyone imagine that they could consider such a person guiltless, who, by swearing, appeals to God for lies that aren't true, or who swears out of their frantic foolishness? It would distress and provoke a person of cool, dispassionate reason to anger if someone swore to a notorious lie and affirmed that that person would confirm it as a truth. Yet this is what people do who deal with the holy God. They tell their offhand tales and lies, and then swear by God that they are true. This kind of swearing was as common with young Badman as it was to eat when he was hungry or to go to bed when it was night.

ATTENTIVE: I have often pondered what it could be that makes men so public in the use of the sin of swearing, since those who are wise will never believe them.

WISEMAN: You can be sure there's no good reason, because the thing itself is abominable. Therefore, it must be prompted by the spirit of the devil within them. Also, at times, it flows from hellish rage, when:

The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every nature of beasts and of birds and of serpents and of beings in the sea may be tamed and is tamed by mankind, but no man can tame the tongue, which is an evil that cannot be restrained and is full of deadly poison. With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. (James 3:6-9)

But generally, swearing flows from that daring boldness that invites defiance to the very law that forbids it. And swearers think that by belching a blasphemous oath from their foul, polluted mouths, they show themselves more fearless than others. And they also imagine that by these outrageous kinds of evil behavior, they will get the better of those people they have to deal with by making them believe their lies to be true.

They also swear frequently to make a profit by it, and when they meet with fools, they overcome them this way. But if I might give a word of advice in this matter, no buyer should lay out one fraction of a penny to a person who publicly swears while doing his job, especially with an oath-master who endeavors to swear away his product or service to take his customer's money into his own pocket.

ATTENTIVE: All these reasons for swearing, so far as I can see, flow from the same root as the oaths themselves – it's that they spring from a hardened and desperate heart. But please, show me how wicked cursing is to be distinguished from this kind of swearing.

WISEMAN: Swearing, as I said, immediately has to do with the name of God. It calls upon Him to be witness to the truth of what is said, if those who swear, swear by Him. Some, certainly, swear by idols, like by the mass, by our lady, by saints, beasts, birds, and other creatures, but the usual way of the profane ones in England is to swear by God, Christ, faith, and the like. But however or by whatever they swear, cursing is distinguished from swearing in this way.

To curse − to curse profanely – is to sentence another or ourself to or for evil, or to wish that some evil might happen unjustly to the person or thing under the curse. It is to sentence someone to or for evil without a cause. This is how Shimei cursed David. He sentenced him for and to evil unjustly when he said to him:

Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial; the LORD has returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, thy son; and, behold, thou art taken in thy evil because thou art a bloody man. (2 Samuel 16:7-8)

David calls this a grievous curse. And, behold, he said to his son Solomon, thou hast with thee Shimei . . . a Benjamite . . . who cursed me . . . at the Jordan (1 Kings 2:8). But what was this curse? First, it was a wrong sentence passed on David. Shimei called him bloody man, and thou man of Belial, which he was not. Secondly, he sentenced him by saying that the evil presently upon him was for being a bloody man − meaning being against the house of Saul – when in fact the evil which overtook David was for quite another reason.

We can apply this to the irreverent people of our times, who even when they are young, in their rage and envy have little else to offer but an unjust sentence against their neighbor for and to evil. How common is it with many people, when they are just a little offended with someone, to cry something like, "Hang him! Damn him, rogue!" This is both a sentencing of him for and to evil and is in itself a grievous curse.

The other kind of cursing is to wish that some evil might happen to and overtake a certain person or thing. This kind of cursing Job counted as a grievous sin. He said, For I have never even suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse upon his soul (Job 31:30). So again, this is a wicked cursing − to wish evil might either befall someone or even ourselves. And it is this kind of cursing that young Badman became familiar with. He'd wish that evil might come to pass on others. For instance, he might wish their necks be broken, that their brains be bashed out, or that the pox or plague would befall them, as well as other similar curses. All of these are a devilish kind of cursing, which are becoming a common sin of our time.

Also, as often as he could, he'd wish a curse on himself, saying, "I pray I might be hanged, or burned, or that the devil might come fetch me, if what I'm saying is not true." We consider the noisy swearing fellows to be great swearers, but when in their hellish fury they say, "God damn me," or "God take my life," or similar things, they curse rather than swear. Yes, even curse themselves with a wish that damnation might come on them! And the truth is, they'll see this wish and curse of theirs accomplished in a little time, for they will find themselves in hellfire if they don't repent of their sins.

ATTENTIVE: But did this young Badman get used to this filthy kind of language?

WISEMAN: I think I can honestly say that nothing was more frequent from his mouth. It's how he responded with even the least provocation. He was so proficient in such language that no one – not his father, mother, brother, sister, or servant − no, not even the cattle his father had, could escape these curses. Even the brute beasts, when he drove or rode on them, if they didn't please him, they were sure to play a part in his curse. He'd wish their necks be broken, their legs be broken, their guts to spill out, that the devil might come fetch them, or something like that. And it's no surprise, because a person who dares to wish damnation or other bad curses on himself or his dearest friends and relatives won't hesitate to wish evil on a silly beast in his madness.

ATTENTIVE: Well, I certainly see that this Badman was a desperate, nasty character. But since you've explained this much to me, please show me where this evil of cursing arises from and what dishonor it brings to God. For I can easily recognize that it brings damnation to the soul.

WISEMAN: In general, this evil of cursing arises from the desperate wickedness of the heart, but particularly from envy, which to my understanding is the most influential sin next to witchcraft. It also arises from pride, which was the sin of the fallen angels. It also arises from scorn and contempt of others, but for a man to curse himself, it must arise from desperate madness. For thine own heart knows that thou thyself likewise hast spoken evil of others many times (Ecclesiastes 7:22).

The dishonor that it brings to God is this: it takes away from Him His authority, for it is only in His power to bless and curse − not to curse wickedly, like Mr. Badman, but justly and righteously. By His curse, He gives to those who are wicked the reward due their deeds.

Besides, in their wicked cursing of their neighbor and others, these wicked men even curse God Himself in the work of His hands. With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God (James 3:9). Man is God's image, and to curse wickedly the image of God is to curse God Himself. Therefore, when men wickedly swear, they rip and tear God's name, and make Him an affirmer and approver of all their wickedness. So he who curses and condemns his neighbor in this way, or who wishes him evil, curses, condemns, and wishes evil to the image of God, and, consequently, judges and condemns God Himself.

Suppose that a person said, "I wish that the king's picture was burned." Wouldn't this person's words decree them an enemy to the king? It's the same with those who, by cursing, wish evil to their neighbor or to themselves − they condemn the image of God Himself.

ATTENTIVE: But do you think that the men who do this are aware that they are acting so abhorrently, so dreadfully?

WISEMAN: The question isn't what people believe concerning their sin, but what God's Word says about it. If God's Word says that swearing and cursing are sins, even though people might count them as virtues, their reward will be a reward for sin, namely, the damnation of the soul. To curse another person, and to swear vainly and falsely, are sins against the light of nature. First, because whoever curses another, even as he does it, knows he wouldn't want to be treated in that way himself. Second, to swear is also a sin against the same law, because nature lets me know that I shouldn't lie, much less swear to confirm it. Yes, even unbelievers have looked at swearing as a solemn ordinance of God, and therefore not to be lightly or vainly used by people to confirm a matter of truth.

And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these sons are my sons, and these sheep are my sheep, and all that thou seest is mine; and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their sons unto whom they have given birth? Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou, and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

Then Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones and made a heap; and they ate there upon the heap. And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; and Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.

If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness between me and thee. And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have raised up between me and thee; let this heap be witness and this pillar be witness that I will not pass over this heap against thee and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar against me, for harm. The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their fathers, judge between us. And Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount and called his brethren to eat bread; and they ate bread and slept in the mount. And early in the morning Laban rose up and kissed his sons and his daughters and blessed them; and Laban departed and returned unto his place. (Genesis 31:43-55)

ATTENTIVE: Since cursing and swearing are such evils in the eyes of God, I wonder why He doesn't make examples of some of those who commit such wickedness.

WISEMAN: Sadly, He has, a thousand times before, which can easily be seen by observing people in every age and country. Putting aside the great abundance that could be mentioned, I could present you with several examples myself. I will present you with two. One was that dreadful judgment of God upon one N. P. at Wimbleton in Surrey. After a horrible fit of swearing at and cursing some people who didn't please him, he suddenly fell sick and a short time later he died raving, cursing, and swearing.

But above all, take that dreadful story of Dorothy Mately, a resident of Ashover, in the county of Derby. It was shared with me that this Dorothy Mately was known to be a great swearer, curser, liar, and thief by the people of the town − just like Mr. Badman. For work, she regularly washed the rubbish that came from the lead mines and gathered small particles of lead ore. She usually defended her actions by swearing and cursing, such as, "If it's not true, I wish I'd just sink into the earth," or, "I wish God would open the earth and swallow me up."

Then on the twenty-third of March, 1660, while washing ore on the top of a steep hill, about a quarter mile from Ashover, this Dorothy was charged by a boy for taking two single coins from his pocket when he'd laid his trousers to the side while he wore his work pants. She violently denied it, and again wished the ground might swallow her up if she had them. She used the same wicked words on several occasions that day.

Now a man of good reputation from Ashover, by the name of George Hodgkinson, came by chance to where Dorothy was and stopped for a time to talk with her as she washed her ore. A little child stood by the side of her tub, and another stood at a distance calling for the girl to come away. So George took the girl by the hand to lead her to the girl who called her. As he stepped away, they hadn't gone more than ten yards from Dorothy when they heard her crying for help. They turned to see the woman, her tub and sieve twirling around, and sinking into the ground.

George called to her, "Pray to God to pardon your sin, because you aren't likely to survive. She and her tub twirled round and round, until they sank about three yards into the earth, and then her fall stopped. She called for help again, thinking the drop had stopped. Now George stood there greatly surprised, trying to think about how best to help her, but before he could make a move, a large stone appeared in the unstable earth. It fell on her head and broke her skull, followed by the soil, which collapsed around her and covered her. Later, when her body was dug up, they found her about four yards deep, with the boy's two coins in her pocket, but her tub and sieve couldn't be found.

You who like to curse and swear,

God hears you, take heed, start to care.

This wretch the ground did swallow up.

Fear lest you drink the self-same cup.

ATTENTIVE: You remind me of another sad story, which took place about a bowshot from where I once lived. There was a tavern tucked away out of public view. The man who ran the place had a son whose name was Edward, but whom they called Ned. This Edward was a senseless half-wit, both in his words and behavior. When certain fun-loving companions visited the tavern once or twice a week, his father entertained his guests and called his son to make them laugh by his foolish words and gestures. So, when these merry, bold men came to this man's tavern, the father would call for Ned. Ned would come and the rogue was devilishly addicted to cursing. Yes, addicted to cursing his father and mother and anyone else who crossed him. And even though he was a half-wit, because he saw that his practice was pleasing, he did it with all the more boldness.

At the times when these bullies came to habitually drink at the tippling house, as they call it, to befuddle their thinking and to make merry, then Ned had to be called. Because his father was best acquainted with Ned, he knew how to provoke him. He usually asked him baiting questions or commanded him to do some chore that would be sure to trigger him. Then in his foolish way, he cursed his father bitterly, at which the old man would laugh along with the rest of the guests. Since it pleased them so much, they continued to ask that Ned be provoked to curse even more, that they might still be entertained and roused to laughter. This is how the old man entertained his guests.

The curses with which this Ned cursed his father, and which the old man laughed at, were things like "The devil take you," or "The devil fetch you." He'd also wished many plagues and destructions on him. Well, it came to pass, through the righteous judgment of God, that Ned's wishes and curses were fulfilled upon his father in a short time. You see, not many months passed before the devil certainly took him, possessed him, and in just a few days carried him out of this world by death.

I say that Satan took him and possessed him, because that's what the one who knew him and had to deal with him in his lamentable condition ascertained. He said he could feel him like a live thing go up and down in his body, but when the time of tormenting came – for he often had tormenting fits − then he lay like a hard bump in the soft place of his chest. I mean to tell you that I saw it myself, and it scratched and tore him and made him roar with agony until he died.

I told you before that I was an earwitness and eyewitness of what I'm saying, and I really was. I have heard Ned in his roguery cursing his father, and his father laughing about it most heartily, while still provoking Ned to curse more, to amuse him more. When his father was possessed, I also saw him in one of his fits. At that time, I saw his flesh look like it was gathered up in a heap about the size of half an egg. It's thought that this was the work of the devil, and it brought unspeakable torture and affliction on the old man.

A man of privilege was sent for, who was more than an ordinary doctor. He was asked to cast out this devil, and I was there when he attempted to do it. They carried the possessed man into an anteroom and laid him on his belly on a form, with his head hanging over the end. Then they bound him to it. With this accomplished, they set a pan of coals under his mouth, and put something in it which put off a great amount of smoke. This was said to be the way to fetch out the devil. So they kept the man like this until he was almost smothered in the smoke, but no devil came out of him. At this point, the doctor was somewhat embarrassed, the man was still greatly afflicted, and I went away still wondering and fearing. Within a short time after this, the very thing that 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 merrymaking.

When parents take delight in children's evil, The children send their parents to the devil.

WISEMAN: These were all sad judgments.

ATTENTIVE: Yes, dreadful judgments indeed.

WISEMAN: They remind me of the threatening of those verses in Psalms, even though they mainly concerned Judas. As he loved the curse, so let it come unto him; as he delighted not in the blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with the curse like as with his garment, and it entered into his bowels like water and like oil into his bones (Psalm 109:17-18).

ATTENTIVE: It is a fearful thing for young people to be trained up in a way of cursing and swearing.

CURSING

As he loved the curse, so let it come unto him; as he delighted not in the blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with the curse like as with his garment, and it entered into his bowels like water and like oil into his bones. (Psalm 109:17-18)

WISEMAN: Trained up in them! I can't say Mr. Badman was, because his father often lamented the badness of his children to me and this naughty Badman in particular. I believe that the wickedness of his children troubled his thoughts and caused him to go to bed many a night with a heavy heart, only to rise with a heavy heart in the morning. But to his graceless son it was all the same, because neither wholesome advice nor fatherly sorrow made him mend his manners.

Yes, there are some who train up their children to swear, curse, lie, and steal. The misery of such poor children whose misfortune it is to be ushered into the world by such ungodly parents and to be under their training is great. It would have been better for such parents if they hadn't given birth to them, and better for such children if they hadn't been born. Oh, I think it horrible for a father or a mother to train up a child in the very way that leads to hell and damnation. But Mr. Badman wasn't brought up like this by his parents.

ATTENTIVE: But I think that since this young Badman couldn't be governed at home, his father should have tried to get him help outside the home by sending him to live with some man he knew was able to control him and to keep him working hard at some job. That at least would have prevented him from having the time to do those wicked pastimes.

* * *

 Exodus 13:13; 34:20

 These Scriptures have occasionally been perverted to justify the cruelest punishments inflicted on helpless children. All discipline must be done with a pure motive of love.

 Peculiarly awful are the denunciations of the Scriptures against the crime of lying. The liar and the murderer are joined together to receive the curse. Thou shalt destroy those that speak lies: the LORD will abominate the bloody and deceitful man (Psalm 5:6).

 Acts 5

 The solemn importance of instilling right principles into the mind from the first dawn of reason can't be too strongly enforced. Many a wretched midnight burglar began his evil career of foolishness by stealing fruit, followed by thieving anything that he could. Pilfering, unless severely checked, is a hotbed for the foulest crimes.

 "Sin will at first, just like a beggar, crave One penny or one halfpenny to have; And if you grant its first suit, 'twill aspire, From pence to pounds, and so will still mount higher To the whole soul." – A Caution to Watch to Stir Up Against Sin by John Bunyan.

 Christian assemblies are the life, food, and nourishment of our souls. Consequently, the forsaking of them and the profanation of the Sabbath are usually the forerunners of apostasy. − Mason.

 Profane swearers use the language of hell before they arrive at their awful destination. If God were to answer their imprecations, they would be miserable beyond conception. "Because of swearing the land mourneth."

 Profane cursing and swearing were awfully fashionable in Bunyan's days. This led many pious persons to denounce oaths altogether and the time is fast coming when the world will agree with the Quakers that an affirmation is the best test of truth. It is like the controversy of the teetotalers; some who would be ashamed of taking intoxicating liquors, except as medicine, will soon throw such physics to the dogs or on the dunghill.

 This is one of Bunyan's well-directed thrusts at Roman Catholicism, classing the mass, our lady-saints, and beasts, among the idols or objects of divine worship. He omits an oath very common among Irish laborers, which puzzled me when a boy: 'bloodunoons,' meaning the bleeding wounds of the Savior. How thankful we ought to be that in our days, profane swearing stamps upon anyone who uses it the character of one who is dishonorable or contemptible.
Chapter 3

Badman's Apprenticeship to a Godly Employer

WISEMAN: Unfortunately, his father did that. He put him out to live with an acquaintance of his, and begged him by all love to take care of his son and keep him from extravagant ways. His honest trade was extensive. Besides full-time employment there, this young Badman had no empty time or idle hours for opportunities to do badly. But it was all the same to him, because just as he'd begun to be disgusting in his father's house – that's what he continued to be in the house of his boss.

ATTENTIVE: I have known some children who were very bad at home, yet have changed a lot when put out of the home, especially when placed into a family where the guardians make a conscience effort to maintain the worship and service of God. Perhaps that was lacking in Mr. Badman's boss's house.

WISEMAN: Without a doubt, some children greatly change when placed under other men's roofs. But, as I said, this naughty boy didn't, but neither did his badness continue because he didn't lack a boss who could and did correct it. For his boss was a very good man, a very devout person − one who encouraged the best for the soul, and who set up the worship of God in his family as a priority, and who also walked in that way himself. He was also a very meek and merciful man, one who never overworked young Badman or kept him working at inconvenient hours.

ATTENTIVE: You don't say. That is rare. I've seen few situations that can parallel with Mr. Badman's employer in these things.

WISEMAN: I have seen few as well, yet Mr. Badman had such a situation. Today, for the most part, bosses think about nothing but their worldly concerns, and if apprentices just do as they are told, their soul and faith may whither. Yes, I fear that many young men who are ready to do or learn are put out by their parents to live under such bosses, and as a result, are quite undone by them regarding things pertaining to the next world.

ATTENTIVE: I'm sorry to hear that. But please, now that you've touched on this subject, explain more what you mean – how a boss can be the ruin of his poor apprentice.

WISEMAN: I can't tell you about all the ways, but I'll mention some of them. For instance, suppose that a compliant young man who is ready to learn is placed as an apprentice with one alleged to be a godly man. If this boss isn't cautious and watchful in all things he does in front of his young apprentice in respect to both God and man, the young man can be harmed in many ways.

  1. If he isn't balanced in the use of his apprentice − if he drives him beyond his strength, if he forces him to work at unreasonable hours, if he won't allow time and makes it inconvenient to read the Word, to pray, etc. This type of governing is the way to destroy the young man under his charge, because these activities inspire the beginning of impressionable good thoughts about spiritual things.
  2. If he permits his house to be scattered with profane and wicked books, which stir up lust, immorality, and teach such things that stir up idle, unrestrained, lewd conversations, and have a tendency to provoke irreverent stories or joking. Such books tend to corrupt and pervert the doctrine of faith and holiness. All these things will corrupt and eat like a cancer to quickly spoil the good beginnings that can be instilled in them in their youth.
  3. If there is a mixture of employees; that is, if some very bad people are living and working in the same place as the young apprentice, that is another way to undo such impressionable young men, because those who are bad and sordid will often act that way and have an opportunity to distill and encourage their profane, wicked words and tricks in front of them. And these things will easily stick in the flesh and minds of youth and corrupt them.
  4. If the boss puts on one façade outside the home and workplace and another in the home − if he takes off his religion and hangs it in his house like his cloak and is seldom in it, except when he is outside the walls of his home, young beginners will take notice of this and will stumble because of this bad example. We say hedges have eyes and little pitchers have ears, and, to be sure, children carefully watch the way fathers, bosses, and others in authority live their lives. Therefore, bosses should be careful how they live, or they can destroy good beginnings in their apprentices in this way.
  5. If the employer is reprehensible in his dealings, and trades with lying words, or if bad products are promised to be good, or if he seeks after unreasonable profits or the like, his apprentice sees it, and it can be enough to undo him. Eli's sons' bad behavior before the congregation made men despise the sacrifices of the Lord.

But these things, incidentally, can only serve as a hint to bosses to pay attention so they don't destroy the souls of their apprentices. But young Badman had none of these hindrances. His father took care and provided well for him in this regard. He had a good boss who didn't lack in good books, good instruction, good sermons, good examples, or in good fellow employees either, but all that didn't help.

ATTENTIVE: It is a wonder that in such a family, amid so much spiritual help, nothing took hold of his heart. Nothing! Not good books, good instruction, good sermons, good examples, or good fellow workers. It's hard to believe that nothing did him any good.

WISEMAN: It means he didn't pay attention to any of these things, that they were repulsive to him. As for good books, they could lay in his boss's house until they rotted, and he would never think to look into them, while on the other hand, he would get all the bad and offensive books he could, like filthy romances and books full of vulgar language − the type that immediately tended to set all fleshly lusts on fire. Of course, he didn't dare to let his boss know about any of these. Therefore, he never let him see them, but kept them hidden away to read when the opportunity arose.

In regards to good instruction, he liked that as much as he liked good books. He cared little to hear it, and when he did, he forgot what he heard as soon as it was spoken. I've heard some who knew him say that one could clearly discern by his expression and gestures that good counsel made him uncomfortable − even became a continual torment to him. Nor did he ever consider himself free from restriction except when furthest from wholesome words. The scorner does not love the one that reproves him, neither will he go unto the wise (Proverbs 15:12). He hated those who rebuked him, and counted them as deadly enemies. Chasten not a scorner lest he hate thee; chasten a wise man, and he will love thee (Proverbs 9:8).

While good examples were frequently set for him by his boss, both in religious and civil matters, young Badman would laugh at these and make a byword of them when he found himself in a place safe to do so.

Yes, his boss required him to go with him to sermons of preachers he thought the best, but this ungodly young man was . . . how should I say it? I think he was a master at the art of all intentional disruption, for he had wicked ways to hinder himself from hearing, no matter how loud the preacher thundered the message. What he would do when he came into a place for hearing a sermon was to sit down in some corner and fall fast asleep. Or, he'd fix his adulterous gaze on some beautiful young woman in the place, and so the entire time the sermon was being preached, he'd be feeding his fleshly lusts. Or, if he spotted someone who fit his character and humor, he'd sit near to them and whisper, giggle, and play around with them until the sermon was finished.

ATTENTIVE: He grew to a huge height of wickedness.

WISEMAN: He did, and the most aggravating thing of all was that this was how he acted as soon as he came into his boss's employ − he was just as ready to do all these things as he was before he came to serve an apprenticeship.

ATTENTIVE: As you relate it, I'd say rebellion could be added to his list of sins. I think you could say he made up his mind, saying, "I will not hear. I will not regard. I will not desire good. I will not correct my behavior. I won't change. I won't be converted."

WISEMAN: You're right. I don't know whom I can more suitably compare him to than a man who, when I rebuked him or his wickedness, replied in a great huff, saying, "What would the devil do for company if it wasn't for people like me?"

ATTENTIVE: You actually heard someone say such a thing?

WISEMAN: Yes, I did. And this young Badman was as like him as an egg is like an egg. Sadly, the Scripture makes mention of many who speak the same way by their actions. They say unto God, Depart from us; for we do not desire the knowledge of thy ways (Job 21:14). Again, But they refused to hearken and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone lest they should hear the law and the words which the LORD of the hosts has sent (Zechariah 7:11-12). Aren't these people like Badman, and the young man I just mentioned? Much to my own shame, this young man was my friend when I tried to cheer myself up to get over the grief of my sins. But he has a great many friends.

ATTENTIVE: Yes, young Badman was certainly like him. He walked in his footsteps as if to copy his very wickedness. I mean, as to his quick rebellion, had he not been so rash he would never have answered you the way he did when you rebuked him for his sin. When did you give him such a rebuke?

WISEMAN: A while after God parted him and me, through the calling of me by His grace. As we went separate ways, this left him in his sins. As far as I could ever gather, he died the same way he lived, just like Mr. Badman did, but let's not get sidetracked. We aren't talking about him, so let's return to our conversation about Mr. Badman.

ATTENTIVE: Poor obstinate sinners! Do they think God can't even be with them?

WISEMAN: I don't know what they think, but I know that God has said, as he cried and they would not hear, so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of the hosts (Zechariah 7:13). Without a doubt, there is a time coming when Mr. Badman will cry for this.

ATTENTIVE: But I am amazed that he could be such an expert in wickedness so soon. It's a pity that he was just an adolescent, probably not even twenty years old.

WISEMAN: Right. He wasn't even eighteen. But, as with Ishmael, and with the children that mocked the prophet, the seeds of sin were set in motion in him at this early age.

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Therefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. (Genesis 21:9-10)

Then he went up from there unto Bethel, and as he was going up by the way, the young men of the city came forth and mocked him, saying, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back and looked on them and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two bears came forth out of the forest and tore apart forty-two young men of them. (2 Kings 2:23-24)

ATTENTIVE: Well, he was as wicked a young man as generally one will hear about.

WISEMAN: I wonder what you'll say when you know the entire story.

ATTENTIVE: The entire story? If there's even more behind all of this, please tell me. I'd like to hear it.

WISEMAN: All right, I'll tell you then. He hadn't been with his boss much more than a year and a half when he became acquainted with three young hoods, who here will remain nameless. They taught him to add more of the same kinds of sin to his life, and as expected, he received their instructions. One of them was chiefly given to moral impurity, another to drunkenness, and the third to theft or stealing from his boss.

ATTENTIVE: How regrettable. The poor wretch was bad enough before, and I suppose these ruffians made him much worse.

WISEMAN: You can be sure of it, for they taught him to be a rogue, a principal one in all their ways.

ATTENTIVE: It was an accidental meeting that he ever became acquainted with them.

WISEMAN: It is better to think it through like this: It was the judgment of God that he did. That is, he became acquainted with them through the anger of God. He had a good boss, and before him a good father. Through these two, he received good counsel for months and years, but his heart was set on malice. He loved wickedness more than doing good. His wickedness came to be hateful, and so these companions of his were sent from the anger of God, and this is how they met.

The apostle Paul said, They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a perverse understanding (Romans 1:28). And again, As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall take them away with the workers of iniquity (Psalm 125:5). And so, this was God's hand on him, so he might be destroyed and be damned, because they did not receive the charity of the truth, to be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10). God chose his delusions and deluders for him, even the company of dishonorable, immoral men, of fools, so he might be destroyed. Deceit is in the heart of those whose thoughts are evil, but joy in that of those whose thoughts are good (Proverbs 12:20).

IGNORANCE

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and chastening. (Proverbs 1:7)

Wisdom is too high for a fool. (Proverbs 24:7)

ATTENTIVE: I certainly can only think that it is a great judgment of God for a man to be given up to the company of vile men like that. Because what are such men but lures of the devil sent to deceive and mislead others into evil. He uses such people to draw the simple into his net. One who practices lewdness, a drunkard, a thief, what are they but the devil's baits by which he catches others.

WISEMAN: What you say is right, but this young Badman was no simple one, if by simple you mean one uninstructed, because he often had good advice and instruction offered to him. But if by simple you mean he was a fool regarding the true knowledge of and faith in Christ, then he was definitely a simple one. For he chose death rather than life and to live in continual opposition to God rather than to be reconciled to Him. According to that saying of the wise man Solomon, son of David, They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 1:29).

What more dreadful judgment can a fool be given to than to be delivered into the hands of such men, who are skilled at nothing but developing sin until it matures and accelerate its ripening unto damnation? For this reason, men should be afraid of offending God, because He can punish them for their sins in this way. I knew a man who was once like me − hopefully awakened about his sinful condition. Yes, I knew two who were awakened like this, but in time, they began to draw back and listen to their lusts again. Therefore, God gave them up to the company of three or four men, who in less than three years brought them forcefully to the gallows, where they were hanged like dogs, because they refused to live like honest men.

ATTENTIVE: But such men don't believe that to be given over to God in this way is judgment and anger. Instead, they take it to be their freedom to do what they want and think it is what makes them happy. They are glad their cord is loosed. The LORD is righteous; he has cut asunder the cords of the wicked (Psalm 129:4). They are glad they can sin without control and choose such companionship which can make them more expert in an evil way.

WISEMAN: And so, their judgment is so much greater, because blindness of mind is added to it, and hardness of heart, in a wicked way. They are turned over to the way of death, but must not see to what place they are going. And so, they must go as an ox goes to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, until the arrow pierces through his liver. He is as a bird struggling in the snare and not knowing that it is against his own life (Proverbs 7:22-23).

I say this makes their judgment double. They are given over by God for a while, to do as they want, which will assuredly make them mourn at the last when thy flesh and thy body are consumed (Proverbs 5:11). These are those that Peter says shall utterly perish in their own corruption, receiving the reward of their unrighteousness, as those that count it pleasure to live luxuriously every day, and at the same time they revel in their deceit, and are as natural animals without reason, made to be taken and destroyed (2 Peter 2:12-13).

ATTENTIVE: Well, now I ask concerning these three rascals who were young Badman's companions. Tell me more particularly how he stood with them.

WISEMAN: How he stood with them? Why, he did whatever they did. I hinted as much before, when I said they made him a leader in their ways.

First, he became a frequenter of taverns and alehouses and stayed until he was as drunk as a beast. And if it happened that he couldn't get out during the day, he made sure to get out at night. Yes, in the end, he became such a public drunkard that everyone knew he was a drunkard.

ATTENTIVE: This was gluttony befitting a swine, because drunkenness is such a filthy sin and contrary to the nature and dignity of man, that I wonder how anyone can give themselves up to such a beastly − even worse than beastly − thing.

WISEMAN: It is a gross empty pleasure for sure.

I will tell you another story. There was a gentleman who employed a drunkard to be his stableman. One night the man came home very much defiled with beer, and his employer saw it. "Well," the employer said to himself, "I will let you alone tonight, but tomorrow morning I will convince you that you are worse than a beast by the behavior of my horse." So, in the morning, he told his stableman to go and water his horse, and so he did. But when he finished and returned to his employer, he commanded him to water the horse again. The fellow rode into the water a second time, but his employer's horse would drink no more, so the fellow came up out of the water and told his master that the horse wouldn't drink.

Then the employer said, "You drunken dolt. You are far worse than my horse. He will drink but to satisfy nature, but you drink to the mistreatment of nature. He drinks but only to refresh himself, but you drink to impairment and harm. He drinks so he can be more useful to his master, but you drink until you are incapable of serving either God or man. Oh, you beast, how much worse are you than the horse on which you ride."

ATTENTIVE: Truly, I think his employer served him right, because in doing what he did, he showed him clearly that he didn't have as much control as his horse had. Consequently, this showed that his beast lived more according to the law of his nature, by far, than did his man. But please, go on. I'd like to hear what else you have to say.

WISEMAN: All right. I say there are four things which, if they were well considered, would make drunkenness abhorrent in the minds of people.

  1. It tends to greatly impoverish and makes a man destitute. The drunkard, says Solomon, shall come to poverty (Proverbs 23:21). Many who came into the world with plenty have gone out of it in rags because of drunkenness. Yes, many children born to good estates have been brought to flounder − living loose and disorderly, addicted to lewdness and other scandalous vices through this beastly sin of their parents.
  2. This sin of drunkenness brings many, great, and incurable diseases upon the body and no one can help them. By them men come to their end in a short time. So, because they are excessively wicked, they die before their time. Do not be hasty to condemn, neither be thou foolish: why should thou die in the midst of thy labours? (Ecclesiastes 7:17).
  3. Drunkenness is a sin often joined by an abundance of other evils. For who shall be the woe? for who shall be the woe? for who contention? for who quarrels? for who the wounds without cause? who shall have redness of eyes? For those that tarry long at the wine; those that go to seek mixed wine (Proverbs 23:29-30).
  4. Through drunkenness, men often shorten their lives. They step out of the alehouse drunk, and break their necks before they arrive home. Many instances could be given of this, but this is so obvious I don't need to go into detail.

ATTENTIVE: But worst of all is that it also prepares men for everlasting hell. Drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10).

DRINKING

The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall cause them to wear rags. (Proverbs 23:21)

For that man brings about the shame of his own house, the ruining of his family, and the damnation of his own soul. Drunkenness is a sin that is often attended with an abundance of other evils.

