ACHITOPHEL
,
Or
The
wicked
Politician
.
THe
chiefest
obiects
whereon
Treason
Polititian
Achitophel
,
who
finding
Absolon
Dauids
sonne
affected
with
eyther
maladie
,
determined
to
apprehend
the
least
opportunitie
to
execute
his
own
malice
,
and
Dauids
ruine
.
Dauid
,
He
a
long
time
hated
(
as
is
probably
coniectured
by
some
interpreters
)
for
the
murder
of
Vrias
his
neere
affine
,
yet
subtilty
and
secrecy
,
the
two
hand-maides
of
humane
policie
,
stood
alwaies
betwixt
his
hypocrisie
,
and
the
kings
suspition
.
Absolon
he
found
,
in
the
heat
and
pride
of
his
youth
,
aboue
measure
ambitious
of
his
fathers
Scepters
,
extreamely
discontent
with
his
foule
disgrace
,
and
long
banishment
:
The
one
pointed
him
out
the
way
to
supremacie
,
the
other
to
reuenge
,
easily
perswading
his
erroneous
iudgement
,
that
it
seemed
too
small
a
satisfaction
for
Absolon
,
againe
to
be
entertained
as
a
subiect
,
too
great
a
courtesie
for
Dauid
to
liue
a
King
.
Euery
houre
which
addes
to
the
length
of
his
Fathers
reigne
,
seemes
to
borrow
years
from
the
threed
of
his
expected
Royaltie
,
and
Iustice
her selfe
seemes
to
claime
a
part
in
his
trayterous
ambition
:
Such
is
the
prerogatiue
of
selfe-bred
actions
,
to
shut
out
preiudice
,
and
promise
to
themselues
as
much
successe
as
they
find
excuse
.
Here
Policie
taught
Achitophel
to
strike
whilst
the
Iron
was
hot
,
and
ioyne
issue
with
the
first
aduantage
.
Time
,
the
best
moderator
of
hasty
humors
,
might
perhaps
haue
smoothed
ouer
Absolons
guile
,
or
haue
slacked
Dauids
indignation
:
And
occasions
of
this
kinde
at
first
let
slip
,
are
afterwards
rather
wisht
than
found
.
What
he
long
plotted
is
now
come
to
execution
,
and
his
expectation
so
long
groaning
with
ambition
and
reuenge
,
at
length
rackt
on
the
last
extremitie
.
What
his
policie
in
proofe
deserued
,
it
promised
it selfe
in
mens
opinions
,
and
himselfe
,
the
first
proiector
,
Hee
found
entertained
the
chiefe
Actor
in
this
conspiracie
.
Nothing
now
seemes
wanting
to
the
proiect
but
an
open
attempt
to
inuade
applause
:
and
hostile
preparations
must
show
themselues
in
a
readinesse
,
rather
for
formalitie
than
opposition
;
as
though
hee
had
already
wonne
as
much
,
as
expectation
,
and
victorie
seemed
already
legible
in
Absolons
gracious
presence
,
and
the
peoples
forward
acclamations
.
But
such
consultations
neuer
speed
well
,
where
God
is
excluded
the
Counsell
Table
,
and
Hope
,
which
vsually
flatters
the
ambitious
with
the
best
successe
,
oftentimes
betrayes
them
to
the
worst
.
Dauid
all
this
while
lyes
secure
,
as
one
who
out
of
a
fatherly
ingenuitie
might
sooner
expect
the
hostile
inuasion
of
a
forreine
enemy
,
than
the
secret
stratagems
of
so
deare
a
friend
:
For
what
indulgent
Parent
could
feare
his
own
ouerthrow
to
spring
out
of
his
owne
bowels
?
Or
there
to
finde
the
ruine
of
himselfe
,
where
hee
hoped
to
erect
the
Trophee
of
his
name
and
memory
?
But
treason
at
length
earely
knocking
at
his
doores
,
awakes
his
sleeping
iealousie
;
and
time
it
is
to
flye
vnto
forreine
succours
,
where
he
findes
his
owne
sonnes
and
subiects
the
forgers
of
seditious
treason
and
vnnaturall
rebellion
.
But
that
great
Counseller
which
turneth
humane
wisedome
into
folly
,
and
directs
all
purposes
to
his
own
ends
,
is
not
wanting
to
his
seruant
Dauid
,
making
earnest
intercession
:
Chusay
is
secretly
suborned
by
Dauid
,
vnder
the
pretence
of
loue
and
seruice
,
as
a
supposed
friend
,
but
disguised
enemie
,
to
creepe
into
Absolons
bosome
,
and
oppose
Achitophel
that
transcendent
Polititian
:
Achitophel
,
who
as
an
Oracle
of
God
had
for
his
deep
wisedome
hitherto
passed
currant
,
is
now
shut
out
,
and
Chusay
this
new
Counsellour
admitted
audience
.
Here
begins
the
dawning
of
Dauids
happy
deliuerance
,
and
Achitophels
deserued
tragedie
;
for
as
the
distemper
of
our
first
concoction
(
as
Naturalists
obserue
)
is
seldome
or
neuer
corrected
in
the
second
;
so
the
first
ground-worke
in
State
policie
,
ill
layd
or
tempered
,
can
afterwards
scarce
promise
a
reformation
.
But
Princes
actions
are
commonly
confin'd
to
no
other
lawes
than
their
owne
wils
,
and
bootlesse
it
is
for
Achitophel
to
giue
further
counsell
where
he
wants
perswasion
:
Despair
and
indignation
are
at
hand
to
second
his
repulse
:
and
nothing
now
seemes
left
him
for
refuge
(
so
far
as
the
eye
of
his
worldly
policie
could
discerne
)
but
the
preuention
of
Dauids
officers
in
his
shamelesse
execution
:
And
when
Achitophel
saw
that
his
counsell
was
not
followed
,
&c.
