and_o austerity_n he_o fall_v upon_o his_o business_n and_o rob_v the_o poor_a widow_n house_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v sanctify_v by_o his_o religious_a performance_n iu_o by_o these_o and_o such_o like_a art_n as_o i_o have_v mention_v the_o conspiracy_n wax_v strong_a and_o the_o people_n increase_v continual_o with_o absalon_n 4._o absalon_n his_o majesty_n declaration_n etc._n etc._n p._n 4._o and_o as_o their_o number_n increase_v so_o do_v their_o boldness_n now_o they_o think_v that_o all_o be_v sure_a and_o therefore_o 6._o therefore_o ib._n 6._o trust_v no_o long_o to_o the_o slow_a method_n of_o sedition_n they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o arms._n and_o if_o ahitophel_n counsel_n have_v be_v take_v he_o with_o his_o 12000_o man_n will_v have_v master_v those_o soldier_n which_o attend_v the_o king_n and_o not_o only_o have_v seize_v but_o have_v kill_v the_o king_n himself_o thing_n be_v come_v to_o this_o height_n there_o be_v no_o look_v back_o or_o think_v of_o a_o reconcilement_n those_o who_o be_v engage_v in_o way_n of_o wickedness_n especial_o in_o this_o bewitch_v sin_n of_o rebellion_n endeavour_v to_o secure_v themselves_o by_o add_v one_o sin_n unto_o another_o hope_v for_o no_o protection_n for_o their_o small_a crime_n but_o by_o the_o commission_n of_o great_a the_o first_o beginning_n of_o treason_n be_v careful_o nourish_v till_o they_o break_v out_o into_o open_a defiance_n and_o what_o at_o first_o perhaps_o deserve_v only_o the_o more_o gentle_a name_n of_o ingratitude_n by_o degree_n increase_v into_o a_o most_o horrid_a conspiracy_n when_o the_o house_n be_v thus_o sweep_v and_o garnish_v and_o this_o one_o devil_n have_v take_v possession_n seven_o devil_n great_a than_o the_o first_o soon_o join_v themselves_o to_o his_o company_n rebel_n seldom_o have_v the_o grace_n to_o repent_v but_o proceed_v from_o one_o iniquity_n to_o another_o till_o treason_n grow_v big_a with_o revenge_n and_o the_o cloud_n which_o at_o first_o can_v scarce_o be_v discern_v swell_v till_o it_o fall_v upon_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o shower_n whirlwind_n and_o tempest_n of_o a_o civil-war_n when_o man_n have_v once_o cast_v off_o that_o allegiance_n which_o they_o owe_v unto_o god_n and_o the_o king_n they_o hold_v it_o ignoble_a to_o retreat_n but_o to_o persevere_v in_o their_o sin_n they_o account_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o generous_a disposition_n such_o a_o anti-christian_n policy_n be_v that_o by_o which_o rebellious_a counsel_n be_v manage_v and_o such_o false_a apprehension_n have_v they_o of_o shame_n and_o honour_n who_o seem_v so_o much_o concern_v lest_o they_o shall_v incur_v the_o one_o or_o lose_v the_o other_o ahitophel_n who_o have_v so_o long_o be_v the_o grand_a contriver_n scorn_v at_o last_o to_o become_v a_o puisney_n penitent_n but_o proceed_v to_o execute_v that_o fatal_a mischief_n which_o before_o he_o have_v project_v i_o will_v sudden_o say_v he_o fall_v upon_o david_n while_o he_o be_v weary_a and_o weak-handed_n ch._n xvii_o 2._o david_n and_o his_o man_n it_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v be_v tire_v with_o their_o long_a and_o hasty_a march_n and_o particular_o he_o be_v afflict_v with_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o son_n vileness_n and_o the_o gild_n which_o he_o thereby_o have_v contract_v be_v it_o may_v be_v presume_v unfit_a for_o any_o action_n as_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o hand_n of_o saul_n son_n become_v feeble_a when_o he_o hear_v of_o abner_n death_n ch._n iu._n 1._o so_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n this_o sudden_a and_o unexpected_a assault_n will_v have_v put_v a_o period_n unto_o the_o king_n life_n and_o government_n for_o what_o resistance_n can_v languish_v and_o disconsolate_a weakness_n have_v make_v against_o confident_a and_o well_o appoint_v strength_n and_o it_o