The Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Wise. 'Twas in little time indeed, I think he was not above two years and an half in doing of it: but the reason is apparent;¹ for he being a wild young man, and now having the bridle loose before him, and being wholly subjected to his lusts and vices, he gave himself up to the way of his heart, and to the sight of his eye, forgetting that for all these things God will bring him to Judgment;² and he that doth thus, you may be sure, shall not be able long to stand on his legs. Besides, he had now an addition of^* new companions; companions you must think, most like himself in Manners, and so such that cared not who sunk, if they themselves might swim. These would often be haunting of him, and of his shop too when he was absent. They would commonly egg him to the Ale-house, but yet make him Jackpay-for-all; ⟨p. 114⟩They would be borrowing also money of him, but take no care to pay again, except it was with more of their company, which also he liked very well; and so his poverty came like one that travelleth, and his want like an armed man. But all the while they studied his temper;⁴ he loved to be flattered, praised and commended for Wit, Manhood and Personage; and this was like stroking him over the face. Thus they Collogued with him, and got yet more and more into him, and so (like Horse-leaches) they drew away that little that his father had given him, and brought him quickly down, almost to dwell next door to the beggar.

Wise. 'Twas in little time indeed, I think he was not above two years and an half in doing of it: but the reason is apparent;¹ for he being a wild young man, and now having the bridle loose before him, and being wholly subjected to his lusts and vices, he gave himself up to the way of his heart, and to the sight of his eye, forgetting that for all these things God will bring him to Judgment;²