2
This
parcell
of
Scripture
,
containing
a
briefe
history
of
Achitophels
last
Actions
and
End
,
naturally
shoots
into
these
two
branches
:
first
his
Prouocation
:
secondly
,
his
Action
:
the
Prouocation
was
the
neglect
of
his
counsell
,
expressed
in
the
former
words
of
my
Text
[
And
when
Achitophel
saw
that
his
counsell
was
not
followed
]
His
actions
are
deciphered
in
the
latter
clause
[
Hee
sadled
his
asse
,
and
arose
,
&c.
]
In
the
Prouocation
or
motiue
wee
may
obserue
these
two
circumstances
.
First
,
what
Achitophels
counsell
was
,
and
wherein
it
consisted
.
Secondly
how
,
and
which
way
it
was
defeated
.
To
beginne
with
the
first
,
wee
may
reduce
his
Policie
into
two
heads
:
for
it
consisted
,
either
in
his
apt
choyce
,
or
wise
direction
:
the
former
was
euident
,
in
that
he
took
aduantage
of
such
a
Subiect
to
countenance
his
Rebellion
,
who
amongst
all
the
children
of
Israel
was
the
likeliest
to
go
farthest
.
Absolons
birth
,
feature
,
plausabilitie
,
and
high
spirit
seemed
to
speake
him
a
King
at
first
sight
:
as
though
●…ature
and
industrie
,
policie
and
valour
stood
in
competition
which
should
challenge
most
in
his
aduancement
.
In
the
first
place
to
examine
his
birth
,
we
shall
finde
him
a
Kings
sonne
:
and
although
the
second
of
his
fathers
race
,
yet
the
first
in
the
peoples
hope
.
Of
the
eldest
little
mention
is
left
vs
saue
the
name
,
as
of
one
by
impotence
of
nature
,
or
disasterous
influence
of
the
stars
,
halfe
canceld
out
of
the
Catalogue
of
Dauids
sonnes
:
besides
the
claime
and
title
to
his
fathers
kingdome
,
but
newly
began
,
and
not
yet
establisht
on
succession
,
gave
no
small
encouragement
to
his
high
ambition
:
where
birth-right
affords
no
certaine
challenge
to
kingly
dignitie
,
and
the
fathers
choyse
in
designing
out
his
successor
is
scarce
reputed
warrantable
,
what
other
obstacle
can
stand
betwixt
him
and
Soueraigntie
,
but
Gods
immediate
will
,
or
the
Peoples
suffrage
?
The
former
(
as
it
seemes
)
hee
little
regarded
,
as
one
who
eyther
doubted
of
his
prouidence
,
or
shewed
himselfe
too
confident
of
his
conniuence
:
the
latter
as
a
matter
out
of
question
seemed
sooner
found
than
sought
.
As
though
opinion
,
which
had
so
long
fawned
on
his
worth
,
could
as
easily
perswade
their
suffrage
,
as
command
their
seruice
.
Had
yet
any
sense
of
religion
,
or
care
of
the
publicke
good
inuaded
the
mindes
eyther
of
yong
Absolon
the
Prince
,
or
Achitophel
the
old
counsellour
,
they
might
first
of
some
Prophet
or
other
haue
enquired
Gods
secret
purpose
of
depressing
Dauid
,
and
exalting
Absolon
:
or
at
least
haue
esteemed
hereditary
succession
the
best
challenge
:
Well
might
Gods
almighty
hand
disdaine
opposition
,
which
neuer
yet
met
resistance
,
and
common
equitie
,
haue
stampt
that
currant
which
customary
right
,
and
the
law
of
nature
had
already
establisht
amongst
most
nations
.
But
their
designe
is
not
grounded
vpon
Gods
law
,
or
natures
priuiledge
,
but
their
owne
seeming
aduantage
;
as
though
the
diuine
counsell
ought
to
sloope
to
humane
policie
,
and
nature
forsake
the
scene
where
worldly
wisedome
comes
in
action
.
Behold
here
the
first
and
chiefest
character
of
a
worldly
wise
Politician
,
who
cares
little
how
great
a
rupture
he
make
through
God●…
sacred
lawes
and
common
equitie
to
meet
with
his
own
aduantage
,
choosing
rather
to
lose
his
soule
than
his
wicked
purpose
;
as
one
by
Patent
allowed
to
dispense
with
any
obligation
of
conscience
and
religion
.
Hence
may
easily
be
discouered
the
error
of
vulgar
iudgments
,
who
measuring
inward
sufficiences
by
the
improuement
of
our
outward
fortunes
,
repute
those
men
wisest
which
rise
highest
:
But
true
wisedome
in
whose
.
scale
consists
the
choyce
of
the
best
ends
and
fittest
means
,
hath
taught
vs
rather
to
entertaine
than
serue
preferments
;
and
prize
the
quiet
calme
of
a
settled
conscience
,
before
the
stormy
〈◊〉
of
ambitious
greatnesse
.
T
is
not
the
want
of
wit
to
proiect
,
but
of
wickednesse
to
practise
,
which
keepes
vertue
poore
,
and
desert
vnregarded
:
neither
are
great
aduancements
the
vsuall
badges
of
great
worth
.
2
The
second
thing
whereof
Achitophel
tooke
aduantage
in
Absolons
pers●…n
,
was
his
faire
and
comely
feature
.
Absolon
amongst
all
the
children
of
Israel
,
was
reputed
the
fairest
:
His
louely
visage
,
disheueld
haire
,
the
seemely
symmetry
and
proportion
of
all
his
parts
were
as
so
many
silent
Orators
to
be
speake
applause
,
and
perswade
affection
.
