Wise. Ay, and that too, A companion of riotous persons shameth his father; {69f} For he, poor man, had both grief and shame, to see how his son (now at his own hand) behaved himself in the enjoyment of those good things, in and under the lawfull use of which he might have lived to Gods glory, his own comfort, and credit among his neighbours. But he that followeth vain persons, shall have poverty enough. {69g} The way that he took, led him directly into this condition; for who can expect other things of one that follows such courses? Besides, when he was in his Shop, he could not abide to be doing; He was naturally given to Idleness: He loved to live high, but his hands refused to labour; and what else can the end of such an one be, but that which the wise man saith? The Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall cloath a man with rags. {70a}
Atten. But now, methinks, when he was brought thus low, he should have considered the hand of God that was gone out against him, and should have smote upon the breast, and have returned.
Wise. Consideration, good consideration was far from him, he was as stout and proud now, as ever in all his life, and was as high too in the pursuit of his sin, as when he was in the midst of his fulness; only he went now {70b} like a tyred Jade, the Devil had rid him almost off of his leggs.
Atten. Well, but what did he do when all was almost gone?
Wise. Two things were now his play. {70c} 1. He bore all in hand by Swearing, and Cracking and Lying, that he was as well to pass, as he was the first day he set up for himself, yea that he had rather got than lost; and he had at his beck some of his Companions that would swear to confirm it as fast as he.
Atten. This was double wickedness, ’twas a sin to say it, and another to swear it.
Wise. That’s true, but what evil is that that he will not doe, that is left of God, as I believe Mr. Badman was?
Atten. And what was the other thing?
Wise. Why, that which I hinted before, he was for looking out for a rich Wife: {70d} and now I am come to some more of his invented, devised, designed, and abominable Roguery, such that will yet declare him to be a most desperate sinner.
The thing was this: A Wife he wanted, or rather Money; for as for a woman, he could have Whores enow at his whistle. But, as I said, he wanted Money, and that must be got by a Wife, or no way; nor could he so easily get a Wife neither, except he became an Artist at the way of dissembling; nor would dissembling do among that people that could dissemble as well as he. But there dwelt a Maid not far from him, that was both godly, {70e} and one that had a good Portion, but how to get her, there lay all the craft. {71a} Well, he calls a Council of some of his most trusty and cunning Companions, {71b} and breaks his mind to them; to wit, that he had a mind to marry: and he also told them to whom; But, said he, how shall I accomplish my end, she is Religious, and I am not? Then one of them made reply, saying, Since she is Religious, you must pretend to be so likewise, and that for some time before you go to her: Mark therefore whither she goes daily to hear, and do you go thither also; but there you must be sure to behave your self soberly, and make as if you liked the Word wonderful well; stand also where she may see you, and when you come home, be sure that you walk the street very soberly, and go within sight of her: This done for a while, then go to her, and first talk of how sorry you are for your sins, and shew great love to the Religion that she is of; still speaking well of her Preachers and of her godly acquaintance, bewailing your hard hap, that it was not your lot to be acquainted with her and her fellow-Professors sooner; and this is the way to get her. Also you must write down Sermons, talk of Scriptures, and protest that you came a wooing to her, only because she is Godly, and because you should count it your greatest happiness if you might but have such an one: As for her Money, slight it, it will be never the further off, that’s the way to come soonest at it, for she will be jealous at first that you come for her Money; you know what she has, but make not a word about it. Do this, and you shall see if you do not intangle the Lass.
Thus was the snare laid for this poor honest Maid, and she was quickly catched in his pit.
Atten. Why, did he take this counsel?