Wise. Her Father and Mother were dead, and that he knew well enough, and so she was the more easily overcome by his naughty lying tongue. But if she had never so many friends, she might have been beguiled by him. It is too much the custom of young people now, to think themselves wise enough to make their own Choyce, and that they need not ask counsel of those that are older and also wiser then they: {72b} but this is a great fault in them, and many of them have paid dear for it. Well, to be short, in little time Mr. Badman obtains his desire, {73a} gets this honest Girl and her money, is married to her, brings her home, makes a Feast, entertains her royally, but her Portion must pay for all.

Atten. This was wonderfull deceitfull doings, a man shall seldom hear of the like.

Wise. By this his doing, he shewed how little he feared G.o.d, {73b} and what little dread he had of his Judgments. For all this carriage, and all these words were by him premeditated evil, he knew he lyed, he knew he dissembled; yea, he knew that he made use of the name of G.o.d, of Religion, good Men, and good Books, but as a stalking-Horse, thereby the better to catch his game. In all this his glorious pretense of Religion, he was but a glorious painted Hypocrite, and hypocrisie is the highest sin that a poor carnal wretch can attain unto; it is also a sin that most dareth G.o.d, and that also bringeth the greater d.a.m.nation. Now was he a whited Wall, now was he a painted Sepulchre; {73c} now was he a grave that appeared not; for this poor honest, G.o.dly Damosel, little thought that both her peace, and comfort, and estate, and liberty, and person, and all, were going to her burial, {73d} when she was going to be married to Mr. Badman; And yet so it was, she enjoyed her self but little afterwards; she was as if she was dead and buried, to what she enjoyed before.

Atten. Certainly some wonderfull Judgment of G.o.d must attend and overtake such wicked men as these.

Wise. You may be sure that they shall have Judgment to the full, for all these things, when the day of Judgment is come. But as for Judgment upon them in this life, it doth not alwayes come, no not upon those that are worthy thereof. They that tempt G.o.d are delivered, and they that work wickedness are set up: {73e} But they are reserved to the day of wrath, and then for their wickedness, G.o.d will repay them to their faces. {73f} The wicked is reserved to 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 hath done? yet shall he be brought to the grave, and remain in the tomb. {73g} That is, ordinarily they escape G.o.d's hand in this life, save only a few Examples are made, that others may be cautioned, and take warning thereby: But at the day of Judgment they must be rebuked for their evil with the lashes of devouring fire.

Atten. Can you give me no examples of G.o.ds wrath upon men that have acted this tragical wicked deed Mr. Badman.

Wise. Yes; {74a} Hamor and Shechem, and all the men of their City, for attempting to make G.o.d and Religion the stalking-Horse to get Jacobs daughters to wife, were together slain with the edge of the sword. A Judgment of G.o.d upon them, no doubt, for their dissembling in that matter. All manner of lying and dissembling is dreadfull, but to make G.o.d and Religion a Disguise, therewith to blind thy Dissimulation from others eyes, is highly provoking to the Divine Majesty.

[Picture: Take note symbol] I knew one that dwelt not far off from our Town, that got him a wife as Mr. Badman got his; but he did not enjoy her long: for one night as he was riding home (from his companions, where he had been at a neighbouring Town) his horse threw him to the ground, where he was found dead at break of day; frightfully and lamentably mangled with his fall, and besmeared with his own blood.

Atten. Well, but pray return again to Mr. Badman, how did he carry it to his wife, after he was married to her?

Wise. Nay, let us take things along as we go. He had not been married but a little while, but his Creditors came upon him {74c} for their money: He deferred them a little while, but at last things were come to that point, that pay he must, or must do worse; so he appointed them a time, and they came for their money, and he payed them down with her money before her eyes, for those goods that he had profusely spent among his Wh.o.r.es long before, (besides the portion that his Father gave him) to the value of two hundred pounds.

Atten. This beginning was bad; but what shall I say? 'twas like Mr.

Badman himself. Poor woman, this was but a bad beginning for her, I fear it filled her with trouble enough, as I think such a beginning would have done, one, perhaps much stronger than she.

Wise. Trouble, ay, you may be sure of it, but now 'twas too late to repent, {75a} she should have looked better to herself, when being wary would have done her good; her harms may be an advantage to others, that will learn to take heed thereby; but for her self, she must take what follows, even such a life now as Mr. Badman her Husband will lead her, and that will be bad enough.

Atten. This beginning was bad, and yet I fear it was but the beginning of bad.