For who shall be the woe? for who shall be the woe? for who contention? for who quarrels? for who the wounds without cause? who shall have redness of eyes? For those that tarry long at the wine; those that go to seek mixed wine. (Proverbs 23:29-30)

WISEMAN: Yes, and it stupefies and makes the soul foolish, so that a man who is far gone in drunkenness is hardly ever restored to God. Tell me, when have you ever seen an old drunkard converted? No, such an unbelieving person will sleep until he dies. He sleeps on the top of a mast with his eyes closed fast. Even when his dangers are greater than ever with death and damnation so near, he will not be awakened out of his sleep. Thou shalt be as he that lies down in the midst of the sea or as he that sleeps at the rudder. They have stricken me, thou shalt say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not; when I shall awake, I will seek it yet again (Proverbs 23:34-35). If a person has any respect for faith, health, life, or salvation, he won't be a drunken man. But the truth is, where this sin gets the upper hand, people are, as I said before, so intoxicated and controlled by the desire for the sweetness of superficial pleasures, that they don't have the heart or mind to think about what is best − choices that, if embraced, would do them good.

ATTENTIVE: You said that drunkenness directs people to poverty, yet some make themselves rich through drunken deals.

WISEMAN: I said so because the Word says so. And while some people get rich in this way, that is certainly rare and without dignity. And such profits will end up worthless. The Word of God is clear. It is against such ways, and the curse of God will be the end of such doings.

An inheritance can sometimes be quickly acquired at the beginning, but the end of it won't be blessed. Listen to what the prophet Habakkuk said: Woe to him that covets ill-gotten gain . . . that he may set his nest on high (Habakkuk 2:9). Whether he makes drunkenness or something else the driving force and lure to get it, the one who does this only seeks the shame of his own house, the spoiling of his family, and the damnation of his soul, because what he gains by the workings of wickedness is only obtained by the devices of hell. Therefore, neither he nor his family can gain or obtain profit by that which is achieved by an evil course. But this was one of the sins that Mr. Badman was addicted to after he became acquainted with these three fellows, and with all that his boss tried to do to help, he couldn't break him from this dreadful sin.

ATTENTIVE: But since he was only an apprentice, where did he get the money to get drunk? As you have suggested, drunkenness is a very costly sin.

WISEMAN: His boss paid for everything. As I told you before, as he learned from these three scoundrels how to be an appalling drunkard, he also learned to pilfer and steal from his boss. Sometimes he would sell his boss's goods but keep the money when he could. Sometimes he cheated his boss by taking money out of his cash box, and when he could do neither of these, he carried away goods he thought his boss would least miss and send or carry them to such-and-such houses, where he knew they would be stored for his use. And then he set times to meet up with and make merry with these fellows.

ATTENTIVE: This was as bad – no, I think, worse – than what you told me earlier, because by doing this he not only brought himself under the wrath of God but also risked the ruin of his boss and his family.

WISEMAN: Sins don't travel alone. One follows the other like the links of a chain. He who chooses to be a drunkard must have money, either his own or someone else's − either his father's, mother's, boss's, robbery at the public road − some way.

ATTENTIVE: I fear that many an honest man is undone by such employees.

WISEMAN: I agree with you, but this should make the dealer more wary about what kind of employees he hires and what kind of apprentices he takes in. It should also teach him to look after his shop himself and to take strict account of everything bought and sold by his workers. In this case, the boss's neglect in these things can embolden his employee to be bad, and in the process, can bring him to nothing but rags and a morsel of bread in short time.

ATTENTIVE: I'm afraid there's a lot of this kind of pilfering among employees in these bad days of ours.

WISEMAN: Now while I'm thinking of it, I'll tell you a story. When I was in prison, a woman came to me who was in a great deal of trouble. Since I didn't know her, I asked her why she'd come to me. She said, "I'm afraid I could be damned." I asked the cause of those fears and she said, "I've lived with a shopkeeper at Wellingborough for some time, and I've robbed his money box in the shop several times of more than I will say. Please," she said, "tell me what I should do."

I told her I wanted her go to the shopkeeper and make amends with him. She said, "I'm afraid." I asked her, "Why?" She said she didn't doubt he would hang her. I told her I would intercede for her life and ask other friends to do the same, but she shook her head and said she didn't dare to attempt that.

"Well," I said, "should I send to the shopkeeper, while you hide out of sight, and make your peace with him before he sees you?" With that, I asked her the shopkeeper's name. But all she said was, "Please don't do anything until I come to you again." With that said, she went away, and never told me her master's name or her own. This was about ten or twelve years ago, and I never saw her again. I tell you this story to confirm your fears that such employees and servants exist, and that God makes them sometimes reveal themselves through the terrors He lays on them.

I could tell you of another who came to me with a similar story concerning herself, and the robbing of her mistress, but for now, let this suffice.

ATTENTIVE: But what was that other nasty scoundrel addicted to? I'm talking about young Badman's third companion.

WISEMAN: Moral impurity. I told you before, but it seems you've forgotten.

ATTENTIVE: Right, it was moral impurity. Such uncleanness is also a filthy sin.

WISEMAN: It is, and yet it is one of the leading sins in our day.

ATTENTIVE: So they say, and it's even rampant among those one would think should know better, even among notable people.

WISEMAN: That makes it even worse, because the examples set by those who are in charge and deemed important usually spread faster and more universally than the sins of other less-known people. When such people like this lead the way in sinning, then sin walks with a bold face through the land. Like the prophet Jeremiah said, it can be said of such people, for from the prophets of Jerusalem is hypocrisy gone forth upon all the land (Jeremiah 23:15) − that is, with a bold and fearless face.

ATTENTIVE: Please, let's get back to Mr. Badman and his companions again. You say one of them was very vile in the commission of moral impurity.

WISEMAN: Yes, I did say that, but he was also a drunkard and a thief. But he was most preeminent in this unclean sin of moral impurity. This nomadic life was his masterpiece, for he was a ringleader in the beastly sin of lewdness, fornication, and the practice of unlawful commerce with the other sex. He was also the most familiar with houses where such activities took place, and could readily lead the rest of his gang to them. And because the prostitutes knew this young rogue, they immediately introduced themselves in all their whorish pranks to those he brought with him.

ATTENTIVE: That is a deadly thing − I mean to young men. When such foul queens unveil themselves with words and postures that are openly tempting, it's hard for young men to escape their snare.

WISEMAN: That's true, and for this reason the wise man Solomon's counsel is best. Remove thy way far from her, and do not come near the door of her house (Proverbs 5:8). For they are, as you say, very tempting, as is seen in the Proverbs. The wise Solomon says:

I looked through my casement and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night; and, behold, a woman met him with the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet do not abide in her house: Now without, now in the streets, she lies in wait at every corner.) So she caught him and kissed him and with an impudent face said unto him, I had promised sacrifices of peace; today I have payed my vows. Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves. (Proverbs 7:6-18)

This is an example of a bold creature. And, to be sure, the very eyes, hands, words, and ways of such a woman are all snares and cords that bind to youthful, lustful men. And with these, young Badman was greatly snared.

ATTENTIVE: This sin of moral impurity is mightily cried out against by Moses, the prophets, Christ, and His apostles, and yet we see that even with all that, men still run headlong to it.

WISEMAN: How true, and I'll add that God has set a stamp of His righteous anger upon it, to hold men back from such a filthy sin. Besides the eternal damnation that awaits such people in the next world, for no fornicator nor unclean person . . . has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (Ephesians 5:5), the evil effects of it in this world are dreadful. Yes, He has commanded evil effects to follow it, so that those who are bereft of all fear of God, but who love their own health, might stop and be afraid to commit it.

ATTENTIVE: Please show me some examples, so if the occasion arises, I can show them to others for their good.

WISEMAN: All right. First, as I mentioned, the sin brings a person to neediness and poverty. For by means of a whorish woman a man is reduced to a piece of bread (Proverbs 6:26). The reason is that a prostitute doesn't offer her services without getting paid. When the devil and lust is in men, and the fear of God is far from them, it will not stop them. So they go on to accomplish their desire by pledging their signet stamp, bracelets, and their staff, rather than miss fulfilling their lusts. Then he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet and thy mantel and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave them to her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him (Genesis 38:18).

Secondly, this sin diminishes the strength of men and brings a multitude of diseases. This is something King Lemuel's mother warned him about. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Do not give thy strength nor thy ways unto the women who destroy kings (Proverbs 31:2-3). This sin is destructive to the body.

Let me tell you another story I've heard pertaining to Proverbs 31:2-3. It's about a great man who was a very lewd, unchaste person. He'd lived for so long in that sin that he had almost lost his sight. So, he sent for his physicians and told them about his disease, but they told him they couldn't do anything for him unless he abstained from his women. "No, then," he said, "good-bye, sweet sight." You can see that in general this sin, as I said, is destructive to the body. Beyond that, some men are so filled with sexual passion that they satisfy it even though it destroys their body.

ATTENTIVE: The apostle Paul also says that he who sins in this way sins against his own body. Flee fornication. Any other sin that a man does is outside the body, but he that commits fornication sins against his own body (1 Corinthians 6:18). What about that? He runs the risk of eternal damnation of his soul but will still commit this sin and risk destroying his body. If young Badman didn't fear the damnation of his soul, do you think that the thought of harming his body would have deterred him from this sin?

WISEMAN: What you say is true, but I still think if men would consider the fact that such bad effects often follow when they commit this sin, then it would at least put a stop to their general course of living this way.

ATTENTIVE: What other evil effects are there with this sin?

WISEMAN: To start with, there is the outward shame and disgrace. Particularly, a foul disease often follows this vulgar sin, which is now commonly called the pox by most people. It's a disease so nauseous and stinking, so infectious to the whole body and caused by this sin, and so common among impure women that they all more or less have a touch of it to their shame.

ATTENTIVE: That certainly is a foul disease. I once knew a man who rotted away with it, and another who had his nose eaten off and his mouth almost completely sewed up by it.

WISEMAN: It is a disease that once diagnosed usually points to lewd, unchaste living as the cause. It declares to everyone who sees such a man that he is an offensive, coarse, immoral person. Job speaks of this strange punishment which is appointed to take hold of these workers of iniquity.

LUST

She is loud and stubborn; her feet do not abide in her house. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield; with the flattering of her lips she persuaded him. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7:11, 21, 27)

As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly. (Proverbs 26:11)

ATTENTIVE: Then it seems you think that the strange punishment Job speaks of could be this foul disease.

WISEMAN: I think so and for this reason. We see that this disease is linked to this most filthy sin, and there isn't any disease connected in this way to any other sin. The fact that this is the sin linked to the strange punishment which settles on certain people lets you easily distinguish this when you read the text. I made a covenant with mine eyes; Job said, why then should I think upon a maid? For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? And then he answers himself. Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? (Job 31:1-3 KJV). This strange punishment is the pox. I also think this foul disease is what Solomon means when he speaks about whosoever commits adultery with a woman (Proverbs 6:32), that a wound and dishonour shall he get, and his reproach shall never be wiped away (Proverbs 6:33). Job calls it a punishment, and Solomon calls it a wound and dishonour. They both point to it as a distinguishing mark common to this sin, with Job calling it strange, and Solomon saying it is a reproach that shall never be wiped away.

ATTENTIVE: What other consequences follow those who commit this foul sin?

WISEMAN: Well, it is often accompanied by murder − the murder of the baby conceived on the defiled bed. Exactly how common it is for the men and women involved in this sin to consent together to murder their children will be revealed at the day of judgment, yet something of it is clear now. I will explain with another story.

This one is about an elderly man I knew. He was a man of good reputation in our country who had a mother who was a midwife. She was mostly employed in attending important, well-known people. One time a brave young man rode up to this woman's house on horseback to fetch her to come attend to a young lady. She prepared herself to go with him, and he carried her in the saddle behind him on his horse. They rode away into the night. But they hadn't ridden far when he dismounted from his horse and took the old midwife in his arms from the horse. He spun her around several times, and then set her on the horse again. He mounted and away they went, until they came to a stately house.

They dismounted, and he invited her in. He led her into a chamber where the young lady was experiencing labor pains. He told the midwife to do her duty. She demanded help, but he drew his sword and told her if she didn't hurry up and do her duty, she should expect to die. Well, to be brief, this old midwife attended to the young lady, and she delivered a fine sweet baby. Now within the hearth in a nearby room, a very great fire burned. The gentleman took the baby, went into that room and drew the coals aside and cast the child into the fire and covered it up. That was the end of that.

When the midwife had finished her work, he paid her well for her trouble, but he shut her up in a dark room all day. When night fell, he again took her up behind him on his horse, and carried her away until she was almost home. Once again, he spun her round and round like he did before. Then he delivered her to her house, set her down, bid her farewell, and away he went, and she never knew who it was. This story the midwife's son, who was a minister, told me, and he also declared that his mother told it to him as a true account.

ATTENTIVE: Murder certainly does often follow as the fruit of this sin. But sometimes God brings even these adulterers and adulteresses to shameful ends. I heard about one, I think a doctor of medicine and his whore. They had three or four bastard children between them and had murdered them all. But finally, they were hanged for it, in or near to Colchester. It came about in this way: the whore's conscience was so troubled about what they had done that she couldn't be quiet – and so she made it known. In this way, God often makes those involved in wickedness their own accusers, and brings them, by their own tongues, to their deserved punishment for their sins.

WISEMAN: There have been many such instances. I was once in the presence of a woman, a married woman, who was bedridden by the sickness of which she died. While on her deathbed, her conscience was smitten by the sin of immorality, which she had committed often with other men. While on her bed, I heard her cry out, "I am a whore, and all my children are bastards. I must go to hell for my sin, and look, there stands the devil at my bed's feet to receive my soul when I die."

ATTENTIVE: These are sad stories; don't tell me any more of them right now. Instead, if you please, show me some other evil effects of this foul sin.

WISEMAN: This sin is such a snare to the soul, that, unless a miracle of grace prevents it, it unavoidably perishes in the enchanting and bewitching pleasures of it. This is made clear by such verses as these: a whorish woman . . . will hunt the precious soul of the man (Proverbs 6:26). Whosoever commits adultery with a woman has a fault in his heart; he that does it corrupts his own soul (Proverbs 6:32). For a whore is a deep ditch and a strange woman is a narrow pit (Proverbs 23:27). Therefore her house inclines unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither do they take hold of the paths of life (Proverbs 2:18-19). She has caused many to fall down dead; yea, all the strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death (Proverbs 7:26-27).

ATTENTIVE: These are dreadful sayings, but they do show the dreadful state of those guilty of this sin.

WISEMAN: They surely do. But still the thing that makes it even more dreadful is that men are given over to this sin because they are detested by God and, therefore, they fall into the commission of this sin and live there. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein (Proverbs 22:14). This ye know, that no fornicator nor unclean person nor covetous man, who is also an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (Ephesians 5:5).

ATTENTIVE: When you put it all together, it is a dreadful thing to live and die in this sin.

WISEMAN: True, but suppose that instead of all the judgments connected to this sin, it was all the joys of this life, with no bitterness, shame, or disgrace mixed with it. One hour in hell will still spoil it all. Oh, this hellfire and damnation in hell is such an inconceivable punishment that, if it was thoroughly believed, it would nip this sin, with others, in the head. But here is the harm: those who give themselves up to these things harden themselves so much in unbelief and atheism regarding the punishments God has threatened to inflict on those who commit them, that they eventually hold an almost absolute and firm belief that there is no judgment to come in the future, or they would not or could not attempt to commit this sin with such abominable language as some do.

I heard about one man who tempted his girl into committing this sin by saying, "If you will give your body, I will give my soul." And I heard another man tempting a young maiden to commit moral impurity with him by saying that if she ended up pregnant, he could tell her how she might escape punishment − and it was somewhat extreme. He said, "When you come before the judge, tell him that you are with child by the Holy Spirit." I actually heard him say this, and it greatly bothered me. I thought about accusing him for it before some magistrate, but he was a famous man, and I was poor and young, so I let it alone, but it troubled me very much.

ATTENTIVE: That's the most horrible thing I've ever heard. How far these men are from that spirit and grace that lived in Joseph. And it came to pass as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not hearken unto her, to lie by her or to be with her (Genesis 39:10).

WISEMAN: Right. When Joseph's mistress tempted him − daily tempted him − she laid hold of him and said, Lie with me (Genesis 39:7), but he didn't listen and he refused to lie with her or to be with her. Mr. Badman would have taken the opportunity.

And let's take a moment to comment a little about what Joseph did. Here was a woman, an important woman who was the wife of the captain of the guard, and I admit a beautiful woman. In this case, the woman prevailed, and in her whorish affections came over to Joseph without him speaking a word. She made her immoral desires known. She said, Lie with me. It was a perfect opportunity, because no one else was in the house. Joseph was a young man, full of strength, and so all the more in danger of being swayed. This temptation lasted for days, but still Joseph refused her daily temptation, her daily solicitation, and her daily and continual vigorous goading.

When she caught him by the garment, she said, Lie with me, but he left his garment in her hand and rushed out. And yes, although contempt, treachery, slander, accusation, imprisonment, and danger of death followed − an immoral woman doesn't care what harm she causes if she can't have her way − Joseph wouldn't defile himself, sin against God, and risk his own eternal salvation.

ATTENTIVE: Blessed Joseph! I wish more fellows were like him.

WISEMAN: Unfortunately, more men are like Mr. Badman than Joseph, or there wouldn't be so many immoral women. For while I don't doubt that sex is bad enough this way, I truly believe that many women are lured into becoming immoral in the beginning by the flatteries of Badman and men like him. Sadly, many women are plunged into this sin at the beginning by promises of marriage. They are flattered by these promises, and yes, compelled into consenting to this deep depravity. Then once involved, they grow hardened in their hearts and surrender themselves over to it in the end, just like wicked men do, with greediness to act like this. But as you can see, Joseph thought differently because the fear of God was in him.

Before I leave this topic, let me tell you two more notable stories, two that I wish Mr. Badman's companions might hear. They are found in Samuel Clarke's A Mirrour or Looking-Glass both for Saints and Sinners. Among the stories, Mr. Clarke reports about a man by the name of Mr. Cleaver who he knew had committed the immoral act of adultery. This Mr. Cleaver fell into such fear and disgust of conscience after what he'd done that he hung himself. He left behind a note that said: "I certainly acknowledge it to be totally unlawful for a man to kill himself, but I am compelled to undertake the judge's part, because the punishment of this sin is death."

On the same page, Clarke also mentions two more, who, as they were committing adultery in London, were immediately struck dead in the very act with fire from heaven. Their bodies were found half burned up and smelled disgusting.

ATTENTIVE: These are remarkable stories for sure.

WISEMAN: Yes, they are true as well.

ATTENTIVE: I wonder if young Badman's boss knew him to be such a wretch, if he would allow him in his house.

WISEMAN: They liked one another about as little as fire and water do. Young Badman's ways were repulsive to his boss, and young Badman couldn't endure his boss's ways. So in the relationship these two had, this saying of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled: An unjust man is an abomination to the just, and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked (Proverbs 29:27). Mr. Badman couldn't tolerate the good man's ways, nor could the good man tolerate the bad ways of his immoral apprentice. Yet if he could, his boss would have kept him and taught him his trade.

ATTENTIVE: If he could! He might as well have, since he was there, right?

WISEMAN: Sadly, Badman ran away from him a couple of times and wouldn't be controlled. So, the next time he ran away, he let him go, because he'd given him no reason to run away, except trying to hold the young man's behavior in check as much as he could. But he could do little to get him to observe the good and honest rules of life. And in this case, he should have let him go. What else can a man do who has regard for his own peace, his children's good, or the protection of the rest of his employees from evil, except let him go? The house of correction would have been a better fit for him, but his boss was reluctant to send him there because of the love he had for Badman's father. I say a house of correction would have been the most suitable place for him, but his boss let him go.

ATTENTIVE: He ran away, you say. Where did he run to?

* * *

 1 Samuel 2
Chapter 4

He Gets a New Boss As Bad As Himself

WISEMAN: Mr. Badman went to a man of his own trade who was very much like himself. In this way, the wicked joined hand in hand and there he served out his time.

ATTENTIVE: Then he surely had his heart's desire when he found himself employed by one so like himself.

WISEMAN: Yes, he did, but God gave it to him in His anger.

ATTENTIVE: What do you mean?

WISEMAN: I mean the same as I said before. It was by God's providence. For a wicked man to be turned out from working and living with a good man, to go into the house of a wicked man to live is a sign of the anger of God. By such judgments, God says this to such a man: "You wicked one! You don't love Me, My ways, or My people. You throw My law and good counsel behind your back. Come, I will direct your course in My wrath. You will be turned over to the ungodly, and placed in the school of the devil. There I will leave you to sink and swim in sin, until I visit you with death and judgment." And so, this was another judgment that came on this young Badman.

ATTENTIVE: You've spoken the truth because, in effect, by such a judgment God undeniably says that He will take them out of the hand of the just and bind them up in the hand of the wicked and carry them to a place they can readily imagine.

WISEMAN: It is one of the saddest demonstrations of God's anger that happens to such people for several reasons.

By this judgment, such a person is put out of the way from under the ways ordinarily used to do good to the soul. A family where godliness is professed and practiced is God's established rule − the place which He has appointed to teach young ones the way and fear of God. For I know him, that he will command his sons and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and judgment, that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him (Genesis 18:19). So to be put out of such a family and placed into a wicked one, like Mr. Badman was, must be in judgment and a sign of the anger of God. For in ungodly families, men learn to forget God, to hate goodness, and to distance themselves from the ways of those who are good.

In bad families, they have continually fresh examples and incitements to evil, along with new encouragements too. What's more is that in such places evil is commended, praised, well spoken of, and those who do it are applauded. To be sure, this is a drowning judgment.

Such places are hangouts where the infernal spirits walk – spirits that continually poison the thoughts and minds of one person or another in such families, so they can then poison others. For that reason, watch for it and you will usually see one or two in wicked families are more cunning in wickedness than others. Such people are Satan's conduits, for through their crafty ways in wickedness, he conveys the spawn of hell through them into the ears and souls of their companions. And when they have conceived wickedness, they labor in pain with it, like a woman with child does until the child is brought forth and delivered. Behold, he travails with iniquity and has conceived of his own work and brought forth falsehood (Psalm 7:14). Some men, as is suggested here in this verse and hinted at before, have a kind of mystical but hellish coming together with the devil, who is the father, and their soul the mother of sin and wickedness. Once they have conceived by him, when it is finished they bring forth both sin and their own damnation. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:15).

ATTENTIVE: How much it must concern parents who love their children, that when their children leave home they are placed with good families where they can learn to abstain from evil and to follow what is good.

WISEMAN: It certainly does concern them. It also concerns them when they take children into their families, for they understand that they need to pay attention to which children they receive. For a young man's name, development, and family can quickly be damaged by taking in a bad boy, because the influence of one wicked and filthy apprentice can also hinder his peace as well as his disciplined pursuit after God and godliness.

ATTENTIVE: True, one sinner destroys much good (Ecclesiastes 9:18), and a poor man is better than a liar (Proverbs 19:22 KJV). But many times a man can't help it, because he is taken in at the beginning when the wicked appear honest and show promise, but in a short time they prove to be true rogues, like young Badman.

WISEMAN: That is also true, but when a man does the best he can, he can have confidence that the blessing of God will follow, or that he will still have peace, if things do go contrary to his wishes.

ATTENTIVE: But did Mr. Badman and his boss agree to such an extent? I'm talking about his last master – the one who was so much like him, I mean, since they were so well matched for wickedness.

WISEMAN: Like I told you, this second employer was bad enough, but he still often quarreled or disagreed with young Badman and scolded him and sometimes even beat him for his rebellious behavior.

ATTENTIVE: What! Even though he was so bad himself? This is like the proverb which says, "The devil corrects vice."

WISEMAN: It's like I've said. You have to understand that Badman's ways weren't suited to his master's profits. If he could have filled his boss's purse with his badness like the woman we read about in Acts 16:16 did (And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a Pythian spirit met us, which brought her masters much gain by divination), he would certainly have been his favored employee, but this was not the case with young Badman.

As a result, though his boss and he were well suited enough overall, they still differed on some things. For instance, young Badman neglected his boss's business to go to the whorehouse, and he also deceived his boss while attempting to seduce his daughters with lewdness and other similar corrupt behavior. It's no wonder then that they disagreed on these points. And while that is understandable, it wasn't just that his boss opposed these acts themselves, because he could do that while he was an apprentice, but it was that Badman, by his sin, spoiled his business and so damned his boss.

If young Badman's wickedness had tended to lean to his boss's advantage all the time, like swearing, lying, deceiving, cheating, and defrauding customers for his boss's benefit, he wouldn't have had a cross word from his boss. But this wasn't Mr. Badman's way, for he only sometimes worked for his boss's advantage.

ATTENTIVE: You tied that all together well, even the young woman we read about in Acts. There usually is a distinct difference between the wicked and wicked deeds of their servants.

WISEMAN: Sadly, when men are wicked themselves, they still greatly hate it in others, not simply because it's wickedness, but because it opposes their interests. Take, for example, the woman in Acts. Do you think her masters would have been troubled at the loss of her ability, if it didn't cause them to lose profits? No, I'll assure you that for all they cared, she could have gone to the devil. But when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, then they decided to persecute Paul. They caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city (Acts 16:19-20). But Mr. Badman's boss sometimes suffered loss by Mr. Badman's sins, and then Badman and he were at odds.

ATTENTIVE: Poor Badman. It seems there was no way he could please such a man at all times.

WISEMAN: No, he couldn't, for the reasons I've already explained to you.

ATTENTIVE: But don't bad employers condemn themselves in condemning the badness of their apprentices and employees?

WISEMAN: Yes. They condemn in others the very things they have allowed in themselves. And the time will come when every sentence which has gone out of their own mouths against the sins of others, while they live and take pleasure in the same sin, will return with violence on their own heads. For with the judgment with which ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with the measure with which ye measure, ye shall be measured again (Matthew 7:2). The Lord pronounced judgment against Baasha for all his evils in general, but also in particular because he was like the house of Jeroboam and because of having smitten him (1 Kings 16:7). This is Mr. Badman's boss's case. He's like his man, and yet he beats him. He is like his man, and yet he criticizes him for being bad.

ATTENTIVE: But why didn't young Badman run away from this evil man, like he ran away from the first boss?

WISEMAN: If I'm not mistaken, the reason was this. In the house of the first man, godliness ruled and young Badman couldn't endure that. Even though he had better food, lodging, work, time, and more by this first boss's pay than he ever had by his last boss, all this couldn't satisfy him, because godliness was promoted there. He couldn't put up with the praying, reading of Scriptures, and the hearing and repeating of sermons – he couldn't stomach being told about his sins in a sober and godly way.

ATTENTIVE: There is a great difference in the manner of reprimand. Wicked men can't put up with hearing their sins spoken against from a godly person.

WISEMAN: Yes, there's definitely a big difference. This last boss of Mr. Badman's would tell Mr. Badman about his sins in Mr. Badman's own dialect. By this I mean he would swear, curse, and damn when he told him about his sins. Badman put up with this manner of reprimand better than being confronted in a godly way. Besides, when this last master's passions and rage were over, he'd laugh at and make merry with the sins of Badman, which pleased young Badman. Nothing hurt Badman's feelings but blows, and he had only a few of those once he was pretty well grown up. For the most part, when his boss raged and swore, he'd just match him oath for oath and curse for curse, at least secretly, for as long as his tirade lasted.

ATTENTIVE: This was hellish living.

WISEMAN: It surely was, and a man might say that under the employment of this man, young Badman matured more and more in wickedness as well as in his trade. He came away from his time there with his own inclination to sin, his acquaintance with his three companions, and with the wickedness he saw in his last boss. With all these, he became a thorough, genuine sinner, and I think he was even charged with having a bastard child before he finished his apprenticeship.

ATTENTIVE: It seems he survived to finish his apprenticeship, but what did he do then?

WISEMAN: Well, he went home to his father and, like a loving, tenderhearted father, he received him into his house.

ATTENTIVE: And what transpired there?

WISEMAN: It turns out that the reason he went home was for money so he could establish himself. He stayed at home only for a short time, and during that time he refrained the best he could from his dishonorable ways, for fear his father would find him unacceptable and refuse or hold back from giving him money for a while. Yet even then he had his times when he filled his lusts with his companions, but he used to keep all of this hidden from sight. He was glad to see his old acquaintances, and they were glad to see him. And to be polite, he accommodated them with a bottle or two of wine, or a dozen or two of drink.
Chapter 5

Badman in Business

ATTENTIVE: And did his father give him money to set up a business?

WISEMAN: Yes, more than two hundred dollars.

ATTENTIVE: At the time, I think, the old man was unaware about all that was going on. If I'd been his father, I would have held him accountable until I had far better proof about whether his true behavior toward others was good, because I sense his father didn't know what a badly behaved boy he had been, both by what he used to do at home, and because he had exchanged a good employer for a bad. For that reason, he shouldn't have given him money so soon.

Instead, what if he'd gone through a little time of distress from need, and gone to do journey-work for a time so he could have known firsthand what a penny was by earning it? Then, in all probability, he would have known better how to spend it. And by that time, perhaps he'd have thought better about himself and how to live in the world. Yes, and who knows − he might have recognized himself to be like the prodigal leading him to ask God and his father for forgiveness for the wickedness he'd committed against them.

WISEMAN: If his father would have welcomed this approach in dealing with him, making it possible for the outcome you've suggested, then I would have thought like you. But unfortunately, you talk as if you've never known or have temporarily forgotten the depths and compassion of a father. Why, didn't you help your own son in this way? But it's evident enough that we are better at giving good advice to others than we are at taking good advice ourselves. But suppose Mr. Badman's father had done like you say, and by doing so drove his son to harmful choices. What benefit would that have been for either himself or his son?

ATTENTIVE: That is true, but it doesn't follow that if the father did as I said, the son would have done what you proposed. But if he did do as you have suggested, would that be any worse than what he had already done?

WISEMAN: He did bad enough, that's true. But suppose his father gave him no money, and suppose that young Badman showed a fretful dissatisfaction about it and, in anger, travelled overseas and his father never saw or heard from him again. Or suppose he felt mad and headstrong and so decided to go to the highway for money by theft, and in doing so was sentenced to the gallows, and his father and family were held in great contempt; or even if he wasn't caught and hanged, that he added more evil to all his wickedness. And what comfort would his father have in this?

Besides, when his father had done what he could for him, because he desired to make him an honest man, he would be able to lay down his head at night with far more peace than if he'd taken your advice − whether his son proved honest or not.

ATTENTIVE: No, I don't think I would have been forward enough to have given advice in this situation, but truthfully, you've given me such an account of his wrongdoings and wickedness, that hearing about it has made me angry with him.

WISEMAN: When we're in an angry mood, we can excel or surpass ourselves, but poor wretch as Badman was − he has gone to his place. But, like I said, when a good father has done what he can for a bad child, and that child proves never to improve for the better, that father will lie down with far more peace than if he'd driven him to difficulties and trouble through strictness.

I remember hearing about a good woman who, like this old man, had a bad, ungodly son, and she prayed for him, advised him, and offered him motherly guidance for several years, but he still remained bad. Finally, one day after she had been at prayer for his conversion, as was her habit, she came to him and began to admonish him again. "Son," she said, "you've been and are a wicked child. You've cost me many prayers and tears, and yet you remain wicked. Well, I've done my duty. I've done what I can to save you. Now, I'm satisfied that if I see you damned at the day of judgment, I will be so far off from being grieved for you that I will rejoice to hear the sentence of your damnation that day" − and it converted him.

I tell you, if parents carry the truth lovingly to their children, mixing their forgiveness with loving rebukes, and their loving rebukes with fatherly and motherly compassion, they are more likely to save their children than by being unpleasant and severe towards them. But if they don't save them, if their mercy does them no good, at the day of death it will still greatly ease them to think, I've done as much as I could through love, to save and deliver my child from hell.

ATTENTIVE: Well, I concede. But please, let us get back to Mr. Badman again. You say that his father gave him a portion of money from his own fortune so he might set himself up in business.

WISEMAN: Yes, his father gave him some money, and he did set up his business, but almost as soon, it shut down because of his ill management of matters at home, combined with his extravagant expenses outside of work. He was far into debt and had so little business in his shop that he couldn't pay his bills, so that he struggled to keep out of prison. But when his creditors understood that he was about to marry and, in an honest way, get a rich wife, they said among themselves, "Let's not be hasty with him. If he gets a rich wife, he will pay us all."

ATTENTIVE: By what you say, I wonder how he could run out of money so quickly.

WISEMAN: To be sure, it was a short amount of time. I don't think it was more than two and a half years, but the reason for it was clear. He was a wild young man, and at this point, he was unbridled and wholly subjected to his lusts and vices. He gave himself over to the longings of his heart, and to the sight of his eyes, forgetting that God would bring him to judgment for all these things. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth and walk in the ways of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:9). The one who does this, you can be sure, won't be able to stand on his legs for long.