Our
friends
and
foes
we
seldome
owe
to
choyce
but
Nature
,
which
stamps
in
euery
mans
face
her
especiall
characters
of
beautie
and
deformitie
,
of
loue
and
hatred
,
ordaining
them
rather
commanders
of
our
fancie
,
than
seruants
to
our
discretion
.
Whence
Aristotle
had
good
cause
to
make
this
comely
feature
of
the
body
,
one
of
the
complements
of
humane
happinesse
;
as
that
which
giues
the
habite
of
our
vertues
a
more
glorious
lustre
,
and
opens
a
more
speedy
passage
to
Heroicke
actions
.
What
greater
motiue
could
haue
happened
to
a
seditious
multitude
,
whose
affections
,
led
rather
by
sense
than
reason
,
are
better
taught
to
fawne
on
shewes
than
substance
,
and
swallow
the
most
poysonous
drugges
in
golden
pilles
.
Nothing
more
dangerous
than
painted
sinne
;
and
vgly
vice
couched
vnder
the
protection
of
a
comely
countenance
,
will
lose
the
name
,
and
seeme
a
vertue
.
So
much
is
the
bewitching
power
of
a
beauteous
personage
to
inchant
the
wisest
iudgement
,
that
perswasion
is
oftner
found
in
the
Orator
than
the
Argument
,
as
though
his
lookes
went
as
herbingers
before
his
language
,
to
prepare
a
roome
,
and
entertaine
attention
.
Of
these
eminent
gifts
of
nature
,
notwithstanding
not
granted
to
our
free
choyce
,
but
rather
trusted
to
our
husbandry
,
no
question
but
Almighty
God
the
lender
,
will
expect
an
interest
.
Hee
that
eyther
hides
his
Talent
in
the
ground
,
or
mis-spends
his
portion
,
shall
finde
the
reward
of
a
faithlesse
seruant
:
Much
more
such
gracelesse
Tenants
,
who
turne
their
endowments
to
their
worst
vses
,
and
make
Gods
munificent
gifts
the
meanes
and
ground-worke
of
wicked
and
irreligeous
actions
.
Where
God
sowes
hee
expects
his
haruest
in
the
same
kinde
:
and
no
graine
so
meane
in
our
estimation
,
out
of
which
in
proportion
he
requires
not
a
timely
crop
.
But
where
hee
findes
our
industrie
slacke
in
performance
of
this
duty
,
or
our
malice
opposite
to
his
profit
,
he
commonly
workes
his
own
ends
out
of
our
iniquities
;
and
what
parts
and
endowments
we
abuse
to
sinne
,
he
iustly
directs
vnto
reuenge
.
4
A
third
aduantage
in
Absolons
person
suggested
to
Achitophels
obseruation
,
was
his
faire
carriage
and
popular
plausibilitie
.
A
sweet
and
courteous
deportment
,
seasoned
with
moralitie
and
religion
,
neuer
wants
deserued
commendation
;
as
the
surest
character
of
an
ingenuous
disposition
,
and
the
most
powerfull
seruant
of
honest
policie
.
For
as
in
our
most
religious
actions
,
wee
should
study
rather
to
profit
than
to
please
our
auditors
:
yet
who
neuer
affects
to
please
,
shall
seldome
haue
the
happinesse
to
profit
.
So
much
more
in
ciuill
affaires
,
the
best
improuement
is
popular
estimation
:
and
vertue
,
though
neuer
so
eminent
,
shall
scarce
be
reputed
currant
,
if
not
stampt
by
applause
,
or
crowned
with
common
approbation
.
—
Non
te
quaesiueris
extra
seemes
rather
an
axiome
of
a
speculatiue
and
retired
Stoicke
,
than
a
practicke
Statist
.
An
vpright
and
honest
man
(
I
confesse
)
would
rather
find
himselfe
at
home
in
his
owne
conscience
,
than
seeke
himselfe
abroade
in
other
mens
opinions
:
as
one
,
whose
first
care
ought
to
bee
to
forme
himselfe
to
Gods
will
,
and
his
owne
content
,
his
second
to
husband
his
meanes
to
mens
applause
;
yet
comes
this
farre
short
to
disproue
an
affable
and
kinde
behauiour
,
or
countenance
a
harsh
or
Cynicall
disposition
.
Had
no
other
affection
than
this
,
possessed
the
soule
of
Absolon
,
or
in
him
presented
it selfe
to
Achitophels
obseruation
;
discretion
might
haue
pleaded
in
the
behalfe
of
the
former
,
and
honesty
of
the
latter
;
and
neither
haue
wanted
its
deserued
commendation
:
the
one
perhaps
might
haue
been
thought
ambitious
,
to
inherit
as
well
the
peoples
loue
,
as
his
fathers
vertues
:
the
other
,
to
haue
applauded
his
Princes
happinesse
in
the
peoples
loue
.
Neuerthelesse
popularitie
at
the
best
is
a
fauour
which
wise
and
discreete
subiects
sooner
winne
than
affect
:
beginning
vsually
with
the
Princes
●…ealousie
,
and
ending
with
the
owners
ruine
.
The
defect
might
better
become
a
subiect
,
the
excesse
a
King
:
neither
euer
had
those
Athenian
Ostracismes
found
place
in
Iustice
,
had
not
popular
greatnesse
threatned
the
state
with
danger
or
dissolution
:
How
much
more
dangerous
shall
wee
esteeme
this
popularity
of
Absolon
,
springing
from
a
rotten
and
corrupted
heart
,
managed
by
wicked
meanes
,
and
directed
to
a
treacherous
conspiracie
?
Three
especiall
stratagems
were
here
put
in
practice
,
which
might
well
seeme
fashioned
in
Achitophels
forge
.
For
the
sending
of
Absolon
for
Achitophel
to
Hebron
,
excludes
not
a
former
consultation
;
neither
is
it
probable
,
he
would
so
far
haue
trusted
him
with
his
secret
counsels
,
had
he
not
first
found
him
inclining
to
his
faction
.