Wise. You may he sure, that it was but the beginning of badness, for other evils came on apace; as for instance: it was but a little while after he was married, {75b} but he hangs his Religion upon the hedge, or rather dealt with it as men deal with their old Cloaths, who cast them off, or leave them to others to wear, for his part he would be Religious no longer.

Now therefore he had pulled off his Vizzard, and began to shew himself in his old shape, a base, wicked, debauched fellow, (and now the poor woman saw that she was betrayed indeed;) now also his old Companions begin to flock about him, and to haunt his house and Shop as formerly: And who with them but Mr. Badman? and who with him again but they?

Now those good people that used to company with his Wife, began to be ama[t]ed and discouraged; {75c} also he would frown and gloat upon them, as it he abhorred the appearance of them: so that in little time he drove all good company from her, and made her sit solitary by herself. He also began now to go out a nights to those Drabs {75d} who were his Familiars before, with whom he would stay somtimes till midnight, and sometimes till almost morning, and then would come home as drunk as a Swine; and this was the course of Mr. Badman.

Now, when he came home in this case, if his wife did but speak a word to him, about where he had been, and why he had so abused himself, though her words were spoken in never so much meekness and love, then she was Wh.o.r.e, {76a} and b.i.t.c.h, and Jade; and 'twas well if she miss'd his fingers and heels. Sometimes also he would bring his Puncks home to his house, and wo be to his wife when they were gone, if she did not entertain them with all varieties possible, and also carry it lovingly to them.

Thus this good woman was made by Badman her Husband, to possess nothing but disappointments as to all that he had promised her, or that she hoped to have at his hands.

But that that added pressing weight to all her sorrow, was, that, as he had cast away all Religion himself, so he attempted, if possible, to make her do so too. {76b} He would not suffer her to go out to the Preaching of the Word of Christ, nor to the rest of his Appointments, for the health and salvation of her Soul: he would now taunt at, and reflectingly speak of her Preachers; {76c} and would receive, yea raise scandals of them, to her very great grief and affliction.

Now she scarce durst go to an honest Neighbours house, or have a good Book in her hand; specially when he had his companions in his house, or had got a little drink in his head. He would also, when he perceived that she was dejected, speak tauntingly, {76d} and mockingly to her in the presence of his Companions, calling of her his Religious Wife, his demure Dame, and the like; also he would make a sport of her among his wanton ones abroad.

If she did ask him (as sometimes she would) to let her go out to a Sermon, he would in a currish manner reply, Keep at home, keep at home, and look to your business, we cannot live by hearing of Sermons. {76e} If she still urged that he would let her goe, then he would say to her, Goe if you dare. He would also charge her with giving of what he had to her Ministers, when, vile wretch, he had spent it on his vain Companions before.

This was the life that Mr. Badmans good wife lived, within few months after he had married her.

Atten. This was a disappointment indeed.

Wise. A disappointment indeed, as ever, I think, poor woman had. One would think that the Knave might a little let her have had her will, since it was nothing but to be honest, and since she brought him so sweet, so lumping a Portion, for she brought hundreds into his house: I say, one would think he should have let her had her own will a little, since she desired it only in the Service and Worship of G.o.d: but could she win him to grant her that? no, not a bit if it would have saved her life. True, sometimes she would steal out when he was from home, on a Journey, or among his drunken companions, but with all privacy imaginable; {77a} and, poor woman, this advantage she had, she carried it so to all her Neighbours, that, though many of them were but carnal, yet they would not betray her, or tell of her going out to the Word, if they saw it, but would rather endeavour to hide it from Mr. Badman himself.

Atten. This carriage of his to her, was enough to break her heart.

Wise. It was enough to do it indeed, yea it did effectually do it. It killed her in time, yea it was all the time a killing of her. She would often-times when she sate by her self, thus mournfully bewail her condition: {77b} Wo is me that I sojourn in Meshech, and that I dwell in the tents of Kedar; my soul hath long time dwelt with him that hateth peace. {77c} O what shall be given unto thee, thou deceitful tongue? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? I am a Woman grieved in spirit, my Husband has bought me and sold me for his l.u.s.ts: 'Twas not me, but my Money that he wanted: O that he had had it, so I had had my liberty!

This she said, not of contempt of his Person, but of his Conditions, and because she saw that by his hypocritical tongue, he had brought her not only almost to beggery, but robbed her of the Word of G.o.d.

Atten. It is a deadly thing, I see, to be unequally yoaked with Unbelievers. If this woman had had a good Husband, how happily might they have lived together! Such an one would have prayed for her, taught her, and also would have encourages her in the Faith, and ways of G.o.d: But now, poor creature, instead of this, there is nothing but the quite contrary.

