great_a part_n envy_v her_o history_n have_v yet_o cherish_v in_o her_o bosom_n this_o one_o darling_n and_o keep_v a_o sure_a register_n of_o all_o her_o action_n shall_v i_o descend_v to_o particular_a example_n of_o god_n concurrence_n in_o man_n action_n i_o shall_v soon_o lose_v myself_o than_o find_v a_o end_n the_o most_o irreligious_a heathen_a through_o the_o thick_a cloud_n of_o ignorance_n have_v often_o espy_v the_o glimpse_n of_o god_n dreadful_a lightning_n and_o often_o quake_v at_o his_o thunder_n they_o have_v feel_v his_o finger_n in_o their_o wound_n and_o acknowledge_v his_o strength_n in_o their_o weakness_n yea_o such_o have_v be_v the_o power_n of_o almighty_a god_n to_o expose_v their_o own_o wicked_a action_n as_o a_o table_n of_o their_o confession_n and_o extort_v a_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o victory_n out_o of_o their_o blasphemy_n julian_n that_o wicked_a apostate_n though_o as_o politic_a to_o obscure_v as_o malicious_a to_o oppose_v the_o truth_n of_o 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uncertain_a and_o 〈◊〉_d which_o impious_a and_o gross_a opinion_n i_o hold_v sufficient_o confute_v in_o the_o mention_n but_o i_o have_v stay_v here_o too_o long_o and_o have_v far_o to_o go_v wherefore_o have_v take_v a_o general_a survey_n of_o the_o primary_n or_o chief_a cause_n of_o achitophel_n defeat_n let_v we_o descend_v to_o the_o second_o cause_n which_o in_o the_o next_o place_n offer_v themselves_o to_o observation_n 4_o god_n power_n have_v express_v itself_o legible_a as_o well_o in_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n as_o of_o grace_n and_o natural_a agent_n as_o you_o have_v hear_v as_o they_o derive_v their_o operation_n from_o his_o strength_n so_o they_o be_v determine_v by_o his_o will_n and_o direct_v to_o his_o glory_n here_o we_o find_v nature_n in_o second_o agent_n not_o set_v against_o herself_o though_o raise_v a_o pitch_n beyond_o her_o private_a inclination_n and_o the_o first_o cause_n without_o either_o need_n or_o violence_n to_o entertain_v the_o service_n 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two_o act_n for_o
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at_o with_o those_o theban_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o justine_n fawn_v too_o much_o on_o philip_n greatness_n buy_v their_o new_a protection_n with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o ancient_a liberty_n but_o i_o have_v too_o long_o entangle_v myself_o in_o this_o discourse_n of_o flattery_n wherein_o i_o fear_v i_o have_v neither_o observe_v the_o time_n nor_o flatter_v your_o patience_n i_o must_v now_o brief_o descend_v to_o the_o instrument_n of_o the_o discovery_n which_o in_o the_o next_o place_n present_v itself_o to_o examination_n 8_o almighty_a god_n in_o bring_v to_o pass_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n rather_o make_v than_o find_v the_o fit_a instrument_n as_o one_o who_o will_v rather_o have_v the_o subject_n indebt_v to_o his_o choice_n than_o his_o choice_n to_o our_o estimation_n he_o to_o who_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o create_v as_o suborn_v a_o creature_n can_v as_o well_o give_v as_o take_v occasion_n and_o for_o his_o sacred_a purpose_n as_o soon_o fortify_v the_o weak_a as_o single_a out_o the_o strong_a achitophel_n politic_a advice_n suggest_v to_o absalon_n defeat_v by_o chushai_n communicate_v to_o zadocke_n and_o abiathar_n the_o priest_n be_v at_o length_n by_o david_n servant_n discover_v by_o a_o woman_n a_o silly_a maid_n who_o unexperienced_a youth_n unable_a sex_n and_o mean_a estate_n can_v express_v no_o other_o character_n than_o weakness_n be_v notwithstanding_o design_v out_o by_o god_n as_o the_o choice_a instrument_n of_o secure_v the_o state_n of_o israel_n and_o a_o king_n delivery_n the_o rare_a workmanship_n be_v commend_v as_o much_o by_o the_o worst_a as_o the_o best_a instrument_n and_o it_o be_v god_n frequent_a practice_n to_o speak_v with_o the_o apostle_n to_o make_v know_v the_o riches_n of_o his_o glory_n on_o the_o vessel_n of_o his_o mercy_n our_o saviour_n christ_n to_o who_o