The
first
engine
of
his
seditious
purpose
,
was
,
his
Glossing
,
and
fine
complement
,
both
in
words
and
gesture
,
whereby
hee
was
said
to
steale
away
the
hearts
of
the
people
from
his
father
Dauid
:
he
vsually
stood
in
the
palace
gate
,
hee
obserued
the
appproach
of
suiters
,
hee
examined
their
particular
grieuances
,
enquired
the
place
of
their
abode
:
finally
,
he
kissed
and
embraced
them
,
O
(
saith
he
)
that
I
were
made
Iudge
in
the
Land
,
that
I
might
heare
euery
mans
cause
,
and
do
him
Iustice
.
What
zealous
subiect
almost
out
of
the
seeming
simplicitie
of
his
words
,
would
not
swell
with
expectation
,
and
become
as
prodigall
in
his
hopes
,
as
the
other
in
his
promises
?
The
distance
between
Princes
and
priuate
men
,
makes
vs
often
ouervalue
courtesies
,
and
the
indiscouery
of
such
mens
natures
causeth
diuers
times
their
worst
actions
to
carry
the
best
construction
:
but
great
promises
are
commonly
seconded
by
smal
or
slow
performances
;
and
an
easie
matter
it
is
to
be
ouer
prodigall
on
the
score
,
where
we
neuer
intend
a
payment
.
To
boast
wisely
of
our
actions
and
sufficiences
,
howsoeuer
opposite
to
simple
modestie
or
plaine-dealing
honesty
,
was
neuer
accounted
a
solaecisme
in
the
iudgling
art
of
humane
policie
.
But
admit
Absolon
in
this
case
had
promised
to
himselfe
as
much
as
the
people
,
and
suffered
his
confidence
to
spread
her
wings
beyond
his
abilities
:
yet
serues
this
little
,
to
excuse
his
action
from
vnnaturall
disobedience
,
or
masked
treacherie
.
It
was
the
part
of
a
shamelesse
Cham
to
bee
an
industrious
spectator
of
his
fathers
nakednesse
:
of
a
rayling
Rabshakeh
or
cursing
Shimei
,
to
diuorce
him
from
his
Subiects
hearts
.
Nature
would
haue
perswaded
a
gracious
childe
with
Noahs
two
modest
sons
,
to
haue
lookt
awry
,
or
gone
backward
,
no
sooner
to
see
ere
hee
could
hide
his
fathers
shame
.
Allegeance
might
haue
instructed
a
loyall
Subiect
to
prize
his
Soueraignes
credit
before
his
owne
,
and
drowne
his
greatest
honours
in
his
Princes
seruice
.
But
setting
aside
these
neere
and
high
relations
of
a
Sonne
to
his
father
,
or
a
Subiect
to
his
Prince
,
the
diuision
and
diuorce
of
friends
to
a
generous
temper
,
euen
amongst
the
Heathens
themselues
,
hath
alwayes
seemed
a
wicked
reuenge
,
or
base
ambition
.
Honour
seldome
bestowes
her
fauours
,
but
on
such
as
win
them
in
open
fielde
:
and
Heroicke
spirits
haue
alwayes
chosen
rather
dearely
to
buy
,
than
basely
to
steale
a
victorie
.
To
steale
away
the
hearts
of
our
friends
,
sauours
more
of
a
fleering
Parasite
than
a
wise
Politician
;
and
to
seeke
secret
ambushes
in
case
of
open
triall
,
argues
rather
the
weakenesse
of
our
cause
,
than
the
strength
of
our
discretion
.
Neuerthelesse
this
seemed
a
good
ground
for
Absolon
to
set
,
and
Achitophel
to
worke
on
:
And
little
can
true
wisedome
or
Religion
perswade
in
the
Reare
,
where
wicked
policie
commands
the
Vant-guard
.
A
second
stratageme
put
in
practice
by
Absolon
,
and
perhaps
plotted
by
Achitophel
,
to
augment
his
owne
plausabilitie
,
was
,
publickely
to
slander
his
fathers
gouernment
with
iniustice
and
oppression
.
The
same
Art
which
taught
him
to
flatter
his
inferiours
,
instructed
him
the
way
to
calumniat
his
superiours
:
So
neere
are
these
two
opposite
vices
knit
together
in
a
wicked
cause
.
See
(
quoth
Absolon
)
(
after
examination
of
each
Sutour
)
thy
cause
is
iust
and
good
,
but
there
is
no
man
deputed
of
the
king
to
heare
thee
.
Dauid
began
now
to
decline
,
as
well
in
strength
as
gouernment
.
Age
and
Disease
commonly
grow
together
:
and
where
the
master
begins
once
to
droope
,
the
seruants
proue
eyther
carelesly
negligent
,
or
lawlesly
insolent
.
These
inconueniences
perhaps
admitted
by
Dauids
Officers
,
and
obserued
by
Absolon
,
rendred
him
obuious
to
exception
.
Greatest
places
are
commonly
subiect
to
the
greatest
censures
:
But
when
Almighty
God
was
neuer
wanting
to
Dauid
,
I
cannot
imagine
Dauid
to
bee
much
wanting
vnto
his
people
.
And
although
Strength
and
Valour
,
the
darlings
of
his
youth
,
began
in
him
to
faint
,
yet
Wisedome
and
Experience
,
the
children
of
his
riper
age
,
stept
in
to
vndertake
his
quarrell
.
No
otherwise
then
can
we
interpret
this
exception
of
Absolon
against
his
Father
,
than
a
malitious
slander
,
deuised
for
no
other
end
,
than
to
make
him
odious
,
and
himselfe
acceptable
;
which
hee
by
so
much
the
more
hoped
easily
to
effect
,
by
how
much
hee
saw
the
giddy
multitude
(
as
at
all
times
,
so
)
especially
in
this
declining
age
of
Dauid
,
as
desirous
of
Noueltie
,
as
subiect
to
discontent
.