Besides, now he had a number of new companions – companions who were, as you can imagine, much like himself in behavior. They didn't care who sank as long as they could swim. These companions often troubled him with frequent visits, and even visited his shop when he wasn't there. They commonly incited him to go to the alehouse, but still made him pay for quarter pints for everyone. They also borrowed money from him and didn't pay him back, except with more of their company, which he liked very much. So shall thy poverty come as one that travels and thy want as an armed man (Proverbs 6:11).

During all this time, they studied his temper. He loved to be flattered, praised, and commended for his knowledge, manhood, and celebrity. This was like gently stroking his face. In this way, they became his associates in business and got still more and more into every aspect of his life. Like horse leeches, they siphoned away the little his father had given him, and brought him down quickly, so much so that he was almost forced to become a beggar.

ATTENTIVE: The sayings of the wise man Solomon were fulfilled then. He that maintains harlots shall lose his inheritance (Proverbs 29:3), and the companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20).

WISEMAN: Yes, and also, he that is a companion of gluttons shames his father (Proverbs 28:7). His father, poor man, experienced both grief and shame to see how his son lived once on his own – how he conducted himself in the enjoyment of those good things, which he could have used to live to God's glory – how he used them for his own comfort and praise among his neighbors. But he that follows after vain persons shall be filled with poverty (Proverbs 28:19).

The way he chose to live led him directly into this situation, because who can expect anything else when they follow such paths? Besides, when he was in his shop, he couldn't tolerate being busy with work, because he was naturally given to idleness. He loved to live high, but his hands refused to work. What other outcome can be expected for such a person other than what the wise man Solomon said. For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall cause them to wear rags (Proverbs 23:21).

ATTENTIVE: I think, when he was brought low like this, he should have considered the hand of God which had gone out against him. He should have humbled himself and returned to God.

WISEMAN: Consideration − good consideration − was far from him. He was as bold and proud now as ever in his life and was as elevated in the pursuit of his sin as when he was in the midst of being completely consumed by it. He only went now like a tired, worthless nag, because the devil had ridden him almost off of his legs.

ATTENTIVE: But what did he do when almost all he owned was gone?

WISEMAN: He still did two things to act wantonly and thoughtlessly. He carried on by swearing, boasting, and lying. He acted as if all was as well as the first day he set up his business. He made it appear as if he still had more than he'd lost, and at the nod of his head, he had some companions who would swear to confirm it.

ATTENTIVE: This was double wickedness. It was a sin to say it and another to swear it.

WISEMAN: That's true, but what is evil is what he wouldn't do, and his departure from God, which I believe was true about Mr. Badman.
Chapter 6

Hypocritical Courtship and Marriage to a Godly, Rich Young Lady

ATTENTIVE: And what was the other thing?

WISEMAN: It's what I hinted about before. He looked for a rich wife, and now I've come to some more of how he invented, devised, and planned a detestable deceit, which will affirm him to be a most desperate sinner.

The thing was this. He wanted a wife − or rather, money. Because, as for a woman, he could have whores enough. All he had to do was whistle, and they'd come to do his bidding. But, as I said, he wanted money and decided he must get it through a wife or no way at all. He couldn't easily get a wife either, unless he became an artist at misleading. And he couldn't successfully mislead among people who could put on an act as well as he could. But a young woman lived near him who was both godly and had a good portion of money, but how to get her – this would take all his cunning.

He called a council made up of some of his most trusty, sly companions, and shared his thoughts with them, namely, that he had decided to marry − and he also told them to whom. "But," he said, "how will I accomplish my goal? She's religious, and I'm not."

One of his companions replied, "Since she's religious, you must pretend to be the same, and you must do this for some time before you approach her. Watch where she goes each day to hear the Word taught and go there too. But when you do, be sure to behave like you are serious as if you like the Word and think it wonderful. Make sure to stand where she can see you, and when you walk home, be sure you walk the street like one with a clear head and go within sight of her. Once you've done this for a while, then go to her.

"First talk about how sorry you are for your past sins, and show great love for the religion she is part of, and speak well about her preachers. Then mention how happy you are to make her godly acquaintance, and express sorrow that your difficult circumstances prevented you from meeting with her and the believers she meets with sooner. This is the way to get her.

"Also, you must write down sermons, talk about Scripture, and deny that you came to woo her, but that you are only drawn to her because she is godly, and that you would consider it your greatest happiness if you might have such a relationship in the future. As for her money, disregard it. Act as if it is the furthest thing from your mind. This is the way to gain quickest access to it, because in the beginning she will be protective of it and will think you are only after her money. So make no mention of it. Do this and see if you don't catch the young woman."

And so, in this manner, the snare was laid for this poor honest maiden, and she was quickly caught in his pit.

ATTENTIVE: What? You mean to say he took this advice?

WISEMAN: Yes, he did. And after a while, he boldly went to her under the mask of religion, pretending to be an honest and godly sort of the sincerest and most upright in England. He paid careful attention to follow the strategy outlined in the advice given by his companions, and quickly gained her attention, because physically he was tall, blond, and dressed in plain but very nice clothes. Along with this, he easily accomplished the guise of being religious because he'd witnessed it in the house of his father and his first boss. As a result, he readily took up the guise and put on a convincing show of it.

So, he selected the day and went to her, which he could easily do, because she didn't have either father or mother to put forth opposition to him. When he arrived he gave her a polite compliment to let her know why he'd come. He went on to tell her that he'd found a great deal of love in his heart for her, and that of all the young women in the world, he'd fixed headlong on her. He said, "If you think it fit, I'd like to make you my beloved wife."

The reasons he gave for why he had settled on her were her religious and excellent personal qualities. With such words, he pleaded with her to take his offer into her tender and loving consideration. "As for the world," he said, "I have a very good trade and can support myself and my family well, while my wife can remain at rest." He went on to tell her he had such-and-such amount of money already and that he had money coming in every day. "But that isn't the only thing I aim for. What I desire is an honest and godly wife." Then he would present her with a good book or two, pretending how much good he had gotten from them himself. Along with this, he often took time to speak positively about godly ministers, especially those whom he could see she liked most. Besides this, he often spoke to her about what a godly father he had, and what a new man he was becoming himself. And so, in this way, this treacherous schemer dealt with this honest and good girl, much to her own great grief and sorrow, as you'll soon hear.

ATTENTIVE: Didn't this young girl have a friend to look after her?

WISEMAN: Her father and mother were dead. Mr. Badman knew all this and figured she could be more easily overcome by his naughty, lying tongue. But even if she had many friends, she might still have been deceived by him, because it is too common a custom of young people today to think themselves wise enough to make their own decisions. They think they don't need to ask counsel or advice from those who are older and wiser than them. But this is a great mistake, and many of them have paid for it dearly.

To be brief, Mr. Badman obtained his desire in little time. He got this honest girl and her money. He married her, brought her home, made a feast, entertained her royally, but payment of it all came from her money.

ATTENTIVE: This was an astonishingly deceitful plan. A person will seldom hear of anything like it.

WISEMAN: By doing this, he showed how little he feared God and what little dread he had about His coming judgments, because all this behavior and all these words were a premeditated evil. He knew he lied. He knew he put on an act. Yes, he knew that he made use of the name of God, of religion, of good men and good books − but as a false pretense of his real intentions. And in so doing, he was better able to catch his prey. In all this glorious pretense of religion, he was nothing but a gloriously painted hypocrite, and hypocrisy is the highest sin a poor carnal wretch can reach.

It's also a sin that most dares God, and that also brings greater damnation. He was now a whitewashed wall − a painted sepulcher. Hypocrites! for ye are like unto whitewashed sepulchres, who indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27). He was an unseen grave. Hypocrites! for ye are as graves which are not seen, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them (Luke 11:44). For this poor, honest, godly woman had no idea that her peace and comfort, her property, her freedom, and even her very person, were all going to her burial, when she planned to be married to Mr. Badman. But that was the case, for once she married, she enjoyed herself very little. It was as if she was dead and buried to the life she'd enjoyed before.

ATTENTIVE: I'm sure some great judgment of God must accompany and overtake such wicked men as these.

WISEMAN: You can be sure they will face judgment for all these things to the full, when the day of judgment comes. But as for judgment on them in this life, it doesn't always come – not on those who are worthy of it. Those that work wickedness are prospered; those that tempted God have escaped (Malachi 3:15). But they are held in reserve for the day of wrath, and then, God will repay them to their faces for their wickedness. The wicked is reserved for the day of destruction, they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he has done? He shall yet be brought to the grave and shall remain in the tomb (Job 21:30-32). That is, ordinarily they escape God's hand in this life, except for a few examples that can be used to caution others. But on the day of judgment, they must be rebuked for their evil with the lashes of devouring fire.

ATTENTIVE: Can't you give me examples of God's wrath on people who've taken part in such an awful wicked deed like Mr. Badman's?

WISEMAN: Yes. There's Hamor and Shechem, and all the men of their city, for attempting to make God and religion a false pretense concealing their real intentions to get Jacob's daughters as wives. They were all slain with the edge of the sword, a judgment of God upon them, no doubt for their subterfuge. And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword and came upon the city boldly and slew all the males. And they slew Hamor and Shechem, his son, with the edge of the sword (Genesis 34:25-26).

All manner of lying and misleading is dreadful, but to use God and religion as a disguise to blind the eyes of others from your hypocrisy greatly provokes the Divine majesty. I knew one person who didn't live too far from our town, who secured a wife in the same way Mr. Badman got his, but he didn't enjoy her for long, because one night as he rode home from spending time with his companion in a neighboring town, his horse threw him to the ground. He was found there dead at daybreak the following morning, frightfully mangled from his fall, and smeared with his own blood.

ATTENTIVE: Please just return to Mr. Badman's story again. How did he carry on with his wife once he was married to her?

WISEMAN: No, let's take things in order as we go. He'd only been married a short time when his creditors came after him for their money. He put them off for a little while, but finally, things came to the point that he had to pay them or face something worse. So he arranged a time, and they came for their money for goods which he'd profusely spent among his whores in his past. He paid them with her money, and two hundred pounds of the money his father gave him – right before her eyes.

ATTENTIVE: This was a bad beginning for their marriage, but what can I say? It was just like Mr. Badman to do this. Poor woman. This was really a bad beginning for her. I fear it would have troubled her and filled her with fear, which I think would be the case for women much stronger than her.

WISEMAN: Trouble − you can be sure of it, but it was too late to change her mind. She should've been wary and looked after herself better when it could have done her good. Now her trouble and the harm she endured can only benefit others who learn from it, but as for herself, she had to accept what followed, even living life with Mr. Badman as her husband. And where that led her was bad enough.

ATTENTIVE: Right from the start it was bad, and yet I fear it was only the beginning of bad.

WISEMAN: You can be sure of it. That was only the start of badness, because other evils came on swiftly. For instance, just a short time after he was married he hung his religion out to dry, or really, he dealt with it like old clothes and threw it off, leaving it for others to wear. As far as he was concerned, he would be religious no longer.

Now that he'd pulled off his mask and began to show his true self – the base, wicked, immoral self − the poor woman saw that she was undeniably betrayed. And at this point, his old companions began to flock around him again and to visit his house and shop like formerly. And who joined in with them but Mr. Badman.

Now the good people who used to enjoy companionship and camaraderie with his wife began to be astonished and discouraged at his behavior. He frowned and pouted at them as if he abhorred even looking at them and, in a little time, he isolated her by driving away all good company from her. At this point, he also began to go out and about at night to visit those prostitutes and low-life women with whom he became familiar before his marriage. He stayed with them sometimes till midnight − sometimes until almost morning − and then he'd come home as drunk as a swine. This was the habit of Mr. Badman.

LYING

He called his companions together and they advised him how to get her. Then he presented her with a good book or two, pretending how much good he had gained from it. Thus was the snare laid for this poor honest maid, and she was quickly caught in his pit.

Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. (Acts 5:4)
Chapter 7

He Throws Off the Mask

When he came home late and drunk like this, if his wife spoke even a word to him about where he'd been or why he abused himself in this way, even though her meek words were spoken in love, he called her horrid names such as whore, bitch, and mean woman. And it went well for her if she ducked from his fingers and heels. Sometimes he brought his punks home, but once they left, he brought great misery to his wife if she had not entertained them in all possible ways, and to have done so lovingly. In this way, this good woman was forced by her husband, Badman, to endure nothing but disappointments in regards to all he had promised her or anything she hoped to receive from him.

But the thing that added a pressing weight to all her sorrow was that he tried to make her put away her religion in the same way he'd cast it aside for himself. He wouldn't permit her to attend the preaching of the Word of Christ, or attend any of the rest of His divine appointments for the health and salvation of her soul. Now he taunted her with disapproval and criticism when he spoke about her preachers, and would welcome and even raise scandals about them to her great grief and suffering.

At this point, she scarcely dared to go to an honest neighbor's house or to have a good book in her hand, especially when he had his companions in the house, or when his head was muddled with drink. Also, when he saw she was discouraged, he taunted and mocked her in the presence of his companions, calling her his "religious wife," his "prim dame," and other similar names. He also made fun of her when he was out among his reckless friends.

If she asked him, as sometimes she would, to let her go out to a sermon, he replied rudely, "Stay at home, stay at home and look after your business. We can't live by listening to sermons." If she still urged and he finally let her go, then he would say to her, "Go if you dare." But he also accused her of giving what he had – his money − to her ministers, when in fact, the vile wretch had spent what money he had on his useless companions. This was the life Mr. Badman's good wife lived, just a few months after he had married her.

HYPOCRISY

The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour, but the just are delivered with wisdom. (Proverbs 11:9)

ATTENTIVE: Without a doubt, this was a disappointment.

WISEMAN: A disappointment to be sure, as much as I think the poor woman ever had. One would think the deceitful fellow might have let her have a little money since, to be honest, she brought him such a sweet sum as her portion. She brought hundreds into his house. One would think he should have let her spend a little on her own desires, since she wanted it only for the service and worship of God. But could she win him over to grant that? No, not a bit. Not even if it would have saved her life.

Sometimes she would sneak out when he was away from home on a journey, or was spending time among his drunken companions, but with all secrecy imaginable. The poor woman had one advantage though. She urged all her neighbors not to divulge her secret and, even though many were carnal, they still wouldn't betray her or mention her going out to hear the Word if they saw it. Rather, they endeavored to hide it from Mr. Badman.

ATTENTIVE: This behavior of his toward her was enough to break her heart.

WISEMAN: It certainly was and effectually it did. It killed her in time. Often when she sat by herself, she mournfully wept about her situation, crying out, Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar (Psalm 120:5). My soul has long dwelt with those that hate peace (Psalm 120:6). What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? (Psalm 120:3). I am a woman grieved in spirit, my husband has bought me and sold me for his lusts. It wasn't me he wanted, but my money. I would be satisfied if he had only it, and I could have my freedom." This she said, not from contempt about him as a person, but because of his moral conditions, and because she saw that, by his hypocritical tongue, he had almost brought her to extreme poverty, but not only that – he had also robbed her of the Word of God.

ATTENTIVE: I see it is a deadly thing to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. If this woman had had a good husband, how happily they might have lived together. Such a husband would have prayed for her, taught her, and encouraged her in the faith and ways of God, but now instead of this, there's only the opposite for the poor creature.

WISEMAN: It certainly is a deadly thing and, consequently, by the Word of God, His people are forbidden to be joined in marriage with them. Be ye not, it says, unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness? and what communion does light have with darkness? And what concord does Christ have with Belial? or what part do the faithful have with the unfaithful? And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). There can be no agreement where such matches are made. Even God Himself has declared the opposite from the beginning of the world. He says, I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed (Genesis 3:15). Therefore, He says in Daniel 2:43, they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron does not mix with clay.

I say they can't agree. They can't be one, and therefore they should be aware of this from the beginning and not lightly receive such a person into their affections. God has often made such matches bitter, especially to His own. Such matches are, as God said of Eli's sons who were spared, to consume the eyes and to grieve the heart. Oh, the wailing and weeping they have experienced because they've been yoked in this way, especially if they were willing to go against light and good counsel to the contrary to be yoked in this way.

ATTENTIVE: Sadly, in Mr. Badman's case, he deluded her with his tongue, and pretended to be reformed.

WISEMAN: Well, she should have gone more warily and exerted a little more effort. What if she had informed some of her best, most-perceptive, and godly friends about this? What if she had engaged a godly minister or two to talk with Mr. Badman? Also, what if she had stayed hidden and waited for him, to discern if he acted differently behind her back than when he was before her?

And besides, I truly think if she had told the congregation about it, and appealed to them to spend time in prayer to God about it, and if she thought she must have him and accepted him based on his godliness as determined by the judgment of others, rather than her own – because she knew them to be godly, wise, and unbiased men − she would have had more peace all her life than she did, because she trusted her own poor, raw, womanish judgment. Love is blind and won't see anything wrong where others may see a hundred faults. In the multitude of counsellors there is salvation (Proverbs 11:14). As a result, I say she shouldn't have trusted her own thoughts in the matter regarding his goodness.

As to his physical appearance, she was best to judge, because she was the person to be pleased. But as to his godliness, the Word was the fittest judge, along with those who best understand it, because in that way God is pleased. I wish all young women would take care not to be deceived with the flattering words, lying speeches, and artful schemes of wicked men.

ATTENTIVE: Well, this is all in the past with this poor woman and can't be called back, so let others learn from her misfortunes so they don't fall into her same suffering situation.

WISEMAN: That's what I say. Let them be mindful, for fear their rashness will hurt them like it did this poor woman. And I think those who are still single and tempted to marry such a person as Mr. Badman should inform and warn themselves in this matter before they entangle themselves by going to someone already caught in the snare. Ask their advice. Ask them about their life and the suitableness or unsuitableness of their marriage.

Surely, they would sound the alarm about any non-equality, unsuitableness, disadvantages, uneasiness, or sins that accompany such marriages − things that would make them think twice for as long as they live. But the bird in the air doesn't know the notes of the bird caught in the snare until she finds herself there. Besides, the makeup of such marriages involves Satan, carnal reason, and lust, and inconsideration plays a big part, too. Where these things carry power and influence − plans, though never thought to be so destructive, will move forward. For this reason, I fear that with such little warning, young women are apt to suffer Mr. Badman's wife's affliction.

ATTENTIVE: But aren't there dissuasive arguments to put before such women to prevent their future misery?

WISEMAN: Yes, there's the law of God that forbids marriage with unbelievers. These kinds of marriages are condemned even for creatures void of reason. First, it's forbidden by the law of God, both in the Old Testament and in the New. In the Old it says, Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son (Deuteronomy 7:3). In the New Testament it is also forbidden. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Let them marry whom they want, only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39).

Here in Scripture we see a prohibition plainly forbidding the believer to marry the unbeliever; therefore, they shouldn't do it. Again, these reprehensible marriages are condemned by unreasoning creatures that won't couple except with their own sort. For example, will the sheep couple with a dog, the partridge with a crow, or the pheasant with an owl? No, they strictly bind themselves to those of their own sort, and when people see or hear the opposite, it causes all the world to wonder. Man is the only creature most likely to wink at and allow these unlawful mixtures of men and women, because man is a sinful beast. For this reason, by his actions he will rebelliously oppose and violate the law of his God and Creator. Nor will these or other questions be considered worth answering by him, such as: What fellowship does righteousness have with unrighteousness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). What concord? (v. 15). What agreement? (v. 16). What fellowship can there be in such marriages?

But besides this, the dangers such people commonly run into should be a dissuasive argument to others to stop them from doing the same, because aside from distresses similar to Mr. Badman's wife, many who have had very hopeful beginnings spiritually, by virtue of the harms caused by these unlawful marriages, have miserably and fearfully fallen short. For it doesn't take long after such marriages for conviction, the first step towards heaven, to cease. This is followed by the cessation of prayer, the next step towards heaven, as well as the termination of hungering and thirsting after salvation. In a word, such marriages alienate them from the Word, from their godly and faithful friends, and bring them into carnal company again, among worldly friends, and also into fleshly delights in which they have both sinfully lived and miserably perished.

And this is one reason why God has forbidden this kind of unequal marriage. For they will turn away thy son from following me that they may serve other gods; and the anger of the LORD will be kindled upon you and destroy thee suddenly (Deuteronomy 7:4). Now note that some in Israel, despite this prohibition, went on to marry heathens and unbelievers. But what followed?

They served their idols, which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled with their own works and went a whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. (Psalm 106:36-40)

ATTENTIVE: But let's get back to Mr. Badman. Did he have any children by his wife?

WISEMAN: Yes, seven.

ATTENTIVE: I don't doubt they were badly brought up.

WISEMAN: Of the seven, one of the children loved his mother dearly and constantly listened to her voice. So she had the opportunity to instruct that child in the principles of Christian religion, and he became a very gracious child. But Mr. Badman couldn't tolerate that child, and so he seldom spoke a pleasant word to him and often scowled and frowned at him, and spoke rudely and relentlessly to him. And while this child was the feeblest of the seven, he felt the weight of his father's fingers most often.

Three of his children directly followed in his steps and began to be as vile as he had been in his youth. The others became a kind of mix of professors of faith − not so bad as their father, nor so good as their mother, but somewhere between the two. They had their mother's ideas and their father's actions and were much like those you read about in the book of Nehemiah. These children were half from Ashdod; they could not speak in the Jews' language, but rather according to the language of each people (Nehemiah 13:24).

ATTENTIVE: What you're talking about can be seen and, if I'm not missing the mark, I'd say it happens often in situations where such unlawful marriages are agreed to.

WISEMAN: It sometimes does and the reason, with respect to their parents, is this. In cases where one parent is godly and the other is ungodly and vile, though they can agree in conceiving children, they struggle once their children are born. The godly parent strives for the child by prayers, counsel, and good examples. They work to bring up the child holy in body and soul, and fit for the kingdom of heaven. But ungodly parents want the child to become like them − wicked, immoral, and sinful, and so both parents instruct their children accordingly.

Did I say instruct? Yes, and by example too, examples in line with their individual ways of thinking. The godly, like Hannah, presents her Samuel to the Lord, but the ungodly, like those who went before them, are in favor of offering their children to Molech, to an idol, to sin, to the devil, and to hell. And so, when it comes to the children, one observes the law of their mother and is saved from destruction, while another does what their father did. This was the situation with Mr. Badman and his wife. Between them, they each had some of their children believing as they did, but the other three were like mongrels with a mix of both. They were like those you read about in 2 Kings − they feared the Lord but served their own idols. As I said, these children had their mother's beliefs, and I will add, her profession of faith too, but they also had their father's lusts and to some degree his manner of life.

Now their father didn't like them because they had their mother's tongue, and their mother didn't like them because they still had their father's heart and manner of life. They were undeniably suitable company for good or bad, but the good wouldn't trust them because they were bad, and the bad wouldn't trust them because they were good. To be exact, the good wouldn't trust them because their manner of living was bad, and the bad wouldn't trust them because in their words they were good. So, they were forced to join with those similar to them, namely, people who were hypocrites like themselves. They fit with them and, with them, they lived and died.

ATTENTIVE: Poor woman. She must have been bewildered.

WISEMAN: Yes, and also the poor children who were ever sent into the world as the fruit of the loins and under the management of such a father as Mr. Badman.

ATTENTIVE: You're right, because such children are faced with all manner of disadvantages, but we must say nothing because this too is the sovereign will of God.

WISEMAN: While we can't in any way object against God, we can still talk about the advantages and disadvantages children face by having either godly or ungodly parents.

ATTENTIVE: You're right. We can. So, since we are talking about it, can you tell me briefly what advantage those children who have godly parents have above others?

WISEMAN: I can, but first I must premise what I have to say with these two or three things. First, they don't have the advantage of election because of their fathers' intentions or objective. Second, they are born like any other, the children of wrath, even though they come from godly parents. Third, grace doesn't come to them as an inheritance because they have godly parents. Now that we've made these things clear, I will proceed with a short list of advantages.

  1. The children of godly parents are the children of many prayers. They are prayed for before and prayed for after they are born. And the prayers of a godly father and godly mother accomplish much.
  2. They have the advantage of what parental restraint is possible. Their parents can see what evils they are inclined toward and keep their behavior in check − this is a second mercy.
  3. They have the advantage of godly instruction and of being told what is and is not right in the eyes of the Lord.
  4. These ways are commended to them and spoken of positively in their hearing − that they are good.
  5. Also, such children are guided away from evil company, from evil books, and from being taught the habits of swearing, lying, Sabbath-breaking, mocking good men and good things, and other similar things. This is a very great mercy.
  6. They also have the benefit of a godly life set before them doctrinally by their parents, and that doctrine is backed with a godly and holy example. And all these are very great advantages.

Now on the other side of this, the children of ungodly parents lack all these advantages, and so are more in danger of being carried away by the error of the wicked. For ungodly parents don't pray for their children, nor can or do they thoroughly instruct them. They don't attempt to restrain them from evil in a godly manner, nor do they keep them from evil company. They aren't grieved over such things, and they don't warn their children to be wary of such evil actions which are extremely hated by God and all good men. They let their children break the Sabbath, swear, lie, and be wicked and vain. They don't encourage their children to live a holy life, nor do they set a good example for them to see. No, they do the reverse of all of this and put a barrier between their children and the love of God and all good men when they can, as soon as they are born. Therefore, it's a very great judgment of God on children to be the offspring of base and ungodly men. They were sons of fools and men without names; they were lower than the earth (Job 30:8).

ATTENTIVE: Well, before we leave the topic of Mr. Badman's wife and children, I have a question, if you please. I want to ask a little more detail about one thing that I'm sure you can satisfy for me.

WISEMAN: What is that?

ATTENTIVE: A while ago, you said that this Mr. Badman wouldn't allow his wife to go out to hear the godly ministers as she liked to do, and that he said, if she did, she had better never come home again. Did he often say such things to her?

WISEMAN: Yes, he often did so. I've told you this and more, but other things caused her trouble too.

ATTENTIVE: Please go on.

WISEMAN: All right, I will. Once on a Lord's Day, she was going to hear a sermon and Mr. Badman was unwilling for her to go. But it seems this time she showed more courage than usual, and she put forth a great many reasonable words and pleas. She hoped by them she might perhaps prevail, but it did no good. Finally, she said she would go anyway and gave this reason for her decision. She said, "I have a husband but also a God. My God has commanded me, and that upon pain of damnation, to be a continual worshiper of Him and to walk in the way of His established duties. I have a husband, but also a soul, and my soul ought to mean more to me than all the world. I will look after and care for this soul of mine and, if I can, provide it a heaven for its habitation. You are commanded to love me, as you love your own body, and I love you in this way, but to tell the truth, I give preference to my soul and I will seek its salvation before all the things of this world." For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).

At this, first he breathed an ugly wish against her and fell into a fearful rage and swore that if she did go, he would make both her and all her damnable brotherhood – for it pleased him to call them such – regret their coming there.

ATTENTIVE: What would he mean by such a thing?

WISEMAN: You can easily guess what he meant. He meant he would become a passionate communicator, and so either weary out those she loved from meeting together to worship God, or make them pay dearly for doing so. He knew if he did this it would displease every vein of her tender heart.

ATTENTIVE: Do you really think Mr. Badman would have been so dishonorable?

WISEMAN: Yes, because he had enough hatred and hostility in his heart to do it. But he was also a tradesman, and he knew he must live alongside his neighbors. So because of that bit of knowledge, he refrained himself in his anger and didn't do it. But, as I said, he had enough hatred and hostility in his heart to make him do it, but he thought it would be harmful to his trade and so he decided to do these three things: First, he put others in place to mistreat and abuse her friends. Second, he was glad when he heard about any harm that happened to them. And third, he laughed at her when he saw she was troubled about them. So that was Mr. Badman's way.

ATTENTIVE: Wasn't he afraid of the judgments of God that flew around him at that time?

WISEMAN: He didn't give a single thought to the judgment or mercy of God, because otherwise he wouldn't have lived like he did. But what judgments do you mean?

ATTENTIVE: I'm talking about judgments that might have made Mr. Badman hang his head if he had seriously taken notice of them.

WISEMAN: Have you ever heard of a person like him being reached by the judgments of God?

ATTENTIVE: Yes, and I believe you have too, though you must consider it extraordinary.

WISEMAN: To my astonishment and wonder I have.

ATTENTIVE: In that case, please tell me what you know in regards to this, and perhaps I can also tell you something on the same subject.

WISEMAN: In our town, there was one man known as W. S. who led a very wicked life. He felt he must spy on believers and speak against them to the magistrate. He was diligent in this business and kept watch at night, climbed trees, and roamed the woods during the day to find out, if possible, where believers met, because at that time, meetings took place out in the open in the fields. He cursed them bitterly and swore most fearfully about what he would do to them when he found them.

After he followed this strategy for a while, like a lunatic, and had done some harm to the people, he was stricken by the hand of God. First, although he could speak naturally at will, he was now taken with a flattering in his speech. For weeks, he couldn't speak any other way, much like a drunk man. Then he started to drool and slobber from his mouth; it was so excessive that sometimes the saliva would hang from his mouth to about halfway to the ground. Along with this, a weakness overtook the sinews in the back of his neck so that he often couldn't look up, unless he clasped his hand hard against his forehead and held his head up that way. After this, his ability to speak went quite away, until he could do nothing but grunt and make an ugly noise like a swine or a bear to let people know he was offended or pleased.

He continued in this situation for about half a year or thereabouts. In all other ways, he was well and could go about his business, except once when he fell from the bell as it hangs in our steeple. It's a wonder that didn't kill him. But after that, he walked about taking care of business, until God had made a sufficient spectacle of His judgment of his sin. Then, all of a sudden, he was stricken and died miserably. And that was the end of him and his doings.

And while we are at it, let me tell you of another informer who felt it his duty to report to the magistrate any knowledge of violations of law. This took place about four miles from St. Neots, where a gentleman had a manservant who acted as a personal attendant to his employer. This lusty young man wanted to be an informer, and it distressed some people. He perfected his delivery of information so effectually against some, that there was nothing further to do but have the constables bring trouble or hardship on the people so he could have their money or goods. And from what I heard, he hurried them to do it.

Now, one day while he was in the heat of his work, while he stood by the fireside, it seems he decided to help himself to a sop from the pan hanging from the spit. So, he readied the piece of bread to dip it into the sauce, when suddenly a dog – some say his own dog – took a distaste at something and bit his master's leg. All the methods used to cure him did nothing and the bite turned gangrene. It turns out that the wound was his death and a dreadful one at that. My relator said the man lay in a sorry condition due to this bite from the beginning, until his flesh rotted off before he left this world.

But why do I need examples of particular people when the judgment of God against these kinds of people has been demonstrated in most of the counties in England where such poor creatures lived? I wish that neither I nor anybody else could tell you more of these stories − true stories − that are neither lie nor fiction.

ATTENTIVE: Well, I've heard about both of these myself, along with others just as remarkable. But let's leave those who are like this behind to others or to the coming of Christ, who will justify or condemn them as the merit of their work will require. Or, if they repent and find mercy, I will be glad to hear that as well, because I don't wish a curse on the soul of my enemy.

WISEMAN: There can be no enjoyment in telling such stories, though to hear them may give us a sense of satisfaction. They can remind us that there is a God who judges on the earth, and who doesn't forget or delay to hear the cry of the destitute. These stories also carry both caution and advice to those who survive such situations.

Let us tremble at the judgments of God and be afraid of sinning against Him, and it will be our protection. It will go well with those who fear God.

ATTENTIVE: Well, as you have suggested, I think we've spoken enough about these kinds of people at this time. If you please, let's return to talking about Mr. Badman − if you have any more to say about him.

WISEMAN: More? We've scarcely begun to thoroughly cover all the particulars which are full of badness. We've only looked into them slightly, but we will let them go and move on with his story.

You've heard about the sins of his youth, about his apprenticeship, and how he set up his business, married, and what a life he led with his wife. Now I will tell you more about his trickery. He had a real knack for dishonesty and deception. As I said before, he was obliged to serve an apprenticeship and, in all these things, he couldn't have been more cunning − he couldn't have been more skillful at it.

ATTENTIVE: Or perhaps so scheming either. No one can teach goodness like God Himself, and no one can teach a man concerning sin, dishonesty, and deception like the devil, whom I perceive Mr. Badman went to learn from in his childhood and until the end of his life. But please, go ahead and start.

WISEMAN: All right, I will. You might remember that I told you about his financial condition before he married, and how he married a rich wife and used her money to pay his debts. How, when he paid his debts, he had some money left and set up his business again as briskly as ever. He kept a great shop, hustled a great trade, and ran himself into great debt again, but this time he wasn't just in debt to one or two, but fell into the debt of many. In the end, he owed some thousands and this went on for a good while.