all_o the_o king_n and_o emperor_n of_o the_o earth_n owe_v observance_n who_o least_o alliance_n can_v have_v royalize_v the_o base_a family_n be_v please_v notwithhand_v as_o a_o inmate_n to_o make_v himself_o a_o passage_n into_o this_o world_n through_o mary_n neglect_a womb_n his_o cradle_n be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o crib_n and_o his_o first_o entertainment_n no_o high_o than_o josephs_n fortune_n neither_o be_v his_o birth_n a_o better_a argument_n than_o his_o life_n and_o action_n he_o may_v have_v breathe_v in_o the_o air_n of_o some_o prince_n court_v a_o kingly_a education_n or_o commit_v the_o tuition_n of_o his_o youth_n to_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o learned_a doctor_n rome_n be_v then_o in_o her_o pride_n and_o set_v the_o foot_n of_o her_o magnificence_n on_o the_o neck_n of_o the_o proud_a nation_n athens_n the_o mother_n of_o the_o grecian_a wisdom_n have_v long_o ere_o this_o triumph_a in_o her_o fruitful_a and_o glorious_a offspring_n and_o the_o scribe_n and_o doctor_n at_o jerusalem_n sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n can_v have_v challenge_v a_o right_a beyond_o the_o delphic_a oracle_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v neither_o his_o knowledge_n father_v by_o the_o most_o famous_a teacher_n nor_o his_o manner_n indebt_v to_o the_o severe_a institution_n the_o shop_n of_o a_o mechanitian_n seem_v his_o first_o academy_n the_o publican_n and_o sinner_n his_o familiar_a host_n and_o friend_n and_o the_o poor_a fisherman_n return_v from_o their_o break_a net_n admit_v into_o the_o number_n of_o his_o choice_a disciple_n by_o which_o we_o christian_n may_v be_v teach_v not_o to_o repose_v so_o much_o confidence_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o our_o mighty_a and_o great_a confederate_n as_o to_o neglect_v the_o industry_n and_o good_a will_n of_o our_o weak_a and_o mean_a associate_n virgil_n silly_a gnat_n can_v awaken_v the_o sluggish_a shepherd_n from_o his_o improvident_a slumber_n to_o decline_v the_o approach_a serpent_n and_o the_o impotent_a pismire_n have_v be_v teach_v to_o rouse_v up_o the_o sleep_a lion_n to_o make_v a_o escape_n from_o the_o hunter_n snare_n thus_o we_o find_v the_o chain_n of_o god_n almighty_n providence_n link_v together_o by_o so_o many_o dependent_a cause_n begin_v in_o god_n counsel_n second_v by_o david_n prayer_n continue_v in_o chushai_n loyalty_n and_o absalon_n weakness_n shut_v up_o at_o length_n in_o the_o action_n of_o a_o silly_a maid_n which_o as_o a_o introduction_n may_v lead_v our_o discourse_n a_o scene_n further_o to_o the_o last_o catastrophe_n and_o achitophel_n bloody_a tragedy_n to_o which_o have_v so_o much_o at_o this_o time_n trespass_v on_o your_o patience_n i_o shall_v god_n will_v engage_v my_o next_o exercise_n he_o must_v needs_o run_v who_o desperation_n lead_v and_o the_o 3_o devil_n drive_v that_o old_a serpent_n that_o first_o set_v mischief_n a_o work_n scorn_v as_o much_o to_o retire_v as_o delight_n to_o persevere_v and_o neither_o slack_v or_o stop_v his_o pace_n till_o he_o find_v the_o place_n of_o execution_n how_o far_o his_o wicked_a industry_n have_v go_v hand_n in_o hand_n with_o achitophel_n treacherous_a design_n your_o present_a memory_n may_v witness_v in_o my_o former_a exercise_n and_o your_o attention_n the_o defeat_n of_o his_o pernicious_a counsel_n with_o the_o cause_n present_v themselves_o to_o the_o horror_n of_o a_o guilty_a conscience_n second_v as_o well_o with_o outward_a disgrace_n as_o inward_a discontent_n turn_v his_o own_o weapon_n against_o himself_o and_o make_v his_o policy_n the_o most_o exquisite_a instrument_n of_o his_o own_o destruction_n this_o great_a politician_n who_o as_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n have_v never_o suspect_v of_o inconstancy_n or_o accuse_v of_o indiscretion_n who_o wise_a service_n have_v instruct_v absalon_n in_o all_o his_o part_n and_o so_o judicious_o as_o it_o be_v chalk_v out_o unto_o he_o the_o way_n to_o sovereignty_n may_v seem_v to_o deserve_v more_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o