Wise. It is a deadly thing indeed, and therefore, by the Word of G.o.d his people are forbid to be joyned in marriage with them. {77d} Be not, saith it, unequally yoaked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what Concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel? And what agreement hath the Temple of G.o.d with Idols? {78a} There can be no agreement where such Matches are made, even G.o.d himself hath declared the contrary, from the beginning of the world. I (says he) will put enmity betwixt thee and the woman, betwixt thy seed and her seed. {78b} Therefore he saith in another place, they can mix no better than Iron and Clay. I say, they cannot agree, they cannot be one, and therefore they should be aware at first, and not lightly receive such into their affections. G.o.d has often made such Matches bitter, especially to his own. Such matches are, as G.o.d said of Elie's Sons that were spared, to consume the eyes, and to grieve the heart. Oh the wailing, and lamentation that they have made that have been thus yoaked, especially if they were such as would be so yoaked, against their light, and good counsel to the contrary.

Atten. Alas! he deluded her with his tongue, and feigned reformation.

Wise. Well, well; she should have gone more warily to work: {78d} what if she had acquainted some of her best, most knowing, and G.o.dly friends therewith? what if she had engaged a G.o.dly Minister or two to have talked with Mr. Badman? Also, what if she had laid wait round about him, to espie if he was not otherwise behind her back than he was before her face? And besides, I verily think (since in the mult.i.tude of Counsellors there is safety) that if she had acquainted the Congregation with it, and desired them to spend some time in prayer to G.o.d about it, and if she must have had him, to have received him as to his G.o.dliness, upon the Judgment of others, rather than her own, (she knowing them to be G.o.dly and Judicious, and unbia.s.sed men) she had had more peace all her life after; than to trust to her own poor, raw, womanish Judgment, as she did.

Love is blind, and will see nothing amiss, where others may see an hundred faults. Therefore I say, she should not have trusted to her own thoughts in the matter of his Goodness.

As to his Person, there she was fittest to judge, because she was to be the person pleased, but as to his G.o.dliness, there the Word was the fittest Judge, and they that could best understand it, because G.o.d was therein to be pleased. I wish {79a} that all young Maidens will take heed of being beguiled with flattering words, with feigning and lying speeches, and take the best way to preserve themselves from being bought and sold by wicked men, as she was; lest they repent with her, when (as to this) repentance will do them no good, but for their unadvisedness goe sorrowing to their graves.

Atten. Well, things are past with this poor woman, and cannot be called back, let others {79b} beware, by her misfortunes, lest they also fall into her distress.

Wise. That is the thing that I say, let them take heed, lest for their unadvisedness the smart, as this poor woman has done. And ah! methinks, that they that yet are single persons, and that are tempted to marry to such as Mr. Badman; would, to inform, and warn themselves in this matter, before they intangle themselves, but goe to some that already are in the snare, and ask them how it is with them, as to the suitable, or unsuitableness of their marriage, and desire their advice. Surely they would ring such a peal in their ears about the unequality, unsuitableness, disadvantages, and disquietments, and sins that attend such marriages, that would make them beware as long as they live. But the bird in the air, knows not the notes of the bird in the snare, untill she comes thither herself: Besides, to make up such marriages, Satan, and carnal Reason, and l.u.s.t, or at least Inconsiderateness, has the chiefest hand; and where these things bear sway, designs, though never so destructive, will goe headlong on: and therefore I fear, that but little warning will be taken by young Girls, at Mr. Badmans wives affliction.

Atten. But are there no disswasive arguments to lay before such, to prevent their future misery.

Wise. Yes: There is the Law of G.o.d, that forbiddeth marriage with unbelievers. These kind of marriages also are condemned even by irrational creatures. 1. It is forbidden by the Law of G.o.d both in the Old Testament and in the New. 1. In the Old. Thou shalt not make Marriages with them; Thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son, Deut. 7. 4, 5. {80a} 2. In the New Testament it is forbidden. Be ye not unequally yoaked together with unbelievers; Let them marry to whom they will, only in the Lord.

{80b}

Here now is a prohibition, {80c} plainly forbidding the Believer to marry with the Unbeliever, therefore they should not do it. Again, these unwarrantable Marriages, are, as I may so say, condemned by irrational creatures, who will not couple but with their own sort: Will the Sheep couple with a Dog, the Partridge with a Crow, or the Feasant with an Owl?