To better pursue his scheming plan, he studied how to please all men and to make himself look good to any company. He could now be like them and talk like them; that is, if a potential business contact listed, then he listed when he sensed that by so doing he might make them either his customer or creditor for his commodities. When he dealt with honest men, he did so in the same way honest men did. He acted like them, talked like them, and seemed as sober as them. He talked about things such as justice and religion just like them, and he talked against excess in the pleasures of gluttony and intemperance, but primarily, he spoke against habitual lewdness and the excessive unlawful indulgence of lust. Yes, he dishonestly put on a show as if he disliked such things.

Again, when he landed among those who were bad, then he acted like them, but more cautiously and carefully, in order to be sure they were like him. Once he verified them to be scoundrels like himself, he supported it openly and acted like them, saying things like, "Damn them and sink them," as they say. If they criticized good men, he joined in. If they complained about religion, he matched them. If they talked nasty, worthless, or carelessly, so did he. If they were in favor of drinking, swearing, whoring, or any similar wrongdoing, so was he. This was now the path he walked, and he could do it all as well as any man alive with his plotting and schemes. And with such success, he thought himself a perfect man, looking at himself as nothing but a boy until now.

Hearing all this, what do think you about Mr. Badman now?

ATTENTIVE: Think! Why, I think he was an atheist, because no one but an atheist can do such things. I say a man such as this Mr. Badman can be nothing else. He must be a rank and stinking atheist, because anyone who believes in God or the devil, heaven or hell, or death and judgment hereafter can't act like Mr. Badman did, I mean, if he could do these things without reluctance and examining of his conscience − if he had no sorrow and remorse for such abominable sins as these.

Informer, are you in the tree?

Take care lest you there hanged be;

Look, likewise, to your foot -- hold well,

Lest if you slip, you fall to hell.

WISEMAN: No, he felt no such thing as reluctance or remorse of conscience for these things. He actually considered them to be excellent qualities proceeding from his accomplishments − the essence of his cleverness, his rare and singular virtues that few, besides him, could claim to be the masters of. And so, those who were overwhelmed and stopped at things and couldn't in good conscience, for fear of death and judgment, do such things − he called them fools and simpletons and accused them of being frightened by talk of unseen bugbears. He encouraged them, if they wanted to truly be men, to work hard to attain this excellent art of his.

He often pleased himself with thoughts about what he could do in this regard. He'd say to himself, "I can be religious and irreligious. I can be anything or nothing. I can swear, and speak against swearing. I can lie, and speak against lying. I can drink, keep company with women of ill fame, be immoral, defraud, and not be troubled because of it. I enjoy myself, and I'm master of my own ways, for they do not master me. This I have attained with much study, great care, and more pains." But he knew he didn't dare divulge this to his wife. He only said such things to himself or to his associates with whom he knew he could say anything.

ATTENTIVE: Did I call him an atheist? I might better call him a devil or a man possessed with one devil, if not with many. I don't think there's many a man like this which can be found. Though what is said of King Ahaz is true − that he sinned more and more. King Ahaz in the time of his distress trespassed even more against the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:22). And of Ahab, that he sold himself to work wickedness (1 Kings 21:25). And of the men of Sodom, that they were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly (Genesis 13:13).

WISEMAN: He was no doubt an atheist, if there is such a thing as an atheist in the world. But for all his brags of perfection and security in his wickedness, I believe at times God let down fire from heaven into his conscience. God distributes sorrows upon them [the wicked] in his anger (Job 21:17). True, I believe he quickly put it out and grew more wicked and desperate afterward, but this also led to his destruction, which you'll hear about in time.

But I don't agree with your assumption that there are only a few such people in the world, unless you mean those with the degree of wickedness he attained. For otherwise, there's no doubt an abundance of people like him − of the same mind, principles, and conscience, and who put them into practice. Yes, I believe many endeavor to reach the same stature of wickedness, and all of them are like him concerning the judgment of the law. Their desire to attain hellish cleverness will not excuse them at the day of judgment.

When it comes to all knowledge, you know that some are more cunning than others, and that's how it is in the ability and practice of wickedness. Some are double and some sevenfold more the children of hell than others − and yet they are all the children of hell – otherwise, they'd all be masters and none would be students in the school of wickedness. But there must be masters, and there must be learners. Mr. Badman was a master in this art, and for that reason it follows that he must be a principal rogue.

ATTENTIVE: You are right. I can see that some men, even though they desire it, aren't so cunning in the practice of wickedness as others, but are what some call fools and dunces to the rest. Their minds and limited capacities won't serve them to act and do so wickedly. But Mr. Badman didn't lack a wicked mind to scheme or a wicked heart to put his wickedness into practice.

WISEMAN: True, yet on the day of judgment I say such men will be judged, not only for what they are but also for what they desire to be. For if the thought of the foolish is sin (Proverbs 24:9), then without a doubt, the desire of the foolish is more sin. And if the desire is for more, the endeavor to gain it must also be more and more. So, the one who isn't naturally a scheming atheist and evildoer, if he desires to be so − if he tries to be so − he will be judged and condemned to hell for it. The law judges men, as I said, according to what they want to be. Whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28).

By the same rule, he who wants to steal does steal. He who wants to cheat does cheat. He who wants to swear does swear, and the one who wants to commit adultery does so. For God judges men according to the working of their minds, and says, for as he thinks in his soul, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). This means what he is in his heart, in his intentions, in his desires, and in his endeavors, and I say that God's law lays hold of the desires, intentions, and endeavors, even as it lays hold of the act of wickedness itself. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? No, in no wise. But, I did not know sin except by the law; for neither would I have known lust if the law did not say, Thou shalt not covet (Romans 7:7). And so, a man who desires to be as bad as Mr. Badman – who desires to be so wicked, with many desires and intentions in his heart − even though he will never attain that proficiency in wickedness, he will still be judged as bad, because it was his desire to be such a wicked person.

ATTENTIVE: I still can't get the amount of wickedness found in Mr. Badman out of my mind. This hard, desperate, or, perhaps better said, this diabolical frame of heart was a foundation in him and a groundwork for all his acts and deeds that were evil.

WISEMAN: The heart − the desperate wickedness of it – is the foundation and groundwork of all. Atheism – professed and practical – springs out of the heart along with every other kind of evil.

It's not the bad deeds that make a man bad. In truth, the one who does bad deeds is already a bad man, because he must be wicked before he can do wickedness. Wickedness proceeds from the wicked (1 Samuel 24:13). Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit (Matthew 7:16-18).

ATTENTIVE: Now I understand why Mr. Badman was so dishonorable as to scheme to get a wife through deception and to mistreat her like a scoundrel once they were married. It was because his heart was wicked and prepared to act wickedly.

WISEMAN: You may be sure of it.

For he had said that it is what comes out of the man that defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, come forth the evil thoughts, the adulteries, the fornications, the murders, the thefts, the covetousness, the wickedness, the deceit, the lasciviousness, the evil eye, the slander, the pride, the unwiseness: all these evil things come out from within and defile the man. (Mark 7:20-23)

Mr. Badman was a man whose naughty mind inclined him to make use of any of these to gratify his lust, to promote his plans, to seek revenge, to seek for mere personal gratification, to enrich himself, or to live in gross wickedness in the foolish pleasures and pastimes of this life. He did all these to the highest degree. If he saw the opportunity, or could for a sum of money or by violating a vow accomplish his purpose, he did it.

ATTENTIVE: A sum of money? Since he married a wife with so much money, couldn't he have done almost anything he wanted because he had such money?

WISEMAN: Stop there. You have to realize that some of Mr. Badman's sins were costly, like his drinking, the use of the services of prostitutes, and keeping other bad company. Even though he was a man who had many ways to get money, he had too many ways to spend it as well.

ATTENTIVE: You mean to say his trade was so good, even though he was such a bad man? Or was his calling so lucrative for him that it kept his purse full, even though he was a great spender?

WISEMAN: No, it wasn't his trade that did it, it was that he had a crafty trade too − another way to get money, and that by hatsful and pocketsful at a time.

ATTENTIVE: I trust he wasn't a highwayman robbing people, was he?

WISEMAN: I will be careful in what I say about that. While some have muttered about him riding out now and then, and how no one knew where he went overnight, but that he came home all dirty and weary the next morning, that is not my point.

ATTENTIVE: Please let me know it, if you think it is suitable.

* * *

 2 Kings 17:33

 Sink them is an unusual kind of oath that wishes the body or mind might be depressed. Shakespeare used the word in reference to mental suffering: "If I have a conscience, let it sink me."
Chapter 8

Badman Is Bankrupt and Gets a Lot of Money

WISEMAN: I will tell you. He had an art for breaking to get hatsful of money.

ATTENTIVE: But what do you mean by Mr. Badman's breaking? You're speaking rather mystically, aren't you?

WISEMAN: No, no, I speak plainly. But if you want it in plainer language, it is this: when Mr. Badman had shown off and spent most of his wife's inheritance on prostitutes, he began to feel like he couldn't stand on his own much longer and continue in this way of life and keep up his trade and reputation in the world, except by the new means of breaking. For this reason, when the time was right, he made a great and sudden rush into several men's debts, to the value of about four or five thousand dollars. At the same time, he greatly boosted his trade by selling many things for less than they cost him, to get him business. With these tactics, he blinded the eyes of his creditors to his true situation.

As a result, his creditors saw he had a great trade and figured that over time it could turn into a very good account for them. And so, they freely trusted him and so did others, because they saw the façade of value he had created. When Mr. Badman had well feathered his nest with other men's goods and money, after a little time he made a break. And before long the news spread that Mr. Badman shut up shop, was gone, and was no longer in business.

By the time his creditors heard that he had made a break, he had cunningly taken steps to protect what he had and to make it impossible for his creditors to touch a penny. Once he had all this in place, he sent out somber letters sprinkled with sweet words to his creditors. These letters let them know what had happened to him and that he desired that they not to be critical in regards to him, because his intensions were honest towards all men. His letters suggested that he would pay back what he owed so far as he was able.

He sent his letters by a man – an ally in league 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 came to these creditors, he complained to them about Mr. Badman's situation but also showed that he too was unhappy about it. He told them that unless matters were brought to a speedy conclusion, there would be no hope of Mr. Badman satisfying his debt to them, but at present he both could and would do all in his power to make things right. And to that end, he desired to come meet with them.

So, his creditors appointed a time to come meet with them, and meanwhile, he authorized another person to negotiate and settle with them, because he wouldn't be seen by them unless it was on a Sunday, for fear they would serve him with a warrant. As a result, his delegated friend negotiated with them about their concern with Mr. Badman. First, he told them about the great care Mr. Badman would take to satisfy them and everyone to whom he owed anything, as far as his abilities allowed, and how he expected to be in this low condition for just a short time.

He also explained the magnitude of the charge against him, and how it resulted from high taxes, the bad financial times, and that he suffered great losses with many of his customers. Some had died in his debt, others had run away, and for many who were alive he never expected a penny from them. The man explained that, while this was true, Mr. Badman still intended to show himself an honest man and pay as much as he was able. And if they were willing to come to terms, he would draw up a mutual agreement with them regarding terms or conditions for the settlement, because he wasn't able to pay them all.

The creditors asked, "What will he give?"

He said, "Ten cents on the dollar." At this they began to huff, and he renewed his complaint and petition, but the creditors wouldn't listen, and so at that time their meeting broke up without success. But after his creditors had a chance to cool down, they had second thoughts and admitted that they feared delays could cause them to lose everything. And so they agreed to a second discussion. They came together again and, with many words and great argument, they obtained sixteen pennies on the dollar. So, the money was produced, releases and discharges were drawn up, signed, and sealed, debts were crossed off the books, and everything was confirmed. With this fraudulent bankruptcy accomplished, Mr. Badman could show his face out in public again, and was better off by several thousand dollars than when he shut up his shop.

ATTENTIVE: And did he actually do this?

WISEMAN: Yes, I think he did this two or three times.

ATTENTIVE: And did he do it before he needed to do it?

WISEMAN: Need! What do you mean by need? There was no need at any time for this man to play the role of a false, deceitful fellow. He did it from a wicked mind to purposely defraud and deceive his creditors. He had funds to live on from his father and also through his wife, along with legitimate work like any other honest man. When he made this wicked break, even though he had been a prolific and wasteful spender, he also had the means to pay his creditors what he owned them down to the last cent. But he did all of this with a dishonest outlook and with a wicked goal. Namely, he knew he had had the ability to pay but chose to continue to drink and keep the company of harlots and to live in full swing of his lusts, just like he did before.

ATTENTIVE: Why, this was a clear cheat.

WISEMAN: It certainly was. This way of breaking is nothing less than a neater way of thieving, of picking pockets, of breaking into shops, and of taking from others what does not belong to them. But while it seems easy, it's hard to learn. No one who has a conscience toward God or man can ever become a master in this hellish skill.

ATTENTIVE: What a wicked man this Badman was.

WISEMAN: Yes, a wicked man indeed. Using this talent, he saw ways to make men send their goods to his shop and make them glad to take a penny for that which he had promised four pennies before they were delivered. I say, he could make them glad to take five pennies for a dollar's worth, and a thousand for that for which he had promised to give them four thousand dollars.

ATTENTIVE: This maintains that Mr. Badman had very little conscience.

WISEMAN: This says he had no conscience at all, because conscience − even the least spark of a good conscience – can't endure this behavior.

ATTENTIVE: Before we go any further in matters regarding Mr. Badman, let me ask you, if you please, to give me an answer to these two questions. First, what do you find in the Word of God against such a practice as we've discussed regarding this Mr. Badman? And second, what would you have a man do who is in his creditor's debt and can't pay what he owes him and who can no longer stay in business?

WISEMAN: I will answer you as well as I can. As to the first question, this is what I find in the Word of God against such a practice as Mr. Badman's. The Word of God forbids this wickedness. To make it even more odious in our eyes, it joins it with theft and robbery. Thou shalt not, says God, defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him (Leviticus 19:13). It says, Thou shalt not defraud, which means to deceive or delude. In this way, to break is to defraud, deceive, and delude, which is, as you see, forbidden by the God of heaven. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him. It is a kind of theft and robbery, to defraud and delude in this way. It is an abhorrent robbing of his shop and picking of his pocket. It's repulsive to reason and conscience, and contrary to the law of nature. It is a planned case of wickedness and therefore a double sin.

A man can't perform this great wickedness on the spur of the moment or through a violent charge by Satan. The one who commits this sin must have time to deliberate. He needs time to make it a formidable plan – to use resourcefulness, lies, and a high degree of subterfuge. He who commits this wickedness must first hatch the plan on his bed, hammer the details out in his head, and put his strong plot in place. That means it takes many connecting sins to work hand in hand to complete such wickedness. But what does Scripture say? Let no one oppress and defraud his brother in any matter because the Lord is the avenger of all such (1 Thessalonians 4:6).

But this kind of breaking goes beyond this. It encompasses my brother – surrounds him, so I can catch him in my net. As I said, it's an art and skill to rob my brother and to pick his pocket with his consent! This doesn't lessen the odious offense, but in fact makes it that much greater. For men who are hurt by this stratagem can't help themselves. They're taken in to a deceitful net. But God will involve Himself − He will be the avenger of all such people, either here or in the next world.

The apostle Paul testifies again to this when he says, But he that does wrong shall receive the wrong which he has done, now that there is no respect of persons (Colossians 3:25). That means that for anyone, no matter who he is, if he is guilty of this sin of going too far, of deceiving and doing wrong to his brother, God will call him to account for it and will pay him with vengeance for it too, for there is no respect of persons.

I might add that this wrongdoing, this sin of going too far and defrauding my neighbor, is like that first malicious act which the devil played with our first parents, like the altar that Uriah built for Ahaz which was fashioned after an altar which stood in Damascus. It was to be an exact replica. And Urijah, the priest, built an altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus; so Urijah, the priest, made it while King Ahaz returned from Damascus (2 Kings 16:11). Eve said, The serpent beguiled me (Genesis 3:13), and Mr. Badman beguiled his creditors. The serpent tricked Eve with lying promises of reward, and in the same way Mr. Badman tricked his creditors. The serpent said one thing and meant another, when he charmed Eve, and so did Mr. Badman when he beguiled his creditors.

Consequently, the person who deceives and beguiles his neighbor imitates the devil. He takes his examples from him and not from God, the Word, or good men. And this is what Mr. Badman did.

And now to your second question, namely, what I would have a man do who is in his creditor's debt and can't pay him or continue in business any longer. First of all, if this is his situation and he knows it, he shouldn't go into debt to his creditors even one penny more, because that can't be done in good conscience. The person who knows he can't pay and still runs up debt knowingly does wrong and defrauds his neighbor. And he falls under the sentence of the Word of God, which says, The wicked borrows and does not repay (Psalm 37:21). And what's worse is that he borrows even when he knows he can't pay it back and also craftily takes what belongs to his neighbor. And so, to a person in this situation, the first thing I suggest is not to fall any further into his creditors' debt.

Let him then consider how he came to be in such a situation that he can't pay his just debts. Specifically, he needs to look at whether it was by his own carelessness or negligence in his trade, or by a manner of living too high or the way he dressed, or by lending too lavishly from what he didn't own to his loss, or whether it was by the immediate hand and judgment of God.

If he finds that this has come upon him through his own carelessness or negligence in his trade, extravagancies in his family, or the like, then let him work to gain a sense of his sin and wickedness, because he has sinned against the Lord. First, he has sinned in his being idle in business and not providing by the sweat of his brow or other honest ways for those of his house, not slothful in earnest care, but fervent in the Spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11). But if any provide not for his own and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).

And secondly, he has sinned by living above his means or dressing too lavishly, or lending to others what doesn't belong to him − this can't be done with a good conscience. It goes against reason and nature, and as a result must be considered a sin against God. Consequently, if this debtor has done this, and if he ever hopes to live with integrity quietly and comfortably in the future, let him humble himself before God and repent of this wickedness. He also that is negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift (Proverbs 18:9). He who is lazy and a time waster too is certainly a double sinner.

But again, while such a person looks into these things, he should also ask himself, "How did I come into this behavior which has resulted in such an unsuccessful outcome? Is it the way my parents brought me up and put me in an apprenticeship, or is it by providence I was first thrust into my trade? Or is it that I've manipulated my situation because I wasn't content with my original lot in life which I was cast into by God and my parents?" This ought to be appropriately considered. And if a man finds he isn't in the suitable position or business in which he was placed by his parents or the providence of God, and he's failed in a new way − through pride and dislike of his first situation, then he's chosen to fail rather than embrace it. The fruit of his pride and the mark of God's judgment is on him for leaving his first situation. And for this he ought to humble himself and be penitent before the Lord.

But after all this, if he finds his poverty isn't the result of any of these, and that an honest search reveals he can say with good conscience that he hasn't strayed from where God has placed him but has lived within God's calling, worked hard, and still fared unsuccessfully, though he dressed reasonably, and didn't directly or indirectly make away with his creditors' goods, then his fall came upon him by the immediate hand of God, whether through visible or invisible ways. Sometimes it comes through visible ways, such as by fire, thieves, loss of cattle, or the wickedness of sinful dealers, etc. And sometimes by means invisible, and in those situations no one knows how it happens. We only see things are happening but can't see how or why they go in that direction. Anyhow, suppose a man is brought to the point that he has nothing left but a morsel of bread by the immediate hand of God; what must he do now?

I say his surest way is still to think that it is the result of some sin, though possibly not sin in the management of his business, but some other sin. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish, but wickedness shall cast out the wicked (Proverbs 10:3). For that reason, let him still humble himself before his God, because His hand is upon him, and ask, "What sin have I committed, for which this hand of God is upon me?" Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:6). And let him diligently seek to find it out, for some sin is the cause of this judgment, for God does not afflict nor grieve the sons of men from his heart (Lamentations 3:33). Either the heart is set too much on the world, or walking in faith in God is much neglected in your family or something. There is a snake in the grass, a worm in the gourd − some sin is within your heart and is the reason God is dealing with you in this way.

Thirdly, when this is done, let that man again consider that God may be changing his situation and position in the world. He has let him live in fashion, in fullness, and in abundance of worldly glory, and during these plentiful times, he didn't develop good qualities or live to God's glory as he should have with all such blessings bestowed on him. Instead, when he became full and fat he rebelled against God. But Jeshurun (the upright one) waxed fat and kicked; (thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou hast covered thyself) and forsook the God who made him and lightly esteemed the strong One of his saving health (Deuteronomy 32:15). As a result, God will now turn him to a common life of low rank full of difficulties, with leanness, hunger, and need. He may spend the rest of his days living like this, but let him do so without complaining and feelings of discontent. Instead, let him live in a godly manner, submitting himself to the judgment of God. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in his high status; and he who is rich, in his low status, because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away (James 1:9-10).

This is the submission owed to God and can be an opportunity for those who are under this hand of God to encourage them in this hard work, for it is a hard work. Consider these four things.

  1. It is right to lie down under God's hand, and it's the way to be exalted in God's time. When God wanted Job to embrace the dunghill, he embraced it, and said, The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21).
  2. Consider that there are also blessings that go with lowly external circumstances, more than all the world is aware of. A poor condition has preventing mercy with it. The poor, because they are poor, aren't capable of sinning against God like the rich man does. Those that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches (Psalm 49:6).
  3. The poor person can more clearly see himself saved by the providence of God than the rich, for he trusts in the abundance of his riches.
  4. It may be God has made a person poor because He wants to make them rich. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this world that they might be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those that love him? (James 2:5).

I am persuaded that if men under this hand of God would quietly lie down and humble themselves, they would find more peace and blessing from God with them in it than most people are aware of. But receiving discipline and correction is hard and, as a result, I don't expect many to read my counsel with pleasure or a desire to take it.

Having spoken about the broken man in this way, in regards to his own self, I will now speak about how he stands in relation to his creditors. The next thing such a man should do is to follow the most honest way of dealing with his creditors, and I think it must be this:

First, let him make known to them his financial situation in a timely manner. And along with this, he should do these three things.

  1. Let him wholeheartedly and with all sincerity ask them for forgiveness for the wrong he has done them.
  2. Let him offer them ALL, and I mean ALL that he has in the world. Let him hide nothing, but be willing to give them the shirt off his back. Don't even let him keep back a ring, a spoon, or anything from them.
  3. If these first two steps won't satisfy them, then let him offer them his body to be under their authority, either to accept imprisonment at their pleasure or to be at their service until he has made amends as they see fit, through labor and travel, only keeping something from his work for the support of his poor and distressed family, which is his responsibility to take care of. In this way, he will make what amends he is able for the wrong he has done them in wasting and spending their estates.

By doing this, he submits himself to God's discipline and commits himself to accept the position of His providence. Yes, by doing this he places the fate of his present and future condition into the lap of his creditors and leaves the determination of it completely to the Lord, in whatever way He inclines their hearts to act. The lot is cast into the lap, but the judgment thereof is of the LORD (Proverbs 16:33). Whether that means to forgive him or accepting what he has with satisfaction, or to place him under hardship according to law, leave the determination entirely to God. Let the matter be what it will, and that man will have peace of mind afterward.

Comforts amid these circumstances will be comforts which come with equity, justice, and responsibility, and they will mean more to him because they are more in line with godliness than comforts which accompany the fruits of injustice, fraudulency, and deceit. Besides, the sentence from his creditors is a way to engage God's favor, because when his ways are pleasing in His sight, He will cause the enemy to wish him well. I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction (Jeremiah 15:11). When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7). And surely, for a man to seek to make restitution for wrongs he's committed to the best of his ability with what he is, has, and enjoys in this world is the best way a man can spend his time.

But he who does otherwise lives in his sin. He willingly chooses a high estate, though not attained in God's way, but when God's will is that he drop to a low rank, he refuses God's providence. He desperately says in his heart and by his actions, "I will be my own chooser, and do things my own way, whatever the consequences."

ATTENTIVE: What you've said is good and makes sense to me, but suppose Mr. Badman was here, couldn't he object to what you've said? Couldn't he say, "Go and teach your brothers who profess Christ this lesson, because they are as guilty as I am of manipulating situations to get what doesn't belong to them. I'm inclined to think they are also guilty of what you call my dishonest way of breaking, and are also guilty of neglect in their calling and living above their means. Besides that, the whole world knows they have the skill to plead for things by uniting simple ideas to create a complex idea that can't be questioned. And that's also the usual way they use to hide their linen, plates, jewels, and some think money and goods besides. It's as common as four eggs for a penny, and in this way they appeal to men, corrupt their consciences, sin against their profession, and it's feared, fulfill their lusts in all this." I say, if Mr. Badman was here he'd object in this way. What would you have to say to him?

WISEMAN: What would I say? I'd say I hope no good man − no man of good conscience, no man who either fears God, or respects faith and the peace of God's people or the salvation of his own soul would do such things. Perhaps there may be people who profess Christ who act like this. If men profess Christ and make their profession a stalking horse to lure their neighbors out of their estates, like Mr. Badman did when he wooed the woman who sorrowfully became his wife, who can stop it?

The churches of old were pestered with such people, and so it's no surprise if such perilous, difficult times are true. But notice how the apostle Paul words it:

Ye do wrong and defraud and do this to your brothers. Know ye not that the unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor homosexuals nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:8-10)

In the last days, perilous times shall come. For there shall be men who are lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, evil speakers, disobedient to their parents, unthankful, impure, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without temperance, without meekness, without goodness, traitors, rash, puffed up, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

None of the people who live in this way will be saved, nor will their profession deliver them from the disapproval of the godly once they show themselves to be such people. But we can't stop them from making a false profession. And how can we control whether or not men decide to assign themselves titles like holy ones, godly ones, zealous ones, self-denying ones, or any other such glorious title? And while they call themselves such names, they are the worst rogues partaking in all evil, sin, and wrongdoing imaginable. But who can stop it?

True, they are a scandal to religion, a grief to the honest-hearted, an offense to the world, and a stumbling stone to the weak. These offenses have come, do come, and will come, no matter what all the world can do, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes (Matthew 18:6-8). For this reason, let such professors be disowned by all true Christians, and let them be counted among those dishonorable men of the world because by their actions that's who they most resemble. They are Mr. Badman's kin, because they are a shame to religion. I say, these active, deceitful, rob-shop, pickpocket men are a shame to religion, and men of true faith should be ashamed of them. God places such men as this among the fools of the world, and so let's not have Christians put them among those who are wise about heaven. As the partridge that steals that which she did not hatch, is he that gets riches and not with righteousness; in the midst of his days he shall leave them, and at his end shall be a fool (Jeremiah 17:11). And the man we are discussing is one of these, and for that reason he must fall by this judgment.

A professor of faith! And practices such wickedness as this! Such a person isn't worthy to bear that name Christian any longer. We can talk to such a person, like the prophet spoke to the rebellious in the house of Israel: Go, serve ye each one his idols . . . if ye will not hearken unto me, but do not pollute my holy name any longer with your gifts and with your idols (Ezekiel 20:39). We should say, "Go, professors, and stop professing faith in Christ unless you lead lives matching your profession. It's better for you to never profess than to make such a profession a false pretext, concealing your real intentions to sin, deceit, the devil, and hell. The foundation and rules of Christianity allow no such thing.

Receive us, says the apostle Paul, we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man (2 Corinthians 7:2). This suggests that those who are guilty of wronging, corrupting, or defrauding anyone shouldn't be admitted to the fellowship of believers. Nor should they be listed with believers. Men can't prove themselves fit for the kingdom of heaven, or to be men of good conscience with all their rhetoric and eloquent speaking. Consider that godly plea of Samuel: Behold, here I am; witness against me before the LORD and before his anointed. If I have taken anyone's ox or if I have taken anyone's ass or if I have defrauded anyone or if I have oppressed anyone or if I have received a bribe from anyone to blind my eyes, I will restore it you (1 Samuel 12:3). This was certainly the behavior of a man of good conscience. He was so justified in his appeal that, in the consciences of the whole congregation, they were united and with one voice they broke out and said, Thou hast not defrauded us nor oppressed us (1 Samuel 12:4).

If a professor defrauds, away with him! A professor of Christ shouldn't owe anyone anything but love. A professor of Christ should provide things, not from other men's belongings or property, but from his own honest acquisitions, and to do so not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of all men so he can enhance the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

ATTENTIVE: But suppose God strikes a professor's circumstances and his trade, and his supplies run out before he is aware of it. Must he be viewed to be like Mr. Badman and fall under the same reproach as him?

WISEMAN: No, not if he's dutifully done all he could to avoid it. It is possible for a ship to sink at sea, even under the hand of the most faithful and skillful pilots under heaven. And in this way, I suppose it was with the prophet who left his wife in debt and his children in danger of being enslaved by the creditors. Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried unto Elisha, saying, Thy slave, my husband, is dead; and thou knowest that thy slave feared the LORD; and the creditor is come to take my two sons to be his slaves (2 Kings 4:1). Her husband wasn't one to squander or defraud, because the Scripture says he feared the LORD, but like I said, his means ran out and she didn't have enough to pay the debt.

If God causes a man to take a loss, who can help it? Ye look for much and find little; and when ye lock it up at home, I shall blow upon it. Why? said the LORD of the hosts. Because my house is deserted, and ye run each one of you unto his own house (Haggai 1:9). Sometimes He does so because He changes how He deals with us and tries friendships. While this is true, He also overthrows the wicked with His judgments. All these things are seen in Job. But people should take all of this into consideration and take care to deal honestly, for fear they will suffer such things for their sin.

It should also warn them to be careful about sliding further into the world through means of little merit, rather than in an honest way. Rather, let them make their retreat in a godly way, because the further into the world's way they go the greater the fall. It should also teach them to beg God's blessing on their efforts − their honest and lawful efforts. And it should cause them to diligently look at what steps they take, so if they hear the ice crack beneath their feet, they can judiciously step back again. With all these things considered and duly put into practice, if God causes a man to experience loss, then let him be content, and along with Job embrace the dunghill. Let him pay what he owes and not fight against the providence of God, but rather humble himself under His mighty hand, which comes to strip him naked and bare. He who does otherwise fights against God and declares that he is unacquainted with Paul's experience. I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to have an abundance; in everything and by all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need (Philippians 4:12).

ATTENTIVE: But I don't believe Mr. Badman made a distinction between things devised and those that come by necessity.

WISEMAN: If he didn't, God will through conscience − not just your own conscience but the consciences of all those who have seen the way and known the truth of the condition of such a person.

ATTENTIVE: Well, let's move on and leave this matter and return to the topic of Mr. Badman again.

WISEMAN: Very well. I'll proceed with all my heart to relate to you in a methodical manner what hasn't yet been told about his life, in relation to our conversation about his death.
Chapter 9

Badman's Fraudulent Dealings to Get Money

ATTENTIVE: Please, try to tell it with as much brevity as you can.

WISEMAN: Why, are you weary of my relating of things?

ATTENTIVE: No, but I prefer to hear a great deal in few words.

WISEMAN: I confess I'm not skilled that way, but I will cover what I can of his past life as briefly as I can. Again, I'll start with his fraudulent dealings. I've shown you this with his creditors, and so now I'll show you how he did this to his customers and those he had to deal with otherwise.

In his dealings with them, he used deceitful weights and measures. He kept one set of weights to buy things and another to sell things – methods by which to buy and different methods by which to sell. Those he bought by were too big, and those he sold by were too little.

Besides, he also used a thing called sleight of hand. If he had to make a deal using other men's weights and measures, he turned to manual resourcefulness and, while his customer or seller looked on, he typically performed some trick to turn the deal to his own advantage. Along with this, he was skilled at figuring wrong to his advantage, whether by weight, measure, or money. Such incorrect figuring often proved to be his worldly advantage and their loss.

What could his customers say to Mr. Badman at this point? And if they did question him regarding whether his figures were accurate, he had his servants ready to vouch for him and swear to his accounting or his word. This was Mr. Badman's practice. So, what do you think about Mr. Badman now?

ATTENTIVE: Think! Why, I can only think he was a man who, if left unchecked, was a wicked man. These things you describe, just like his other behavior, were bad things. If a tree ought to be judged by its fruits, then Mr. Badman is clearly a bad tree.

For a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit; neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush do they gather grapes. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil, for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45)

But please, further satisfy my curiosity. Show me now, by the Word of God, the evil of his practice, first regarding his use of false weights and measures.

WISEMAN: The evil of that! Why, the evil of that is clear to every eye that sees it. Unbelievers who live like beasts and bullies, in many ways, despise and hate such wickedness. Just let a man see such goings-on as he walks by, and even through natural understanding, he'll see enough to make him loathe such an evil practice, although Mr. Badman loved it.

ATTENTIVE: But can you show me something out of the Word against it?