The
best
Gouernours
seldome
please
long
,
and
the
worst
may
for
a
time
.
Worth
is
seldome
so
eminent
as
in
the
absence
:
And
the
best
Magistrates
,
like
the
Images
of
Brutus
and
Cassius
(
related
by
Tacitus
)
seeme
then
most
glorious
,
when
they
are
most
wanting
.
Enuie
and
Detraction
,
like
two
venemous
Serpents
,
lurke
alwayes
in
the
path
of
Iustice
:
and
the
best
Rulers
seldome
finde
the
freest
passage
.
He
that
goes
about
to
perswade
a
multitude
they
are
not
so
well
gouerned
as
they
ought
to
bee
,
shall
sooner
want
argument
than
attention
.
The
reason
wherof
(
as
a
learned
man
hath
obserued
)
is
,
because
the
abuses
and
corruptions
in
euery
State
most
incuitable
,
are
(
for
the
most
part
)
sensible
to
vulgar
capacities
;
but
the
hinderances
of
Reformation
only
apparant
to
men
of
experienced
iudgements
.
As
easie
was
it
here
for
Absolon
to
slander
,
as
to
speake
:
his
eyes
could
no
sooner
open
,
but
espie
some
obiect
or
other
to
animate
his
owne
proiects
,
or
the
peoples
discontent
.
Such
is
the
boundlesse
malice
of
base
Informers
,
with
the
venome
of
their
aspicke
tongues
,
to
poyson
our
sincerest
actions
,
and
present
,
as
in
a
Perspectiue
,
the
least
mites
and
mole-hils
of
our
imperfections
like
huge
and
mighty
Mountaines
.
This
found
Dauid
in
the
midst
of
a
calme
and
settled
State
,
when
mischiefe
had
scarce
yet
known
her
own
strength
,
nor
time
as
yet
teemed
with
all
the
engines
of
gracelesse
villany
.
What
then
shall
wee
now
expect
in
these
dogge-dayes
of
the
worlds
declining
age
,
wherein
malitious
detraction
is
esteemed
the
quintessence
of
wit
,
and
an
inge●…uous
acknowledgement
of
mens
good
deseruing
,
accounted
too
great
a
courtesie
?
Surely
the
best
reuenge
I
can
here
inuent
for
innocence
,
can
be
no
other
than
preces
&
lachrymae
,
the
armour
of
a
Christian
,
and
that
constant
resolution
of
the
sweete
Psalmist
,
I
will
pray
yet
against
their
wickednesse
.
The
third
and
greatest
imposture
Absolon
practised
to
make
himselfe
plausible
,
was
the
pretence
of
Religion
:
A
vow
hee
pretended
at
least
,
to
haue
made
of
his
return
to
Hebron
,
and
there
praising
God
after
his
safe
returne
to
Ierusalem
.
Dauid
is
sollicited
to
consent
vnto
his
iourney
:
neither
could
such
a
petition
brooke
a
deniall
,
which
comes
vshered
in
vnder
the
shew
of
a
religious
office
.
Hebron
seemed
to
Dauid
a
place
fit
for
sacrifice
,
to
Absolon
for
conspiracie
.
Ierusalem
was
too
neere
his
fathers
sight
,
or
rather
too
farre
from
his
treacherous
purpose
to
admit
of
such
a
wicked
Conuenticle
.
The
meeting
of
such
Conspirators
so
neere
the
Court
,
might
soon
haue
opened
the
eyes
of
sleeping
iealousie
,
and
betrayed
the
treason
to
discouerie
:
Dauids
countenance
might
perhaps
haue
daunted
the
courage
of
his
friends
,
or
haue
wonne
their
loues
.
And
lest
the
peoples
affection
to
Absolon
should
grow
cold
in
his
absence
,
he
leaues
behind
him
his
Parasites
to
sollicite
his
cause
,
and
at
his
approach
to
giue
the
signall
.
Moreouer
to
strengthen
himselfe
the
better
against
publicke
hostility
,
or
priuate
mistakes
,
hee
carryes
with
him
a
garrison
from
Ierusalem
to
defend
his
person
,
and
sends
for
Achitophel
to
Hebron
,
to
direct
hi●…
counsaile
.
Nothing
but
the
pretence
of
Religion
could
be
thought
a
fit
vizzard
to
hide
the
face
of
this
dangerous
conspiracie
,
from
the
sight
of
suspition
.
Deceit
neuer
thriues
better
,
than
when
she
least
seemes
her selfe
:
and
Vice
seldome
dares
to
shew
her selfe
in
publicke
,
vnlesse
she
steale
the
robes
of
vertue
,
and
actuate
her
malice
with
slye
hypocrisie
.
Satan
transformes
himselfe
into
an
Angell
of
light
,
when
hee
intends
the
greatest
mischiefe
,
and
instructs
his
disciples
in
the
like
Policie
.
This
hath
beene
the
Diuels
shift
and
practice
in
all
ages
:
neither
euer
comes
wickednesse
better
armed
than
with
the
shew
of
seeming
sanctitie
.
Ieroboam
the
Sonne
of
Nebat
who
made
Israel
to
sinne
,
had
no
other
pretence
than
Religion
to
withdraw
the
ten
Tribes
from
Ierusalem
,
by
setting
vp
a
new
Idolatry
.
The
Scribes
and
Pharisees
in
the
New
Testament
,
who
vnder
colour
of
Fasting
and
long
Prayer
,
deuoured
Widowes
houses
,
professed
the
most
rigorous
and
strict
obedience
of
the
Law
.
Amongst
the
three
sects
in
Ierusalem
in
the
time
of
the
siege
by
Titus
and
Vespasian
,
Iosephus
obserued
those
to
haue
been
the
most
notoriously
wicked
,
who
termed
themselues
the
zealous
.