may_v be_v further_o observe_v that_o his_o counsel_n be_v as_o malicious_a as_o it_o be_v cunning_a and_o favour_v as_o much_o of_o transcendent_a wickedness_n as_o it_o do_v of_o complete_a subtlety_n what_o great_a baseness_n be_v there_o than_o to_o take_v advantage_n of_o man_n misfortune_n and_o to_o persecute_v those_o who_o god_n have_v smite_v but_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v to_o find_v either_o honesty_n or_o ingenuity_n in_o ahitophel_n counsel_n especial_o when_o his_o case_n seem_v desperate_a and_o require_v a_o immediate_a execution_n he_o be_v fearful_a lest_o delay_n may_v have_v bring_v he_o into_o danger_n he_o fear_v time_n will_v have_v discover_v the_o fallacy_n of_o absalom_n cause_n and_o have_v reduce_v the_o discontent_a commons_o to_o their_o former_a allegiance_n therefore_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o policy_n he_o will_v not_o let_v slip_v this_o critical_a opportunity_n upon_o mature_a deliberation_n the_o people_n may_v have_v see_v and_o be_v convince_v of_o their_o error_n and_o he_o who_o plot_v against_o the_o life_n of_o good_a king_n david_n by_o a_o legal_a trial_n may_v have_v lose_v his_o own_o he_o foresee_v that_o the_o verdict_n of_o a_o honest_a jury_n will_v have_v pronounce_v he_o guilty_a so_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v safe_a but_o by_o the_o present_a destruction_n of_o the_o lord_n anoint_v v._n but_o the_o divine_a providence_n which_o have_v hitherto_o preserve_v david_n through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n do_v at_o this_o time_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n show_v itself_o in_o the_o wonderful_a and_o gracious_a deliverance_n of_o he_o and_o his_o dear_a relation_n and_o all_o his_o love_a subject_n from_o this_o horrid_a and_o damnable_a conspiracy_n david_n all_o this_o while_n meditate_v no_o revenge_n against_o his_o enemy_n he_o use_v no_o other_o weapon_n but_o his_o prayer_n and_o tear_n he_o incessant_o beseech_v god_n that_o he_o will_v forgive_v his_o persecutor_n and_o slanderer_n and_o that_o he_o will_v turn_v their_o heart_n and_o god_n who_o accept_v the_o sacrifice_n of_o a_o humble_a and_o a_o contrite_a heart_n hear_v his_o prayer_n and_o have_v respect_n unto_o the_o sorrow_n of_o his_o break_a spirit_n for_o present_o after_o he_o have_v put_v up_o his_o earnest_a petition_n unto_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o will_v turn_v the_o counsel_n of_o ahitophel_n into_o foolishness_n hushai_n the_o wise_a archite_a meet_v he_o with_o his_o clothes_n rend_v and_o ash_n upon_o his_o head_n as_o the_o manner_n of_o mourner_n be_v in_o those_o day_n here_o god_n begin_v to_o answer_v david_n prayer_n provide_v a_o man_n who_o wisdom_n qualify_v he_o to_o confound_v ahitophel_n and_o turn_v his_o stratagem_n into_o his_o own_o ruin_n hushai_n prompt_v by_o his_o loyalty_n and_o dutiful_a affection_n will_v have_v wait_v upon_o the_o king_n in_o his_o affliction_n but_o david_n know_v his_o ability_n and_o think_v he_o may_v do_v he_o more_o service_n at_o this_o time_n in_o absalom_n court_n than_o his_o own_o wherefore_o he_o order_v he_o to_o return_v to_o the_o city_n and_o to_o behave_v himself_o so_o as_o to_o gain_v absalom_n favour_n that_o have_v his_o countenance_n he_o may_v be_v able_a to_o defeat_v the_o counsel_n of_o ahitophel_n according_o hushai_n salute_v absalon_n as_o king_n tender_v his_o service_n unto_o he_o and_o be_v admt_v into_o his_o secret_n and_o now_o he_o and_o ahitophel_n be_v the_o two_o grand-counsellour_n and_o the_o whole_a business_n be_v to_o be_v transact_v by_o their_o direction_n after_o other_o lewd_a and_o damnable_a advice_n ahitophel_n give_v that_o most_o pernicious_a counsel_n before_o mention_v which_o be_v that_o he_o with_o 12000_o man_n shall_v pursue_v after_o david_n that_o very_a night_n but_o god_n who_o overrule_n the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n