WISEMAN: To be sure. First, look into the Old Testament. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measurement of land, in weight, or in other measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin shall ye have (Leviticus 19:35-36). This is the law of God, and according to the law of the land, all men ought to obey it. Along with this, there is the verse that says, Ye shall have just balances and a just ephah and a just bath (Ezekiel 45:10).

Now having showed you the law, I'll also show you how God takes to men deviating from it. Double weights are an abomination unto the LORD (Proverbs 20:23). And a false balance is abomination to the LORD (Proverbs 11:1). Some have honest weights, but false balances, and by false balances and honest weights, they deceive the country. For this reason, God commands first of all that the balance be made honest and true. Otherwise, they are nothing more than deceivers, despite their just weights. God has commanded that men have an honest balance and has testified that a false one is an evil practice to Himself. Then He proceeds on to weights and measures. Thou shalt not have in thy bag different weights, a great and a small (Deuteronomy 25:13), that is, one by which to buy and another by which to sell, like Mr. Badman. Mr. Badman also had these. But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have, that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God gives thee. For all that do such things and all that do unrighteously are an abomination unto the LORD thy God (Deuteronomy 25:15-16).

You can see how plentiful and to the point Scripture is in this matter. But a person might object by saying that all these verses are from the old law, and for this reason they have nothing to do with those of us under the New Testament. I'm not saying I think you would object in this way, neighbor, but in case someone does pose this foolish objection, let's also answer it from the New Testament.

First, the one who makes this objection − if he does so to thwart the authority of those verses – will discover he is first cousin to Mr. Badman, because an honest man is willing to speak respectfully about those commands. I doubt the man who speaks against these verses, in this way, has only a little if any conscience regarding good. But let's look into the New Testament, and we'll see how Christ confirms these same truths. For we can see here that He commands that a good measure be made to others and also a good weight. He tells such people they can be encouraged to do so. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye measure out it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38), that is to say, from both God and man.

You see, in the same way God shows His indignation against the dishonest man by taking away even what he has, He will also deliver up the dishonest man to the oppressor, and the extortioner will take from him in the same way he has taken from his neighbor. Another Scripture says, When thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to dealing treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee (Isaiah 33:1). The New Testament also reviews men's trading practices, including their weights and measures. This is evident from these general appeals. Do not defraud one another (1 Corinthians 7:5). Lie not one to another (Colossians 3:9). Let no one oppress and defraud his brother in any matter because the Lord is the avenger of all such (1 Thessalonians 4:6). Whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17), to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:12), along with others. All these instructions and commands show consideration for how we live and talk with others in our dealing and trading and, consequently, they forbid all actions which are false and deceitful – all corrupt behavior.

Now that I've briefly shown you that these things are bad, next I'll show you where God says they are to be found, for the conviction of those who use them.

  1. They are not to be found in the house of the good and godly man, because his God abhors them. But they are to be found in the house of evildoers, such as Mr. Badman. Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked and the scant measure that is abominable? (Micah 6:10). Despite God's forbidding, despite God's demonstrations of anger against them, they still do such things. Oh, how unwilling the wicked are to let go of a sweet, gainful sin, once they have hold of it. They tightly hold deceit and refuse to let it go.
  2. These deceitful weights and measures aren't to be found in the house of the merciful, but in the house of the cruel − in the house of those who love to oppress. He is a merchant who has the balances of deceit in his hand; he loves to oppress (Hosea 12:7). He is inclined to oppression and cruelty, and for that reason he uses such wicked things in his profession. Yes, he is an actual cheat, and, as I hinted at before concerning Mr. Badman's breaking, I say again concerning his use of these deceitful weights and measures – it's as bad and as immoral as stealing a purse, or picking a pocket, because it's plain robbery. It takes away from a man that which belongs to him, even the value of his money.
  3. Deceitful weights and measures aren't to be found in the house of those who feed the hungry and clothe the poor, but will be found in the house of those who want to swallow them up. Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, and cut off the poor of the land, saying, When the month is over, we will sell the wheat; and after the sabbath day we will open the storehouse of bread, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit; that we may buy the poor for money and the needy for a pair of shoes and sell the refuse of the wheat. The LORD has sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works (Amos 8:4-7). This is such a detestable and vile thing in the sight of God.
  4. God despises even the thoughts of business dealings of those who use false weights and measures; they are to be known as impure ones or something comparable. Can I be pure with false balances and with a bag of deceitful weights? (Micah 6:11). No, by no means. They are impure ones. Their hands are defiled and deceitful profits are in their houses. They've gotten what they have by evil greediness, and therefore must and will be counted among the impure, among the wicked of the world.

So, you see how complete and clear the Word of God is against this sin, and those who use it. And for that reason, Mr. Badman is rightly rejected from having his name listed among the godly, because he used to defraud and cheat his neighbors by using these things.

ATTENTIVE: But I'm convinced that using these deceitful practices isn't considered such a great evil by some.

WISEMAN: Whether it is considered an evil or a virtue by men doesn't matter. You see by the Scriptures that the judgment of God is upon it. It wasn't considered an evil by Mr. Badman, nor is it thought to be evil by those who still walk in his ways. But it doesn't matter how men regard things, but rather let us adhere to the judgment of God, because in the way we've weighed and measured to others, God will weigh and measure to us and our actions. And when He does so, as He soon will, then woe to the one about whose actions it will be said, TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting (Daniel 5:27). God will pay back their evil of deceiving upon their own head, when He shuts them out of His presence, favor, and kingdom, forever and ever.

ATTENTIVE: It's a wonder, that since it was Mr. Badman's common practice to do this, one or more people didn't discover the truth and blame him for this wickedness.

WISEMAN: With the majority of people, he got away with clever practices. With his balance, his false balance and good weight, along with his sleight of hand to boot − he misled them by his skill sometimes a little and sometimes more. In fact, he misled most he dealt with. Besides, those who use this wicked practice are either like blind men with an outward appearance of religion, or they bully the buyer with words.

I admit, Mr. Badman wasn't such a preeminent scoundrel at first. I mean, at first, he didn't cheat people using a pretense of religion, but he began to grow threadbare, while some of his brothers and sisters were renowned enough for this practice. Remember at the start of this, I told you he had a great many companions and none of them were good. They were known for bullying, swearing, and lying, and when they applied these things to weights and measures, they were seen as suitable to Mr. Badman's customers.

ATTENTIVE: So it seems he kept good weights and a bad balance, which is better than if both were bad.

WISEMAN: Not at all. The depth of his deceit ran deep, because if someone discovered what he was doing, he scarcely used them. And if they wanted their just weight of things, he replied, "Why, didn't you see them weighed? Don't you believe your own eyes? If you question my weights, please carry them to whatever place you want. I will claim them to be good and honest." He said the same about his scales, and so, in this way, he blinded the discernment of all by his balance.

ATTENTIVE: This certainly is cunning, but like you say, something must be done or said to blind them in this way, and I can see this is what Mr. Badman did.

WISEMAN: Yes, he blinded people in many ways and, while his tactics were never out in the open, he didn't hide them behind a pretense of religion. While he cheated his wife with this ruse, he was too well known by those who lived near him to do that. When he did try it, he botched it. But some people are outstanding in this wickedness, for they look like they live a totally religious life, while they are guilty of these most horrible sins.

Religion and true professors of faith are never at more of a disadvantage. As Luther says, "In the name of God begins all mischief." For hypocrites have no other way to bring their evil ways to maturity than by using and mixing the name of God and religion with them. As a result, they become whitewashed walls. By this white − the white of religion – they hide the dirt of their actions. In this way, they become like graves that don't appear to be graves, and those who go over them − that deal with them − are unaware of them and permit themselves to be deluded by them. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whitewashed sepulchres, who indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27).

If a doubt should arise in the heart of a buyer about the weight and measure, as will sometimes happen, he allows his senses to be deluded when his customer's religion comes to mind. He thinks that his good customer is concealing nothing, like himself, because he doesn't begin to dream that his customer can deceive. But if the buyer finds out the truth, it will become clear that he has been pulled in through deceit. Then amends will be made, and Mr. Cheat will be restored and perhaps fault will be laid upon his servants. And so Mr. Cheat will continue in business as if he is an honest man in the eyes of his customer, even though he will pick his pocket again the next time.

Some justify their cheating by saying it is a common practice, as if that can acquit them before the tribunal of God. Others claim they bought an item for such and such a price, and so, another must take it for a certain price with a lack of weight or measure. But in all these things, there are sleight-of-hand tricks, or if not that, such people know they must follow justice and righteousness (Deuteronomy 16:20).

Suppose I'm cheated with forged money. Does that mean I have to cheat another in the same way? If this is bad in the whole, it is also bad in segments. Therefore, no matter how you are dealt with in your buying, you must still deal honestly in selling or you sin against your soul and become like Mr. Badman. And know that to claim it is a custom is worthless. It's not a custom or routine that will help at God's tribunal, but rather a good conscience.

ATTENTIVE: I'm convinced that anything gained by men in this way does them little good.

WISEMAN: I am of the same mind regarding that, but this doesn't even cross the minds of those who think like this. Because if they can get it, even though they get the devil and all, by their getting, they are still content and think their getting is a significant success.

Why do they think like that? They don't really know, anymore than they consider what they will do on the day of judgment before God Almighty for receiving what they do wrongly. They don't think about it at all.

But to give you a more direct answer, this kind of gain does them no good at all, because by it they lose their own souls. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36). He loses then − he who attains a thing in this fashion loses greatly. This is the man who is careful and economical in small matters while being wasteful or extravagant in large ones. This is the one who loses his good sheep for a halfpenny worth of tar,  who loses a soul for a little of the world. And as a result, what does he get by it but loss and damage. In this way, he gets or rather loses as regards to the world to come.

But what does he get in this world, other than hard work and sorrow, annoyance and disappointment? Men aim at getting happiness, I mean, worldly happiness, but the man who tries to get happiness like this won't have it. For even though an inheritance can be hastily gotten in this manner at the beginning, in the end they won't be blessed by it. They gather it and think they will keep it, but what does Solomon say? The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish, but wickedness shall cast out the wicked (Proverbs 10:3). Thy riches and thy treasures I will give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders (Jeremiah 15:13). All thy treasures I will give to the spoil, because of the sin of thy high places throughout all thy borders (Jeremiah 17:3).

As I said, the time they enjoy it will do them no good at all in the long run, because in the end they must not have it. For God will either take it away in their lifetime or in the following generation, according to Job. He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver (Job 27:17).

Also, take into account what is written in the Proverbs. A good man shall leave an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just (Proverbs 13:22). So, what does a person get then who gains through dishonest means? Why, he gets sin and wrath, hell and damnation, and now tell me how much does he get.

We can be bold and say, along with David, that this is what he receives. Behold, these [are the] ungodly men, who prosper in the world (Psalm 73:12), and I have seen the foolish taking root, but at the same time I cursed his habitation (Job 5:3), for thou shalt not prosper in them (Jeremiah 2:37). For a while, he can make a commotion, bully, and cause trouble, but God has determined that both he and what he does will melt away like grease, and any observant person can see it is so. Look at the unrighteous man who gets much in an unjust way and loads himself with thick clay. Woe to him that multiplied that which was not his! And for how long would he pile thick clay upon himself? (Habakkuk 2:6). It rapidly withers. It decays and even he, or the generation following him, declines and returns to poverty. And this Mr. Badman, along with his cunning and crafty tricks to get money, did die, and no one can say whether he's worth a fourth of a penny or not.

ATTENTIVE: I think he knew every swindle possible for a man to get money. One would think he should have been rich.

WISEMAN: You calculate a little too fast when you consider his sly trickery to get money, because he had more deception besides this. If things were difficult for him and he thought he could take advantage of them, he had the customers in his books come in anyway. He imposed his worst – even a very bad commodity on them for the price the best was sold at, like those who sold the chaff or the worst of the wheat, making his unjust weight heavier than it should be, while hoisting up the price. When the month is over, we will sell the wheat; and after the sabbath day we will open the storehouse of bread, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit (Amos 8:5).

This was Mr. Badman's way. He bought inferior goods far below value and then sold them at the price of the best. He also had a trick in which he mingled his commodity so his bad goods could be sold off with the least mistrust. Besides, if his customers paid him money, he would usually attempt to call on them or their acquaintances for that payment again, especially if he thought there was hope of making money by this trick. If they couldn't produce sufficient proof regarding the payment, they paid it again a hundred to one. Sometimes the honest buyer in the marketplace demanded his employees give a receipt to show proof of the payment, but they were trained by Badman and answered as he would answer, so they found no relief that way.

ATTENTIVE: It is a bad, yes, an abominable thing for a man to have such employees. For by such methods a poor customer can be ruined and have no idea how to help himself. Sadly, if the boss is so unconscionable, as I perceive Mr. Badman was, to call for his money twice, and if his employee willingly swears that the debt is due, where can such a man turn for help? He must sink, because there's no remedy.

WISEMAN: This is very bad, but it is also a practice that's been around for hundreds of years. But what does the Word of God say about it? I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit (Zephaniah 1:9 KJV).

Mr. Badman was also skilled at getting an advantage over a man if his marketman didn't dare to stand up for him or if the commodity he wanted couldn't be conveniently purchased elsewhere. If that was the case, let him look out because Mr. Badman would surely force his purse strings open, and he'd extract what he wanted without pity or conscience.

ATTENTIVE: That was extortion, wasn't it? Please, I'd like to hear your judgment about extortion − what it is, and when is it committed.

WISEMAN: Extortion is pressure from men more than from the law of God or righteous men. It is sometimes carried out by those in office, in regard to fees, rewards, and similar things, but it is most commonly committed by men of trade, who without conscience have the advantage when they make their neighbor their prey. In this way, Mr. Badman was an extortioner. Even though he didn't exact and take money forcibly like bailiffs and clerks do, he made use of his opportunities with such cruelty, that in his own way he often extorted and forced money out of his neighbor's pocket. Every man who takes advantage of his neighbor's pressing needs like prey and forces him to pay more than current prices − prices above reason − can very well be called an extortioner and is judged as one who has no inheritance in the kingdom of God. Know ye not that the unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor homosexuals nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

ATTENTIVE: This Badman was certainly a sad scoundrel.

* * *

 Purses were worn in Bunyan's time, hanging to the girdle or slung over the shoulder. A pickpocket was then called a "cut-purse."

 Many ecclesiastical instruments of terror, spoliation, and death, began with "In the name of God. Amen." That sacred name has been, and now is, awfully profaned and prostituted to the vilest purposes.

 This is a sad mistake. Such getting is a curse. Cursed be the deceiver (Malachi 1:14). I will curse your blessings (Malachi 2:2).

 Modern editors, not so well aware as Bunyan of the value of tar as a medicine for sheep, altered the word to ship. A halfpenny worth of tar will serve a sheep but not a ship.

 This was attempted when Bunyan was released from his cruel imprisonment by the king's pardon. One instrument included the names of nearly five hundred sufferers, and because the fees upon a pardon were twenty pounds, "the covetous clerks did strive to exact upon us," says Whitehead, "by demanding that sum upon every name." Further application to the king put an end to this exaction.
Chapter 10

Simple Christian Views of Extortion

WISEMAN: You've said this often, but now that we are talking about this, allow me a little time to go on. We have a great many people in this country who live their entire lives in this practice, and so they are under the guilt of extortion – people who regrettably reject the idea of being regarded as such.

For example, suppose a poor man and his family live many miles from the market, and he wants a bushel of ground corn, a pound of butter, or cheese for himself, his wife, and his poor children. Because he lives so far from the market, if he goes there, he'll lose a day's work, which will be financially devastating since he is a poor man. So he goes to one of his bosses for what he needs and asks him for help. His boss says, "Yes, you can have it," but with it he oppresses him with cruel extortion, making him pay as much or more because he is buying it at home. He ends up paying the price he could get when he's carried it five miles to a market. And he charges the same if he refuses their product or service. The women are especially confused by this, and they sell their butter, cheese, and other things to pay this kind of extortion. It turns the poor into prey because of their need, and it's a grinding of their faces, a buying and selling of them. What do you mean that ye beat my people to pieces and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of the hosts (Isaiah 3:15).

Above all this, your hucksters buy up the poor man's provisions at wholesale prices and sell them back to him for unreasonable profits at retail prices. And so, a little at a time, they fall into this way and play their game paying a stinging rate of extortion. For example, those who buy up butter, cheese, eggs, bacon, etc. at wholesale, sell it again to the poor, through unwelcomed payments which they are forced to make for the week after the market is past.

Many of them bite and pinch the poor by this kind of evil dealing. They destroy the poor because they are poor, and that is a serious sin. He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches and who gives to the rich shall surely come to want (Proverbs 22:16). Then God says again, Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither destroy the destitute in judgment: For the LORD will judge their cause and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them (Proverbs 22:22-23).

Oh, if only those who lay hold of and grind the face of the poor in this way would take notice of these Scriptures. In them, we see that the destruction of the estate of those who oppress the poor is threatened. Yes, and the destruction of the soul too. We will better see where and in what condition that is when the day of doom arrives. But as for the worldly holdings of such people, they usually quickly gather dust and decay. Sometimes everyone knows this, and sometimes no one knows how.

Besides, these are people who loaned money and took interest for it. Yes, they charged interest for food and drink, which is something the Lord forbids. Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother, usury of money, usury of food, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury (Deuteronomy 23:19). And because they can't do as well financially on market day, they do it, as I said, when the market is closed, because that's when the poor fall into their traps. They are forced by poverty to get what they can to meet their need, and as a result they are committed to pay severely for it. Perhaps some will find fault for my meddling in other folks' business and for prying into such secret sins, but to such people I would say, since such actions are evil, it is time they were hurled from the world. Because all who do such things offend God, wrong their neighbor, and like Mr. Badman, provoke God to judgment.

EXTORTION

Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither destroy the destitute in judgment: For the LORD will judge their cause and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. (Proverbs 22:22-23)

ATTENTIVE: God knows there's an abundance of deceit in the world.

WISEMAN: Deceit, oh yes, but I haven't even told you a fraction of it. Nor is it my goal to get to the bottom of that dunghill. What would you say if I dissected some of those wicked wretches called pawnbrokers? You know the ones I'm talking about. Those who lend money and goods to poor people forced by necessity into such difficulty. These pawnbrokers, by one trick or other, make a deal but lend with interest amounts to thirty, forty, and sometimes even fifty dollars a year, aside from the principal which is secured by sufficient collateral. And in the end, they'll keep that too, if they find some indirect method by which they can cheat the pitiful borrower.

ATTENTIVE: I declare! Such scoundrels are annoying parasites not fit for society, but I think by some of the things you said earlier you seem to imply that it's not lawful for a man to make the best amount of money he can.

WISEMAN: If by "make the best" you mean to sell his product or services for as much as possible by hook or by crook, then I say it's not lawful. Because if I said the opposite, I'd be justifying Mr. Badman and all the rest of that gang, and I'll never do that, because the Word of God condemns them. You see, it's not always lawful for a man to sell his commodity for as much as he can get. I prove my point with these four reasons:

First, if it's lawful for me to always sell my commodity as something of high value or for as much as I can get, then it's lawful for me in good conscience to men and to God, to lay aside my own share in dealing with others, but it's not lawful for me to lay aside good conscience when dealing with others. For that reason, it's not lawful for me to always sell my goods or services as if they're precious or for as much as I can get. We've already proved that it's not lawful to lay aside good conscience in our dealings earlier in this discussion, but the fact that a person must put aside the idea of always getting the most they can get is clearly shown in this way.

Second, as mentioned before, the one who sells his commodity as precious to get what he can, must, at times, take advantage of the customer's ignorance. But he can't do that with a good conscience, because it would be cheating − to deceive by cunning − and is forbidden. Let no one oppress and defraud his brother in any matter (1 Thessalonians 4:6). Consequently, he who sells his goods as something of high value or for as much as he can get needs to lay aside such thinking in good conscience.

Third, if a person always tries to sell his commodity as something precious, at times it will require him to take advantage of his neighbor's need. But he can't do this with a good conscience, because that goes beyond what is right and defrauds his neighbor, contrary to 1 Thessalonians 4:6. And so, the one who plans to always sell his commodity as something valuable or for as much as he can get must lay aside good conscience to do so.

Fourth, in the same way, one who sells his commodity as precious or who tries to sell it for a high price in comparison to the usual price, must take advantage of his neighbor's lack of sense, but one can't do this in good conscience because it still goes against what is right and is contrary to 1 Thessalonians 4:6. Therefore, the one who sells his commodity as precious or for as much as he can get must lay aside good conscience in this case as well.

The same can also be said for buying. The one who always tries to buy as cheap as he can must also use good conscience when buying, because he can't always buy at the cheapest price and keep his good conscience, for the same reasons I've already mentioned. Such people will have to prey on the ignorance, need, and lack of sense of their customer, all of which they can't do with a good conscience.

When Abraham wanted to buy a burying place from the sons of Heth, he said this to them: Intercede for me to Ephron, the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it to me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you (Genesis 23:8-9). He didn't want to have to pay less than it was worth. He scorned such an idea − abhorred it. Such behavior went against his religion, reputation, and conscience.

In the same way, when David wanted to buy a field from Ornan the Jebusite, this is what he said to him: Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD; thou shalt grant it to me for the full price (1 Chronicles 21:22). He also, as Abraham, practiced ethics and integrity in this kind of dealing. He didn't try to watch for an opportunity to take unfair advantage of the Jebusite or go beyond what was right. Instead, he was willing to give him the full price for his field, because he knew it to be wicked to sell for too exorbitant a price or to buy too cheap. Therefore, he didn't do it.

For this reason, integrity should be used in selling and in buying, because it is also dishonest for a man to go out of his way to defraud his neighbor in buying. Yes, it's dishonest to do so in any matter, and God will abundantly avenge that wrong, which I've already warned about and testified. And if thou sell anything unto thy neighbour or buy anything of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another (Leviticus 25:14).

But secondly, when it comes to selling, if it's permissible for me to always to sell my commodity at an exorbitant price or for as much as I can get, that would mean it is lawful for me to deal with my neighbor without love and goodwill. But it is not right for me to lay aside love or deal with my neighbor without goodwill. Therefore, it is not right for me to always sell my commodity to my neighbor at the highest price I can get. In dealing with others, a man should really think about his neighbor's good, profit, and advantage as much as his own, because this is exercising love in his dealing. The fact that a person is to show love and goodwill toward his neighbor when buying or selling is evident from the general command, Let all your things be done with charity (1 Corinthians 16:14).

But a man who doesn't show love or integrity and sells at an exorbitant price or who buys as cheap as he can is evident in these ways:

  1. He who sells his commodity as an expensive item and always gets as much money as he can for it thinks only of himself. But love seeks not her own (1 Corinthians 13:5). So then, he who only seeks his own best interest as he makes a sale for the highest price he can get, doesn't show or exercise love in his dealing.
  2. He who always sells his commodity for the highest price he can get hardens his heart against all reasonable offers from the buyer. And he who does so can't exercise love and goodwill in his dealings. Therefore, a man isn't allowed to sell his commodity for the highest price he can.
  3. If it is lawful for me to sell my commodity at the highest price I can get, then there can be no sin in my trading, however unjustly I manage it, whether by lying, swearing, cursing, or cheating, because it's all done just to sell my commodity at the highest price possible. Therefore, leaving the lie, speak every man truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4:25). But sin is evident in these things; therefore, I can't always sell my commodity for the highest price possible.
  4. He who sells at the highest price possible violates natural law. Therefore, all things whatsoever ye desire that men should do unto you, so also shall ye do unto them (Matthew 7:12). Now, if the seller were a buyer, he wouldn't want the person he is buying from to always sell to him at the highest price possible. Therefore, he shouldn't sell in that way when it's his turn to sell and others buy from him.
  5. He who always sells for the most expensive price possible makes use of training God hasn't given to others, to abuse His law and to wrong his neighbor – a sign that clearly shows this is contrary to God. He seals up the hand of every man that all men may know his work (Job 37:7). God has given him more skill, knowledge, and understanding regarding his commodity than He has given to the one who buys from him. But can he really think God has given him this knowledge so he can be the grandest just to use it to make prey of his neighbor? Does he think he is the most persuasive so he can go too far and trick his neighbor? No, I tell you the truth, God has given this to him to use him so that He might open the eyes of his customers and save them from the possible harm of their own ignorance, need, or what an inordinate desire to possess could lead them into. No temptation has taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
  6. All that a man does, he should do for the glory of God, but he who always sells his commodity for as much as he can get, can't do this for the reasons already explained. Do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
  7. All that a man does, he should do in the name of the Lord Jesus – as one commanded by Him and authorized by Him to do it. And whatever ye do whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God and Father by him (Colossians 3:17). But he who always sells at an exorbitant price can't even pretend to do this without horridly blaspheming His name, because he is commanded by Him to do otherwise.
  8. And lastly, in all that a man does he should look toward the day of judgment and consider how his actions will be regarded on that day. There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And for this reason do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men (Acts 24:15-16). For this reason, no one should ever take advantage of his neighbor by always selling to him in the manner we've discussed, unless he is willing to run the risk of judgment on that day. And if thou sell anything unto thy neighbour or buy anything of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another (Leviticus 25:14).

ATTENTIVE: But why do you add these cautionary words? Do you mean to say a man can't at times sell or buy for the best price he can get?

WISEMAN: There are times the seller can sell what he has as precious and valuable, and at times the buyer can buy something for as cheap as possible. But this is allowable only in these cases: when the one selling is a deceitful fellow who lays aside all ethics and integrity when selling, or when the buyer is a deceitful fellow who lays aside good ethics and integrity when buying.

Therefore, if the buyer or seller seems deceitful, let the customers examine their own behavior and motives, so they do not lay aside their own integrity and ethics. Let them keep their commodity at a reasonable price, or if they are the buyer, let them offer an amount that provides a reasonable profit for the thing they want to buy. If this isn't acceptable to the buyer or seller, then look elsewhere for a more honest marketman.

If you say, "I don't have the skill to know when a good buy is before me," then find someone who has more skill than you in the situation and let them make the decision in the matter regarding your money. But if there were no deceitful, dishonest people in the world, such tactics wouldn't be necessary. And so, my very good neighbor, I've given you a few of my reasons for why a person who has something or wants something shouldn't always sell for the highest price or buy for the cheapest possible price, but they should use good ethics that honor God and show love to their neighbor.

ATTENTIVE: I have to say − I think if someone were here to hear you, they would laugh at and ridicule you.

WISEMAN: I don't doubt that at all, because that's exactly what Mr. Badman used to do when anyone pointed out his faults to him. He used to think he was wiser than anyone else and, as I've hinted at before, even though he was an adult, he was a schemer who never attained a mature, dignified spirit and never hesitated at any wickedness.

But let Mr. Badman and his fellows laugh. I will cancel it out and still give them good counsel.

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things, and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they who justify themselves before men, but God knows your hearts, for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:13-15)

For my further relief and comfort, I also remember that in this way the Pharisees of old were envious of the Son of God Himself. It is their time for such people as that to laugh now, but they will mourn in time to come. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. (Luke 6:25)

And again I say, when they have laughed their laugh, he who doesn't follow good ethics and show integrity toward God and love toward his neighbor when buying and selling, lives alongside an unbeliever and is next of kin to Mr. Badman.

ATTENTIVE: But what do you say to this question? You know there's no settled price set by God on any commodity bought or sold under the sun, but the prices of all things that we buy and sell do ebb and flow like the tide. So how should a man with a careful conscience handle this so he neither wrongs the seller, the buyer, or himself, when buying and selling commodities?
Chapter 11

Instructions for Righteous Trading

WISEMAN: All who follow the way of Mr. Badman consider this to be a frivolous question. It's also a difficult question, yet I will endeavor to outline an answer for you. First, in regards to your question, is the matter of how a man with a careful conscience should handle this. Secondly, it asks how he should prepare himself in the practice of it.

As for the first part of your question, a person must observe what has already been outlined, namely, that he must have integrity toward God and love toward his neighbor. Along with this, I will add that he needs much fairness in his dealings. Therefore, in his practice, let him stay within the limits summarized in those eight reasons we just covered. These establish that in their dealings with others, men should do nothing other than deal justly and mercifully. In so doing, there's no great fear of wronging the seller, the buyer, or himself. But in particular, here's how to prepare or instruct a man in this effort:

  1. Let the tradesman or others take into account that in an abundance of great gains they won't find what most men think, because all that a man has over and above what serves his present essentials and to pay for what is needed, serves only to support the lusts of the eyes. For what good is there to the owners thereof, except the beholding of them with their eyes? (Ecclesiastes 5:11). Many times, the gathering of riches is also a snare to men's souls. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. So that, sustenance and covering, let us be content with this. For those that desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition (1 Timothy 6:7-9). Few see good by gaining riches, but Mr. Badman couldn't stand to think in this way.
  2. Consider that the realization of wealth through dishonest means − like he who gains wealth without good ethics, integrity, and love toward his neighbor − is a great offense against God. For this reason, He says, I have smitten my hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made (Ezekiel 22:13). This manner of speech shows anger at the very making mention of the crime.
  3. Take into account that a little that is honestly acquired, though it might just yield a dinner of herbs for you at a time, is better than a fatted calf obtained in an evil manner. Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted calf and hatred therewith (Proverbs 15:17). Better is a little with righteousness than a great number of fruits with injustice (Proverbs 16:8).
  4. Be confident that the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he weighs all his goings (Proverbs 5:21), and also that He notices them, writes them down, and seals them in a bag against the time to come. My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou dost sew up my iniquity (Job 14:17).
  5. Be sure that you remember that you don't know the day of your death. Also, remember that when death comes, God will give you riches for which you've worked; perhaps you laid bare your soul to one whom you didn't know whether he would be wise or a fool. And then, what profit has he that has laboured for the wind? (Ecclesiastes 5:16).

Besides, you'll have nothing you can carry in your hand. Guilt will go with you, though, if you've gained your wealth and property dishonestly, and those you leave it to will also receive it to their harm. So, these things should be properly considered and made use of for the preparing of your heart for the business of buying and selling. This brings us to the next point, which shows you how to live − the practice of this intended skill. Are you to buy or sell?

If you sell, don't formally praise, and if you buy, don't criticize, but give the thing you have an honest and just value and worth, because you cannot knowingly do otherwise, unless you are of a covetous and wicked mind. For what other reason are commodities overvalued by the seller or undervalued by the buyer? It is bad, it is bad, the buyer says; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts (Proverbs 20:14). What has such a man done then but lied by criticizing and thus devaluing his bargain? And why did he do this? Because his greedy mind decided to wrong and trick the seller.

Are you a seller whose things seem to grow more valuable in your sight? Don't plan to hold them up at a higher value to the buyer, because this can't be done without wickedness, because this is making . . . the shekel great (Amos 8:5). Are you a buyer and do things grow precious in your sight? Don't use cunning or deceitful language to pull down their value, because that can only be done wickedly too.

Do you ask, "What then shall we do?" I say leave things in the hands of God and with fairness submit to His hand. But in view of the fact that things grow dear, for a time, the hand that approves the price is stronger than the hand that wants to pull it lower. That stronger hand belongs to the seller, who loves to have his commodity considered valuable, especially if it will increase in value in his hand. Therefore, pay attention and be careful not to have a hand in it, if it might hurt you and your neighbor in these three ways:

  1. By claiming your commodity is scarce, when that isn't the truth, take special care and accept it as a foreshadowing of what will happen in the future. It was for this the captain on whose hand the king leaned was trampled to death in the gate of Samaria in the second book of Kings. And the king appointed the prince on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate; and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him (2 Kings 7:17). This sin has a double evil in it. It denies the present blessing of God among us, and it undervalues the riches of His goodness, which can make all good things abound towards us.
  2. This wicked thing can be done by hoarding up, while the hunger and needs of the poor call for it. God shows His dislike against this, as He allows the people to curse such hoarders. He that withholds the grain, the people shall curse him, but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it (Proverbs 11:26).
  3. But if these things come about, be grieved. Also be fair in all your selling, and be sure to let the poor have a small quantity and sell your grain to those in need. When you sell, show mercy to the poor. For his sake, because he is poor, sell to him below the market price. This is an example of buying and selling with good conscience – with integrity. Don't wrong your buyer, and you will not be wronged, because God will surely reward you.

Among the smooth stones of the valley is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even unto them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a present. Should I not avenge these things? Upon the lofty and high mountain thou hast set thy bed: even there thou didst go up to offer sacrifice. Behind the doors also and the posts thou hast set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed and made thee a covenant with them; thou didst love their bed wherever thou didst see it. (Isaiah 57:6-8)

I've spoken concerning grain, but your duty is to let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:5).
Chapter 12

Badman's Pride, Atheism, Infidelity, and Envy

ATTENTIVE: Well, sir, now I've heard enough about Mr. Badman's wickedness. Please proceed to tell me about his death.

