Some will tell a

Badman would

the devil, the only father of lies. For a lie has | was addicted to, and be could make them and tell only one father and mother, the devil and the them fearfully. heart. No marvel therefore if the hearts that ATTEN. I am sorry to hear this of him, and so hatch and bring forth lies be so much of com- much the more, because, as I fear,

A spirit of lying plexion with the devil. Yea, no marvel though this sin did not reign in him alone ; accompanied

with other sins. God and Christ have so bent their word against for usually one that is accustomed to liars. A liar is wedded to the devil himself. lying, is also accustomed to other evils besides ;

Attex. It seems a marvellous thing in mine and if it were not so also with Mr. Badman, it eyes, that since a lie is the offspring of the devil, would be indeed a wonder. and since a lie brings the soul to the very

den of Wiss. You say true, the liar is a captive slave devils, to wit, the dark dungeon of hell, that men of more than the spirit of lying; and therefore should be so desperately wicked as to accustom this Mr. Badman, as he was a liar from a child, themselves to so horrible a thing.

so he was also inuch given to pilfer Budiman giren

to pilter. Wise. It seems also marvellous to me, especially and steal, so that what he could, as when I observe for how little a matter some men we say, handsomely lay his hands on, that was will study, contrive, make, and tell a lie. You counted his own, whether they were the things of shall have some that will lie it over and over, and his fellow-children, or if he could lay hold of any. that for a penny profit. Yea, lie and stand in it, thing at a neighbour's house, he would take it

although they know that they lie. away ; you must understand me of trifles ; for Lic for a penny Yea, you shall have some men that being yet but a child, he attempted no great profit.

will not stick to tell lie after lie, matter, especially at first. But yet as he grew up though themselves get nothing thereby. They in strength and ripeness of wit, so he attempted to will tell lies in their ordinary discourse with their pilfer and steal things still of more value than at neighbours, also their news, their jests, and their first. He took at last great pleasure in robbing tales, must needs be adorned with lies ; or else of gardens and orchards ; and as he grew up, to they seem to bear no good sound to the ear, nor steal pullen* from the neighbourhood. Yea, what show much to the fancy of him to whom they are was his father's could not escape

his told. But alas ! what will these liars do, when, fingers, all was fish that came to his

rou his father. for their lies they shall be tumbled down into hell, net, so hardened, at last, was he in this mischief to that devil that did beget those lies in their also. heart, and so be tormented by fire and brimstone, Attes. You make me wonder more and more. with him, and that for ever and ever, for their What, play the thief too! What, play the thief lies?

so soon!

He could not but know, though he was Atten. Can you not give one some example of but a child, that what he took from others was God's judgments upon liars, that one may tell none of his own. Besides, if his father was a them to liars when one hears them lie, if perhaps good man, as you say, it could not be but he they may by the hearing thereof, be made afraid, must also hear from him that to steal was to and ashamed to lie.

transgress the law of God, and so to run the Wise. Examples ! why, Ananias- and his wife hazard of eternal damnation. An example for are examples enough to put a stop, WISE. His father was not wanting to use the

one would think, to a spirit addicted means to reclaim him, often urging, as I have been thereto, for they both were stricken down dead for told, that saying in the law of Moses, • Thou shalt telling a lie, and that by God himself, in the midst not steal.' Ex. 1x. 15. And also that, .This is the of a company of people. Ac. v. But if God's curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole threatening of liars with bell-fire, and with the earth; for every one that stealeth shall be cut off,' loss of the kingdom of heaven, will not prevail &c. Zec. v. 8. The light of nature also, though he was with them to leave off to lie and make lies, it can- little, must needs show him that what he took not be imagined that a relation of temporal judg- from others was not his own ; and that he would ments that have swept liars out of the world not willingly have been served so himself. But heretofore, should do it. Now, as I said, this all was to no purpose, let father and conscience lying was one of the first sins that Mr. Badman say what they would to him, he would go on, he

liars.

6

Je. ii. 26.

him for his, sins.

Badman

ther.

Tod.

take notice.