do_v move_v absalon_n not_o to_o resolve_v till_o he_o have_v also_o consult_v hushai_n about_o this_o weighty_a affair_n call_v now_o for_o hushai_n say_v he_o and_o let_v we_o hear_v what_o he_o say_v and_o when_o he_o be_v come_v he_o propound_v the_o question_n to_o he_o shall_v we_o do_v after_o this_o manner_n if_o not_o speak_v thou_o ch._n xvii_o 5_o 6._o absalon_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v with_o what_o ahitophel_n have_v propound_v and_o to_o have_v consult_v hushai_n rather_o as_o one_o who_o he_o be_v unwilling_a to_o make_v his_o enemy_n than_o to_o trust_v as_o a_o friend_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v likely_a do_v put_v no_o great_a confidence_n in_o he_o let_v we_o however_o hear_v say_v he_o slight_o likewise_o what_o he_o say_v but_o when_o hushai_n have_v deliver_v his_o opinion_n he_o be_v strange_o please_v with_o it_o insomuch_o that_o he_o resolve_v to_o act_n according_a to_o his_o direction_n he_o represent_v the_o danger_n which_o may_v have_v arisen_a from_o a_o sudden_a surprise_n david_n man_n he_o tell_v he_o will_v fight_v it_o out_o to_o the_o last_o that_o to_o be_v sure_a david_n lie_v in_o ambush_n be_v hide_v in_o some_o pit_n or_o safe_a place_n and_o will_v certain_o
wretched_a tutor_n shall_v be_v responsible_a for_o the_o pernicious_a principle_n of_o their_o pervert_v pupil_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v ahitophel_n character_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o none_o of_o all_o david_n counsellor_n be_v so_o fit_a and_o likely_a to_o debauch_v the_o mind_n of_o this_o young_a disciple_n and_o so_o become_v the_o great_a engineer_n of_o this_o conspiracy_n as_o this_o arch-politician_n for_o 1._o he_o have_v be_v david_n counsellor_n or_o the_o precedent_n it_o be_v possible_a of_o that_o honourable_a board_n 1_o chron._n xxvii_o 33._o upon_o this_o account_n he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o penetrate_a wit_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o method_n of_o david_n counsel_n the_o posture_n of_o his_o affair_n his_o particular_a inclination_n and_o all_o the_o defect_n as_o well_o as_o accomplishment_n of_o his_o person_n so_o that_o he_o can_v inform_v absalon_n how_o to_o provide_v against_o his_o strength_n as_o well_o as_o assault_v he_o in_o the_o weak_a place_n it_o be_v no_o small_a advantage_n unto_o those_o who_o meditate_v a_o rebellion_n to_o understand_v the_o temper_n of_o their_o prince_n the_o qualification_n of_o his_o prime_a minister_n and_o the_o state_n of_o his_o government_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v their_o impious_a project_n be_v more_o likely_a to_o take_v effect_n thus_o they_o may_v lay_v their_o plot_n so_o as_o to_o be_v least_o suspect_v by_o the_o king_n may_v perhaps_o prevail_v with_o some_o of_o his_o familiar_a friend_n to_o betray_v he_o but_o most_o certain_o take_v all_o occasion_n with_o great_a security_n to_o disturb_v the_o government_n and_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o ahitophel_n who_o it_o be_v well_o know_v omit_v no_o opportunity_n which_o make_v for_o his_o purpose_n give_v no_o small_a encouragement_n to_o the_o cause_n by_o the_o knowledge_n which_o he_o have_v of_o state-matter_n and_o his_o dextrous_a art_n in_o apply_v all_o his_o understanding_n to_o the_o design_n which_o he_o be_v concern_v to_o manage_n especial_o 2._o at_o this_o time_n be_v a_o a_o discontent_a courtier_n doubtless_o he_o strain_v his_o wit_n to_o invent_v how_o he_o may_v revenge_v himself_o upon_o good_a king_n david_n therefore_o find_v absalon_n in_o the_o heat_n of_o youth_n greedy_a of_o sovereignty_n and_o extreme_o discontent_v with_o his_o foul_a disgrace_n at_o court_n and_o long_a banishment_n he_o present_o joynes_n issue_n with_o he_o aggravate_v the_o father_n unkindness_n represent_v the_o son_n innocence_n and_o with_o all_o pathetic_a expression_n