WISEMAN: Why, the sun isn't so low. We still have three hours until night.

ATTENTIVE: No, I'm not in any great hurry, but I thought you were done – that you'd told me all about his life.

WISEMAN: Done! No, I still have much more to say.

ATTENTIVE: Then he lived much more wickedly than I thought.

WISEMAN: That may be the case, so let's proceed. We've talked a good deal about his evil ways, but Mr. Badman added this to all his wickedness − he was a very proud man − exceedingly proud and haughty in mind. He had a look that said he must not be contradicted or opposed, because he considered himself to be as wise as the wisest person in the country, as good as the best, and as handsome as any. He took great delight in praising himself and also relished the praises others gave him.

He couldn't stand to have anyone think themselves above him, or to have their intellect or celebrity set before his. He had limited social manners toward his equals, but for those who were of an inferior rank, he looked down on them in great contempt. And if at any time he had a remote occasion having to do with them, he'd act aloof but with a very domineering spirit. Solomon gave a characteristic note about him when he said, Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath (Proverbs 21:24). He never thought his manner of living good enough, his clothes fine enough, or his praise refined enough.

ATTENTIVE: This pride is a sin that sticks as close to nature as most sins. There's uncleanness and pride. I don't know of any two grosser sins that stick closer to men's nature. I can say these sins have an interest in nature. It likes them because they most flatter its lusts and fantasies. Therefore, it's no surprise that Mr. Badman was tainted with pride, since he had so wickedly given himself up to work all iniquity with greediness.

WISEMAN: You're right. Pride is a sin that sticks close to nature, and it's one of the first sinful behaviors that shows itself. Even in childhood, even in little children, pride first shows itself in impulsive, early manifestations of the sin. It's that corruption which strives for predominance in the heart, and therefore usually comes out first. But while pride in children is incidental, I think those who are older should be ashamed of it.

In Mr. Badman's case, he might have first begun with pride, but I think it wasn't only the pride in infancy that made a difference between him and others, like those I told you about when I began describing his life. That's why I passed it over, until now, because in the beginning, he didn't think any more of himself than most, but his vile and sinful state and his pride flourished as he grew older. That's why I've made mention of his pride now.

ATTENTIVE: But please, if you can remember them, tell me of Scripture that speaks against pride. I rather desire this because pride is now a leading sin, and I sometimes happen to fall into the company of those who, according to my sense of right and wrong, are very proud. I have a mind to tell them of their sin, but when I point it out to them, unless I bring God's Word too, I don't doubt that they will disregard what I say and just laugh at me.

WISEMAN: Disregard what you say and laugh at you? That's what the proud man will do no matter what text you bring him, unless God strikes his conscience by the Word. Mr. Badman used to work for those who told him about his pride. Besides, when you have said what you can, they will tell you they aren't proud but that you are the one who is the proud man or you wouldn't judge, nor would you in such a boldly disrespectful and evil-speaking way meddle with other men's matters like you do. Even so, since you desire it, I will mention two or three verses to help you address pride.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride, arrogancy, the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate (Proverbs 8:13). A man's pride shall bring him low (Proverbs 29:23). He shall bring down his pride (Isaiah 25:11). And all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble; and the day that comes shall burn them up (Malachi 4:1). This last verse is dreadful enough to make a proud man shake. God said He will make the proud ones like stubble − that means like fuel for the fire, and that the coming day will be like a burning oven and they will be burned up. But Mr. Badman could never stand to hear someone speak against pride, nor to hear anyone tell him that he was a proud man.

ATTENTIVE: Why? What could be the reason for that?

WISEMAN: He didn't give me the reason, but I suppose it might be that which is common to all wicked people. They love this sin, but don't care to be called by its name. The drunkard loves the sin, but doesn't love to be called a drunkard. The thief loves to steal, but can't stand to be called a thief. The harlot loves to commit immorality, but doesn't love to be called a whore. And in the same way, Mr. Badman loved to be proud, but couldn't stand to be called a proud man. The gratification of sin is desirable to the polluted and corrupted man, but the name of it is a blot against his person.

ATTENTIVE: What you've said is true, but how many sorts of pride are there?

WISEMAN: There are two sorts of pride: pride of spirit and pride of body. The first is made mention of in the Scriptures in this way: Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD (Proverbs 16:5). A high look and a proud heart, which is the fire of the wicked, is sin (Proverbs 21:4). He who has suffered in spirit is better than the proud in spirit (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

Bodily pride is also mentioned in the Scriptures.

In that day the Lord will take away the adornment of their shoes and their hair nets and their crystals, the chains and the jewels and the bracelets, the bonnets and the ornaments of the legs and the headbands and the powders and the earrings, the rings, and nose jewels, the changeable suits of apparel and the mantles and the veils and the crisping pins, the looking glasses and the fine linen and the hoods and the hairdos. (Isaiah 3:18-23)

By these expressions, it is evident that there is pride of body as well as pride of spirit, and that both are sin and detestable to the Lord. But Mr. Badman could never stand to read these verses. To him they were like Micaiah was to Ahab; they never spoke good about him but only evil.

ATTENTIVE: I suppose Mr. Badman wasn't the only one to criticize those verses that speak against their vices. I believe that's the case for most ungodly men, where the Scriptures are concerned – that they have a secret hatred against those words of God that most clearly and fully rebuke them for their sins.

WISEMAN: That's without a doubt, and by that hatred they show that sin and Satan are more welcome to them than the wholesome instructions of life and godliness.

ATTENTIVE: Not to get sidetracked from our conversation about Mr. Badman when you say he was proud, but can you describe some symptoms of one who is proud?

WISEMAN: Yes, first let me show you some symptoms of pride of heart. Pride of heart is seen by outward things. For instance, pride of body, in general, is a sign of pride of heart, because all proud gestures flow from pride of heart. For this reason, Solomon said, There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up (Proverbs 30:13). And again, there is he that exalts his gate (Proverbs 17:19). Now, these lofty eyes and this exalting of the gait are signs of a proud heart, because these are both actions that come from the heart. For from within, out of the heart of men, come forth the evil thoughts, the adulteries, the fornications, the murders, the thefts, the covetousness, the wickedness, the deceit, the lasciviousness, the evil eye, the slander, the pride, the unwiseness (Mark 7:21-22). More particularly:

  1. Heart pride is exposed by an arrogant carriage of the head and speaking to impress others as they go. For the wicked − the proud − have a proud neck, a proud foot, and a proud tongue by which their behavior is elevated. This behavior includes looking disdainfully, speaking harshly, and being puffed up among their neighbors.
  2. A proud heart is a bullying heart. The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor (Psalm 10:2).
  3. A prayerless man is a proud man. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, does not seek after God (Psalm 10:4).
  4. A contentious man is a proud man. Pride shall certainly give birth to contention (Proverbs 13:10).
  5. The disdainful man is a proud man. The proud have had me greatly in derision (Psalm 119:51).
  6. The man who oppresses his neighbor is a proud man. Do not let the proud do violence unto me (Psalm 119:122).
  7. He who doesn't listen to God's Word with reverence and fear is a proud man. Hear ye and give ear; do not be proud: for the LORD has spoken. But if ye will not hear this, my soul shall weep in secret because of your pride; and weeping bitterly, my eyes shall be undone in tears because the LORD's flock was carried away captive (Jeremiah 13:15, 17).
  8. And be sure that he who calls the proud blessed is a proud man. All these are proud in heart, and in these ways their pride of heart exposes itself. Ye have said, It is vain to serve God, and what profit is it that we have kept his law and that we walk mournfully before the LORD of the hosts? We say, therefore, now, that blessed are the proud (Malachi 3:14-15).

As to bodily pride, something of it is exposed by all the particulars already mentioned, because while these symptoms reveal pride of heart, they are also symptoms that show themselves in the body. You know how internal diseases are often detected by visible outward signs, and by these very outward signs the outside is also defiled. Consequently, all those visible signs of heart pride are also signs of bodily pride. Other outward signs are also visible like wearing of gold, pearls, and expensive clothing, fancy braided hairstyles, the following of the latest fashions, and trying to imitate the proud through behavior including speech, expressions, clothing, movements, or other fools' baubles, which the world is full of at this time. All these and many more are signs of a proud heart and bodily pride, too.

In like manner also that the women adorn themselves in an honest manner, with shyness and modesty, not with ostentatious hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing. (1 Timothy 2:9)

Let their adorning not be outward with ostentatious hairdos and wearing of gold nor in composition of apparel, but let the interior adorning of the heart be without corruption, and of an agreeable spirit and peaceful, which is precious in the sight of God. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who waited upon God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. (1 Peter 3:3-5)

But Mr. Badman didn't allow this to be called pride in any way. Rather, he'd refer to it as cleanliness, a degree of beauty or elegance − that which is suitable and so on. Nor would he allow keeping up with fashion or anything like that to be considered proud or remarkable by his neighbors.

ATTENTIVE: I've been told that when some people have been rebuked for their pride, they've turned it around on those who rebuked them, saying, "Physician, heal your friends. Look at home among your family, even among the wisest of you and see if you yourselves are clear of pride, even you who profess Christ. For who is prouder than you who profess? Scarcely the devil himself."

WISEMAN: To be truthful, my heart aches at this answer, because there's too much truth in it. Mr. Badman gave his wife this very answer at times when she reproved him for his pride. He'd say, "We will make big changes in our living now, because the devil has become a corrector of evil. For no bigger sin reigns in the world than pride among professors."

And who can contradict him? Let's give the devil his due. It's too evident for anyone to deny. And I don't doubt that the same answer is ready in the mouths of Mr. Badman's friends, because they can and do see pride displayed in the attire and behavior of those who profess faith in Christ. It's sad to say that one can see almost as much pride among them as they do among any people in the world. I fear their extravagant lifestyles have hardened the hearts of many, and I think this is somewhat like what happened in the heart of Mr. Badman.

For my own part, I've seen many, even among church members, who are decked out with newfangled gaudy fashion and jewelry, and while worshiping God with such painted people, there are times I've wondered what face might sit in their place without swooning. But certainly, the holiness of God and also the pollution of their own sin is far from the minds of such people, whatever kind of profession they make.

I've read about a whore's forehead, and I've read of Christian excess modesty. Thou dost have a whore's forehead, thou dost refuse to be ashamed (Jeremiah 3:3). In like manner also that the women adorn themselves in an honest manner, with shyness and modesty, not with ostentatious hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing (1 Timothy 2:9). I've read about those who dress in costly clothing and about women who profess godliness with good works. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that also those who do not obey the Word, may be won without a word by the conversation of their wives, considering your chaste conversation which is in fear. Let their adorning not be outward with ostentatious hairdos and wearing of gold nor in composition of apparel (1 Peter 3:1-3).

But let me say, I know what I know and might say, and yet do no wrong regarding that which would make some professors stink in their places, but now I restrain myself. Therefore, thus hath the LORD of the hosts said against those prophets: Behold, I will cause them to eat wormwood and make them drink the waters of gall, for from the prophets of Jerusalem is hypocrisy gone forth upon all the land (Jeremiah 23:15).

ATTENTIVE: Sir, I can see you are greatly concerned about this, but what if I tell you I've got even more to say on this subject? You see, it's whispered that some good ministers have approved their people to dress in their elegant and extravagant apparel. Yes, they've offered a defense for their gold, pearls, and costly apparel.

WISEMAN: I don't know what they have offered as a defense for it, but it is easily seen that they tolerate or at least close their eyes to such things in their wives and children. And so, from the prophets of Jerusalem is hypocrisy gone forth upon all the land (Jeremiah 23:15). And when the hand of the rulers leads in a sin, who can keep their people from being drowned in that sin? And the holy seed is mingled with the peoples of the lands; and the hand of the princes and of the governors has been foremost in this trespass (Ezra 9:2).

ATTENTIVE: This is a lament and an expression of grief.

WISEMAN: Yes, it is, and it must be so. And let me add, it's a shame and a reproach. It's a stumbling block to the blind, because while men like Mr. Badman are blind, they can still see the foolish inconsistency at the bottom of all these foolish and unrestrained extravagancies. But many have their excuses ready − that is to say, their parents, their husbands, and their breeding calls for it and other such justifications.

Yes, the examples of good people prompt them to it, but all these are like the spider's web when the thunder of the Word of the great God rattles from heaven against them, as it will at death or judgment. I do wish it might happen before then. But sadly, these excuses are nothing but simple pretenses to cover the truth that these proud ones love to have it so. I once talked with a young woman when I scolded her regarding her gaudy garment. But she told me, "The tailor made it like this." Unfortunately, that was just another excuse, because the poor proud girl had given the order to the tailor to make it like that. Many pass the blame to parents, husbands, and tailors, to hide the truth from others, but their disobedient hearts and their giving way to those wayward hearts is the real cause of all these evils.

ATTENTIVE: Now you're talking about the cause of pride. Please show me further why pride is appealing.

PRIDE

PRIDE OF THE SPIRIT: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 22:22-23) When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

PRIDE OF THE BODY: In that day the Lord will take away the adornment of their shoes and their hair nets and their crystals. (Isaiah 3:18)

WISEMAN: I'll show you what I think are the reasons for it.

The first is because such people are led by their own hearts, rather than by the Word of God. For from within, out of the heart of men, come forth the evil thoughts, the adulteries, the fornications, the murders, the thefts, the covetousness, the wickedness, the deceit, the lasciviousness, the evil eye, the slander, the pride, the unwiseness: all these evil things come out from within and defile the man (Mark 7:21-23).

I told you before that the original fountain of pride is the heart. For out of the heart comes pride. Therefore, it's because they are led by their hearts, which naturally tend to lift them up in pride. This pride of heart tempts them and by its deceits overcomes them. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? (Obadiah 3).

A second reason why the professors we're talking about right now are so proud is that they are more apt to follow the example of those who are of the world, rather than follow the example of those who are undeniably saints. Pride is of the world; therefore, professors learn to be proud. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (1 John 2:16). But they shouldn't consider such people as an example, because this pride will be condemned. Let those who are as proud as the world accept their shame, because they are guilty.

When I say professors should follow the example of those who are undeniably saints as Peter says, I mean they should follow the example of believers in biblical times. Peter directed us to follow this pattern:

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that also those who do not obey the Word, may be won without a word by the conversation of their wives, considering your chaste conversation which is in fear. Let their adorning not be outward with ostentatious hairdos and wearing of gold nor in composition of apparel, but let the interior adorning of the heart be without corruption, and of an agreeable spirit and peaceful, which is precious in the sight of God. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who waited upon God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. (1 Peter 3:1-5)

A third reason for their pride is that they've forgotten the corruption of their nature. When we remember this, it keeps us humble, and when we are humble, we will be far from pride. The proud and the humble are in direct opposition. God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble (James 4:6). It can't even be imagined that a sensible Christian would be a proud person, because a sense of our own corruptness tends to keep us humble, not lift us up with pride − not with pride of heart nor pride of life. But when a person begins to forget his true condition, if that is possible, then he begins to be proud. I think it's one of the most senseless and ridiculous things in the world − that a person could be proud about the very thing purposely given him to cover the shame of his nakedness.

People who are proud have taken their eyes off God and His holiness. They forget God is before them, just like He is behind them. And if they'd see Him in His holiness, like He sees them in their sins and shame, they'd take little pleasure in their foolish habits. The holiness of God makes the angels cover their faces. When Christians behold it, they crumble into dust and ashes. Then I said, Woe is me! for I am dead because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of the hosts (Isaiah 6:5). And as His majesty is, such is His Word. Therefore, those who bring it to a countenance of pride abuse it.

Lastly, let me address the end of those who are proud in the fanciful manner in which they adorn themselves. Why are they for going with hairstyles imitating a bull's forelock, with their naked shoulders, and breasts hanging out like a cow's udders? Why are they in favor of painting their faces, for stretching their necks, and for placing themselves under all the formalities which proud extravagance leads them to? Is it because they want to honor God? Is it because they want to enhance the gospel? Is it because they want to spruce up religion and make sinners fall in love with their own salvation? No. Instead, it is to please their lusts − to satisfy their wild and extravagant whims.

I wish no one would do this, because it stirs up lust in others. In the end, they may commit sin with them. I believe, whatever their end, this is one of the great plans of the devil. I also believe that Satan has drawn more into the sin of immorality by the spangling show of fine clothes, than he could possibly have drawn into it without them. I wonder what the attire of a harlot was like in the old days. Certainly, it couldn't be more alluring and tempting than the garments of many who profess Christ today.

ATTENTIVE: I like what you've said very much and wish all the proud women in England who profess to be believers were within the reach and sound of your words.

WISEMAN: What I've said I believe is true, but as for the proud women in England who profess faith − they have Moses and the prophets. If they won't hear them, how then can we hope they would receive anything good from such a dull-sounding ram's horn as I am? However, I've spoken my mind on the matter, and now, if it's all right with you, we'll move on to some of Mr. Badman's other doings.

ATTENTIVE: No, before you move on to tell me anything else about Mr. Badman, please show me specifically the evil effects of this sin of pride.

WISEMAN: I will answer your request, with all my heart.

First, it is pride that makes the poor man so like the devil in hell, because in his pride, he cannot be known to be the image and likeness of God. When the angels became devils, it was through their being inflated with pride. Lest being puffed up, he fall into judgment of the devil (1 Timothy 3:6). It is also pride that puffs up the heart of the sinner and so makes him assume the very image of the devil.

Second, pride makes a man so odious in the sight of God that he cannot, must not, come near His majesty. For the LORD, who is high and lifted up, looks upon the humble, but the proud he does not know (Psalm 138:6). Pride sets God and the soul at a distance. Pride won't let a man come near God, nor will God let a proud man come near to Him. This is certainly a dreadful thing.

Third, since pride understands this, it keeps God and the soul at a distance. God resists the proud (James 4:6). God resists; that is, He opposes him, He battles against him, He condemns his person and all his accomplishments. The proud man may partake in God's ordinances, but he can't come into His presence, have fellowship with Him, or receive a blessing from Him. He can't, because the high God resists him.

Fourth, the Word says that the LORD will destroy the house of the proud (Proverbs 15:25). When He says He will destroy his house, it can be understood that He will destroy him and all his in the same way He destroyed proud Pharaoh, proud Korah, and many others.

Fifth, when pride comes and is entertained, it is a certain indication that judgment isn't far behind. When pride goes before shame, destruction will follow. When pride comes, then comes shame (Proverbs 11:2). Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Sixth, persisting in pride makes the condition of a poor man as incurable as the condition of the devils. Lest being puffed up, he fall into judgment of the devil (1 Timothy 3:6). And this, I fear, was Mr. Badman's condition, and that was the reason he died as he did, which I'll show you soon.

But what need do I have to talk about the particular actions or, rather, the extraordinary sins of Mr. Badman, when his whole life and all his actions contributed to one massive body of sin? Instead of believing there was a God, his mouth, his life, and his actions all declared that he believed no such thing. The rebellion of the wicked saith to my heart that there is no fear of God before his eyes (Psalm 36:1). Instead of honoring God and giving glory to Him for any of His mercies, or any of His good provision – for God is good to all and lets His sun shine and His rain fall on the unthankful and unholy – he assigns the glory to other causes. He makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).

If there were mercies, he'd credit them to his own wit, efforts, care, hard work, cunning, or the like. If there were misfortunes or trials of patience, he'd consider them the product of destiny, bad luck, chance, poor management of matters, the ill will of neighbors, or his wife's being religious and spending too much time in reading, praying, or the like. It wasn't his way to acknowledge God graciously or to admit His hand in things. But, as the prophet Isaiah said, Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:10). And again, the people did not turn unto him that smote them, neither did they seek the LORD of the hosts (Isaiah 9:13). This was Mr. Badman's attitude. Neither mercies nor judgment made him seek the Lord.

Another scripture says such people don't regard the Lord. LORD, when thy hand is withdrawn, they will not see (Isaiah 26:11). But beyond that, when by God's timely care Mr. Badman was cast under the best course for his soul − for as was shown before, he had a good employer, and before him a good father, and after all a good wife, and sometimes while on a journey he fell into circumstances where he heard a good sermon − his heart was never stimulated to make use of any of it. The rebellious man seeks only evil (Proverbs 17:11). In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the LORD (Isaiah 26:10).

Instead of referencing the Word, when he heard it preached, read, or discussed, he slept, talked about other business, or challenged the authority, harmony, and wisdom of the Scriptures. He'd say, "How do you know them to be the Word of God? How do you know that these sayings are true? The Scriptures," he would say, "are like a nose made of wax easily turned in whatever direction a man likes. One scripture says one thing and another says quite the opposite. Besides, they make mention of a thousand impossibilities and are the cause of all conflicts and disagreements in the land. Therefore, you say what you will, but in my mind those who are most at peace have least to do with them."

Instead of loving and honoring those who bear the Name in their foreheads and the image of Christ in their lives, they become topics of his jests in song and the objects of his slanders. He would rather mock their sober conduct, their gracious language, their quiet behavior, or desperately swear that they really lived a life of deceit and hypocrisy. He would endeavor to declare godly men to be as odious and contemptible as he could. And any lies they did tell, to their disgrace, those he would use as evidence that what he said was the truth. He was much like those whom the prophet speaks about, who sit and slander their mother's son. Thou didst give thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frames deceit. Thou didst sit and speak against thy brother; thou didst slander thine own mother's son (Psalm 50:19-20).

He also spoke reproachfully about his wife, even though his conscience and many others testified that she was a very virtuous woman. He also raised slanderous accusations about his wife's friends, stating their creed tended to excite lust and loose living, and that in their assemblies the men and women acted inappropriately − that they even committed moral impurity and defilement. He was much like those who declared what the apostle would say: Let us do evil, that good may come (Romans 3:8), or, like those about whom it is thus written: Report, and we will report it (Jeremiah 20:10). And in the end, if he found anything with even a hint of scandal in it, if it even came close to having anything to do with those who professed Christ, no matter how falsely, he reported it.

Oh, how he'd rejoice, laugh, and be glad, as he lay the scandal against the whole party of professing believers. He'd say, "Hang those rogues; the herring are no better than the barrel they are in. The two are so well matched." He'd say this to the coal merchant and finish by saying, "This is your complete crew, the holy lot of them." And as a result, the coal merchant would send the entire crew home with a curse.

ATTENTIVE: If those who profess to be religious are wise, Mr. Badman's scrutiny and words should make them more wary and more careful in everything they do and say.

WISEMAN: You are right. When we see that people do watch for our faltering lack of confidence, and rejoice to see us stumble and fall, it should make us abundantly more careful.

But I think it was as delightful for Mr. Badman to hear, raise, and tell lies and lying stories about those who fear the Lord, as it was for him to go to bed when weary. But for now, we'll let these things pass, because as bad as he was in these things, he was just as bad in many similar ways.

For instance, he was an angry, wrathful, envious man − a man who had no idea what meekness or gentleness meant, nor did he desire to learn. His natural temperament was to be cross and rude, huffy and rough in temper, and worse. He gave in to his temper to such a degree that he became furious and outraged in every way, especially against goodness itself, and against other things too, when he was displeased.

ATTENTIVE: Solomon said, The fool rages and is confident (Proverbs 14:16).

WISEMAN: He does say that and, likewise, he says that anger rests in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). And, truthfully, if it is a sign of a fool to have anger rest in his bosom, then Mr. Badman, in spite of the conceit he showed regarding his own abilities, was a fool of no small size.

ATTENTIVE: For the most part, fools are wise in their own eyes.

WISEMAN: True, but what I'm saying is that if it is a sign that a man is a fool when anger rests in his bosom, then what do you think it is a sign of when hatred and envy rest there also? Because, to my knowledge, Mr. Badman was a hateful and envious man like you regularly hear about.

ATTENTIVE: Certainly, hatred and envy flow from pride and arrogance, and again, these flow from ignorance, and ignorance from the devil. And I thought that since you spoke about the pride of Mr. Badman earlier, that we should talk about these before we move on.

WISEMAN: Yes, envy certainly flows from ignorance, and Mr. Badman was such an envious person, he'd swell with it like a toad, as we say, swells with poison. The person he maligned might read envy in his face at any time he met with or did anything with him. His envy was so rampant and strong that if it turned against a man, it was hardly ever pulled in again. Instead, he closely watched over that man to do him harm, in the same way a cat watches over the mouse to destroy it. He would wait seven years if he had to, until he found an opportunity to hurt him. When he did it, that man surely felt the weight of his envy.

Envy is a devilish thing. The Scripture suggests that no one can stand before it. A stone is heavy and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. Wrath is cruel, and anger is impetuous, but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:3-4).

The foulness of this envy is counted among the foulest wicked behaviors including adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, and heresies. It is such a malignant corruption that it rots the very bones of the one in whom it dwells. A sound heart is life to the flesh, but envy is rottenness of the bones (Proverbs 14:30).

ATTENTIVE: This envy is the very father and mother of a great many vast and hideous forms of wickedness. It is the very father and mother of them, because it gives rise to them and also nourishes them until they come to their cursed maturity within the heart of the one who entertains them.

WISEMAN: You've described it very accurately, calling it the father and mother of a great many vast and hideous forms of wickedness, because it's so venomous and vile that it throws the whole course of nature out of order and makes it fit for nothing but confusion and a foothold for every evil thing. For where there is envy and contention, there is confusion and every perverse work (James 3:16). For this reason, I say you've rightly called it the very father and mother of a great many other sins. And now to further clarify, I will outline some of what envy generates.

  1. Envy, as I told you before, rots the very bones of the one who entertains it.
  2. And, as you have also hinted, it is heavier than a stone − than sand. And I will add, it falls like a millstone upon the head.
  3. Therefore, it kills him who throws it and him at whom it is thrown. Envy consumes the covetous one (Job 5:2), that is, him in whom it resides, as well as he who is its object.
  4. It was such envy that slew Jesus Christ Himself, because His adversaries persecuted Him through their envy. He knew that for envy they had delivered him (Matthew 27:18). He knew that the princes of the priests had delivered him for envy (Mark 15:10).
  5. In all honesty, it was because of envy that Joseph was sold by his brothers into Egypt. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt, but God was with him (Acts 7:9).
  6. Envy has had a hand in creating disputes among God's saints. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim (Isaiah 11:13).
  7. It is envy in the hearts of sinners that stirs them up to thrust God's ministers out of their borders. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women and the principals of the city and raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their borders (Acts 13:50). They were aware of it and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about (Acts 14:6).
  8. What shall I say? Envy is the very nursery of whisperings, debates, backbiting, slander, reproaches, murders, etc.

It isn't possible to go over all the particular fruits of this sinful root, but it is no surprise that Mr. Badman was such a mean-spirited man, because the countless roots of all manner of wickedness were in him unashamed and unchanged.

ATTENTIVE: But this Mr. Badman is a rare case, that in all his life, he was never touched with remorse for his ill-spent life.

SLANDER

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases. The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (Proverbs 26:20, 22)

* * *

 A professor of Christianity who indulges in sin is the worst of atheists. Such conduct is practical hypocrisy and atheism.

 The general opinion during Bunyan's time was that the frog or toad was poisonous. Bartholomeus calls the frog "venomous" and that in proportion to the number of his spots. Bunyan, who was far in advance of his time, throws a doubt upon it, by using the words "as we say."

 Galatians 5:19-20
Chapter 13

Badman Gets Drunk and Breaks His Leg

WISEMAN: Remorse? If by remorse you mean repentance for his evils, I can't say he ever experienced it. Yet I remember two times when his mind was troubled about his condition. Once when he broke his leg as he came home drunk from the alehouse, and another time when he fell sick and thought he was going to die. Besides these two times, I don't know of any other.

ATTENTIVE: You say he broke his leg?

WISEMAN: Yes. It happened one time as he came home drunk from the alehouse.

ATTENTIVE: How did he break it?

WISEMAN: Well, one time when he was at an alehouse about two or three miles from home, he drank hard for most of the day. That night when it came time for him to leave, he called for his horse, mounted it, and away he rode like a madman as fast as the horse could lay legs to the ground. He rode like this until he came to a dirty place, where his horse went one way and threw his master the other. This fall broke his leg and so there he lay. You can't imagine how he swore at first, but after a while, he came to himself and felt his pain and the uselessness of his leg. He realized what a situation he was in and feared this accident might be his death. He started to cry out saying, "Lord, help me. Lord, have mercy upon me. Good God, deliver me," and other similar things. There he lay until someone came by and collected him and carried him home, where he was laid up for some time before he could go out again.

ATTENTIVE: And you say he called upon God?

WISEMAN: Yes, he cried out in his pain, saying, "Oh God," and, "Oh Lord, help me." But whether he called out in this manner due to his sin – that it might be pardoned and his soul saved, or whether it was to be rid of his pain − there's no way I can know for sure, though I fear it was only for the latter. I say this because when his pain was gone, and he had hopes of mending, even before he could go outside again, he put aside prayer and returned to his old ways. By that I mean he was as bad as before the accident. He would send for his old companions, and his prostitutes came to his house to see him. Even with his lame leg he acted immorally as well as he could.

ATTENTIVE: It's a wonder he didn't break his neck.

WISEMAN: He deserved to have his neck broken ten thousand times more, instead of his leg, but God was long-suffering towards him. I've heard about many, as I've hinted to you before, who have ridden their horses when drunk like him, who've broken their necks along the way between the alehouse and home. One man who lived by us even drank himself dead − he died in his drink.

ATTENTIVE: It's a sad thing to die drunk.

ANGER

A stone is heavy and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. (Proverbs 27:3) The fool rages. (Proverbs 14:16)

Anger rests in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

For where there is envy and contention, there is confusion and every perverse work. (James 3:16)

WISEMAN: So it is, but still I wonder that more don't do so. For considering the offensiveness of that sin and how many other sins accompany it with oaths, blasphemies, lies, carousing, immorality, brawls, and more, it's a wonder that any who live in that sin escape such a blow from heaven, which could tumble them into their graves.

Besides, when they are drunk like beasts without any fear of danger, they ride recklessly like madmen, as if daring God to meddle with them for being drunk. I have to say, it's a wonder that He doesn't withdraw His protecting influence from them, to let them face the dangers and destruction their sin deserves when they rush into their madness and mayhem. Again, I can only think that God has appointed a day in which they will be answerable to Him, and that He also commonly makes examples of some to show that He takes notice of their sin, detests their ways, and will call them into account for it at the set time. For the times of this ignorance God overlooked, but he now commands all men everywhere to repent because he has appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; of whom he has given assurance unto all men in that he has raised him from the dead (Acts 17:30-31).

ATTENTIVE: It is worthwhile for us to comment − to take notice of how God strikes some of them down with a blow to show His dislike for the sins of men, like the breaking of Mr. Badman's leg. Without a doubt, that was a stroke from heaven.

WISEMAN: Yes, it's certainly worth talking about. It was a public blow which fell on him while he was in the height of his sin. It looks a lot like what we see in the book of Job. Therefore, he shall cause their works to be notorious, when he shall overturn them in the night, so that they are destroyed. He shall strike them as wicked men in the open sight of others (Job 34:25-26). He strikes them down in a way people can see it. That's what happened in Mr. Badman's case. His stroke was noticed by everyone. His broken leg was the talk of the town at the time. "Mr. Badman has broken his leg," one would say. "How did he break it?" asks another. "As he came home drunk from the alehouse," said a third. "A judgment of God on him," said a fourth.

His sin, shame, and punishment were all conspicuous to everyone around him. At this point, let me tell you another story or two.

In Mr. Clarke's Looking-glass for Sinners, I've read about a time when a certain drunken fellow boasted while he was drunk that there was neither heaven nor hell. He also said he believed that man had no soul and that, for his part, he would sell his soul to anyone who would buy it. Then one of his companions bought it from him for a cup of wine, and then the devil, in man's form, bought it from that man again at the same price. And so, in the presence of them all, he laid hold of the man who sold his soul and carried him away through the air, so that he was never heard from again.

He also tells us about a perfectly healthy man at Salisbury, who was drinking and carousing in a tavern. He drank to the devil, saying, "If the devil doesn't come and guarantee me from injury in drinking, I won't believe there's either God or devil."

The statement struck fear in the hearts of his companions and so they hurried out of the room. Right after that they heard a hideous noise and smelled a stinking odor. The man who sold the wine ran up into the room. He entered it and didn't see his guest anywhere but found the window broken, the iron bars of the window bowed and bloody. But the man was never heard of again.

Again, Mr. Clarke tells us about a bailiff of Hedley. He was drunk at Melford on a Lord's Day, and mounted his horse to ride through the streets. As he did, he said, "My horse will carry me to the devil." Right after the words spilled from his lips, his horse threw him and he broke his neck. These things are worse than Mr. Badman breaking his leg and should warn his friends who are still living, for fear that they might also fall into these sad judgments of God by their sin.