Badman would

Atten. But his father would, as you intimate, / take, even anything, the least thing that was his sometimes rebuke him for his wickedness ; pray neighbour's; and that if he did, it would be a transhow would he carry it then?

gression of the law; but all was one to him; what Wise. How! why like to a thief that is found. through the wicked talk of his companions, and

He would stand gloating, and hanging the delusion of his own corrupt heart, he would go How Badman did down his head in a sullen, pouching on in his pilfering course, and where he thought use to carry it manner; a body might read, as we himself secure, would talk of, and laugh at it when used to chide used to say, the picture of ill-luck in he had done.

his face; and when his father did de- Atten. Well I heard a man once, when he was mand his answer to such questions concerning bis upon the ladder with the rope about villainy, he would grumble and mutter at him, and his neck, confess, when ready to be that should be all he could get.

turned off by the hangman, that that which had Atten. But you said that he would also rob his brought him to that end was his accustoming of himfather, methinks that was an unnatural thing. self, when young, to pilfer and steal small things.

Wise. Natural or unnatural, all is one to a thief. To my best remembrance he told us, that he began Besides, you must think that he had likewise com- the trade of a thief by stealing of pins and points;? panions to whom he was, for the wickedness that and therefore did forewarn all the youth that theu

he saw in them, more firmly knit, than were gathered together to see him die, to take heed firmly knit to either to father or mother. Yea, and of beginning, though but with little sins; because his companions what had he cared if father and mo- by tampering at first with little ones, way is made father or mo- ther had died for grief for him. Their for the commission of bigger.3

death would have been, as he would Wise. Since you are entered upon the story of old have counted, great release and liberty to him; stories, I also will tell you one; the for the truth is, they and their counsel were his which, though I heard it not with mine own ears, bondage; yea, and if I forget not, I have heard yet my author I dare believe. It is

Young thieves some say that wlien he was, at times, among his concerning one old Tod, that was

companions he would greatly rejoice hanged about twenty years ago, or more, at Hert-
rejoice to think to think that his parents were old, and ford, for being a thief. The story is this:
that his parents'
death were at could not live long, and then, quoth he, At a summer assizes holden at Hertford, whilo

I shall be mine own man, to do what the judge was sitting upon the bench,
I list, without their control.

Le

comes this old Tod into court, clothed Atten. Then it seems he counted that robbing in a green suit, with his leathern girdle in his hand, of his parents was no crime.

his bosom open, and all on a dung sweat, as if he WISE. None at all; and therefore he fell directly had run for his life ; and being come in, he spako under that sentence, .Whoso robbeth his father or aloud as follows:-My lord, said he,

Old Tod began his mother, and saith it is no transgression, the here is the veriest rogue that breathes

his way to the same is the companion of a destroyer.' Pr. xxviii. 24. upon the face of the earth.

I have gallows by rob.

Ling of orci.. And for that he set so light by them as to their been a thief from a child. When I ards, and the persons and counsels, it was a sign that at present was but a little one, I gave myself to he was of a very abominable spirit, and that some rob orchards, and to do other such like wicked judgment waited to take hold of him in time to things, and I have continued a thief ever since. come. 1 Sa. ii. 23.

My lord, there has not been a robbery committed Atten. But can you imagine what it was, I mean, these many years, within so many miles of this in his conceit, for I speak not now of the sugges- place, but I have either been at it, or privy tions of Satan, by which doubtless he was put on to to it. do these things; I say what it should be in his The judge thought the fellow was mad, but after conceit, that should make him think that this his some conference with some of the justices, they manner of pilfering and stealing was no great agreed to indict him ; and so they did of several matter.

felonious actions; to all which he heartily conWise. It was for that the things that he stole were small; to rob orchards, and gardens, and to ? Point, a tag or metal point fixed on the end of a lace. Fox

steal pullen, and the like, these he narrates that a martyr, brought to the stake in his shirt, touk leis llueving no counted tricks of youth, nor would he a point from his hose, and trussed in his shirt between his legs.

-(Ed.) be beat out of it by all that his friends

3.Sin will at first, just like a beggar, crave could say. They would tell him that he must not

One penny or one halfpenny to have; coret, or desire, and yet to desire is less than to And if you grant its first suit, 'twill aspire

From pence to pounds, and so will still mount higher

To the whole soul.'
1 Gloating,' staring sulkily; or with an evil eye-(ED.) – Bunyan’s Caution against Sin, vol. II., p. 575.

hand.

like.

a

Badman counted

great matter.

could not abide

God
heart what it is,

prores the

of the Lord's

service.

a

fessed guilty, and so was hanged, with his wife at week. But I suppose that the reason of his loaththe same time.

ing of it was for that God hath put sanctity and Atten. This is a remarkable story indeed, and holiness upon it; also, because it is the

Why Badmin you think it is a true one.

day above all the days of the weok Wise. It is not only remarkable, but pat to our that ought to be spent in holy devotion, the Lord's day. purpose. This thief, like Mr. Badman, began his in remembrance of our Lord's resurrection from trade betimes; he began too where Mr. Badman the dead. began, even at robbing of orchards, and other WISE. Yes, it was therefore that he was such an such things, which brought him, as you may per-enemy to it; even because more restraint was laid ceive, from sin to sin, till at last it brought him to upon him on that day, from his own ways, than the public shame of sin, which is the gallows. were possible should be laid upon him on all others.

