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
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
fall_v upon_o some_o part_n of_o the_o army_n and_o defeat_v they_o put_v the_o other_o to_o flight_n then_o he_o suit_v his_o language_n to_o the_o proud_a humour_n of_o the_o vainglorious_a prince_n he_o counsel_v that_o all_o israel_n be_v gather_v together_o even_o from_o dan_n unto_o beersheba_n as_o the_o sand_n that_o be_v by_o the_o sea_n for_o multitude_n that_o he_o himself_o like_o a_o courageous_a general_n shall_v command_v they_o in_o person_n thus_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o may_v promise_v himself_o success_n such_o a_o numerous_a army_n will_v fall_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o dew_n upon_o the_o ground_n and_o if_o he_o be_v flee_v to_o any_o city_n will_v be_v able_a to_o draw_v he_o and_o the_o city_n itself_o and_o all_o his_o company_n into_o the_o river_n absalom_n youthful_a fancy_n be_v huge_o strike_v with_o these_o big_a word_n and_o hyperbolical_a expression_n so_o ahitophel_n advice_n not_o take_v effect_n david_n gain_v time_n to_o strengthen_v and_o prepare_v himself_o with_o necessary_a provision_n against_o the_o danger_n with_o which_o he_o be_v encompass_v hushai_n present_o acquaint_v zadok_v and_o abiathar_n with_o what_o have_v pass_v and_o lest_o absalon_n be_v fickle_a shall_v alter_v his_o resolution_n he_o advise_v they_o to_o send_v word_n unto_o david_n say_v lodge_v not_o this_o night_n in_o the_o plain_n of_o the_o wilderness_n but_o speedy_o pass_v over_o jordan_n in_o this_o management_n of_o hushai_n we_o may_v observe_v a_o rare_a mixture_n of_o obedience_n faithfulness_n and_o discretion_n treason_n be_v usual_o jealous_a of_o unexpected_a friendship_n and_o absalon_n take_v his_o new_o reconcile_a enemy_n for_o a_o spy_n may_v probable_o have_v deliver_v he_o over_o unto_o present_a execution_n but_o his_o clear_a spirit_n be_v not_o move_v with_o this_o consideration_n he_o fear_v not_o absalom_n displeasure_n when_o he_o act_n in_o obedience_n unto_o david_n command_n beside_o have_v he_o be_v a_o ahitophel_n and_o not_o a_o hushai_n have_v he_o be_v a_o wicked_a and_o not_o a_o honest_a politician_n absalom_n greatness_n may_v have_v tempt_v he_o to_o have_v quit_v david_n break_v fortune_n and_o have_v court_v the_o affection_n of_o his_o rise_a son_n but_o he_o like_o a_o faithful_a subject_n hate_v to_o be_v treacherous_a to_o his_o master_n and_o choose_v rather_o to_o mourn_v with_o david_n in_o his_o affliction_n than_o triumph_n with_o his_o rebelious_a subject_n and_o as_o his_o obedience_n and_o fidelity_n be_v remarkable_a in_o this_o critical_a juncture_n so_o his_o conduct_n be_v exact_o discreet_a in_o this_o great_a and_o dangerous_a concern_v he_o do_v not_o like_o a_o officious_a politico_n intrude_v himself_o into_o absalom_n presence_n but_o wait_v a_o convenient_a opportunity_n and_o stay_v till_o he_o be_v ask_v and_o when_o he_o offer_v his_o counsel_n it_o be_v with_o all_o due_a submission_n unto_o ahitophel_n great_a wisdom_n only_o at_o this_o time_n he_o beg_v leave_n to_o dissent_v from_o he_o the_o counsel_n which_o ahitophel_n have_v give_v at_o this_o time_n be_v not_o good_a and_o after_o he_o perceive_v that_o absalon_n be_v of_o this_o opinion_n how_o careful_a be_v he_o to_o lose_v no_o time_n with_o what_o haste_n do_v he_o fly_v to_o the_o priest_n that_o they_o may_v immediate_o dispatch_v a_o messenger_n unto_o the_o king_n 2._o they_o extreme_o glad_a to_o hear_v so_o good_a news_n forthwith_o observe_v his_o instruction_n which_o be_v no_o doubt_n that_o they_o shall_v acquaint_v the_o king_n with_o the_o whole_a state_n of_o absalom_n affair_n as_o well_o as_o to_o desire_v he_o to_o provide_v for_o his_o own_o present_a safety_n this_o they_o do_v by_o a_o silly_a maid_n who_o tender_a age_n and_o sex_n make_v her_o unfit_a for_o such_o a_o piece_n of_o service_n have_v she_o not_o be_v a_o instrument_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n who_o by_o the_o most_o contemptible_a mean_n do_v often_o confound_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o wise_a by_o strength_n alone_a no_o man_n can_v prevail_v the_o race_n be_v not_o always_o to_o the_o swift_a nor_o the_o battle_n to_o the_o strong_a king_n david_n at_o this_o time_n be_v not_o save_v by_o the_o multitude_n of_o a_o host_n but_o by_o the_o despicable_a and_o unarmed_a weakness_n of_o a_o single_a woman_n abiathar_n be_v at_o this_o time_n the_o highpriest_n and_o zadok_v next_o