which_o malice_n can_v suggest_v endeavour_n to_o raise_v absalon_n unto_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o indignation_n that_o so_o the_o breach_n betwixt_o he_o and_o his_o father_n may_v be_v beyond_o the_o possibility_n of_o a_o reconciliation_n time_n may_v have_v moderate_v absalom_n high_a passion_n and_o wear_v out_o david_n displeasure_n conceive_v against_o he_o but_o ahitophel_n diabolical_a cunning_n take_v care_n to_o prevent_v all_o hope_n of_o agreement_n according_o he_o add_v fuel_n to_o the_o fire_n and_o instead_o of_o quench_v blow_v the_o coal_n of_o the_o conspiracy_n and_o become_v the_o chief_a manager_n as_o questionless_a he_o be_v the_o first_o designer_n of_o it_o for_o though_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o ahitophel_n consult_v with_o absalon_n before_o he_o send_v for_o he_o to_o hebron_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o exclude_v former_a debate_n about_o the_o business_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o absalon_n have_v he_o not_o be_v before_o assure_v of_o his_o utmost_a assistance_n will_v have_v make_v he_o his_o intimate_v companion_n at_o hebron_n and_o there_o have_v impart_v to_o he_o his_o most_o secret_a counsel_n he_o know_v before_o this_o message_n that_o he_o be_v strong_o link_v to_o his_o faction_n as_o well_o as_o that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o deep_a reach_n and_o great_a judgement_n in_o state_n affair_n 3._o which_o be_v another_o thing_n that_o fit_v he_o to_o be_v a_o principal_a in_o this_o rebellion_n the_o counsel_n of_o ahitophel_n say_v the_o text_n be_v as_o if_o a_o man_n have_v inquire_v at_o the_o oracle_n or_o the_o word_n of_o god_n so_o it_o have_v be_v with_o david_n and_o so_o now_o it_o be_v with_o absalon_n chap._n xvi_o 23._o he_o be_v so_o esteem_v for_o his_o wisdom_n that_o his_o counsel_n be_v receive_v as_o if_o they_o have_v all_o be_v divine_a truth_n and_o reveal_v from_o heaven_n his_o advice_n be_v general_o second_v with_o suitable_a success_n therefore_o it_o be_v so_o high_o reverence_v and_o not_o because_o in_o itself_o it_o always_o deserve_v to_o be_v so_o much_o applaud_v for_o this_o counsel_n which_o here_o he_o give_v absalon_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v divine_a that_o it_o be_v most_o damnable_o wicked_a though_o in_o the_o policy_n of_o it_o most_o exquisite_o pernicious_a so_o that_o the_o wisdom_n for_o which_o he_o be_v so_o high_o admire_v be_v not_o real_o that_o which_o descend_v from_o above_o pure_a and_o peaceable_a but_o that_o earthly_a wisdom_n which_o be_v sensual_a and_o devilish_a he_o be_v acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o turn_v and_o intrigue_n the_o windeing_n and_o doubling_n the_o passion_n and_o principle_n of_o crooked_a nature_n he_o be_v very_o well_o skill_v in_o all_o the_o fraud_n imposture_n and_o vice_n of_o mankind_n have_v all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o serpent_n but_o nothing_o of_o the_o dovelike_a innocence_n he_o act_v by_o such_o maxim_n as_o these_o virtue_n be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v regard_v but_o only_o its_o appearance_n because_o the_o name_n and_o opinion_n of_o virtue_n may_v be_v a_o help_n but_o virtue_n be_v a_o impediment_n that_o a_o true_a politician_n ought_v to_o make_v all_o obnoxious_a and_o draw_v they_o on_o his_o side_n by_o engage_v they_o in_o unpardonable_a villainy_n that_o a_o exact_a statesman_n shall_v be_v concern_v only_o for_o himself_o and_o care_v not_o if_o he_o be_v safe_a in_o the_o ship_n whither_o other_o sink_v or_o swim_v in_o a_o word_n he_o be_v the_o most_o accomplish_a machiavilian_n of_o his_o time_n he_o who_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o oracle_n of_o god_n be_v in_o truth_n rather_o inspire_v by_o that_o infernal_a spirit_n who_o actuate_v the_o oracle_n at_o delphos_n and_o though_o he_o appear_v