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together_o and_o where_o the_o master_n begin_v once_o to_o droop_v the_o servant_n prove_v either_o careless_o negligent_a or_o lawless_o insolent_a these_o inconvenience_n perhaps_o admit_v by_o david_n officer_n and_o observe_v by_o absalon_n render_v he_o obvious_a to_o exception_n great_a place_n be_v common_o subject_a to_o the_o great_a censure_n but_o when_o almighty_a god_n be_v never_o want_v to_o david_n i_o can_v imagine_v david_n to_o be_v much_o want_v unto_o his_o people_n and_o although_o strength_n and_o valour_n the_o darling_n of_o his_o youth_n begin_v in_o he_o to_o faint_v yet_o wisdom_n and_o experience_n the_o child_n of_o his_o ripe_a age_n step_v in_o to_o undertake_v his_o quarrel_n no_o otherwise_o then_o can_v we_o interpret_v this_o exception_n of_o absalon_n against_o his_o father_n than_o a_o malicious_a slander_n devise_v for_o no_o other_o end_n than_o to_o make_v he_o odious_a and_o himself_o acceptable_a which_o he_o by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o
hope_v easy_o to_o effect_v by_o how_o much_o he_o see_v the_o giddy_a multitude_n as_o at_o all_o time_n so_o especial_o in_o this_o decline_a age_n of_o david_n as_o desirous_a of_o novelty_n as_o subject_v to_o discontent_n the_o best_a governor_n seldom_o please_v long_o and_o the_o worst_a may_v for_o a_o time_n worth_a be_v seldom_o so_o eminent_a as_o in_o the_o absence_n and_o the_o best_a magistrate_n like_o the_o image_n of_o brutus_n and_o cassius_n relate_v by_o tacitus_n seem_v then_o most_o glorious_a when_o they_o be_v most_o want_v envy_n and_o detraction_n like_o two_o venomous_a serpent_n lurk_v always_o in_o the_o path_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o best_a ruler_n seldom_o find_v the_o free_a passage_n he_o that_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v a_o multitude_n they_o be_v not_o so_o well_o govern_v as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v shall_v soon_o want_v argument_n than_o attention_n the_o reason_n whereof_o as_o a_o learned_a man_n have_v observe_v be_v because_o the_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n in_o every_o state_n most_o incuitable_a be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n sensible_a to_o vulgar_a capacity_n but_o the_o hindrance_n of_o reformation_n only_o apparent_a to_o man_n of_o experience_a judgement_n as_o easy_a be_v it_o here_o for_o absalon_n to_o slander_v as_o to_o speak_v his_o eye_n can_v no_o soon_o open_v but_o espy_v some_o object_n or_o other_o to_o animate_v his_o own_o project_n or_o the_o people_n discontent_n such_o be_v the_o boundless_a malice_n of_o base_a informer_n with_o the_o venom_n of_o their_o aspic_n tongue_n to_o poison_v our_o sincere_a action_n and_o present_a as_o in_o a_o perspective_n the_o least_o mite_n and_o molehill_n of_o our_o imperfection_n like_o huge_a and_o mighty_a mountain_n this_o find_v david_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o calm_a and_o settle_a state_n when_o mischief_n have_v scarce_o yet_o know_v she_o own_o strength_n nor_o time_n as_o yet_o teem_v with_o all_o the_o engine_n of_o graceless_a villainy_n what_o then_o shall_v we_o now_o expect_v in_o these_o dog-day_n of_o the_o world_n decline_a age_n wherein_o malicious_a detraction_n be_v esteem_v the_o quintessence_n of_o wit_n and_o a_o ingeâ—…uous_a acknowledgement_n of_o man_n good_a deserve_n account_v too_o great_a a_o courtesy_n sure_o the_o best_a