But, as I said, Mr. Badman quickly forgot all this. His conscience was suppressed before his leg healed. As a result, before he recovered from the consequence of one sin, he tempted God to send another judgment on him. And He did so quickly. For not many months after his leg healed, he experienced a very dangerous sudden and violent attack of sickness, so that he began to think he would certainly die.

* * *

 Outward reformation without inward grace is like washing a sow, which you may make clean, but never can make cleanly. It will soon return to the mire and delight in filth more than ever. – Mason

 Mr. Clarke relates this singular story on the authority of Disci de Temp or "Learn from the Time." The writers in the Middle Ages are full of such narrations. See especially the first English book of homilies called The Festival.

 Clarke's authority for this account is Thomas Beard's The Theatre of God's Judgments.
Chapter 14

Badman's Phony Repentings and Promises of Reform

ATTENTIVE: What did he think and do then?

WISEMAN: He thought he must go to hell, that much I know, because he couldn't hold back from saying so. As best I can remember, he lay crying out in fear one night – the entire night − and at times, he trembled so much the bed shook beneath him. Oh, how thoughts of death, hellfire, and eternal judgment wracked his conscience. Fear could be seen in his face and in the way he tossed back and forth. You could also hear it in his words and recognize it by his heavy groans. He often cried, "I am ruined. I'm dead. My vile life has destroyed me!"

ATTENTIVE: Then his former thoughts and irreverent principles were too weak to support him from the fears of eternal damnation.

WISEMAN: Exactly; they were too weak. They might help stifle conscience when a man is prospering and harden the heart against all good advice when God leaves a man and abandons his mind to sin. But, unfortunately, unbelieving thoughts, ideas, and opinions must shrink and melt away when God comes with sickness to visit the soul of such a sinner for his sin.

A man who lived about twelve miles from us had trained himself in such unbelieving ideas, and in the end, he attempted to write a book against Jesus Christ and against the divine authority of the Scriptures. But I don't think it was printed. After many days, God struck him with a sickness from which he died, but while he was sick and musing on his former actions, the book he'd written came to his mind and with it such a sense of his evil in writing it that it tore his conscience like a lion would tear a kid. As a result, he lay on his deathbed in a sad state with his conscience greatly afflicted. Some of my friends went to see him, and while they were in his bedroom one day, he hastily called for pen, ink, and paper. When it was given him, he wrote to this purpose: I, such a one, in such a town, must go to hell for writing a book against Jesus Christ and against the Holy Scriptures.

He would also have leaped out of the window of his house to kill himself, but they prevented him from doing that. So he died in his bed, such a death as it was. It will be good if others accept his outcome as a warning.

ATTENTIVE: This is a remarkable story.

WISEMAN: It is true as well as remarkable. I heard it from people I dare believe, who were eyewitnesses and earwitnesses. They are the ones who caught him in their arms, and saved him from throwing himself out of his bedroom window to destroy himself.

ATTENTIVE: Well, you've told me what Mr. Badman's thoughts were when he was sick. Please tell me what he then did when he was sick.

WISEMAN: Did! He did many things, which he would never have thought to do and which, to be sure, weren't expected by his wife and children. In this time of sickness, his thoughts were quite changed regarding his wife. I say his thoughts, so far as they could be judged by his words and actions toward her. For at that point, she was his good wife, his godly wife, his honest wife, his dear, and all that. He told her she had the best of it, for she had lived a good life, while his corruption, habitual lewdness, and excessive unlawful indulgence of lust and generally ungodly life always stared him in the face. So, at this time, he admitted to her that the advice she often gave him was good but that he was bad not to take it.

As he lay on his sickbed, he listened to her talk to him, while he sighed. He asked her to pray for him − that he might be delivered from hell. He also agreed to have some of her good ministers come to comfort him. During all this, he seemed to show them kindness when they came, for he spoke to them kindly and listened diligently to what they said. Only he didn't want them to talk too much about his misspent life, because his sense of right and wrong was already clogged with that. He didn't care to see his old companions because thoughts of them were a torment to him. And now he even spoke kindly to that child of his who took after his mother – the very child he couldn't stand before.

He also desired the prayers of good people, that God in His mercy would spare him a little longer. He promised that if God would just let him recover this once, he would change – live a new life for God − what a repentant man and loving husband he would be. What liberty he would give his wife! He even said he would go with her to hear her ministers, and that they would go hand in hand in the way to heaven together.

ATTENTIVE: That was a fine show. I'll guarantee his wife was glad about this.

WISEMAN: His wife, yes, along with many other good people besides. It was talked about all over the town. "What a great change has been worked in Mr. Badman." "Oh, how sorry he is for his sins." "You should see how he's begun to love his wife, and how he desires good men to pray to God to spare him." "What promises he's made to God in his sickness! If ever He will raise him from his sickbed to health again, he promises to repent and be a new man towards God, and a loving husband to his good wife."

Well, ministers prayed and good people rejoiced, thinking they had truly gotten a man from the devil. Some of the weaker sort didn't join in, saying God had begun a work of grace in his heart, but his wife, poor woman, you can't believe how quick she was to believe it. So, she rejoiced and hoped it would happen. But, sadly, in a short time things proved otherwise.

After he'd been bedridden a while, his sickness began to go away so that he felt better. In a little time, he was so finely mended that he could walk about the house. Along with that, his appetite returned. At this point, his wife and her good friends stood watching to see if Mr. Badman would fulfill his promise of becoming a new man towards God and in loving his wife. Unfortunately, the opposite happened, because, as soon as he had hopes of getting well and found his strength returning, trouble began to grow in his heart, and he became a stranger to his fears as if he'd never had them.

ENVY

Full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity. (Romans 1:29)
Chapter 15

Death Leaves Him for a Time, and His Return to Sin

WISEMAN: But truly, I tend to think one reason he no longer regarded or remembered his sickbed fears and was no better for them was due to something the doctor who provided his treatment said to him when he was mending. As soon as Mr. Badman began to get well, the doctor sat down with him in his house and fell into conversation with him about the nature of his disease. Among other things, they talked about how Mr. Badman cried out, trembled, and expressed his fears about going to hell when his sickness pressed hard upon him.

The doctor said, "Those fears and outcries arose from the height of your fever, because this sickness is often attended with lightheadedness. For this reason, you couldn't sleep and mental vapors disturbed the brain. But you see, as soon as you got some sleep and some much-needed rest, you quickly started getting better, your head settled, and those frenzies left you."

Without a doubt, my troubles were only the effects of my sickness, Mr. Badman thought, because vapors got up into my brain. Then surely, since my physician was my savior, my lust will again be my god. So, he never paid attention to religion anymore, but devoted himself to the world, his lusts, and his wicked companions again. And that was an end of Mr. Badman's conversion.

ATTENTIVE: As you told me about him, I thought this would be the result, because I discerned by your relating of the details that the symptoms of true conversion were lacking in him. The only evidence that appeared to be anything like them were no different than those who are abandoned to sin might have.

WISEMAN: You're right. When he was most sensible, he still lacked a sense of the contamination of his nature. He only experienced guilt for his sinful actions in the way those wrongdoers Cain, Pharaoh, Saul, and Judas did before him.

And Cain said unto the LORD, My iniquity is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I hide; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it. shall come to pass that anyone that finds me shall slay me. (Genesis 4:13-14)

Then Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron and said unto them, I have sinned this time; the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. (Exodus 9:27)

Then Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and thy words because I feared the people and consented unto their voice. (1 Samuel 15:24)

Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the princes of the priests and the elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? Thou shalt see to it. And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed and went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)

Let Badman's broken leg put check

To Badman's course of evil,

Lest, next time, Badman breaks his neck,

And so goes to the devil.

Besides, the big things he desired were that his life might be lengthened in this world and that he would be delivered from going to hell − and who would willingly want to go there? In all that he said or did, we don't see that he desired Jesus Christ the Savior. He didn't sense his need for Christ's righteousness to clothe him and for His Spirit to sanctify him. He depended totally on his own strength again and didn't recognize the treachery of his own heart. If he had, he would never have been so free to make promises to God about changing. Instead, he would have been afraid that if he were healed he would have returned with the dog to his vomit. As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly (Proverbs 26:11). And he would have begged for prayers from the saints and help from heaven that he might be kept from doing so.

While it's true that he asked for prayers from good people, that is also what Pharaoh asked of Moses and Aaron, and Simon the magician asked of Simon Peter. Intreat the LORD that the thunderings of God and the hail might cease (Exodus 9:28). Then Simon answered and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me (Acts 8:24).

Badman's mind had also seemed to be set on his wife and child, but regrettably, it was more accurately the conviction God gave him affecting their happiness over his own, than it was for any true love toward the work of God in them. True, he showed some kindness to them, which made it seem he did care for them, but the rich man in Luke 16 did the same. When he was in hell, he showed some kindness toward his five brothers who were still in the world. Yes, he loved them enough as to wish they would go to heaven, instead of joining him in hell to be tormented. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou would send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment (Luke 16:27-28).

ATTENTIVE: Sickbed repentance is seldom good for anything.

WISEMAN: You're right. It's rarely good for anything. To nature, death is unwelcomed, and usually when sickness and death visit the sinner, the first takes him by the shoulder and the second stands at the bedroom door ready to receive him. Then the sinner begins to look around and realizes these will take him away before God. He will think, I know my life hasn't been what it should be! How will I do when I appear before God? Or even if it's more the sense of the punishment awaiting him as well as the place of punishment for sinners, that's also startling to a defiled conscience, when it's roused by death's lumbering at the door.

Consequently, sickbed repentance and the reason for doing it, namely, to be saved from hell and death and have God heal them and restore them to health again, shows that they think it is in their power to get better, which is evident by their large and lavish promises to repent.

I have known many who, when they've gotten sick, have shown large measures of this kind of repentance. While it has lasted, it makes the town ring with chatter about it. But, regrettably, how long has it lasted? Often, it's only until the sick party is made well. It passes away like a mist or a vapor − it doesn't continue. But this kind of repentance is compared by God to the howling of a dog. And they have not cried unto me with their heart when they howled upon their beds (Hosea 7:14).

ATTENTIVE: In all this, one can still see the desperateness of man's heart – see such promises for what they are − desperate wickedness promising to God they will change, if He will only spare them. Yet, as soon as they recover, or soon after, they fall into sin and live just like they did before and never consider their promise again.

WISEMAN: It is certainly a sign of desperateness, yes, of desperate madness. And the LORD heard the voice of your words and was angry and swore, saying, Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land, which I swore to give unto your fathers (Deuteronomy 1:34-35). For they must think that God surely took notice of their promise, and that He heard the words they spoke and has stored them up against the time to come when He will testify to their faces that they flattered and lied to Him when they lay sick on what they thought was their deathbed, and how they promised Him that if He would heal them they would repent and change their ways.

When He slew them, then they sought Him. They returned and inquired promptly after God. They remembered God was their rock and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless, they flattered Him and lied to Him, because their heart wasn't right with Him, neither were they faithful in His covenant.

When he slew them, then they sought him, and they returned and enquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless they flattered him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant. (Psalm 78:34-37)

But as I have told you, this is what 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 his godly wife, etc. Mr. Badman spoke many fine words in his sickness, but they weren't followed with good actions when he became well again.
Chapter 16

His Godly Wife Dies Brokenhearted

ATTENTIVE: And when his good wife saw that he hadn't changed, how did she take it when he returned to his old ways again?

WISEMAN: Why, it broke her heart. It was an even worse disappointment to her than when he tricked her into marriage. At least she took it more to heart and never could face it very well. You must remember that she sent up many prayers to God for him before this. She had prayed for him the whole time he treated her so badly. Now, when he was so terrified in his sickness and desired so strongly to get well and live, the poor woman thought it was God's answer to her prayers. She shared her gladness about this among her friends, but when her husband rebelled again, she couldn't stand up under her disappointment and fell into a languishing sickness. In a few weeks, she gave up and died.

ATTENTIVE: How did she die?

WISEMAN: She died bravely, comforted fully in her faith in Christ and assurance of the world to come. During her sickness, she offered many excellent words and demonstrations of her salvation to those who came to visit her. While she did have thoughts of the grave, her thoughts were especially on her rising again. These thoughts were sweet to her as she longed for death, because she knew it would be her friend.

To some, she seemed to act like a woman making ready to go meet her bridegroom. She said, "I'm going to rest from my sorrows, my sighs, my tears, my mourning, and complaints. Up until this time, I've longed to be among the saints, but I wasn't allowed to go − but now I'm going, and no one can stop me. For I am going to the great meeting, to the congregation of the called out ones of the firstborn, who are registered in the heavens and to God the Judge of all (Hebrews 12:23). There I will have my heart's desire. There I'll worship without temptation or any other hindrances. For there, I'll see the face of my Jesus, whom I've loved, whom I have served, and who I know will save my soul. I've often prayed that my husband might be converted, but there has been no answer from God in this matter. Are my prayers lost? Are they forgotten? Are they thrown overboard? No. They are hung on the horns of the golden altar, and that moment when I enter into the gates through which the righteous nation that keeps the truth will enter, I say, I'll benefit from them. As holy David said about his enemies, I can say of my husband. As for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer rose up in my bosom (Psalm 35:13). My prayers aren't lost. My tears are still in God's bottle. I would have had a crown and glory for my husband and for my children who followed in his steps − but so far as I can see, I must rest in the hope of having all myself."

ATTENTIVE: Did she speak this openly?

WISEMAN: No. She spoke like this to only one or two of her most intimate friends, who were permitted to come and see her as she lay languishing on her deathbed.

ATTENTIVE: Please tell me more. This is good. I'm happy to hear it; this is like a pleasant-tasting medicine to my heart while we sit talking like this under this tree.

WISEMAN: When she drew near the end of her life, she called for her husband. When he came to her, she told him, "The time has come that you and I must part. God knows and you know, that I've been a loving, faithful wife to you. I've offered many prayers for you, and as for all the abuse I've received at your hand, I freely and heartily forgive you. And I will still pray for your conversion, for as long as I breathe in this world. But husband, I'm going to that place, where no bad man will come, and if you do not convert, you will never see me again with comfort. Don't let my direct words offend you. I'm your dying wife and in my faithfulness to you, I urge you to part from your sinful ways. Flee to God for mercy while mercy's gate stands open. Though you are now healthy and well, remember the day is coming when you must lie at the gates of death as I do. What will you do then when your exposed soul meets with the cherubim's flaming swords? Yes, what will you do then, if death and hell visit you and find you in your sins and under the curse of the law?"

ATTENTIVE: Her words were certainly honest and clear. What did Mr. Badman say to her in response?

WISEMAN: He did what he could to change the subject. He also showed some pity toward her at this point and asked her what she wanted. With various words, he shut her down from saying what she really wanted to say, and when she saw that she was not regarded, she drew in a deep breath, lay still, and let out a long sigh.

So, he left and she called for her children and talked to them. First, she spoke to those who were rude and told them about the danger of dying without grace in their hearts. She said, "Death might be nearer to you than you think. The next time you walk through the churchyard look and see if there aren't little graves there. And, children, wouldn't it be dreadful if we meet at the day of judgment and then part again − never to see each other again?" With that she wept and the children also wept, and so she pressed on to say, "Children, I'm leaving you. I'm going to Jesus Christ. With Him there is neither sorrow, sighing, pain, tears, or death."

They shall hunger no more neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun be thrust upon them nor any other heat. (Revelation 7:16)

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and death shall be no more neither shall there be any more sorrow nor crying nor pain; for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4)

"I want you to go there also, but I can't carry you nor bring you there. But if you turn from your sins to God and beg mercy at His hands through Jesus Christ, when you die you will follow me and come to the place where I am going − that blessed place of rest. Then we will be forever together feasting our eyes on the face of our Redeemer to our mutual and eternal joy." So, she told them to remember the words of their dying mother when she was cold in her grave, that perhaps her words might check their sinful lifestyles − that they might remember and turn to God.

Then they all left except for her dearest child, the one she had loved most because he followed her ways. She said, "Come to me, my sweet child. You are the child of my joy. I've lived to see you become a servant of God. You will have eternal life. Sweetheart, I will go first and you will follow later, if you hold the confidence you've begun with steadfastness to the end. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end (Hebrews 3:14). When I am gone, remember my words. Love your Bible, follow my ministers, still deny ungodliness, and if troublesome times come, set a higher value on Christ, His Word and ways, and the testimony of a good conscience, rather than on all the world offers. Demonstrate it kindly and dutifully to your father, but choose none of his ways. If you can go to service, choose that rather than to stay at home, but be sure to choose a service where you can be helped in the way to heaven. To find such a service, if possible, speak to my minister and he will help you find one.

"My dear child, I also want you to love your brothers and sisters, but don't learn from their naughty behavior. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11). You have grace, they have none. Therefore, make the way of salvation beautiful before their eyes by living a godly life and with conversation which conforms to the revealed will of God, so that your brothers and sisters can see and become pleased with the good ways of the Lord.

"If you live to marry, be careful not to be treated as I was − of being deceived with beautiful words and flatteries of a lying tongue. First, be sure she is a godly woman, as sure as it is possible for one to be in this world. Don't just trust your own eyes or judgment as to the woman's godliness. Ask counsel of good men regarding the woman you're thinking to ask to be your wife. Don't do anything without my minister's advice, if he is still alive at the time. I have also asked him to look after you."

In this way, she talked to her children and gave them advice. After she talked to her dear child a little longer, she kissed him and told him to leave. In short, the day arrived on which she died, with a soul full of grace, a heart full of comfort, and by her death ended a life full of trouble. Her husband arranged a funeral for her, perhaps because he was glad he was rid of her, but we'll leave that judgment to the obvious.

ATTENTIVE: This woman died well. And now that we're talking about the death of Christians, I will tell you a story about a person who died some time ago in our town. The man was a godly old Puritan, which is what we called the godly in the past. After this man lived a long and godly life, he fell sick − the sickness from which he died. And as he lay drawing near death, the woman that looked after him thought she heard music − the sweetest music she'd ever heard in her life. This music continued until he gave up the ghost. Now when his soul departed, the music seemed to withdraw with it, drifting farther and farther from the house until the sound disappeared altogether from her hearing.

WISEMAN: What do you think that might have been?

ATTENTIVE: For all I know, it was the melodious notes of angels sent by God to bring him to heaven.

WISEMAN: I can't say. I do know that God works in extraordinary ways with us poor mortals sometimes, but I can't say this about Mr. Badman's wife. However, I can tell you she had better music in her heart than what the woman you have mentioned heard with her ears.

ATTENTIVE: I believe you're right. Please tell me, did any of her other children listen to what she had to say and better their souls?

WISEMAN: One of them did and became a very hopeful young man. But as for the rest, I can't really say.

ATTENTIVE: And what did Badman do after his wife was dead?

WISEMAN: Why, he went on as he did before. He hardly mourned two weeks for her, and even in that, I'd say his mourning was more for show than in heart.

ATTENTIVE: Didn't he at least talk about her sometimes after she died?

WISEMAN: Yes, when he felt like it. He commended her very much, saying she was a good, godly, virtuous woman. But don't be surprised by this, because it isn't unusual. In fact, it's common for wicked men who hate God's servants while alive, to praise them when they are dead. That's the way the Pharisees acted toward the prophets. The prophets who were dead they praised, and those who were alive they condemned.

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the sepulchres of the righteous and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Therefore ye are witnesses unto yourselves that ye are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. (Matthew 23:28-31)
Chapter 17

Badman Tricked into a Second Marriage

ATTENTIVE: But didn't Mr. Badman marry again rather quickly?

WISEMAN: No, not for a good while after the death of his first wife. When he was asked why he waited, he would just make a superficial answer, saying things like, "Who would keep a cow of their own when they can have a quart of milk for a penny?" What he meant by this was who would bother having the responsibility of a wife when they can have a prostitute whenever they want? After the death of his wife he continued to be repulsive and wicked.

However, he finally met someone too difficult for him to handle. One time, she got him to come to her, and after making him sufficiently drunk, she slyly got him to promise to marry her, and she held him to it and forced him to marry her. And she, as the saying goes, was as good as he at all his wicked tricks, using important-sounding words without solid sense. She had her companions just like he did, and she met them at the tavern and alehouse more regularly than he was aware of.

To be clear, she was very much a harlot and had a great many visitors come to her at preappointed times and places. He could smell it on her but didn't know how to prevent it. He knew if he brought it up that she would lay in to him about all the whores she knew he visited. And she could match his cursing and swearing with oath for oath and curse for curse.

ATTENTIVE: What kind of oaths did she use?

WISEMAN: Things like damn her and sink her, and things like that.

ATTENTIVE: These are provoking things.

WISEMAN: Yes, they are, but God doesn't allow such things to go altogether unpunished in this life. I've showed this to you already somewhat, and now I'll give you one or two more instances.

In the year 1551, there was a man who lived in the city of Savoy, who was a monstrous curser and swearer. While he was often scolded and blamed for it, he still wouldn't change his behavior in any way. After a long time, a great plague occurred in the city. As a result, he withdrew, along with his wife and a female relative and moved to a rich, well-cultivated tract of country, where again he was cautioned to give up his wickedness. But he hardened his heart more. He swore, blasphemed God, and gave himself to the devil. And immediately the devil snatched him up and carried him away, while his wife and relative looked on. The magistrates who had warned him to change his behavior went to the place and questioned the women, who validated it as the truth.

Also at Oster, in the territory of Magalapole, Mr. Clarke tells of a wicked woman who in her cursing gave herself body and soul to the devil. Even though she was criticized for it, she continued to do it, until one time while she was at a wedding feast the devil showed up in person and carried her up into the air, amid loud, horrible outcries. In this way, he carried her round about the town, and it frightened the inhabitants so much they were ready to die. And before long, he tore her in four pieces, dropping each quarter on four different highways and then brought her innards to the marriage feast and threw them on the table before the mayor of the town. The devil said, "Behold these dishes of meat belong to you for whom the same destruction awaits if you don't change your wicked life."

ATTENTIVE: Though God holds back from dealing like this with everyone who uses His name like this, so that immediate judgments don't overtake them in this way, yet He makes their lives bitter by other judgments, doesn't He?

WISEMAN: Yes, and for proof, I need go no further than Badman and his second wife, because their reproachful words, cursing, and swearing didn't end in just words. They would fight and fling themselves at each other like cats and dogs. But even this must be looked at as the hand and judgment of God upon him for his wickedness.

He'd had an honest woman before, but she couldn't live the way he wanted, and therefore God took her away and gave him one as bad as himself. In this way, this second wife treated him in the same way and to the same capacity in which he treated his first wife. And this is a punishment with which God will sometimes punish wicked men. This is what Amos said to Amaziah. Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city (Amos 7:17).

Mr. Badman lived a good while with this last wife, but in a very sad and hellish manner. Now he regretted his first wife's death, not because he loved her godliness − for he could never stand it − but because she used to always stay home. However, his second wife was always out and about. His first wife was also honest and loyal to that relationship, but his last wife was a harlot. The first woman loved to save, but this last wife rapidly spent as quickly as he did. The first remained silent when he scolded and took it patiently when he treated her rudely, but this last wife exchanged word for word, blow for blow, curse for curse. Mr. Badman had met his match. God had decided to make him see the corruptness of his own life through the wickedness of his wife's behavior. But it didn't work with Mr. Badman. He was still Mr. Badman, and this judgment didn't work any change in his life toward God or man.

ATTENTIVE: I can tell you that Mr. Badman thought when his wife died that the next time he married, he'd make a better match.

WISEMAN: What he thought I can't say, but he certainly couldn't hope for it in this match. For he realized he was caught. He knew he was entangled by this woman and would have gotten out of it if he could, but he couldn't. He knew she was a harlot before he married her, and for this reason could in no way promise himself a happy life with her, because he couldn't expect her to be true to him since she wasn't even true to her own soul. Solomon says, For a whore is a deep ditch (Proverbs 23:27). Mr. Badman found this statement true, because once she'd caught him in her pit, she would never let him go until she got him to promise her marriage. Once she'd taken him this far, she forced him to marry her, and after that, they lived the life I've told you about.

ATTENTIVE: But didn't the neighbors notice this change Mr. Badman made?

WISEMAN: Yes, and many of his neighbors, even many who were carnal, said, "It is a righteous judgment from God on him for his rude behavior and improper language toward his first wife." For they were all convinced his first wife was a virtuous woman, and that he − the vile wretch − had killed her with a lack of kindness.
Chapter 18

Badman Parts from His Wife and Dies in Sinful Security

ATTENTIVE: How long did they live together like this?

WISEMAN: Some fourteen or sixteen years, until they had sinned away all they owned. Even though she brought some money with her, by the time they parted they were as poor as a person living on the streets. And, when you think about it, how could it be otherwise? He wanted to have his way, and she wanted to have hers. He hung out with his companions, and she fooled around among hers. He with his prostitutes, and she with her unscrupulous men, and they both lived beyond their means, bringing them to poverty.

ATTENTIVE: Can you tell me what disease Mr. Badman died from, because I can see we are leading up to his death.

WISEMAN: I can't really say that he died from one specific disease, because many afflicted him and worked together to bring him to his end. He was afflicted with edema, pulmonary tuberculosis, he ate and drank in excess, suffered with gout, and as some say, he had a trace of sexually transmitted disease in his bowels as well. Yet the final cause of death was the pulmonary vascular disease. This is what brought him down to the grave.

ATTENTIVE: Although I won't say that the best of men can't die from such diseases, I must say that many times these diseases come through man's excessive use of things. Much drinking brings on edema, tuberculosis, excessive eating, and many other diseases. I don't doubt that Mr. Badman's death came as a result of the use of lawful and unlawful things. I base this on the report of his life that you've given me.

WISEMAN: I truly don't think you need to change your opinion, for many think that by his liberal consumption of alcohol and his prostitutes he brought this destruction upon himself. He wasn't an old man when he died, nor was he naturally feeble. Rather, he'd been a strong and healthy sort. Yet, as I said, he slowly deteriorated and with his demise set in motion, he went rotten to his grave. And when he was dead, the thing that made him stink in name and fame was that he died with a small degree of the foul disease upon him, a man whose life was full of sin, and whose death was without repentance.

ATTENTIVE: These were certainly disgraces sufficient to make him stink.

WISEMAN: They were and they did. After his death, no one could speak well of him. His name rotted above ground, just as his carcass rotted under it. And this is according to the saying of the wise Solomon, that the memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall stink (Proverbs 10:7).

Both parts of this verse were fulfilled with him and his first wife, because her name still did well, even though she had been dead almost seventeen years. But his name began to stink and rot before he had been buried seventeen days.

ATTENTIVE: That man died with a life full of sin and a heart void of repentance. Even if he died of the most ideal disease, if there were any such thing, I guarantee his name will stink in heaven and on earth.

WISEMAN: You speak the truth, and the same can be said for the names of Cain, Pharaoh, Saul, Judas, and the Pharisees. Even though they've been dead thousands of years, in the nostrils of the world they stink as fresh as if they were newly dead.

ATTENTIVE: I fully agree. But, since you've accused him of dying unrepentant, please let me see how you prove it. I'm not saying I doubt it, because you've affirmed it, but I'd still like to have proof regarding what is said about such weighty matters.

WISEMAN: When I said he died without repentance, I meant so far as those who knew him could judge, as they compared his life, the Word, and his death.

ATTENTIVE: Well said. That's the right way to find out whether he manifested repentance or not. Can you show me then how they proved he had none?

WISEMAN: All right, I will. The first proof was that in all the time of his sickness he never showed that he noticed or had a sense of his sins. Rather, he seemed as secure and at peace as if he'd never sinned in all his life.

ATTENTIVE: I must confess this is a sign he had no repentance. For how can a man repent of something if he doesn't see it or have any sense of it? But it is strange that he didn't see or sense his sin, when he could see and sense his evil earlier in life before he was sick.

WISEMAN: As I said, he was now as secure as if he had lived as sinless as an angel, even though everyone knew what a sinner he was because he displayed his sins in front of everyone. His life of excessive drinking and immorality was known and talked about by all, but as for his repentance, no one knew or talked of it, because as I said, he had none. And for all I know, the reason why he had no sense of his sins at this point was that he didn't benefit from the sense of his sins earlier in life. He didn't like to hold on to that knowledge of God which caused him to remember his sins. As a result, God gave him over to a mind abandoned to sin, to hardness, and to stupidity of spirit, and so the Scriptures that say, blind their eyes that they not see with their eyes (Isaiah 6:10), and let their eyes be darkened that they may not see (Romans 11:10) were fulfilled in him. Sadly, for a man to live in sin and to go out of the world without repentance for it is the saddest judgment that can overtake him.

ATTENTIVE: While you and I have agreed that without seeing or sensing sin there can be no repentance, that is simply our opinion. Therefore, let's see if we can make it good by backing it up with the Scripture.

WISEMAN: That can be done easily enough. The three thousand who were converted in Acts 2 didn't repent until they recognized or had a sense of their sins. In the same way, in Acts 9, Paul didn't repent until he saw and sensed his sins. The jailer in Philippi didn't repent until he had recognized and identified his sins (Acts 16). What would a man repent of?

Of course, the answer is sin. And what does it mean to repent of sin? The answer is to be sorry for it and to turn from it. But how can a man be sorry for it if he doesn't see it or have a sense of it? Therefore I will declare my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin (Psalm 38:18). David didn't only commit sins but also lived unrepentant of them until God sent Nathan the prophet to give him sight and sense of them. Then, but not until then, he repented of them. Then David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. . . . David, therefore, besought God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night upon the earth (2 Samuel 12:13, 16).

Job, in his repentance, cried out to God, Do not condemn me; cause me to understand why thou dost contend with me (Job 10:2). And teach me that which I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more (Job 34:32). That means I will repent of the sin I know, and I'll also repent of the sin I am not aware of once it is shown to me. Ephraim's repentance also took place once he was shown his sins and instructed about the evil of them.

I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast afflicted me, and I was chastised as an indomitable bullock: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. Surely after I was turned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, and even confounded, because I bore the reproach of my youth. Peradventure is Ephraim a precious son unto me? Peradventure is he unto me a delightful child? With all this since I spoke of him, I have remembered him constantly. Therefore my bowels are troubled for him; in tenderness I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:18-20)

ATTENTIVE: These are good verifications of this truth and do, in fact, prove true with certainty that which Mr. Badman is charged with − that he didn't repent but lived as he died − in his sin. His bones are full of the sins of his youth, which shall be buried with him in the dust (Job 20:11). For without repentance a man is sure to die in his sin, because they will lie down in the dust with him, rise at the judgment with him, and hang about his neck like cords and chains when he stands before God's tribunal. His own iniquities shall take hold of the wicked, and he shall be imprisoned with the cords of his sins (Proverbs 5:22). And they will go with him too when he leaves the judgment seat with the words Depart from me, ye cursed, into eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). And there he will agonize in his sins as they gnaw his conscience, because they will be like a never-dying worm. Where their worm does not die, and the fire is never quenched (Mark 9:44). And they shall go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that rebelled against me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh (Isaiah 66:24).

WISEMAN: That's right, and I can add a word or two more to what I've already said. Just like repentance isn't brought about without recognizing or sensing sin, we must also realize that every time someone recognizes sin in their life doesn't mean it will bring about repentance. I mean every recognition of sin doesn't produce that repentance to salvation for which there is never regret. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, of which there is no need to be repented; but the sorrow of the world works death (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Because it is still fresh in our minds, we know that Mr. Badman had an awareness of sin during that first bout of sickness, but it died without acquiring any such godly fruit. This was clear by the way he, like the dog, returned to his vomit. Many people think repentance is found by just confessing sin, but they are very much mistaken. Like I said before, repentance is being sorry for and turning from sin to God through Jesus Christ.

Now, if it is true that every recognition or sense of sin doesn't always lead to repentance, then repentance certainly can't come about if there isn't even recognition of sin. Every sense of sin doesn't bring about the godly repentance that we're talking about, as can be seen in Cain, Pharaoh, Saul, and Judas. All of them had a great sense of sin, but none of them repented unto life.

Now, based on what I know, I assume Mr. Badman died unrepentant and so experienced a death most miserable.

ATTENTIVE: But please, before we conclude our discussion about Mr. Badman, give me another proof that he died in his sins.

WISEMAN: More proof? There's this. He didn't desire to see or sense his sins, so that he would not have to repent of them. Did I say he didn't desire it? Let me add, he greatly desired to remain in his haven of sin. I will prove that by the following:

First, he couldn't stand for any man to talk to him regarding his sinful life, and yet that was the way to make him aware – to give him a sense of sin and a need to repent from it in his soul. But I'm telling you that he couldn't tolerate such conversation. He welcomed those men who attempted to talk to him about his misspent life very little, during his final sickness, much like Elijah when he went to meet Ahab as he went to take possession of Naboth's vineyard. Hast thou found me, O my enemy? (1 Kings 21:20). This is what Mr. Badman said in his heart to and about those who came to him, though they certainly came out of love to convince him of his evil life, so he might repent and obtain mercy.