But
alas
Pandora's
boxe
was
not
yet
emptie
:
the
most
of
euils
was
reserued
to
these
last
and
worst
times
,
wherin
the
greatest
sinnes
are
accounted
Articles
of
Faith
,
and
a
sincere
profession
stiled
Heresie
.
Ignatius
had
not
yet
sent
his
broode
into
the
world
with
the
Popes
patent
,
as
so
many
Pedlers
,
to
sell
damnation
:
Nor
the
Tridentine
Councell
concluded
,
that
Idolatry
and
Superstition
should
passe
for
true
Religion
.
But
since
the
approach
of
this
Medusa's
head
,
the
world
seemes
to
haue
suffered
a
fatall
Metamorphosis
,
and
wonders
to
finde
her selfe
so
grosse
a
changling
.
Could
our
small
scantling
of
time
dispence
so
farre
as
the
discouerie
of
the
Romane
Church
,
we
should
finde
their
whole
Religion
to
be
little
other
than
a
politicke
hypocrisie
,
directed
to
nothing
else
,
but
gaine
or
greatnesse
;
pretending
nothing
but
pietie
,
professing
little
else
than
malice
or
prophanenesse
.
What
vulgar
iudgement
can
interpret
otherwise
of
their
pedlers-packe
of
Indulgences
,
and
sundry
other
superstitious
iuglings
,
but
as
of
a
meere
merchandise
of
Soul●…s
,
wherein
euery
gracelesse
Parricide
,
as
in
a
common
Market
,
at
the
hands
of
a
mercenarie
Priest
,
may
cheapen
and
buy
his
own
saluation
?
Had
all
the
Achitophels
or
Absolons
in
the
world
lost
their
politicke
inuentions
,
they
might
(
I
suppose
)
finde
them
againe
improued
in
this
State-Religion
.
No
dis-vnion
of
the
Church
so
small
,
which
their
rigorous
constitutions
pronounce
not
heresie
:
No
sinne
so
haynous
,
for
which
their
Pope
dares
not
grant
a
dispensation
:
As
though
sanctitie
consisted
not
in
the
internall
disposition
of
the
man
,
but
in
the
outward
conformitie
of
the
Church
,
and
Pietie
,
were
pinned
on
the
sleeue
of
worldly
Policie
.
This
politicke
sinne
of
hypocrisie
,
I
no
sooner
lose
among
the
Romanists
,
than
I
finde
againe
amongst
our
homebred
Scismaticks
.
A
sect
of
men
,
I
confesse
,
with
whom
I
should
hardly
grapple
,
stood
they
not
armed
in
my
way
.
How
much
the
odious
name
of
a
Puritane
hath
abused
many
a
sincere
Christian
,
wee
may
learne
by
the
writings
of
Becanus
the
Iesuite
,
who
hath
paralleld
our
Puritanes
in
England
,
with
the
Huguenots
of
France
,
and
the
Caluinists
of
Germany
:
or
not
to
go
so
far
abroad
,
we
may
well
see
in
some
of
our
own
mungrell
Diuines
,
who
as
it
were
betwixt
hawke
and
buzzard
,
can
see
nicely
to
distinguish
betwixt
a
Puritane
in
opinion
,
and
a
Puritane
in
discipline
:
and
haue
taught
the
name
contrary
to
the
first
institution
,
so
farre
to
enlarge
it selfe
,
that
a
Protestant
must
make
a
hard
shift
(
eyther
by
Popery
or
Arminianisme
)
to
saue
himselfe
harmelesse
.
But
with
such
mens
humors
I
neuer
sided
,
to
whom
I
professe
my selfe
as
opposite
in
Affection
,
as
in
Opinion
.
Neuerthelesse
I
haue
obserued
in
the
world
a
sort
of
People
,
of
a
malignant
spirit
,
enuying
in
others
what
they
want
in
themselues
,
hauing
commonly
neither
will
to
learne
,
nor
wit
to
teach
;
neither
humility
to
obey
,
nor
discretion
to
command
:
Yet
(
forsooth
)
will
they
seeme
so
precise
and
contemptuous
of
other
men
,
as
if
Religion
might
be
quoted
in
their
lookes
,
and
Sanctitie
were
onely
engaged
to
their
seruice
.
These
can
sooner
espye
a
Mote
in
other
mens
eyes
,
than
a
Beame
in
their
own
:
as
though
Conscience
were
set
to
the
height
of
their
Spleene
,
and
Zeale
were
neuer
taught
any
language
but
detraction
.
Sometimes
,
like
those
ancient
Andabates
,
they
fight
with
their
eyes
shut
,
striking
the
man
that
stands
next
:
Or
like
vnskilfull
Gunners
discharge
their
shot
cre
they
approach
the
marke
:
other
times
perhaps
they
take
their
ayme
;
yet
so
,
as
they
seeme
to
mistake
the
Man
for
the
Matter
,
as
if
they
intended
to
spare
the
Vice
,
and
wound
the
Person
.
Hence
are
Pulpits
become
like
Romane
Pasquils
,
stucke
full
of
malitious
slanders
and
infamous
libels
,
apter
to
disturbe
the
Passion
than
informe
the
Conscience
.
But
such
fiery
spirits
I
carelesly
passe
ouer
scarce
worth
a
Schollers
pen
;
in
whose
greatest
down-fall
can
scarce
bee
hoped
the
honour
of
a
victory
.
But
hauing
dwelt
so
long
on
this
last
circumstance
,
I
must
(
leauing
many
matters
behinde
)
follow
my
first
man
Achitophel
obseruing
Absolon
.
5
The
fourth
and
last
aduantage
obserued
by
Achitophel
in
Absolons
disposition
,
was
,
his
stont
courage
,
and
manly
resolution
.