revenge_n i_o can_v here_o invent_v for_o innocence_n can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o preces_fw-la &_o lachrymae_fw-la the_o armour_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o that_o constant_a resolution_n of_o the_o sweet_a psalmist_n i_o will_v pray_v yet_o against_o their_o wickedness_n the_o three_o and_o great_a imposture_n absalon_n practise_v to_o make_v himself_o plausible_a be_v the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n a_o vow_n he_o pretend_v at_o least_o to_o have_v make_v of_o his_o return_n to_o hebron_n and_o there_o praise_v god_n after_o his_o safe_a return_n to_o jerusalem_n david_n be_v solicit_v to_o consent_v unto_o his_o journey_n neither_o can_v such_o a_o petition_n brook_v a_o denial_n which_o come_v usher_v in_o under_o the_o show_n of_o a_o religious_a office_n hebron_n seem_v to_o david_n a_o place_n fit_a for_o sacrifice_n to_o absalon_n for_o conspiracy_n jerusalem_n be_v too_o near_o his_o father_n sight_n or_o rather_o too_o far_o from_o his_o treacherous_a purpose_n to_o admit_v of_o such_o a_o wicked_a conventicle_n the_o meeting_n of_o such_o conspirator_n so_o near_o the_o court_n may_v soon_o have_v open_v the_o eye_n of_o sleep_a jealousy_n and_o betray_v the_o treason_n to_o discovery_n david_n countenance_n may_v perhaps_o have_v daunt_v the_o courage_n of_o his_o friend_n or_o have_v win_v their_o love_n and_o lest_o the_o people_n affection_n to_o absalon_n shall_v grow_v cold_a in_o his_o absence_n he_o leave_v behind_o he_o his_o parasite_n to_o solicit_v his_o cause_n and_o at_o his_o approach_n to_o give_v the_o signal_n moreover_o to_o strengthen_v himself_o the_o better_a against_o public_a hostility_n or_o private_a mistake_n he_o carry_v with_o he_o a_o garrison_n from_o jerusalem_n to_o defend_v his_o person_n and_o send_v for_o achitophel_n to_o hebron_n to_o direct_v hiâ—…_n counsel_n nothing_o but_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n can_v be_v think_v a_o fit_a vizard_n to_o hide_v the_o face_n of_o this_o dangerous_a conspiracy_n from_o the_o sight_n of_o suspicion_n deceit_n never_o thrive_v better_a than_o when_o she_o lest_o seem_v herself_o and_o vice_n seldom_o dare_v to_o show_v herself_o in_o public_a unless_o she_o steal_v the_o robe_n of_o virtue_n and_o actuate_v her_o malice_n with_o sly_a hypocrisy_n satan_n transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n when_o he_o intend_v the_o great_a mischief_n and_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o like_a policy_n this_o have_v be_v the_o devil_n shift_n and_o practice_n in_o all_o age_n neither_o ever_o come_v wickedness_n better_o arm_v than_o with_o the_o show_n of_o seem_a sanctity_n jeroboam_fw-la the_o son_n of_o nebat_fw-la who_o make_v israel_n to_o sin_n have_v no_o other_o pretence_n than_o religion_n to_o withdraw_v the_o ten_o tribe_n from_o jerusalem_n by_o set_v up_o a_o new_a idolatry_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o under_o colour_n of_o fast_v and_o long_a prayer_n devour_v widow_n house_n profess_v the_o most_o rigorous_a and_o strict_a obedience_n of_o the_o law_n among_o the_o three_o sect_n in_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o siege_n by_o titus_n and_o vespasian_n josephus_n observe_v those_o to_o have_v be_v the_o most_o notorious_o wicked_a who_o term_v themselves_o the_o zealous_a but_o alas_o pandora_n box_n be_v not_o yet_o empty_a the_o most_o of_o evil_n be_v reserve_v to_o these_o last_o and_o