ATTENTIVE: So, you're saying good men went to see him in his last sickness?

WISEMAN: Yes. They were acquaintances of his first wife. They went to see and talk to him, hoping that perhaps he might finally think about his life and cry to God for mercy.

ATTENTIVE: It's a fine thing they did to try to save his soul from hell. But how can you tell that he didn't care for such company as this?

WISEMAN: His demeanor toward them differed from how he used to act when his old carnal companions came to see him. When his old companions visited him he would stir himself as much as possible, by words and actions, to make it clear they were welcomed. He talked with them freely and looked pleasantly on them, though they talked about nothing except things like David said carnal men offered him when they came to visit him in his sickness: If he came to see me, he spoke lies: his heart gathered iniquity to itself (Psalm 41:6). But Mr. Badman accepted these kinds of talks better than he did the company of good men.

But let me offer more details regarding the character of his treatment toward these good men and what they had to say when they came to see him.

  1. When they walked in, his spirit seemed to fail at the sight of them.
  2. He didn't care to answer any of the questions they put to him, to find out what sense of sin, death, hell, or judgment he had. He would either say nothing, give them an evasive answer, or tell them, "I'm too weak and don't have the strength to speak much."
  3. He never showed an openness or friendliness to talk with them but was glad when they held their tongues. He never asked them questions about his condition or the hereafter or how he could escape the damnation he deserved.
  4. When these good people attempted to come to see him, he finally fell into the practice of telling his wife and keeper to "Tell them I'm asleep, or on the verge of sleep, or so weak for lack of sleep that I can't be disturbed." And so, this is the message they delivered time after time, until the good men grew so discouraged they stopped coming to see him.
  5. In this time of his sickness, he was so hardened that he'd talk when his companions came to him, and he would use the conversation to belittle and ridicule those good men and their doctrine. This he did to those who came to see him out of love and who worked to convert him.
  6. Once these good men walked away from him, he never said things like, "Please tell me when you will come again, for I desire more of your company and to hear your good instruction." No, he spoke not a word like that, but when they did come he would scarcely ask if they might want something to drink, or say, "Thank you for your good company and instruction."
  7. In his sickness, his talk with his companions was about the world – things like trades, houses, lands, great men, great titles, great places, outward prosperity or adversity, or some such worldly thing. From all that he preferred to discuss, I conclude he didn't desire to be aware of his sin so that he might repent and be saved.

ATTENTIVE: If these things you've asserted about him are true, then I agree it must be so. And I more willingly believe them, because I don't think you'd dare tell a lie about the dead.

WISEMAN: I was one of those who went to him and witnessed this manner of treatment which he showed. I've given you a true account of what happened.

ATTENTIVE: I am satisfied. But if you can, please show me through the Word what sentence God passes on such men.

WISEMAN: Why, the man who is reluctant to repent in this way − who doesn't desire to hear about his sins so he might repent and be saved is said to be a man who says to God, Depart from us; for we do not desire the knowledge of thy ways (Job 21:14). Such a person says in his heart and with his actions, I have loved strangers [sins], and after them I will go (Jeremiah 2:25). He is a person who shuts his eyes, stops his ears, and turns his spirit against God.

But they refused to hearken and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone lest they should hear the law and the words which the LORD of the hosts has sent by his Spirit by the hand of the former prophets; therefore came great wrath from the LORD of the hosts. (Zechariah 7:11-12)

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see and not perceive; for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them. (Acts 28:26-27)

Yes, such a person is at enmity with God and detests Him with his soul.

ATTENTIVE: Can you give me any other sign that Mr. Badman died without repentance?

WISEMAN: Well, all the time of his affliction, he never wholeheartedly cried to God for mercy. True, when sinking fits, stitches, or pains took hold of him, like other worldly men are in the habit of doing, he would say, "Lord, help me. Lord, strengthen me. Lord, deliver me," and things like that. But to cry to God for mercy − that he did not do. As I hinted before, he lay there as if he had never sinned.

ATTENTIVE: That's certainly another bad sign, because crying to God for mercy is one of the first signs of repentance. When Paul lay repenting of his sin on his bed, the Holy Spirit said about him, Behold, he prays (Acts 9:11). But for one who doesn't show even the first signs of repentance, that in itself is a sign that he has none of the others, and so without a doubt none at all.

I don't say there may not be crying where there is no sign of repentance. They cried, says David, unto the LORD, but he did not answer them (Psalm 18:41), but He would have answered if their cry had been the fruit of repentance. But, if people can cry and still have no repentance, you can be sure that those who don't cry at all have no repentance. In Job it says, they shall not cry out when he binds them (Job 36:13), that is, because they have no repentance − no cries. They neither have false repentance with false cries, nor true repentance with true cries.

WISEMAN: I know it is as possible for a man with true repentance to hold back crying as it is for a man to hold back his groans when feeling deadly pain. When you look into the book of Psalms, where repentance is most vigorously set forth along with its true and proper effects, you'll find that crying, strong crying, whole-hearted crying, great crying, and incessant crying, have been the fruit of repentance. But Mr. Badman had none of this. Therefore, he died in his sins.

We see in these Scriptures that crying is an inseparable effect of repentance.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy mercy; according unto the multitude of thy compassion eradicate my rebellion. (Psalm 51:1)

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 troubled. My soul is also greatly troubled; but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. (Psalm 6:1-4)

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 presses 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 my iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden 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 go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken; I roar by reason of the disquietness of my heart. (Psalm 38:1-8)

I could list a great number more holy sayings of good men which express how they were, what they felt, and whether they cried or not when repentance was worked in them. Regrettably, when the pangs of guilt are upon a man, it's as possible for him to hold back praying as it is for a woman to restrain from crying when pangs of labor are upon her. If all the world told me that such a man has repentance, yet he's not a praying man, I couldn't be persuaded to believe it.

ATTENTIVE: I know no reason why you should, because there's nothing which demonstrates that such a man has it. But please, sir, what other sign do you have which can prove that Mr. Badman died in his sins and a state of damnation?

WISEMAN: I have this. His old and sinful 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 have occasionally hinted at this before, but now I make it an argument to show his lack of grace, because where there is in fact a work of grace in the heart, that work not only changes the heart, thoughts, and desires, but also the conversation. Yes, conversation and company, too. When Paul experienced a work of grace in his soul, he tried to join himself to the disciples. He no longer took part with his old companions in their evil doctrines and practices. He was now a disciple, and favored the company of disciples. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem (Acts 9:28).

ATTENTIVE: I thought about something you made mention of earlier. I thought, this is an astute observation that he didn't have grace in his heart. I thought, birds of a feather will flock together. If this man was one of God's children, he would gather together with God's children. His delight would be with and in the company of God's children. As David said, I am a companion of all those that fear thee and of those that keep thy precepts (Psalm 119:63).

WISEMAN: Well said. For what part do the faithful have with the unfaithful? (2 Corinthians 6:15). And although it is true that all who join to the godly are not godly, those who still inwardly choose the company of the ungodly who are openly wicked, rather than the company of the godly, like Mr. Badman did, are most certainly not godly men but wicked. As I told you, he was out of his element when good men came to visit him. But when his worthless companions gathered around him, then he was where he should be.

As I said, grace alters the heart, life, company, and all, because by it the heart and man are made new. And a new heart and a new man must have objects of delight that are new − like himself. Old things are passed away. Why? Because all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Now, if all things become new, that is, the heart, mind, thoughts, desires, and delights, it follows then that the company one keeps must conform with the new life. That's why it is said that they that believed were together (Acts 2:44), that they went to their own company (Acts 4:23), that they were added to the congregation (Acts 2:47), that they were of one heart and one soul (Acts 4:32), and the like.

Now, if the objection is raised that Mr. Badman was sick and couldn't go to the godly, remember that he still had a tongue and, if he had the heart to do so, he could have asked someone to call or send for the godly to come visit him. Not only that, but the company of all the others, especially his fellow sinners, would have been a burden and a grief to him. With his heart and devotion resolved to do good, good companions would have suited him best. But his companions were his old associates, his delight was in them, and therefore his heart and soul were still ungodly.

ATTENTIVE: Please tell me what he was like as he drew near his end, because I recognize that what you've said about him, until now, has referred to his actions at the beginning of his sickness. At the start, he could put up with company and much talk. Besides, perhaps then he thought he might recover and not die, unlike later when he had cause to think he was at the grave's mouth when he'd quite wasted away with sickness. What I'm asking is how was he when he was within a step of death, as we say, at the grave's mouth. How was he when he saw and knew that shortly he must die and appear before the judgment of God?

WISEMAN: There was no change in him other than the physical change caused by his disease. Sickness, you know, will alter the body. Aches and sudden sharp pains in the side will make men groan, but as for his mind, he showed no change. So far as it could be ascertained, to the very moment in which he died his mind was the same − his heart was the same. He was still the same old Mr. Badman, not only in reputation but also in his state of mind and that to the very day of his death.

ATTENTIVE: What about his death? Was death strong upon him? Or did he die quietly with ease?

WISEMAN: As quietly as a lamb. To bystanders there seemed to be no strong struggle of nature. And as for his mind, it seemed to be completely at peace. But why do you ask me this question?

ATTENTIVE: Not for my sake but for others. For there's an opinion among the ignorant that if a man dies, as they say, "like a lamb" − quietly − and without alarm or dread which others show in their death, they conclude beyond all doubt that such a person has gone to heaven and certainly escaped the wrath to come.
Chapter 19

Future Happiness Not to Be Hoped from a Quiet, Hardened Death

WISEMAN: No judgment can be made about the eternal state of a person based on a quiet death. Suppose one person dies quietly, another dies suddenly, and a third dies under great trepidation of spirit. No one can judge their eternal condition by the manner of any of these kinds of deaths. He who dies quietly, suddenly, or under trepidation of spirit may go to heaven − or may go to hell. No one can tell whether a man goes to heaven or hell based on the manner of death.

The judgment we make about a person's eternal condition must be based on another consideration; that is, did the person die in his sins? Did he die in unbelief? Did he die before he was born again? If that's the case, then he has gone to the devil and hell, even though he died so peacefully. Again, judgment should be based on things such as: Was he a good man? Did his life display faith and holiness? Did he love and worship God through Christ according to His Word? If so, then he's gone to God and heaven, no matter how suddenly or what concerns of mind he had as he died. But Mr. Badman showed none of this. His life was evil. His ways were evil − evil to his death. Therefore, he went to hell and to the devil, no matter how quietly he died.

To be sure, in some cases, a judgment can be made about a man's eternal condition by the manner of the death he dies. For instance, suppose one man murders himself or another one lives a wicked life, and after that dies in utter despair. These men, without doubt, both go to hell. And here I'll take a moment to tell you about two of Mr. Badman's brothers. One of them killed himself, and the other, after a wicked life, died in utter despair. Now, I'm not afraid to conclude that both of these men went by and through their death to hell.

ATTENTIVE: Concerning the first, how did he do away with himself?

WISEMAN: Why, he took a knife and cut his own throat and immediately gave up the ghost and died. So, what can we judge regarding such a man's condition, since the Scripture says no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15)? We must conclude that such a person has gone to hell. He was a murderer − self-murderer, the worst sort because he slays his own body and soul. Nor do we find mention made of any in the Holy Scriptures but cursed ones who do these kinds of deeds.

And this is a severe judgment of God on men, when He gives them up to be their own executioners, or rather to execute His judgment and anger on them for their sins. And I strongly caution sinners to pay careful attention that they break from their sins, for fear that God may dole out to them as he did to Mr. Badman's brother.

ATTENTIVE: Now that you mention this, I once knew a barber who took his razor and cut his own throat, and stuck his head out of his bedroom window to show the neighbors what he had done, and after a little while he died.

WISEMAN: I can tell you one more dreadful thing regarding this. About twelve years ago, a man who lived at Brafield, by Northampton, named John Cox, murdered himself. He was a poor man, and had been sick for some time. The time of year he became sick was around the beginning of hay time. He thought too much about how he would live in the future if he lost his present season of work. As a result, he fell into deep despair about his circumstances and cried out to his wife the morning before he killed himself, saying, "We are ruined."

Soon after that, he told his wife to leave the room. He said, "I'll see if I can get some rest," and so she walked out. But instead of sleeping, he quickly took his razor and cut a great hole in his side, from which he pulled and cut off some of his guts, and threw them, with the blood, up and down the chamber. But this did not bring about his death as quickly as he desired, so he took the same razor and cut his own throat. His wife heard him sigh and take a short breath and came into the room. When she saw what he had done, she ran out and called in some neighbors, who came to him where he lay in a bloody mess, still alive and frightful to behold.

One of the neighbors said, "John, what have you done? Are you not sorry for what you have done?"

He answered roughly, "It is too late to be sorry."

The man said, "John, pray to God to forgive you for this bloody act of yours."

When John heard this urging, he seemed greatly offended. He angrily replied, "Pray!" With that, he flung himself toward the wall and after a few gasps, died desperately. When the man turned him with his back to the wall, the blood ran out of his belly like out of a bowl and soaked through the bed to the boards, and through the chinks of the boards it poured to the ground. Some of the eyewitnesses said they found him lying there groping with his hand in his bowels, reaching upward. They thought he might have pulled or cut out his heart. It was said, also, that some of his liver had been torn out and thrown on the floor, and that a good deal of his guts hung down the side of the bed, but I can't confirm all the details. In general, though, the circumstances mentioned in this story are true. I heard it from a sober, credible person, who witnessed this firsthand and saw him in this bloody state and even talked with him.

Many other dreadful things like this could be told, but these are enough, and too many too, if God in His wisdom had thought it necessary to prevent them.

ATTENTIVE: This is a dreadful story. And I wish to God that it might be a warning to others to instruct them to fear God and pray, for fear He might give them up to do as John Cox did. For surely self-murderers can't go to heaven, and, therefore, as you have said, he died by his own hands and certainly has gone to hell. But tell me a little about the other man you mentioned.

WISEMAN: What? About the wicked man dying in despair?

ATTENTIVE: Yes.

WISEMAN: This other brother of Mr. Badman was a very wicked man both in heart and life. I say in heart, because that's how he lived life. Nothing could reclaim him − not good men, good books, good examples, nor God's judgments.

After he lived a great while in his sins, God struck him with a sickness from which he died. Now, during his sickness, his conscience began to be awakened, and he cried out loudly about his poorly spent life to such an extent that numerous opinions ran throughout the town about him. Now, with all this talk about town, many neighbors came to see and counsel him, which is common with some. But once they were there, no matter what they did, they couldn't lessen or stop his terror. Instead, he lay upon his bed gnashing his teeth and wringing his hands, and in that horror and despair he died without calling upon God. Instead, he refused to trust in His mercy, and blasphemed His name. In this way, he completed the damnation of his soul.

ATTENTIVE: This reminds me of a man that a friend of mine told me about. He had lived wickedly, and when he came to die, he fell into despair because he concluded that God had no mercy for him. As a result, he turned to the devil's kindness, saying, "Good devil, be good to me."

WISEMAN: This is almost like Saul, when God rejected him. He went to the witch of Endor and consequently to the devil for help. But, should I unhappily use this short time to collect these dreadful stories? It would be easy enough to present you with hundreds of them, but I'll finish as I began – those who kill themselves or who die in despair, after they have lived a life of wickedness, do surely go to hell. And here I add a caution. All those who die under trepidation of spirit − under amazement and great fear – don't necessarily die in despair. For a good man can experience this in the throes of his death and still go to heaven and glory. Because there is no restraint that would bring about their death, but their strength is firm (Psalm 73:4).

As I said before, he who is a good man − a man of faith and holiness, a lover and worshiper of God through Christ, according to His Word − can still die with misgivings of spirit, because Satan won't slack off from assaulting good men on their deathbed. But the fact is they are secured by the Word and power of God. They are also helped, with much agony of spirit, to exercise faith and prayer. The one who dies in real despair can't do this in any way. But let's return to our conversation about Mr. Badman and the manner of his death.

ATTENTIVE: My thoughts exactly. I was just thinking of suggesting we get back to him also. So, please, since it's your idea to return to his story, let's talk a little more about his quiet and still death.

WISEMAN: I completely agree. We were speaking about the way Mr. Badman died − how he died quietly at rest. At that point, you made the observation that people commonly conclude that if a man dies quietly, as they say, peaceful like a lamb, then he has certainly gone to heaven. Sadly, the truth is, if a wicked man dies quietly after living all his days in notorious sin, his quiet death is far from being a sign that he is saved and far from being an overwhelming proof of his damnation. This was Mr. Badman's case. He lived wickedly to his last breath and then went quietly out of the world. Therefore, Mr. Badman has gone to hell.

ATTENTIVE: Well, since you've brought it up and are so confident that a man who lives a wicked life until he dies, and who dies quietly, has gone to hell, show me the proof that supports your opinion.

WISEMAN: I draw my first argument from the necessity of repentance. No one can be saved unless he repents. Nor can a person who doesn't see or know they are a sinner repent, and I guarantee the one who knows he's a sinner will be troubled by that knowledge. This is testified by all the Scriptures; consequently, it is testified by the Christian experience.

The person who knows they are a sinner is troubled about it, especially if he doesn't recognize it until he is cast upon his deathbed. Yes, he's troubled, depressed, and cast down. Troubled, I say, before he can die quietly. It causes him to cry out − to hunger and thirst after mercy through Christ, and if at all possible, that he will die quietly. By this I mean with that quietness which accompanies faith and hope in God's mercy − quietness which Mr. Badman and his brothers never knew. His quietness is differentiated by all the astute people who witnessed his life before it, by what flowed from him and also by the fruit of his life.

I must confess that I'm no admirer of sickbed repentance, because I think it's very seldom valid. But I have to say that he who has lived in sin and is vulgar and odious all his days, like Mr. Badman, and yet dies quietly but without repentance − he has most certainly gone to hell and is damned.

ATTENTIVE: This does look like an undeniable argument. Repentance must come or else we must go to hell. And if a lewd person lives and continues in his sin until the day of his death, and yet goes out of the world quietly, it is nothing but a sign that he died without repentance, and so is a sign that he is damned.

WISEMAN: For my part, I'm satisfied that repentance is necessary because God calls for it, and won't pardon sin without it. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). This is what God has said, and anyone who still thinks they will go to heaven and glory without it will prove to be nothing but an unwise and unsaved man. Repent, for the axe is also laid unto the root of the trees, but where no complete repentance is found, no good fruit can be found, and so the tree will be hewn down and cast into the fire (Matthew 3:10). This was Mr. Badman's case. He went along with his sinful life to the very end, and yet he died quietly, but without repentance. He has gone to hell and is damned. For I've already touched on the nature of repentance and it was never shown that a quiet death directly accompanies a sinful life or not. Therefore, Mr. Badman has gone to hell.

My second argument is drawn from that blessed word of Christ. When an armed strong man keeps his palace, his goods are in peace until someone stronger than him comes along (Luke 11:21-22). But the armed strongman kept Mr. Badman's house − that is, his heart, soul, and body, and he went from a sinful life quietly out of this world. The someone stronger didn't get in the way by intercepting with sound repentance between his sinful life and his quiet death. Therefore, Mr. Badman has gone to hell.

For the armed strongman, the devil, quietness is his security. The devil never fears losing the sinner, if he can just keep him quiet. If he can just keep him quiet in a sinful life and quiet in his death, he belongs to him. As a result, he says, his goods are in peace (Luke 11:21), that is, out of danger because the devil has no fear of losing such a soul. But Christ, who is the best judge in this matter, says, his goods are in peace, in quiet and out of danger.

ATTENTIVE: This is a good one too, because without a doubt, peace and quiet with sin is one of the greatest signs of a damnable position.

WISEMAN: So it is. As a result, God shows the greatness of His anger against sin and sinners in His Word. He says they are joined to idols: let him alone (Hosea 4:17 KJV). Let them alone; that is, don't disturb them. Let them go on without control. Let the devil enjoy them peaceably; let him carry them quietly out of the world unconverted.

This is one of the severest of judgments and foretells of the burning anger of God against sinful men. Also, see Hosea 4:14. It says, I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom (KJV). He will let them alone, and they will live and die in their sins.

But my third argument is drawn from what Christ said. He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted, and I should heal them (John 12:40). From these words, we can take away four things:

  1. There can be no conversion to God where the eye is darkened and the heart is hardened. First, the eye must be made to see and the heart broken and surrendered because of sin, or else there can be no conversion. Christ said, He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted. This was clearly Mr. Badman's case. He lived a wicked life and also died with his eyes shut and heart hardened, and it's clear that his sinful life was joined with a quiet death − all so he wouldn't be converted but rather would partake of the fruit of his sinful life in hell.
  2. The next thing to take notice of from these words is that this is a dispensation and manifestation of God's anger against a man for his sin. When God is angry with men, I mean, when He is so angry with them, this is one of the judgments, among many, that He gives them up to: blindness of mind and hardness of heart. He also allows it to stay with them until they enter the gates of death. Then and there, and not short of then and there, their eyes are opened.

Later, in Luke, it is said of the rich man that he died and in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments (Luke 16:23). This implies that he didn't lift his eyes up before. He neither saw what he'd done nor where he was going, until his punishment was executed and he found himself in hell. He died asleep in his soul. He died intoxicated, unable to see or think properly, and so, consequently, he died quietly like a child or a lamb, just like Mr. Badman did. This was a sign of God's anger. He determined to damn him for his sins. Therefore, He wouldn't let him see or have a heart to repent for them, lest he convert, and his damnation, which God had appointed, would be frustrated. Lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart and should be converted, and I should heal them (Matthew 13:15).

  3. Another thing to take notice of from Scripture is that a sinful life which ends in a quiet death is the ready, open, and beaten path and common highway to hell. There's no surer sign of damnation than for a man to die quietly after leading a sinful life.

I don't mean that all wicked men who are tormented at the time of their death with a sense of sin and fears of hell go to heaven because of that torment. Some are made to see but are left to hopelessness because, even though they see, they don't convert. As a result, they go out of this world with a cry of a beast to their place in hell. But I say there is no surer sign of a man's damnation than to die quietly after a sinful life, to sin and die with his eyes blinded with a heart that can't repent. He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted (John 12:40). No, not so long as they are in this world.

Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see and not perceive; for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them. (Acts 28:26-27)

Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for in that which thou dost judge another, thou dost condemn thyself; for thou that judgest others doest the same things. For we are sure that the judgment of God is according to the truth against those who do such things. And dost thou think this, O man, that judgest those who do such things and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or dost thou despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, ignoring that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasures up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. (Romans 2:1-5)

God has a judgment for wicked men and will call them into account. He knows how to reserve the ungodly for the day of judgment to be punished. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished (2 Peter 2:9). And this is one of His ways by which he does it. This is how it was with Mr. Badman.

  4. Finally, in the book of Psalms, concerning the wicked it is said that there is no restraint that would bring about their death, but their strength is firm (Psalm 73:4). By no restraint, he means no troubles, no gracious reprimands, no such corrections for sin as is the destiny of God's people. And for the wicked, many times this happens at the time of their death.

As a result, he adds this concerning the wicked: They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men (Psalm 73:5). Therefore they are crowned with pride; they cover themselves with violence as a garment (Psalm 73:6), and they go out of the world as securely as if they had never sinned against God or put their own souls in danger of damnation. There is no restraint that would bring about their death. They seem to be free and unbound as they leave this world, even though they lived notoriously wicked lives all their days.

The prisoner who is sentenced to die at the gallows for his wickedness must first have his irons knocked off his legs. So, while he seems to go forth with more freedom, in reality he is going to be executed for his transgressions. Wicked men also have no restraints in their death; they seem to go forth with more freedom, even when they arrive at the end of their sinful life, more than at any other time.

From this time, as they lie upon their deathbed, you'll hear them boast about their faith and hope in God's mercy. You'll hear them speak confidently about their salvation as if they had served God all their days, when the truth is that the basis of their boasting is that they have no restraints in their death. Their sin and sordid life does not even come to their mind to correct them and bring them to repentance. Instead, presuming arrogant thoughts and a hope and faith like the spider's web of the devil's making possesses their soul, to their own eternal undoing. So are the paths of all that forget God, and the hypocrite's hope shall perish. For his hope shall be cut off, and his trust is a spider's web (Job 8:13-14).

* * *

 1 Samuel 28

 This is the most awful of all delusions. It is exemplified in the character of Ignorance, in The Pilgrim's Progress, who was ferried over death by Vain-Confidence but found "that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven."
Chapter 20

Without Godly Repentance, the Wicked Man's Hope and Life Die Together

For this reason, wicked men's hope are said to die not before them, but with them. They give up the ghost together. And this is what Mr. Badman did. His sins and his hope went with him to the gate between life and death, but there his hope left him because he died there. But his sins went in with him to be a worm to gnaw his conscience forever and ever.

Therefore, the common opinion held by many people concerning this kind of dying is frivolous and empty, like when they said Mr. Badman died "like a lamb," or "like a child," quietly and without fear. I'm not talking about the struggling of nature with death but about the struggle of the conscience with the judgment of God.

Nature will struggle with death. I've seen a dog and sheep die with difficulty. And so a wicked man may do the same due to opposition between nature and death. But even when death and nature struggle for control of the soul, the conscience can be as if it's intoxicated, void of emotional feeling, senseless, and ignorant of its miserable condition. And so they may look like a child in the way they die, but in reality they are bound over to eternal damnation by the judgment of God. And by the same judgment, they are kept from seeing what they are and where they are going, until they plunge down among the flames.

This is a very extreme judgment of God on wicked men who die like this, because it cuts them off from all possibility of repentance − and of salvation. It's also a profound judgment on the people who are their companions that survive them, because when they see the manner of their death − dying so peacefully − they are hardened and take courage to go on in their sinful course.

Because they compare their life with their death − their sinful, cursed lives, with their childlike, lamblike death − they think all is well and that no damnation happened to them. Even though they lived like devils in the flesh, they still died like innocent people. There was no whirlwind, no tempest, no shackles or affliction in their death. They died as peacefully as the most godly of people and had as great a faith and hope of salvation, and talked as boldly about salvation as if they had assurance of it. But their hope in death was like their hope in life. Their hope was without trial, because it wasn't God's working. Their death was without upset or affliction, because this was the judgment of God concerning them. But the problem I see is that many of those who see this are encouraged to walk in their steps − to continue to live in violation of the law of God. They do this in a grand manner with their evil. There is no restraint that would bring about their death, . . . Therefore they are crowned with pride; they cover themselves with violence as a garment. They take courage to do evil and as a result they pride themselves in their sin. For what reason? Because their friends died peacefully like a lamb as if they were innocent, after living a long, irreverent, and wicked life.

When they see this, they're emboldened to conclude that God either doesn't or won't notice their sins. They are lawless and speak wickedly of doing violence; they speak loftily (Psalm 73:8). Regarding sin, they wickedly make it sound better than the Word declares it to be. They speak with motives contrary to yielding to God's Word, and they actually praise it and consider it a practical act. They also speak arrogantly. They say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? (Psalm 73:11). And so far as I can see, all this arises in their hearts after they witness the peaceful, lamblike deaths of their companions. Behold, these ungodly men, without being troubled by the world obtain riches (Psalm 73:12).

And so, this is a great judgment by God, both on that man who dies in his sins and also on his companion who sees him die in this way. He sins, he dies in his sins, and yet he dies peacefully. What will his companion say about this? What judgment will he make regarding how God will deal with him, when he witnesses the lamblike death of his companion? From such a sight, you can be sure he won't say, "Woe be to me, because judgment is before me." Because by the childlike death of Mr. Badman, he can't understand that sin is a dreadful and bitter thing. Instead, if he judges based on what he sees, or according to his corrupted sense of reason, he will conclude with the wicked ones of old, that every one that does evil pleases the LORD, and he delights in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (Malachi 2:17).

This is enough of a puzzle even for the wisest man. David himself was halted by difficulties when he witnessed the quiet death of ungodly men. Verily, in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency (Psalm 73:13). By appearance, they fared better by far than him. Their eyes stand out with fatness (Psalm 73:7), and they had more than a heart could wish for. But all the day long he was plagued and every morning he was corrected.

This made David wonder. And Job and Jeremiah too. But he went into the sanctuary, and then he understood their end, in a way he couldn't before. I come into the sanctuary of God. What place was that? Why, the very place where he might inquire of God, and through Him he resolved this matter. Then, he says, I shall understand their end. Then I saw that you have set them in slippery places (Psalm 73:18), and that in desolation thou shalt cause them to fall, suddenly, or as the next words say, they are brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors (Psalm 73:19). These terrors didn't seize them on their sickbed, because they had no restrictions in their death. Therefore, the terrors seized them there, after this life, and there they are restrained by them forever. I tell you, in the end he found out, but not without great pain, grief − wounded in his inmost being − so deep, so hard. He found it very difficult, for he rightly came to an absolute certain end in this matter.

This is definitely a profound judgment of God towards ungodly sinners. It's enough to stagger the whole world − only the godly in the world have a sanctuary to go to, where the truth and Word of God is. It is here His judgments are made known and are understood by them.

ATTENTIVE: This is certainly a staggering dispensation. It's full of the wisdom and anger of God. And I believe, as you have said, that it is full of judgment for the world. Who, if they didn't know Mr. Badman and saw him die, could have imagined him to be anything but a man who lived a holy life since he died so peacefully, like a lamb? Based on this, couldn't they have concluded he was a righteous man? Or if they did know him and his life but saw him die so peacefully, couldn't they have concluded that he'd made his peace with God? And beyond that, if someone knew he'd died in his sins and died so like a lamb, couldn't they conclude that either God doesn't know our sins, or that He likes them, or that He lacks power, will, heart, or skill to punish them, since Mr. Badman left his sinful life so quietly, so peaceably like he did?

To be a bad man must be bad,

To die a bad man is most sad;

I wish bad men considered this,

Lest they fall short of lasting bliss.

WISEMAN: Without dispute, this is a heavy judgment of God on wicked men. One goes to hell in peace, another goes to hell in trouble. One goes to hell being sent there by his own hands, another goes to hell being sent there by the hand of his companion. One goes there with his eyes shut, and another goes there with his eyes open. One goes there in a noisy, riotous manner, and another goes there boasting about heaven and happiness all the way. This one shall die in the full strength of his beauty, being completely at ease and quiet (Job 21:23). One goes there like Mr. Badman himself, and others go there like his brothers did.

Above all, as to the manner of Mr. Badman's death – the way in which he died − it is filled with snares and traps for wicked men. For that reason, those who die like him are the greatest stumbling block to the world. They go and go − they go peaceably from youth to old age, and then to the grave, and so to hell, without a sound of any kind, as an ox goes to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks (Proverbs 7:22), that is, both senselessly and securely. Oh, but to come to the gates of hell. When they see those gates open for them! Can you imagine when they see hell is their home, and that they must go in? Then their peace and quietness will vanish forever. Then they will roar like lions, yell like dragons, howl like dogs, and tremble at their judgment, just like the devils do. Oh, when they see they must push forward into the gulf and throat of hell and then see that hell has shut her ghastly jaws on them, they open their eyes and find themselves within the belly and bowels of hell. There they will mourn, weep, hack, and gnash their teeth because of the pain. But those standing by the deathbed don't see this, for this happens after they've departed out of the sight and hearing of those mortals they leave behind in this world.

ATTENTIVE: Well, my good neighbor, Wiseman, I see that the sun grows low and that you've come to a conclusion regarding Mr. Badman's life and death. And so, I will take my leave, but first let me tell you that I'm glad I met with you today and that it isn't our misfortune to fall in with Mr. Badman's state. I also thank you for how you freely shared with me, in your replies to all my questions. I only beg that you pray for me that God will give me much grace, that I may neither live nor die like Mr. Badman did.

WISEMAN: My good neighbor, Attentive, I wish for your health in soul and body and, if anything I've said about Mr. Badman's life and death can be of benefit to you, I'll be wholeheartedly glad. I only desire that you thank God for it and that you pray wholeheartedly for me, that I, with you, can be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

ATTENTIVE: Amen. Farewell.

WISEMAN: I wish you farewell.
About the Author

John Bunyan was born in November 1628, in Elstow, England. A celebrated English minister and preacher, he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress (1678), the book that was the most characteristic expression of the Puritan religious outlook. His other works include doctrinal and controversial writings; a spiritual autobiography, Grace Abounding (1666); and the allegory, The Holy War (1682).
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The Life and Death of Mr. Badman – John Bunyan

Updated Edition Copyright © 2017

First edition published 1680

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