Part 7 (1/2)
Wise. Verily so they doe. But yet that which makes the whole more dreadful, is, That men are given up to this sin, because they are abhorred of G.o.d, and because abhorred, therefore they shall fall into the commission of it; and shall live there. The mouth (that is, the flattering Lips) of a strange woman is a deep pit, the abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. {58b} Therefore it saith again of such, that they have none Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of G.o.d. {58c}
Atten. Put all together, and it is a dreadful thing to live and die in this transgression.
Wise. True. But suppose, that instead of all these Judgments, this sin had attending of it all the felicities of this life, and no bitterness, shame, or disgrace mixed with it, yet one hour in h.e.l.l will spoil all.
O! this h.e.l.l, h.e.l.l-fire, d.a.m.nation in h.e.l.l, it is such an inconceivable punishment, that were it but throughly believed, it would nip this sin, with others, in the head. But here is the mischief, those that give up themselves to these things, do so harden themselves in Unbelief and Atheism about the things, the punishments that G.o.d hath threatned to inflict upon the committers of them, that at last they arrive to, almost, an absolute and firm belief that there is no Judgment to come hereafter: Else they would not, they could not, no not attempt to commit this sin, by such abominable language as some do.
[Picture: Take note symbol] I heard of one that should say to his Miss, when he tempted her to the committing of this sin, If thou wilt venture thy Body, I will venture my Soul. {58d} And I my self heard another say, when he was tempting of a Maid to commit uncleanness with him, (it was in Olivers dayes) That if she did prove with Child, he would tell her how she might escape punishment, (and that was then somewhat severe,) Say (saith he) when you come before the Judge, That you are with Child by the Holy Ghost. [Picture: Take note symbol] I heard him say thus, and it greatly afflicted me; I had a mind to have accused him for it before some Magistrate; but he was a great man, and I was poor, and young: so I let it alone, but it troubled me very much.
Atten. 'Twas the most horrible thing that ever I heard in my life. But how far off are these men from that Spirit and Grace that dwelt in Joseph!
Wise. Right; when Joseph's Mistress tempted him, yea tempted him daily; {59b} yea, she laid hold on him, and said with her Wh.o.r.es forehead, Come lie with me, but he refused: He hearkned not to lie with her, or to be with her. Mr. Badman would have taken the opportunity.
And a little to comment upon this of Joseph. {59c}
1. Here is a Miss, a great Miss, the Wife of the Captain of the Guard, some beautiful Dame, I'le warrant you.
2. Here is a Miss won, and in her whorish Affections come over to Joseph, without his speaking of a word.
3. Here is her unclean Desire made known; Come lie with me, said she.
4. Here was a fit opportunity. There was none of the men of the house there within.
5. Joseph was a young man, full of strength, and therefore the more in danger to be taken.
6. This was to him, a Temptation, from her, that lasted days.
7. And yet Joseph refused, 1. Her daily Temptation; 2. Her daily Solicitation: 3. Her daily Provocation, heartily, violently and constantly. For when she caught him by the Garment, saying, Lie with me, he left his Garment in her hand, and gat him out. Ay, and although contempt, treachery, slander, accusation, imprisonment, and danger of death followed, (for an Wh.o.r.e careth not what mischief she does, when she cannot have her end) yet Joseph will not defile himself, sin against G.o.d, and hazard his own eternal salvation.
Atten. Blessed Joseph! I would thou hadst more fellows!
Wise. Mr. Badman has more fellows than Joseph, else there would not be so many Wh.o.r.es as there are: For though I doubt not but that that s.e.x is bad enough this way, yet I verify believe that many of them are made Wh.o.r.es at first by the flatteries of Badmans fellows. Alas! there is many a woman plunged into this sin at first even by promises of Marriage.
{60a} I say, by these promises they are flattered, yea, forced into a consenting to these Villanies, and so being in, and growing hardened in their hearts, they at last give themselves up, even as wicked men do, to act this kind of wickedness with greediness. But Joseph you see, was of another mind, for the Fear of G.o.d was in him.
I will, before I leave this, tell you here two notable storyes; and I wish Mr. Badmans companions may hear of them. They are found in Clarks Looking-gla.s.s for Sinners; and are these.
Mr. Cleaver (says Mr. Clark) reports of one whom he knew, that had committed the act of Uncleanness, whereupon he fell into such horror of Conscience that he hanged himself; leaving it thus written in a paper.
Indeed, (saith he) I acknowledge it to be utterly unlawful for a man to kill himself, but I am bound to act the Magistrates part, because the punishment of this sin is death. {60b}
Clark doth also in the same page make mention of two more, who as they were committing Adultery in London, were immediately struck dead with fire from Heaven, in the very Act. Their bodyes were so found, half burnt up, and sending out a most loathsom savour.
Atten. These are notable storyes indeed.
Wise. So they are, and I suppose they are as true as notable.
Atten. Well, but I wonder, if young Badmans Master knew him to be such a Wretch, that he would suffer him in his house.
Wise. They liked one another even as {60c} fire and water doe. Young Badmans wayes were odious to his Master, and his Masters wayes were such as young Badman could not endure. Thus in these two, was fulfilled that saying of the Holy Ghost: An unjust man is an abomination to the just, and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked. {60d}
The good mans wayes, Mr. Badman could not abide, nor could the good man abide the bad wayes of his base Apprentice. Yet would his Master, if he could, have kept him, and also have learnt him his trade.