No, they will strictly tye up themselves to those of their own sort only: Yea, it sets all the world a wondring, when they see or hear the contrary. Man only is most subject to wink at, and allow of these unlawful mixtures of men and women; Because man only is a sinful Beast, a sinful Bird, therefore he, above all, will take upon him by rebellious actions to answer, or rather to oppose and violate the Law of his G.o.d and Creator; nor shall these, or other Interogatories, [What fellowship? what concord? what agreement? what communion can there be in such Marriages?]

be counted of weight, or thought worth the answering by him.

But further. The dangers {80d} that such do commonly run themselves into, should be to others a disswasive argument to stop them from doing the like: for besides the distresses of Mr. Badmans wife, many that have had very hopefull beginnings for heaven, have by vertue of the mischiefs that have attended these unlawfull marriages, miserably and fearfully miscarried. Soon after such marriages, Conviction (the first step toward heaven) hath ceased; Prayer (the next step toward Heaven) hath ceased; Hungrings and thirstings after salvation (another step towards the Kingdom of Heaven) have ceased. In a word, such marriages have estranged them from the Word, from their G.o.dly and faithful Friends, and have brought them again into carnal company, among carnal Friends, and also into carnal Delights, where, and with whom they have in conclusion both sinfully abode, and miserably perished.

And this is one reason why G.o.d hath forbidden this kind of unequal marriages. For they, saith he, meaning the unG.o.dly, will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other G.o.ds, so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy you suddenly. {81a} Now mark, there were some in Israel, that would, notwithstanding this prohibition, venture to marry to the Heathens and Unbelievers: But what followed? They served their Idols, they sacrificed their Sons and their Daughters unto Devils. Thus were they 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. {81b}

Atten. But let's return again to Mr. Badman; had he any Children by his wife?

Wise. Yes, seven.

Atten. I doubt they were but badly brought up.

Wise. One of them loved its Mother dearly, and would constantly harken to her voice. Now that Child {81c} she had the opportunity to instruct in the Principles of Christian Religion, and it became a very gracious child. But that child Mr. Badman could not abide, he would seldom afford it a pleasant word, but would scowl and frown upon it, speak churlishly and doggedly to it, and though as to Nature it was the most feeble of the seven, yet it oftenest felt the weight of its Fathers fingers. Three of his Children did directly follow his steps, and began to be as vile as (in his youth) he was himself. The other that remained became a kind of mungrel Professors, not so bad as their Father, nor so good as their Mother, but were betwixt them both. They had their Mothers Notions, and their Fathers Actions, and were much like those that you read of in the Book of Nehemiah; These children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews Language, but according to the language of each people. {81d}

Atten. What you say in this matter, is observable, and if I take not my mark amiss, it often happeneth after this manner where such unlawful Marriages are contracted.

Wise. It sometimes doth so, and the reason, with respect to their Parents, is this: Where the one of the Parents is G.o.dly, and the other unG.o.dly and vile, (though they can agree in begetting of Children, yet) they strive for their Children when they are born. {82a} The G.o.dly Parent strives for the child, and by Prayers, Counsel and good Examples, labours to make it holy in body and soul, and so fit for the Kingdom of Heaven; but the unG.o.dly would have it like himself, wicked and base and sinful; and so they both give instructions accordingly: instructions did I say? yea, and Examples too, according to their minds. Thus the G.o.dly, as Hannah, is presenting her Samuel unto the Lord: but the unG.o.dly, like them that went before them, are for offering their Children to Moloch, to an Idol, to sin, to the Devil, and to h.e.l.l. Thus one harkeneth to the Law of their Mother, and is preserved from destruction, but as for the other, as their Fathers did, so do they. Thus did Mr. Badman and his wife part some of their Children betwixt them; but as for the other three that were as 'twere Mungrels, betwixt both, they were like unto those that you read of in Kings, They feared the Lord, but served their own Idols. {82b} They had, as I sail, their Mothers Notions, and I will adde, Profession too, but their Fathers l.u.s.ts, and something of his Life.

Now their Father did not like them, because they had their Mothers tongue; and the Mother did not like them because they had still their Fathers heart and life; nor were they indeed fit company for good or bad.

The Good would not trust them because they were bad, the Bad would not trust them because they were good, viz. The good would not trust them because they were bad in their Lives, and the bad would not trust them because they were good in their Words: So they were forced with Esau to joyn in affinity with Ishmael; to wit, to look out a people that were Hypocrites like themselves, and with them they matcht, and lived and died.

Atten. Poor woman, she could not but have much perplexity.