As for the truth of this story, the relater told Atten. Doth not God, by instituting of a day me that he was, at the same time, himself in the unto holy duties, make great proof how the hearts court, and stood within less than two yards of old and inclinations of poor people do stand to holiness Tod, when he heard him aloud to utter the words. of heart, and a conversation in holy duties?

ATTEN. These two sins, of lying and stealing, Wise. Yes, doubtless; and a man shall show were a bad sign of an evil end.

his heart and his life what they are, more by one Wise. So they were, and yet Mr. Badman came Lord's day than by all the days of not to his end like old Tod; though I fear to as the week besides. And the reason

by instituting bad, nay, worse than was that death of the gallows, is, because on the Lord's day there is

day and setting though less discerned by spectators; but more of a special restraint laid upon men as to it apart to his that by and by. But you talk of these two sins thoughts and life, more than upon as if these were all that Mr. Badman was addicted other days of the week besides. Also, men are to in his youth. Alas, alas, he swarmed with sins, enjoined on that day to a stricter performance of even as a beggar does with vermin, and that when holy duties, and restraint of worldly business, than he was but a boy.

upon other days they are; wherefore, if their hearts Attes. Why, what other sins was he addicted incline not naturally to good, now they will show to, I mean while he was but a child?

it, now they will appear what they are. The Lord's Wiss. You need not ask to what other sins was day is a kind of an emblem of the heavenly Sabbath he, but to what other sins was he not addicted; that above, and it makes manifest how the heart stands is, of such as suited with his age; for a man may to the perpetuity of holiness, more than to be found safely say that nothing that was vile came amiss to in a transient duty does. him, if he was but capable to do it. Indeed, some On other days, a man may be in and out of holy sins there be that childhood knows not how to be duties, and all in a quarter of an hour; but now, tampering with; but I speak of sins that he was the Lord's day is, as it were, a day that enjoins capablo of committing, of which I will nominate to one perpetual duty of holiness. Remember two or three more. And, First, He could not en- that thou keep holy the Sabbath day;' which, by

dure the Lord's day, because of the Christ, is not abrogated, but changed, into the first not abide the holiness that did attend it; the be- of the week, not as it was given in particular to Lord's day.

ginning of that day was to him as if the Jews, but as it was sanctified by him from the he was going to prison, except he could get out beginning of the world; Ge. ii. 2; Ex. xxxi. 13–17; Mar. from his father and mother, and lurk in by-holes xvi. 1; Ac. ax. 7; 1 Co. xvi. 1, 2; Mar. ii. 27, 28; Re. i. 10; and among

his companions, until holy duties were over. therefore is a greater proof of the frame and temper Reading the Scriptures, hearing sermons, godly of a man's heart, and does more make manifest to conference, repeating of sermons and prayers, were what he is inclined, than doth his other performance things that he could not away with; and, there- of duties. Therefore, God puts great difference fore, if his father on such days, as often he did, between them that truly call, and walk in, this day though sometimes, notwithstanding his diligence, as holy, and count it honourable, upon the account he would be sure to give him the slip, did keep that now they have an opportunity to show how him strictly to the observation of the day, he would they delight to honour him; in that they have not plainly show, by all carriages, that he was highly only an hour, but a whole day, to show it in. Is discontent therewith. He would sleep at duties, lviii. 13. I say, he puts great difference between would talk vainly with his brothers, and, as it were, these, and that other sort that say, When will the think every godly opportunity seven times as long Sabbath be gone, that we may be at our worldly as it was, grudging till it was over.

business? Am. viii. 5. The first he calleth a blessed Atten. This his abhorring of that day, was not, man, but brandeth the other for an unsanctified I think, for the sake of the day itself; for as it is worldling. And, indeed, to delight ourselves in a day, it is nothing else but as other days of the God's service upon his holy days, gives a better