absalon_n than_o misprision_n what_o less_o reward_n can_v our_o best_a industry_n expect_v or_o gratitude_n express_v than_o acknowledgement_n or_o approbation_n what_o great_a evidence_n of_o present_a ability_n can_v our_o understand_n minister_v or_o our_o hope_n promise_v than_o the_o stamp_n and_o seal_v of_o our_o former_a action_n have_v chushai_n ever_o show_v himself_o so_o wise_a or_o achitophel_n so_o weak_a that_o chushai_n in_o the_o scale_n shall_v overpoize_v achitophel_n shall_v the_o fancy_n of_o a_o shallow_a courtier_n conquer_v the_o wit_n and_o experience_n of_o so_o great_a a_o statesman_n and_o the_o smooth_a tongue_n of_o flattery_n overreach_v the_o deep_a ground_n of_o a_o settle_a judgement_n what_o then_o remain_v for_o achitophel_n than_o by_o his_o sudden_a flight_n to_o express_v his_o noble_a indignation_n and_o foreshow_v absalon_n ruin_n in_o his_o own_o he_o will_v hang_v himself_o first_o to_o teach_v absalon_n the_o way_n to_o the_o same_o end_n and_o to_o outstrip_v he_o in_o the_o last_o act_n rather_o politic_o prevent_v than_o base_o fear_v the_o shameful_a stroke_n of_o execution_n and_o achitophel_n see_v that_o his_o counsel_n be_v not_o follow_v etc._n etc._n 2._o the_o scene_n whereon_o we_o now_o enter_v contain_v the_o last_o action_n of_o achitophel_n who_o catastrophe_n shut_v up_o all_o in_o his_o shameful_a end_n and_o honourable_a burial_n the_o action_n precede_v his_o death_n be_v express_v in_o these_o four_o circumstance_n 1._o that_o he_o saddle_v his_o ass_n 2._o that_o he_o go_v home_o 3._o that_o he_o put_v his_o house_n in_o order_n 4._o that_o he_o hang_v himself_o in_o the_o first_o we_o may_v observe_v his_o tyranny_n in_o impose_v on_o his_o silly_a ass_n the_o burden_n of_o his_o transgression_n in_o the_o second_o his_o treachery_n in_o leave_v his_o master_n in_o his_o great_a extremity_n in_o the_o three_o his_o worldly_a providence_n in_o prefer_v the_o preservation_n of_o his_o temporal_a estate_n before_o the_o preservation_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n in_o the_o four_o his_o desperate_a
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 take_v the_o best_a advantage_n of_o his_o own_o strength_n and_o david_n weakness_n i_o will_v say_v he_o sudden_o fall_v on_o david_n while_o he_o be_v weary_a and_o weake-handed_n and_o the_o people_n shall_v fly_v to_o join_v with_o man_n misfortune_n and_o add_v to_o misery_n serve_v rather_o baseness_n of_o the_o man_n than_o confidence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o to_o second_o god_n affliction_n with_o our_o own_o revenge_n be_v a_o mark_n of_o god_n instrument_n but_o the_o devil_n servant_n the_o apprehension_n of_o a_o apt_a opportunity_n be_v of_o itself_o i_o confess_v a_o matter_n indifferent_a as_o well_o to_o good_a as_o wicked_a policy_n yet_o hasty_a and_o unexpected_a action_n common_o carry_v with_o they_o a_o great_a suspicion_n of_o guilt_n than_o discretion_n as_o that_o which_o seek_v to_o prevent_v a_o trial_n and_o fear_n discovery_n time_n the_o father_n of_o truth_n will_v questionless_a have_v betray_v absalon_n cause_n to_o common_a examination_n and_o reduce_v the_o discontent_a commons_o to_o their_o first_o temper_n david_n may_v have_v give_v satisfaction_n &_o allegiance_n have_v reviue_v in_o his_o subject_n heart_n necessity_n which_o perhaps_o beget_v the_o effect_n of_o ill_a government_n may_v have_v urge_v the_o cause_n and_o reason_n which_o at_o the_o first_o seem_v to_o fawn_v on_o their_o discontent_n may_v afterward_o be_v teach_v to_o correct_v her_o error_n and_o suppress_v their_o insolence_n all_o this_o achitophel_n know_v right_a well_o and_o therefore_o choose_v rather_o to_o take_v advantage_n of_o the_o people_n sudden_a passion_n than_o their_o mature_a judgement_n as_o one_o who_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o shun_v a_o legal_a â—…ury_n where_o he_o can_v promise_v himself_o no_o other_o than_o loss_n in_o the_o fatal_a verdict_n hitherto_o belove_v have_v we_o trace_v the_o footstep_n of_o our_o grand_a traitor_n achitophel_n through_o all_o his_o politic_a counsel_n and_o