in_o order_n to_o he_o but_o both_o of_o they_o david_n faithful_a servant_n they_o have_v not_o learn_v the_o new_a doctrine_n of_o resistance_n nor_o do_v they_o act_v by_o the_o politic_a rule_n of_o our_o modern_a laodicean_n who_o real_o neither_o espouse_v the_o king_n cause_n nor_o the_o faction_n of_o his_o enemy_n but_o stand_v aloof_o off_o till_o they_o may_v with_o discretion_n join_v themselves_o to_o the_o strong_a side_n zadok_v and_o abiathar_n be_v as_o wise_a as_o they_o but_o more_o honest_a and_o though_o they_o be_v god_n priest_n yet_o continue_v the_o king_n loyal_a subject_n in_o his_o great_a distress_n and_o utmost_a extremity_n they_o be_v obedient_a unto_o david_n command_n and_o continue_v in_o the_o city_n though_o with_o no_o small_a hazard_n of_o their_o life_n though_o it_o be_v know_v that_o they_o be_v no_o friend_n unto_o absalom_n design_n i_o wish_v that_o some_o who_o term_v themselves_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v acquit_v themselves_o in_o this_o respect_n as_o well_o as_o these_o howsoever_o despise_v priest_n of_o the_o law_n and_o it_o be_v well_o if_o the_o immovable_a loyalty_n of_o our_o clergy_n to_o the_o crown_n be_v not_o the_o chief_a reason_n why_o they_o be_v treat_v by_o her_o enemy_n on_o both_o side_n with_o such_o contempt_n and_o scorn_n but_o if_o this_o be_v our_o only_a crime_n we_o own_o and_o glory_n in_o it_o and_o be_v no_o more_o ashamed_a to_o imitate_v the_o jewish_a priest_n in_o their_o christian_a virtue_n than_o we_o be_v to_o be_v call_v by_o their_o name_n we_o be_v ready_a to_o attend_v our_o lord_n the_o king_n whithersoever_o he_o go_v but_o if_o he_o shall_v please_v to_o order_v we_o to_o wait_v upon_o the_o ark_n of_o god_n in_o jerusalem_n we_o obey_v and_o shall_v there_o with_o zadok_n and_o abiathar_n serve_v he_o to_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o power_n as_o well_o with_o our_o daily_a action_n as_o constant_a prayer_n but_o it_o may_v be_v think_v that_o i_o do_v too_o much_o divert_v from_o my_o subject_n i_o shall_v therefore_o return_v and_o have_v observe_v hushai'_v prudent_a address_n zadok_v and_o abiathar_n watchful_a care_n for_o their_o prince_n safety_n in_o the_o next_o place_n this_o great_a deliverance_n must_v chief_o be_v ascribe_v unto_o the_o good_a providence_n of_o god_n in_o who_o hand_n be_v the_o heart_n of_o king_n without_o the_o divine_a protection_n all_o humane_a mean_n be_v weak_a and_o insufficient_a it_o be_v god_n alone_o who_o turn_v the_o counsel_n of_o ahitophel_n into_o foolishness_n he_o bring_v hushai_n to_o david_n in_o this_o exigence_n move_v he_o to_o send_v he_o back_o into_o the_o city_n and_o incline_v absalon_n to_o follow_v his_o counsel_n though_o much_o worse_o for_o his_o purpose_n than_o ahitophel_n it_o be_v he_o who_o cause_v zadok_v and_o abiathar_n to_o remain_v in_o jerusalem_n and_o make_v they_o the_o happy_a instrument_n of_o the_o king_n deliverance_n without_o his_o providential_a care_n these_o watchman_n have_v wake_v but_o in_o vain_a these_o thing_n do_v not_o happen_v by_o fate_n or_o chance_n but_o by_o his_o appointment_n who_o give_v salvation_n unto_o king_n and_z sheweth_z mercy_n unto_o his_o anoint_v whatever_o man_n may_v propose_v unto_o themselves_o it_o be_v only_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o almighty_a to_o dispose_v the_o politician_n may_v consult_v and_o the_o soldier_n fit_v their_o arm_n but_o without_o god_n permission_n neither_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o weapon_n of_o the_o other_o can_v prevail_v against_o king_n david_n the_o pharisee_n consult_v how_o to_o put_v jesus_n to_o death_n and_o some_o profligate_v villain_n have_v swear_v to_o take_v away_o s._n paul_n life_n but_o neither_o can_v execute_v their_o malicious_a purpose_n when_o god_n shall_v please_v to_o interpose_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o injure_a innocence_n absalon_n with_o his_o great_a man_n may_v rebel_v and_o take_v counsel_n against_o the_o lord_n and_o against_o his_o anoint_v but_o he_o who_o dwell_v in_o heaven_n shall_v laugh_v the_o lord_n shall_v have_v they_o in_o derision_n he_o shall_v speak_v unto_o they_o in_o his_o wrath_n and_o vex_v they_o in_o his_o sore_a displeasure_n psal_n ii_o 2_o 4_o 5._o he_o hearken_v unto_o davi'd_n prayer_n and_o by_o hushai_n honest_a policy_n zadok_v and_o abiathar_n loyal_a piety_n together_o with_o the_o diligent_a industry_n of_o a_o silly_a maid_n turn_v absalom_n strength_n into_o weakness_n and_o