What
greater
argument
of
valour
,
than
to
rouze
a
Lion
in
open
chase
,
and
promise
to
himselfe
a
passage
to
victory
through
the
iawes
of
danger
,
and
deposition
of
a
lawfull
King
?
Dauids
fortunate
successe
he
might
well
haue
read
in
Goliahs
ouerthrow
,
and
the
yoke
imposed
on
the
furious
Philistines
.
Time
had
not
yet
razed
the
Trophees
of
his
triumphant
youth
,
nor
age
cancelled
from
his
countenance
the
Characters
of
his
vndaunted
courage
.
The
subuersion
of
a
stately
kingdome
was
neuer
esteemed
an
easie
conquest
:
And
Soueraigntie
seemes
a
Centre
,
vnto
which
Prouidence
hath
chalked
out
the
lines
of
few
mens
ambition
.
T
is
more
than
one
Hesperian
Dragon
of
difficultie
and
disaster
,
which
is
set
to
guard
this
Golden
Tree
:
And
what
combate
can
be
expected
,
but
of
such
a
Captaine
,
whose
least
feare
is
his
greatest
danger
?
Yet
Absolon
,
engaged
by
Achitophels
aduice
,
vndertakes
the
combate
.
Absolons
stout
heart
giues
sudden
fire
to
his
ambition
,
and
Achitophels
counsell
stands
in
readinesse
to
backe
and
strengthen
his
ambitious
courage
:
the
one
to
Act
,
the
other
to
Proiect
;
the
meanes
his
aduancement
.
Strength
and
Policie
,
which
seldome
shake
hands
,
are
here
accorded
,
or
at
least
,
for
a
time
they
will
entertaine
a
truce
.
Achitophel
beeing
confident
enough
of
his
counsell
,
required
no
fitter
instrument
to
actuate
his
malice
,
than
Absolons
couragious
resolution
;
knowing
right
well
that
nothing
could
proue
more
preiudicial
to
a
State
,
than
armed
madnesse
.
This
is
no
small
worke
of
worldly
policy
,
to
stand
aloofe
,
and
giue
ayme
to
wicked
purposes
,
and
abuse
the
hasty
humours
of
hot
spirits
to
their
owne
aduantage
.
Which
may
bee
well
obserued
in
our
latter
Machiuillians
,
who
haue
deliuered
this
precept
as
a
principle
;
Make
no
difference
betweene
an
euill
seruant
and
a
good
,
but
vse
them
both
to
thy
own
ends
.
Cateline
,
thirsting
for
nothing
more
than
the
ruine
of
his
country
,
and
expiation
of
his
disgrace
receiued
from
the
Senate
,
could
make
vse
as
well
of
the
pride
of
Leutulus
,
as
the
rash
valour
of
Cethogus
:
The
high
bloud
of
the
one
,
and
the
fiery
spirit
of
the
other
,
serued
him
to
good
purpose
:
the
one
to
countenance
,
the
other
to
animate
his
wicked
action
.
In
like
sort
the
Persian
Nobilitie
(
as
we
reade
in
Zenophon
)
enraged
against
Artaxerxes
their
King
,
sought
occasion
to
side
with
the
valour
of
the
Grecians
,
and
stirre
vp
the
high
spirit
of
Cyrus
the
younger
brother
,
to
reuenge
himselfe
against
the
elder
.
The
fairest
colours
are
subiect
to
the
deepest
staines
,
and
the
most
free
and
eminent
dispositions
are
commonly
obuious
to
the
greatest
alterations
,
and
suffer
themselues
to
be
soonest
poysoned
,
if
once
tempted
with
vaine-glory
or
discontent
.
No
maruell
then
if
the
sonnes
of
Achitophel
,
suruiuing
in
our
times
,
instructed
by
their
fathers
counsell
,
take
aduantage
to
worke
their
owne
ends
out
of
other
mens
discontented
passions
.
If
a
search
were
made
,
some
(
I
feare
)
would
be
found
amongst
vs
as
farre
transcending
Achitophel
in
malice
,
as
perchance
they
come
short
of
him
in
wi●…
and
policie
:
who
daily
labour
to
fasten
on
their
associates
the
badge
of
their
own
virulent
disposition
;
for
which
perhaps
,
besides
the
glory
of
their
own
shame
,
they
cannot
with
Achitophel
,
so
much
as
pretend
a
cause
,
or
deuise
an
end
.
But
such
men
shall
surely
answer
as
well
for
their
own
seducements
,
as
other
mens
transgression
:
neither
shall
our
faults
herein
bee
reputed
lesse
,
than
the
interest
we
challenge
in
our
Brothers
friendship
.
It
is
the
part
of
the
foulest
Spider
out
of
the
fairest
flowers
to
sucke
poyso●…
▪
Of
industrious
Bee●…
out
of
stinking
Hemlocke
to
gather
Honey
.
And
those
who
would
rather
bee
accounted
●…tes
than
Spiders
,
should
rather
labour
to
improue
the
worst
humours
to
some
good
temper
,
than
peruert
the
best
vnto
vngodly
actions
.
In
the
former
wee
should
follow
Gods
owne
example
,
who
directs
,
and
disposes
wicked
mens
actions
to
his
own
good
purposes
:
in
the
latter
the
Diuels
,
who
takes
occasion
out
of
the
most
sacred
things
to
worke
mischiefe
.
Hitherto
(
Beloued
)
haue
wee
taken
a
suruay
of
Achitophels
wicked
policie
in
electing
a
fit
subiect
,
and
apprehending
of
his
best
opportunities
for
the
treason
.
The
next
point
left
to
our
examination
,
is
,
his
Direction
:
the
which
while
I
,
according
to
my
small
scantling
of
time
,
and
your
patience
,
(
I
feare
already
tyred
)
shall
striue
to
open
,
my
small
in-sight
in
worldly
policie
,
shall
(
I
hope
)
excuse
my
errors
,
or
at
least
the
discourse
of
so
great
a
mischiefe
,
deserue
your
best
attention
.