as_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n yet_o real_o be_v one_o of_o the_o subtle_a agent_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n and_o now_o be_v not_o he_o who_o have_v be_v david_n chief_a counsellor_n at_o present_a a_o discontent_a courtier_n and_o be_v so_o well_o verse_v in_o all_o the_o art_n of_o a_o crafty_a politician_n be_v not_o he_o most_o likely_a to_o espouse_v and_o most_o able_a to_o manage_v absalom_n faction_n against_o the_o holy_a david_n ii_o who_o be_v the_o person_n against_o who_o this_o horrid_a rebellion_n be_v intend_v who_o all_o this_o while_n lie_v secure_a soon_o expect_v the_o invasion_n of_o a_o foreign_a enemy_n than_o a_o conspiracy_n head_v by_o his_o dear_a son_n his_o indulgent_a affection_n will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o entertain_v such_o a_o thought_n of_o the_o young_a man_n who_o he_o so_o entire_o love_v what_o be_v absalon_n among_o the_o conspirator_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o monstrous_o ingrateful_a be_v he_o not_o my_o subject_n my_o friend_n and_o my_o child_n and_o can_v he_o so_o utter_o forget_v all_o these_o relation_n as_o to_o design_n against_o my_o life_n who_o be_o his_o king_n his_o benefactor_n and_o his_o age_a father_n will_v he_o ruin_n i_o who_o be_o contrive_v his_o wellbeing_a what_o can_v he_o propose_v to_o himself_o by_o my_o death_n but_o eternal_a shame_n and_o ignomy_n what_o can_v he_o think_v will_v be_v the_o consequence_n of_o such_o a_o accurse_a cruelty_n but_o his_o own_o everlasting_a destruction_n why_o then_o shall_v i_o entertain_v such_o hard_a thought_n of_o he_o poor_a youngman_n can_v he_o either_o be_v so_o foolish_a or_o so_o profligate_o wicked_a as_o to_o endeavour_v at_o once_o both_o to_o undo_v i_o and_o himself_o after_o this_o manner_n its_o probable_a that_o the_o good_a king_n reason_v with_o himself_o till_o treason_n loud_o knock_v at_o his_o gate_n and_o he_o be_v certain_o inform_v by_o a_o special_a messenger_n that_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o man_n of_o israel_n be_v after_o absalon_n now_o he_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o his_o fatherly_a ingenuity_n will_v not_o easy_o suffer_v he_o to_o believe_v but_o how_o may_v we_o suppose_v do_v this_o strange_a news_n pierce_v his_o afflict_a soul_n the_o curse_n of_o shimei_n and_o the_o reproach_n of_o goliath_n be_v but_o easy_a trial_n of_o his_o patience_n when_o compare_v with_o this_o son_n of_o his_o own_o bowel_n who_o have_v rebel_v against_o he_o but_o beside_o this_o especial_a relation_n which_o do_v require_v
persuade_v to_o desire_v a_o change_n not_o consider_v that_o david_n by_o the_o wisdom_n and_o experience_n of_o old-age_n be_v now_o better_o qualify_v to_o rule_v his_o kingdom_n in_o peace_n which_o by_o the_o strength_n and_o valour_n of_o his_o youth_n he_o have_v before_o defend_v in_o war._n but_o suppose_v that_o david_n through_o the_o infirmity_n of_o age_n be_v uncapable_a to_o govern_v so_o well_o as_o in_o his_o more_o sprightly_a youth_n do_v it_o become_v absalon_n to_o expose_v the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o father_n or_o ahitophel_n to_o discover_v the_o imperfection_n of_o his_o age_a master_n be_v it_o the_o part_n of_o a_o obedient_a son_n or_o faithful_a servant_n in_o his_o decline_a age_n to_o incense_v the_o people_n against_o he_o and_o so_o endeavour_v with_o sorrow_n to_o bring_v down_o his_o grey_a hair_n unto_o the_o grave_a perhaps_o while_o they_o be_v at_o court_n they_o have_v observe_v some_o miscarriage_n of_o david_n officer_n what_o if_o there_o be_v some_o male-administrations_a liable_a to_o just_a exception_n there_o never_o be_v any_o government_n without_o its_o fault_n and_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o david_n kingdom_n though_o a_o eminent_a type_n of_o christ_n be_v without_o its_o spot_n and_o wrinkle_n but_o must_v the_o people_n therefore_o he_o