Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n
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A26303
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Ahitophel's policy defeated a sermon preached on the 9th of September, being the day appointed by His Majesty for a publick thanksgiving for his kingdoms great deliverance from the late treasonable conspiracy against his sacred person and government.
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1683
(1683)
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Wing A439A; ESTC R19991
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19,330
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32
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Ahitophel's Policy Defeated A SERMON Preached on the 9th of September Being the Day appointed by His MAJESTY for a Publick Thanksgiving For HIS and the KINGDOMS GREAT DELIVERANCE From the late Treasonable CONSPIRACY Against His Sacred Person and Government For it was not an Enemy that reproached me then I could have born it neither was it be that hated me that did magnifie himself against me then I would have hid my self from him But it was thou one whom I esteemed as my self my guide and my acquaintance we took sweet counsel together Psalm LV. 12 13 14. Regum exitus si reputaverimus plures à suis quà m ab hostibus interemptos reperiemus Quint. Curt. L. IX Non creditur nisi perpetratum facinus Liv. L. XL. LONDON Printed for W. Kettilby at the Bishops Head in S. Paul's Church-yard 1683. 2 Sam. XV. 12. And Absalom sent for Ahitophel the Gilonite Davids Counsellour from his City even from Giloh while he offered Sacrifices and the Conspiracy was strong for the people increased continually with Absalom WE read in the XIII Chapter of this Book that Absalom having kill'd his Brother Ammon for defiling his Sister Tamar presently fled unto Geshur in Syria where he continued some time with King Talmai his Grandfather by the Mother's side Ammon was elder Brother and therefore considering Absalom's aspiring Genius 't is probable that he committed this Parricide rather out of an Ambition he had to be the more nearly related to the Crown than any Vertuous Detestation of his Brothers sin Such as God was sometimes pleas'd to put into the hearts of the Jewish Zealots However he takes this occasion to remove him out of the way and because he justly feared that his Father David would not let so foul a Fact go unpunish'd he flyes from his presence and returns not again to Jerusalem till about three years after When Joab perceiving the King's Affections towards his Son by the Parable which he put into the mouth of the Widow of Tekoah prevail'd with the King to issue out Order for bringing him back again to the Imperial City So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem Ch. XIV v. 23. Where after he had resided about two years he is permitted to see the King's face and is graciously receiv'd into favour Good King David could not cast off the bowels and tenderness of a Father tho' he unnatural Child abandon's all the Duty of a Son for instead of repenting for what he had done he seconds his former sin with another of a more hainous nature to Murther he adds Rebellion And he who before had illegally kill'd his Brother does now both against all the Laws of God and man wickedly Conspire against his own Father For this purpose he prepares Chariots and Horses and fifty men to guard his body from the assaults of his Enemies that is the Kings Friends And because he well knew that his Design would not take Effect unless the Multitude were drawn into the Design by fair speeches and flattering insinuations he Steals away the Peoples hearts from his Father David And lest his secret Machinations should be discover'd he resolves to quit Jerusalem Accordingly he begs and obtains leave to depart And to cover his black Designs with a fair Appearance he alledges Religion as the Cause of his removal I pray thee says he unto the King let me go and pay my Vow which I have vowed unto the Lord in Hebron The pious King was glad to find his Son so well dispos'd hopeing that now he would seriously repent of his former wickedness He therefore easily granted his request and said unto him go in peace So he arose and went to Hebron When he was come thither he sends for Ahitophel that cunning Politician And now Wit and Strength Judgment and Courage being united no wonder that the People daily flock'd to Absalom and that great numbers continually listed themselves into the Conspiracy And Absalom sent for Ahitophel the Gilonite Davids Counsellour from his City even from Giloh while he offered sacrifices and the Conspiracy was strong for the People encreased continually with Absalom I shall consider the words with relation unto the Context and therefore shall not strictly bind my self within the compass of this Verse but represent this Conspiracy as it is more fully described in this and the following Chapters where we have an Account I. Of the Heads and Chief Promoters of it II. Of the Person against whom it was design'd III. The Pretences by which it was carry'd on IV. The Progress which was made in it And V. how at last it was happily Discover'd and Defeated I. The Chief Heads and Promoters of it were Absalom and Ahitophel two whose Qualifications render'd them fit both to project and execute this horrid Conspiracy For who amongst all the Children of Israel more likely to go further in a Rebellion than Absalom whose Birth and Beauty plausible Carriage and undauntd Courage seem'd to speak him a King at the first sight and Challenge the highest place of Honour as a Reward naturally due unto his great Accomplishments 1. By Birth we find that he was the King's Son tho' not the Immediate Successour For David had another Son elder than he was 2 Sam. III. 3. But no matter whether the Title be lawful or no. Ambition stays not to Examine such small Punctilio's In his own Thoughts he 's the most deserving and he 's already Crown'd in the Peoples Favour Why should he stand upon the niceties of Law when his own Merits and the Voice of the Multitude have already declar'd him King And what Consecration can be more Sacred than this wherein Intrinsick Worth and External Testimony do both concur Shall the Plea of Hereditary Succession be admitted against a Claim Seal'd in Heaven and proclaim'd on Earth by God's Representatives the People I am the King's Son as we may suppose Absalom arguing the case with himself and tho' there be another elder than I am yet being neither fit to Govern nor Beloved of the People the Priviledge which he has by Birth is cancell'd and therefore the Right of Succession devolves upon me who am the next in order I have the Royal Blood in my Veins as well as he and none of those Impediments which disanuls his Birthright and make him altogether uncapable to be King of Israel Thus we may suppose Absalom's ambitious Thoughts roving beyond all the Sacred Bounds of God's Laws to find out new Arguments whereby he might prove that he and not his Elder Brother was by especial Providence design'd to Succeed in the Throne of his Father David 2. And as by Birth he was the King's Son so he had other Advantages which did not a little encourage him in his Treasonable Attempt His fair and comely Feature render'd him amiable in the Eyes of Men and did silently plead his Cause with those who Judge according to appearance and not righteous Judgment Amongst all the