John Bunyan - Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Atten. I cannot but think indeed, that it is a Great Judgment of God for a man to be given up to the company of vile men; for what are such but the Devils 91 91 The Devils Decoys. Decoyes, even those by whom he drawes the simple into the Net? A Whoremaster, a Drunkard, a Thiefe, what are they but the Devils baits, by which he catcheth others?

Wise. You say right; but this young Badman was no simple one, if by simple, you mean one uninstructed; for he had often good counsel given him: but if by simple, you mean, him that is a Fool as to the true Knowledge of, and Faith in Christ, then he was a simple one indeed: for he chose death, rather than life, and to live in continual opposition to God, rather than to be Reconciled unto him; according to that saying of the wise man; The fooles hated knowledge, and did not choose the Fear of the Lord: 92 92 Prov. 1. 29. and what Judgement more dreadfull can a fool be given up to, than to be delivered into the hands of such men, that have skill to do nothing, but to ripen sin, and hasten its finishing unto damnation? And therefore men should be afraid of offending God, because he can in this manner punish them for their sins. ☛ I knew a man that once was, as I thought, hopefully awakened about his Condition; yea, I knew two that were so awakened; but in time they began to draw back, and to incline again to their lusts; wherefore, God gave them up to the company of three or four men, that in less than three years time brought them roundly to the Gallows, where they were hanged like Dogs, because they refused to live like honest men. 93 93 This was done at Bedford.

Atten. But such men do not believe, that thus to be given up of God, is in Judgement and anger; they rather take it to be their liberty, and do count it their happiness; they are glad that their Cord is loosed, and that the reins are in their neck; they are glad that they may sin without controul, and that they may choose such company as can make them more expert in an evil way.

Wise. Their Judgement is therefore so much the greater, because thereto is added blindness of Mind, and hardness of Heart in a wicked way. They are turned up to the way of Death, but must not see to what place they are going: They must go as the Ox to the slaughter, and as the Fool to the Correction of the Stocks, 94 94 Prov. 7. 12, 13. till a Dart strikes through their Liver, not knowing that it is for their life. This, I say, makes their Judgement double, they are given up of God, for a while to sport themselves with that which will assuredly make them mourn at last, when their flesh and their body is consumed. 95 95 Prov. 5. 11. These are those that Peter 96 96 2 Pet. 2. 12, 13. speaks of, that shall utterly perish in their own corruptions; these, I say, who count it pleasure to ryot in the day-time, and that sport themselves with their own deceivings, are, as natural bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed.

Atten. Well, but I pray now concerning these three Villains that were young Badmans companions: Tell me more particularly how he carried it then.

Wise. How he carried it! why, he did as they. I intimated so much before, when I said, they made him an arch, a chief one in their ways.

First, He became a Frequenter of 97 97 Badman becomes a frequenter of Taverns. Taverns and Tippling-houses, and would stay there untill he was even as drunk as a Beast. And if it was so, that he could not get out by day, he would, be sure, get out by night. Yea, he became so common a Drunkard, at last, that he was taken notice of to be a Drunkard even by all.

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In this Project Gutenberg eText italics have been dropped as they are excessive but otherwise the text, complete with capitalisation, punctuation, spelling etc., is as in the edition transcribed.—DP.

Not included in this Project Gutenberg eText as we have already released “The Holy War.”—DP.

Original sin is the root of Actual transgressions.

Mark 7.

Job 11. 12. Ezek. 16. Exod. 13. 13. Chap. 34. 20.

Rom. 5.

Badman addicted to Lying from a child.

A Lie knowingly told demonstrates that the heart is desperately hard.

The Lyers portion. Rev. 21. 8. 27. Chap. 22. 15.

Prov. 22. 15. Chap. 23. 13, 14.

Joh. 8. 44.

The Devils Brat.

Acts 5. 3, 4.

The Father and Mother of a Lie.

Mark.

Some will tell a Lie for a Peny profit.

An Example for Lyers. Acts 5.

A Spirit of Lying accompanyed with other sins.

Badman given to pilfer.

Badman would rob his Father.

Exod. 20. 15.

Zech. 5. 3.

Jer. 2. 26. How Badman did use to carry it when his Father used to chide him for his sins.

Badman more firmly knit to his Companions than either to Father or Mother.

Badman would rejoyce to think that his Parents death were at hand.

1 Sam. 2. 25.

Badman counted his thieving no great matter.

The Story of old Tod.

Young Thieves takes notice.

Old Tod began his way to the Gallows by robbing of Orchards and the like.

Badman could not abide the Lords Day.

Why Badman could not abide the Lords Day.

God proves the heart what it is, by instituting of the Lords day, and setting it apart to his service.

Gen. 2. 2. Exod. 31. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Mar. 16. 1. Acts 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. Mar. 2. 27, 28. Revel. 1. 10.

Isa. 5. 8, 13.—Could not see where this fits in the text.—DP.

Chap. 56. 2.

Amos 8. 5.

Heb. 4. 9.

How Badman did use to spend the Lords Day.

Ephes. 5. 6.

Badman given to Swearing and Cursing.