alarm_v with_o sad_a outcry_n against_o the_o government_n as_o if_o none_o can_v have_v justice_n and_o no_o man_n can_v call_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o possess_v his_o own_o this_o use_n indeed_o absalon_n make_v of_o the_o court-corruption_n not_o that_o he_o be_v concern_v for_o the_o people_n happiness_n but_o his_o own_o power_n and_o greatness_n as_o it_o follow_v oh_o that_o i_o be_v make_v judge_n in_o the_o land_n that_o every_o man_n that_o have_v suit_n or_o cause_n may_v come_v unto_o i_o and_o i_o will_v do_v he_o justice_n thus_o under_o the_o guise_n of_o property_n and_o public_a good_a absalon_n design_v to_o get_v the_o government_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n but_o some_o of_o his_o adviser_n it_o be_v not_o unprobable_a under_o this_o colour_n intend_v to_o turn_v the_o monarchy_n into_o a_o commonwealth_n and_o this_o argument_n it_o be_v think_v will_v prevail_v with_o those_o to_o come_v over_o to_o the_o party_n who_o be_v honest_a and_o industrious_a who_o by_o lawful_a mean_n have_v get_v a_o estate_n and_o be_v it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v will_v to_o preserve_v it_o 2._o in_o like_a manner_n to_o gain_v the_o ingenuous_a and_o those_o who_o be_v well_o descend_v we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o absalom_n counselor_n cause_v it_o to_o be_v bruit_v abroad_o that_o king_n david_n be_v about_o to_o bring_v in_o arbitrary_a government_n and_o to_o take_v away_o all_o their_o law_n right_n privilege_n and_o immunity_n which_o they_o and_o their_o forefather_n have_v hitherto_o enjoy_v and_o this_o to_o be_v sure_a will_v create_v no_o small_a prejudices_fw-la unto_o his_o royal_a person_n and_o authority_n what!_o shall_v we_o who_o be_v a_o free_a bear_v people_n be_v entangle_v with_o the_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n shall_v we_o who_o be_v abraham_n seed_n and_o never_o be_v in_o bondage_n to_o any_o man_n tame_o suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v make_v vassal_n and_o slave_n when_o we_o have_v law_n on_o our_o side_n and_o power_n in_o our_o hand_n to_o vindicate_v our_o own_o liberty_n if_o david_n cease_v to_o behave_v himself_o as_o our_o just_a and_o merciful_a king_n we_o do_v no_o long_o own_v he_o the_o duty_n of_o subject_n therefore_o to_o your_o tent_n o_o israel_n let_v we_o die_v like_o man_n rather_o than_o live_v like_o beast_n of_o burden_n we_o be_v not_o now_o in_o egypt_n but_o in_o israel_n and_o if_o david_n will_v be_v a_o pharaoh_n shall_v we_o be_v egyptian_a bondslave_n with_o such_o like_a strain_n as_o these_o the_o popular_a orator_n draw_v in_o to_o their_o faction_n those_o israelite_n who_o be_v well-born_a and_o have_v be_v ingenuous_o educate_v and_o though_o in_o the_o history_n of_o this_o rebellion_n we_o find_v no_o complaint_n that_o their_o liberty_n be_v invade_v yet_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a they_o make_v use_v of_o this_o topick_n not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v the_o usual_a and_o plausible_a common-place_n of_o the_o seditious_a but_o also_o because_o solomon_n government_n which_o be_v more_o easy_a and_o peaceable_n than_o david_n be_v we_o find_v account_v grievous_a and_o very_o hard_a to_o be_v born_n thy_o father_n say_v jeroboam_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o israel_n make_v our_o yoke_n grievous_a 1_o king_n xii_o 4._o we_o may_v therefore_o not_o without_o reason_n presume_v that_o absalom_n agitator_n do_v not_o omit_v this_o occasion_n though_o the_o liberty_n for_o which_o they_o contend_v and_o real_o aim_v at_o may_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o exemption_n from_o all_o the_o law_n both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n so_o that_o they_o may_v without_o fear_n of_o punishment_n have_v be_v sceptic_n in_o their_o opinion_n and_o libertine_n in_o their_o action_n 3._o but_o