worst_a time_n wherein_o the_o great_a sin_n be_v account_v article_n of_o faith_n and_o a_o sincere_a profession_n style_v heresy_n ignatius_n have_v not_o yet_o send_v his_o brood_n into_o the_o world_n with_o the_o pope_n patent_n as_o so_o many_o pedlar_n to_o sell_v damnation_n nor_o the_o tridentine_a council_n conclude_v that_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n shall_v pass_v for_o true_a religion_n but_o since_o the_o approach_n of_o this_o medusa_n head_n the_o world_n seem_v to_o have_v suffer_v a_o fatal_a metamorphosis_n and_o wonder_n to_o find_v herself_o so_o gross_a a_o changeling_n can_v our_o small_a scantling_n of_o time_n dispense_v so_o far_o as_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n we_o shall_v find_v their_o whole_a religion_n to_o be_v little_a other_o than_o a_o politic_a hypocrisy_n direct_v to_o nothing_o else_o but_o gain_n or_o greatness_n pretend_v nothing_o but_o piety_n profess_v little_a else_o than_o malice_n or_o profaneness_n what_o vulgar_a judgement_n can_v interpret_v otherwise_o of_o their_o pedlers-packe_n of_o indulgence_n and_o sundry_a other_o superstitious_a juggling_n but_o as_o of_o a_o mere_a merchandise_n of_o soulâ—…s_n wherein_o every_o graceless_a parricide_n as_o in_o a_o common_a market_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o mercenary_a priest_n may_v cheapen_v and_o buy_v his_o own_o salvation_n have_v all_o the_o achitophel_n or_o absalon_n in_o the_o world_n lose_v their_o politic_a invention_n they_o may_v i_o suppose_v find_v they_o again_o improve_v in_o this_o state-religion_n no_o dis-union_n of_o the_o church_n so_o small_a which_o their_o rigorous_a constitution_n pronounce_v not_o heresy_n no_o sin_n so_o heinous_a for_o which_o their_o pope_n dare_v not_o grant_v a_o dispensation_n as_o though_o sanctity_n consist_v not_o in_o the_o internal_a disposition_n of_o the_o man_n but_o in_o the_o outward_a conformity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o piety_n be_v pin_v on_o the_o sleeve_n of_o worldly_a policy_n this_o politic_a sin_n of_o hypocrisy_n i_o no_o soon_o lose_v among_o the_o romanist_n than_o i_o find_v again_o among_o our_o homebred_a schismatic_n a_o sect_n of_o man_n i_o confess_v with_o who_o i_o shall_v hardly_o grapple_v stand_v they_o not_o arm_v in_o my_o way_n how_o much_o the_o odious_a name_n of_o a_o puritan_n have_v abuse_v many_o a_o sincere_a christian_a we_o may_v learn_v by_o the_o write_n of_o becanus_n the_o jesuite_n who_o have_v parallel_v our_o puritan_n in_o england_n with_o the_o huguenot_n of_o france_n and_o the_o caluinist_n of_o germany_n or_o not_o to_o go_v so_o far_o abroad_o we_o may_v well_o see_v in_o some_o of_o our_o own_o mongrel_n divine_n who_o as_o it_o be_v betwixt_o hawk_n and_o buzzard_n can_v see_v nice_o to_o distinguish_v betwixt_o a_o puritan_n in_o opinion_n and_o a_o puritan_n in_o discipline_n and_o have_v teach_v the_o name_n contrary_a to_o the_o first_o institution_n so_o far_o to_o enlarge_v itself_o that_o a_o protestant_n must_v make_v a_o hard_a shift_n either_o by_o popery_n or_o arminianism_n to_o save_v himself_o harmless_a but_o with_o such_o man_n humour_n i_o never_o side_v to_o who_o i_o profess_v myself_o as_o opposite_a in_o affection_n as_o in_o opinion_n nevertheless_o
