A30164:513
The Life and Death of Mr. Badman
The life and death of Mr. Badman presented to the world in a familiar dialogue between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive / by John Bunyan ...
London: printed by J. A. for Nath. Ponder, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
not with pride of Heart, nor pride of Life: But when a man begins to forget what he is, then he, if ever, begins to be proud. Methinks it is one of the most ⟨p. 249⟩senseless and ridiculous things in the world, that a man should be proud of that which is given him on purpose to cover the shame of his nakedness with. 4. Persons that are proud,1 have gotten God and his Holiness out of their sight. If God was before them, as he is behind their back; And if they saw him in his holiness, as he sees them in their sins and shame, they would take but little pleasure in their apish Knacks. The Holiness of God makes the Angels cover their faces,2 crumbles Christians, when they behold it, into dust and ashes: and as his Majesty is, such is his Word; Therefore they abuse it, that bring it to countenance pride. Lastly,3 But what can be the end of those that are proud, in the decking of themselves after their antic manner? why are they for going with their Bulls-foretops, with their naked shoulders, and Paps hanging out like a Cows bag? why are they for painting their faces, for stretching out their necks, and for putting of themselves into all the Formalities ⟨p. 250⟩which proud Fancy leads them to? Is it because they would honour God? because they would adorn the Gospel? because they would beautify Religion, and make sinners to fall in love with their own salvation? No, no. It is rather to please their lusts, to satisfy their wild and extravagant fancies; and I wish none doth it to stir up lust in others, to the end they may commit uncleanness with them. I believe, whatever is their end, this is one of the great designs of the Devil: and I believe also, that Satan has drawn more into the sin of uncleanness, by the spangling show of fine clothes, than he could possibly have drawn unto it, without them. I wonder what it was, that of old was called the Attire of an Harlot: certainly it could not be more bewitching and tempting than are the garments of many professors this day.
not with pride of Heart, nor pride of Life: But when a man begins to forget what he is, then he, if ever, begins to be proud. Methinks it is one of the most