the_o great_a imposture_n be_v the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n set_v on_o foot_n as_o we_o may_v suppose_v by_o absalom_n fanatick-confessours_a that_o so_o their_o rebellion_n may_v be_v repute_v the_o cause_n of_o religion_n and_o be_v strengthen_v with_o the_o assistance_n of_o all_o those_o who_o desire_v to_o be_v account_v the_o true_o pious_a and_o devout_a for_o this_o purpose_n absalon_n must_v feign_v at_o least_o that_o he_o have_v vow_v if_o he_o shall_v return_v safe_a to_o jerusalem_n to_o praise_n god_n at_o hebron_n for_o his_o goodness_n towards_o he_o according_o he_o solicit_v his_o father_n to_o consent_v unto_o his_o journey_n the_o true_o religious_a david_n glad_a to_o hear_v that_o his_o son_n be_v so_o well_o dispose_v ready_o grant_v his_o petition_n little_o suspect_v that_o hebron_n where_o sacrifice_n especial_o peace-offering_n use_v to_o be_v perform_v shall_v be_v a_o place_n design_v for_o a_o religious_a conspiracy_n but_o so_o it_o be_v jerusalem_n be_v not_o now_o a_o place_n convenient_a for_o absalom_n purpose_n the_o treason_n can_v not_o have_v be_v long_o conceal_v in_o that_o city_n where_o david_n reside_v beside_o his_o presence_n will_v have_v daunt_v the_o courage_n of_o some_o and_o have_v win_v the_o love_n of_o other_o therefore_o this_o conventicle_n at_o hebron_n be_v resolve_v upon_o as_o the_o best_a mean_n to_o unite_v they_o all_o in_o this_o most_o hellish_a conspiracy_n wickedness_n be_v never_o so_o bewitch_a as_o when_o it_o appear_v in_o the_o beautiful_a robe_n of_o religion_n who_o will_v have_v suspect_v any_o harm_n from_o this_o holy_a assembly_n of_o the_o brotherhood_n alas_o absalon_n good_a man_n intend_v to_o become_v a_o new_a man_n resolve_v to_o repent_v of_o all_o his_o former_a sin_n and_o for_o this_o end_n be_v come_v to_o hebron_n to_o perform_v this_o vow_n in_o a_o more_o pure_a way_n of_o worship_n than_o he_o can_v do_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o as_o for_o the_o feast_n and_o public_a entertainment_n which_o he_o make_v they_o be_v only_o for_o his_o friend_n and_o relation_n who_o come_v to_o rejoice_v with_o he_o as_o be_v usual_a upon_o such_o solemn_a occasion_n thus_o the_o conspirator_n may_v apologise_v for_o themselves_o when_o they_o be_v intimate_o conscious_a that_o this_o thanksgiving_n with_o all_o the_o religion_n and_o hospitality_n which_o do_v attend_v it_o be_v design_v as_o a_o prologue_n unto_o the_o most_o dismal_a tragedy_n the_o murder_n of_o the_o best_a of_o king_n the_o devil_n have_v in_o all_o age_n bring_v about_o his_o most_o pernicious_a stratagem_n under_o the_o show_n of_o sanctity_n he_o be_v willing_a that_o man_n shall_v profess_v as_o much_o godliness_n as_o they_o please_v if_o he_o may_v but_o have_v the_o management_n of_o it_o he_o very_o well_o understand_v his_o own_o interest_n and_o be_v too_o cunning_a to_o forbid_v his_o proselyte_n the_o use_n of_o all_o religion_n upon_o condition_n that_o they_o will_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o way_n of_o schism_n and_o sedition_n he_o allow_v they_o to_o dress_v themselves_o with_o all_o the_o external_n ornament_n of_o holiness_n if_o he_o have_v secure_v all_o within_o and_o be_v certain_a that_o hypocrisy_n lie_v lurk_v in_o the_o heart_n when_o a_o splendid_a zeal_n appear_v on_o the_o outside_n he_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v and_o fear_v no_o evil_a from_o the_o long_a and_o tedious_a exercise_n of_o such_o religious_a mountebank_n let_v absalon_n himself_o and_o his_o wicked_a accomplice_n pretend_v to_o be_v as_o godly_a as_o they_o will_v at_o hebron_n and_o jereboam_n zeal_n he_o know_v so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v confine_v unto_o dan_n and_o bethel_n promote_v his_o kingdom_n he_o be_v not_o displease_v with_o the_o pharisee_fw-mi for_o his_o long_a prayer_n and_o frequent_a fast_n if_o after_o these_o seem_a devotion_n