between_o christian_a and_o worldly_a policy_n the_o one_o counsel_n we_o to_o make_v up_o the_o breach_n of_o our_o sin_n by_o a_o sincere_a repentance_n the_o other_o to_o enlarge_v it_o with_o great_a villainy_n bind_v not_o two_o sinner_n together_o for_o in_o one_o thou_o shall_v not_o escape_v unpunished_a say_v the_o wise_a of_o king_n but_o these_o politician_n hold_v themselves_o wise_a than_o the_o wise_a hold_v repentance_n base_a and_o perseverance_n in_o sin_n generous_a noble_a they_o suppose_v it_o to_o adventure_v forward_o with_o danger_n than_o retire_v back_o with_o shame_n as_o though_o they_o mean_v to_o show_v themselves_o industrious_o resolute_a to_o sell_v their_o part_n in_o heaven_n and_o purchase_v their_o own_o damnation_n but_o these_o we_o must_v leave_v a_o while_n to_o their_o own_o resolution_n perhaps_o we_o shall_v find_v they_o again_o with_o achitophel_n hang_v on_o the_o gallows_n who_o second_n and_o last_o counsel_n offer_v itself_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o our_o examination_n 8_o hitherto_o have_v achitophel_n care_n be_v to_o strengthen_v the_o faction_n both_o to_o secure_v himself_o and_o unite_v the_o heart_n of_o israel_n more_o firm_o to_o absalon_n their_o leader_n his_o second_o direction_n concern_v the_o speed_a of_o the_o execution_n let_v i_o now_o choose_v out_o quoth_v achitophel_n twelve_o thousand_o man_n and_o i_o will_v arise_v and_o pursue_v after_o david_n this_o night_n and_o i_o will_v come_v upon_o he_o while_o he_o be_v weary_a and_o weake-handed_n and_o make_v he_o afraid_a and_o all_o the_o people_n which_o be_v with_o he_o shall_v fly_v and_o i_o will_v smite_v the_o king_n only_o and_o i_o will_v bring_v back_o all_o the_o people_n unto_o thou_o the_o man_n who_o thou_o seek_v be_v as_o if_o all_o return_v so_o all_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v in_o peace_n in_o which_o politic_a advice_n of_o achitophel_n three_o remarkable_a circumstance_n offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o observation_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o scantling_n of_o time_n and_o your_o wrong_a patience_n i_o shall_v be_v constrain_v rather_o to_o touch_v than_o handle_n in_o the_o first_o place_n his_o desire_n be_v to_o have_v as_o well_o as_o his_o head_n in_o the_o conspiracy_n so_o his_o hand_n in_o the_o execution_n perhaps_o because_o he_o hate_v david_n he_o be_v ambitious_a to_o show_v himself_o the_o executioner_n of_o his_o own_o revenge_n and_o david_n ruin_n perhaps_o out_o of_o vainglory_n that_o he_o may_v seem_v as_o able_a to_o act_v as_o wise_a to_o project_v a_o mischief_n perhaps_o out_o of_o a_o officious_a flattery_n to_o engage_v absalon_n thankfulness_n by_o a_o doâ—…ble_a service_n but_o that_o which_o seem_v to_o i_o most_o probable_a be_v his_o extreme_a jealousy_n not_o dare_v to_o trust_v so_o young_a a_o experience_n with_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n absalon_n youth_n seem_v perchance_o too_o shallow_a to_o entertain_v the_o depth_n of_o his_o direction_n his_o blood_n too_o near_o to_o outface_v the_o frown_n of_o a_o father_n anger_n or_o the_o awe_n of_o filial_a duty_n can_v not_o be_v suppose_v a_o fit_a actor_n in_o david_n tragedy_n the_o hard_a iron_n at_o the_o first_o touch_n of_o the_o load_n stone_n be_v restore_v to_o its_o first_o temper_n and_o conceive_v a_o magnetic_a inclination_n and_o why_o may_v not_o david_n fiery_a assault_n or_o gracious_a countenance_n in_o his_o rebellious_a son_n absalon_n enforce_v nature_n to_o return_v unto_o herself_o and_o kindle_v in_o he_o the_o spark_n of_o filial_a duty_n and_o obedience_n here_o may_v a_o man_n