Badman could

a

Bad

How

Badman

proof of a sanctified nature than to grudge at the mentioned but some, for yet there are more to coming, and to be weary of the holy duties of such follow, and those not at all inferior to what you days, as Mr. Badman did.?

have already heard. ATTEN. There may be something in what you ATTEN. Pray what were they? say, for he that cannot abide to keep one day holy Wise. Why he was greatly given, and that while to God, to be sure he hath given a sufficient proof a lad, to grievous swearing and cursing; yea, ho that he is an unsanctified man; and, as such, what then made no more of swearing and

Badman giren should he do in heaven? That being the place cursing than I do of telling my fingers. to swearing and

cursing. where a perpetual Sabbath is to be kept to God; 1 Yea, he would do it without provocasay, to be kept for ever and ever. He. iv. 9. And, for tion thereto. He counted it a glory to swear and ought I know, one reason why one day in seven curse, and it was as natural to him as to eat, and hath been by our Lord set apart unto holy duties drink, and sleep. for men, may, be to give them conviction that there ATTEN. O what a young villain was this! Ilere is enmity in the hearts of sinners to the God of is, as the apostle says, a yielding of 'members, as heaven, for he that hateth holiness, hateth God instruments of unrighteousness unto sin,' indeed! himself. They pretend to love God, and yet love Ro. vi. 18. This is proceeding from evil to evil with not a holy day, and yet love not to spend that day a witness. This argueth that he was a blackin one continued act of holiness to the Lord. They mouthed young wretch indeed. had as good say nothing as to call him Lord, WISE. He was so; and yet, as I told you, he Lord, and yet not do the things that he says. And he counted above all this kind of swearing and this Mr. Badnian was such a one, he could not sinning to be a badge of his honour; cursing a balance abide this day, nor any of the duties of it. Indeed, he reckoned himself a man's fellow man's honour.

when he could get from his friends, when he had learned to swear and curse boldly. did use to spend and so spend it in all manner of idle- Atten. I am persuaded that many do think as the Lord's day.

ness and profaneness, then he would you have said, that to swear is a thing that does be pleased well enough; but what was this but a bravely become them, and that it is the best way turning the day into night, or other than taking an for a man, when he would put authority or terror opportunity at God's forbidding, to follow our into his words, to stuff them full of the sin of callings, to solace and satisfy our lusts and de- swearing. lights of the flesh? I take the liberty to speak WISE. You say right, else, as I am persuaded, thus of Mr. Badman, upon a confidence of what men would not so usually belch out their blasyou, Sir, have said of him is true.

phemous oaths as they do; they take a pride in it; Wise. You needed not to have made that apology they think that to swear is gentleman-like; and, for your censuring of Mr. Badman, for all that having once accustomed themselves unto it, they knew him will confirm what you say of him to be hardly leave it all the days of their lives.? true. He could not abide either that day, or any- ATTEN. Well, but now we are upon it, pray thing else that had the stamp or image of God show me the difference between swear

Difference be. upon it. Sin, sin, and to do the thing that was ing and cursing; for there is a differ

twixt swearing

and cursing. uaught, was that which he delighted in, and that ence, is there not? from a little child.

WISE. Yes; there is a difference between swearATTEN. I must say again I am sorry to hear it, ing and cursing. Swearing, vain swearing, such and that for his own sake, and also for the sake as young Badman accustomed himself What swearing of his relations, who must necds be broken to pieces unto. Now, vain and sinful swearing with such doings as these. For, for these things' is a light and wicked calling of God, &c., to wit. sake comes the wrath of God upon the children of ness to our vain and foolish attesting of things, and disobedience. Ep. v. 6. And, doubtless, he must be those things are of two sorts. 1. Things that we gone to hell, if he died without repentance; and swear, are or shall be done. 2. Things so sworn to beget a child for hell is sad for parents to to, true or false. think on.

1. Things that we swear, are or shall be dono. Wise. Of his dying, as I told you, I will give you Thou swearest thou hast done such a thing, that a relation anon; but now we are upon his life, and such a thing is so, or shall be so; for it is no upon the manner of his life in his childhood, even matter which of these it is that men swear about, of the sins that attended him then, some of which if it be done lightly, and wickedly, and groundI have mentioned already; and, indeed, I have lessly, it is vain, because it is a sin against the

a

is.

