The Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Wise. You say right; but this young Badman was no simple one, if by simple, you mean one •instructed; for he had often good counsel ⟨p. 67⟩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 fools hated knowledge, ¹and did not choose the Fear of the Lord: and what Judgement more dreadful 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.² 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,³ where ⟨p. 68⟩they were hanged like Dogs, because they refused to live like honest men.

Wise. You say right; but this young Badman was no simple one, if by simple, you mean one •instructed; for he had often good counsel ⟨p. 67⟩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, ¹