read_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o wicked_a poâ—…icie_n expose_v to_o a_o thousand_o danger_n and_o subject_a to_o a_o thousand_o iâ—…alousies_n well_o may_v such_o man_n as_o damocles_n at_o dionysius_n table_n feed_v their_o hope_n with_o the_o choice_a dainty_n yet_o god_n fearful_a judgement_n as_o a_o sword_n pendulous_a over_o their_o head_n be_v always_o ready_a to_o threaten_v a_o destruction_n it_o be_v not_o then_o a_o good_a but_o a_o evil_a conscience_n which_o make_v man_n coward_n only_o he_o who_o want_v guilt_n want_v fear_n and_o nothing_o but_o a_o clear_a conscience_n can_v challenge_v true_a mother-hood_n in_o a_o courageous_a resolution_n the_o second_o point_n we_o observe_v in_o achitophel_n counsel_n be_v a_o stratagem_n of_o diversion_n his_o quarrel_n be_v not_o against_o the_o people_n but_o david_n his_o purpose_n to_o preserve_v the_o kingdom_n but_o destroy_v the_o king_n and_o therefore_o think_v it_o not_o so_o meet_v to_o hew_v out_o his_o passage_n to_o david_n overthrow_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o subject_n as_o by_o the_o king_n forfeit_v to_o purchase_v they_o to_o absalon_n obedience_n his_o first_o care_n be_v to_o strike_v at_o the_o root_n itself_o well_o know_v the_o branch_n will_v fall_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n and_o the_o people_n allegiance_n once_o dead_a in_o david_n will_v soon_o quicken_v again_o in_o absalon_n the_o strength_n of_o israel_n be_v shut_v up_o in_o the_o prince_n palace_n and_o the_o same_o power_n which_o conquer_v the_o one_o be_v soon_o master_n of_o the_o other_o this_o counsel_n seem_v to_o partake_v as_o well_o of_o good_a as_o bad_a with_o the_o death_n of_o one_o to_o redeem_v the_o life_n of_o many_o in_o the_o rigorous_a law_n of_o hostility_n seem_v not_o a_o duty_n but_o a_o great_a courtesy_n but_o to_o sell_v a_o king_n to_o buy_v a_o kingdom_n and_o stake_v one_o prince_n for_o many_o subject_n be_v less_o than_o courtesy_n and_o more_o than_o cruelty_n neither_o be_v this_o course_n affect_v by_o achitophel_n to_o spare_v the_o life_n of_o innocent_n or_o avoid_v a_o great_a mischief_n but_o that_o he_o find_v it_o a_o easy_a way_n to_o conquer_v david_n and_o reduce_v the_o people_n under_o the_o yoke_n of_o absalon_n jurisdiction_n the_o good_a which_o politician_n use_v to_o pretend_v common_o swell_v in_o show_n but_o shrink_v in_o substance_n as_o the_o ocean_n they_o will_v seem_v to_o flow_v in_o their_o kindness_n and_o embrace_v we_o with_o twine_a arm_n as_o the_o wave_n the_o continent_n but_o seek_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o they_o we_o find_v they_o common_o to_o ebb_v into_o nothing_o and_o snatch_v back_o their_o own_o with_o some_o advantage_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o be_v author_n of_o any_o good_a it_o serve_v only_o to_o flatter_v opinion_n and_o deceive_v simplicity_n not_o that_o they_o love_v good_a but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v the_o better_o arm_v to_o work_v mischief_n to_o commit_v evil_a for_o a_o good_a end_n seem_v to_o bear_v a_o better_a pretence_n before_o man_n than_o excuse_n before_o god_n but_o to_o suffer_v or_o act_v some_o good_a for_o a_o evil_a end_n be_v the_o height_n of_o man_n wickedness_n and_o the_o devil_n institution_n the_o three_o and_o last_o circumstance_n in_o this_o achitophel_n counsel_n be_v by_o a_o sudden_a and_o unexpected_a assault_n to_o 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