Christian assemblies are the life, food, and nourishment of * Profane swearers use the language of hell before they our souls ; consequently the forsaking of them, and the pro- arrive at their awful destination. Were God to answer their fanation of the Sabbath, are usually the forerunners of apos- imprecations they would be miserable beyond conception. 'Betacy.-(Mason.)

cause of swearing the land mourneth.'-(Ed.) VOL. III.

76

Six causes of

a truth.

6

the truth.

V. 2,

this way.

third commandment, which says, Thou shalt not man, as it was to eat when he was an hungered, take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.' Ex. IX. 7. or to go to bed when it was night. For this is a vain using of that holy and sacred Atten. I have often mused in my mind, what it name, and so a sin for which, without sound re. should be that should make men so common in the pentance, there is not, nor can be rightly expected, use of the sin of swearing, since those that be wise forgiveness.

will believe them never the sooner for that. ATTEN. Then it seems, though as to the matter Wise. It cannot be anything that is good, you

of fact, a man swears truly, yet if he may be sure; because the thing itself is abominA man may sin in swearing to sweareth lightly and groundlessly, his able. 1. Therefore it must be from

oath is evil, and he by it under sin. the promptings of the spirit of the vain swearing. Wise. Yes, a man may say, “The Lord liveth,' devil within them. 2. Also it flows sometimes and that is true, and yet in so saying 'swear from hellish rage, when the tongue bath set on fire

falsely;' because he sweareth vainly, of hell even the whole course of nature. Ja iii. 6–9. A man may sin in swearing

needlessly, and without a ground. Je. 3. But commonly, swearing flows from that daring

To swear groundedly and neces- boldness that biddeth defiance to the law that forsarily, which then a man does when he swears as bids it. 4. Swearers think, also, that by their being called thereto of God, that is tolerated by belching of their blasphemous oaths out of their the Word.' But this was none of Mr. Badman's black and polluted mouths, they show themselves swearing, and therefore that which now we are the more valiant men. 5. And imagine also, that not concerned about.

by these outrageous kind of villanies, they shall ATTEN. I perceive by the prophet that a man conquer those that at such a time they have to do may sin in swearing to a truth. They therefore with, and make them believe their lies to be true. must needs most horribly sin that swear to con- | 6. They also swear frequently to get gain thereby, firm their jests and lies; and, as they think, the and when they meet with fools they overcome them better to beautify their foolish talking.

But if I might give advice in this Wise. They sin with a high hand; for they matter, no buver should lay out one farthing with presume to imagine that God is as wicked as them- him that is a common swearer in his calling; esHe that swears

selves, to wit, that he is an avoucher pecially with such an oath-master that endeato lie.com of lies to be true. For, as I said bevoureth to swear away his cominodity to another, is as wicked us fore, to swear is to call God to witness; and that would swear his chapman's money into himself.

and to swear to a lie is to call God bis own pocket. to witness that that lie is true. This, therefore, Atten. All these causes of swearing, so far as I must needs offend; for it puts the highest affront can perceive, flow from the same root as do the oatlis upon the holiness and righteousness of God, there themselves, even from a hardened and desperate fore liis wrath must sweep them away. Zec. v. 3. This heart. But, pray, show me now how wicked cursing kind of swearing is put in with lying, and killing, is to be distinguished from this kind of swearing. and stealing, and committing adultery; and there- WISE. Swearing, as I said, hath immediately fore must not go unpunished. Je. vii. 9 ; Ho. iv. 2, 3. For to do with the name of God, and it calls upon him if God will not hold him guiltless that taketh his to be witness to the truth of what is

How cursing is name in vain,' which a man may do when he swears said ; that is, if they that swear, swear distinguished to a truth, as I have showed before, how can it be by him. Some, indeed, swear by idols, imagined that he should hold such guiltless, who, as by the mass, by our lady, by saints, beasts, by swearing, will appeal to God for lies that be birds, and other creatures ;? but the usual way

of not true, or that swear out of their frantic and bed- our profane ones in England is to swear by God, lam madness. It would grieve and provoke a Christ, faith, and the like. But, however, or by sober man to wrath, if one should swear to a no- whatever they swear, cursing is distinguished from torious lie, and avouch that that man would attest it swearing thus. for a truth; and yet thus do men deal with the holy To curse, to curse profanely, it is to sentence God. They tell their jestings, tales, and lies, and another or ourself, for or to evil; or to Of cursing, what then swear by God that they are true. Now, this wish that some evil might happen to kind of swearing was as common with young Bad- the person or thing under the curse unjustly,

cludes that God

from swearing.