6
Thus
long
haue
wee
beheld
Achitophel
,
as
in
his
priuate
study
,
designing
out
a
fit
subiect
,
whereby
to
work
his
reuenge
on
Dauid
.
We
are
now
to
obserue
him
sitting
in
counsell
,
and
instructing
Absolon
.
The
aduice
hee
gaue
,
we
find
to
be
twofold
:
The
first
subordinate
and
preparatory
to
strengthen
the
faction
:
The
second
last
and
principall
to
execute
the
action
,
and
secure
the
successe
.
In
the
former
he
counsels
Absolon
to
goe
in
,
and
abuse
his
Fathers
Concubines
:
Goe
in
(
quoth
he
)
to
thy
Fathers
Coucubines
▪
whom
hee
hath
left
to
keepe
the
house
,
and
when
all
Israel
shall
heare
that
thou
art
abhorred
of
thy
Father
,
the
hands
of
all
that
are
with
thee
,
shall
be
strong
.
In
which
counsell
we
may
obserue
a
double
proiect
:
first
in
securing
his
own
,
and
his
friends
estate
:
secondly
,
in
vniting
the
people
more
firmely
to
Absolons
obedience
.
Neither
in
this
stept
he
besides
his
policie
:
He
serued
himselfe
first
,
and
his
Master
no
otherwise
than
for
himselfe
;
and
thought
that
counsell
lost
,
as
ill
bestowed
on
Absolon
,
wherein
hee
could
not
promise
himselfe
either
safety
or
aduancement
.
Hee
thought
it
ill
siding
with
a
doubtfull
rebell
,
or
inconstant
friend
.
Absolon
,
howsoeuer
professedly
hee
had
engaged
himselfe
to
Treason
,
might
deceiue
his
opinion
or
faile
his
expectation
.
His
pretended
discontent
towards
his
father
,
might
(
for
ought
he
knew
)
bee
onely
personated
,
to
make
triall
of
their
allegeance
,
or
his
resolution
inconstant
to
forfeit
them
to
danger
.
Absolon
,
though
a
Traytor
,
was
yet
a
Sonne
.
Dauid
,
though
prouoked
,
was
yet
a
Father
.
No
Gordian
knot
was
euer
so
cunningly
knit
by
policie
,
which
nature
cannot
cut
,
or
time
dissolue
.
The
priuiledge
of
youth
,
or
prerogatiue
of
a
Sonne
may
make
this
action
seeme
rather
a
scape
,
than
a
sin
.
His
faults
,
how
great
soeuer
,
will
seeme
rather
Achitophels
,
than
his
owne
▪
And
that
which
Iustice
in
others
will
tearme
Treason
,
indulgence
in
him
will
interpret
weakenesse
.
Dauid
may
remit
,
and
Absolon
reconcile
,
what
the
one
suffered
,
and
the
other
acted
:
and
then
must
Achitophel
and
his
associates
eyther
stand
at
stake
to
maintaine
their
Masters
action
,
or
hazzard
their
liues
on
the
brittle
confidence
of
the
Kings
mercy
.
The
breach
of
a
sonnes
disloyaltie
may
perchance
bee
peeced
vp
with
filiall
submission
:
but
Achitophels
reuolt
seemes
to
expect
no
issue
but
death
or
victory
.
The
middle
way
in
policie
is
alwayes
reiected
as
dangerous
,
and
the
extreame
requires
the
most
desperate
,
and
extreame
attempts
.
Achitophel
is
not
here
wanting
to
himselfe
;
Absolon
must
yet
be
engaged
to
a
more
Notorious
action
,
vncapable
of
forgiuenesse
,
where
in
all
Israel
may
reade
his
absolute
reuolt
,
and
his
Fathers
greatest
indignation
.
Absolon
must
be
known
neither
to
regard
,
or
hope
for
his
fathers
reconcilement
.
Dauids
anger
must
bee
thought
inexorable
,
as
that
which
Iustice
requires
,
and
the
honour
of
a
king
commands
.
If
Absolon
hope
to
wedde
the
Throne
of
Israel
,
hee
must
first
violate
his
Fathers
Bed
:
and
to
this
his
notorious
act
of
treason
,
let
him
further
adde
the
sinne
of
incest
.
Petty
crimes
are
the
effects
of
inferiour
offenders
;
Absolon
must
bee
thought
as
great
as
himselfe
:
as
one
,
who
would
play
the
King
as
well
in
his
sins
,
as
his
ambition
.
Neither
can
this
wickednesse
bee
safe
or
shamefull
enough
,
if
secret
.
Secrecie
,
which
in
other
matters
commonly
proues
the
mother
of
securitie
,
is
here
reputed
the
nurse
of
danger
,
and
Guilt
,
which
vsually
shunnes
the
light
,
is
here
desirous
of
discouerie
.
To
sinne
closely
,
argues
either
feare
or
modestie
:
neither
of
which
can
protect
a
rebell
,
or
beseeme
a
King
.
Set
up
a
Tent
(
quoth
Achitophel
)
on
the
house
toppe
,
that
all
Israel
may
witnesse
thy
sinne
,
and
thy
fathers
shame
,
and
make
the
world
at
once
both
blush
and
wonder
.
Let
thy
Brother
Ammon
sinne
in
a
corner
to
decline
censure
:
Sinne
thou
in
publicke
to
strike
censure
speechlesse
,
and
out-face
the
seuerest
frownes
of
Iustice
.
Let
Ammon
commit
incest
with
his
Sister
▪
Go
thou
in
vnto
thy
Fathers
Concubines
.
What
was
the
weakenesse
of
lust
in
him
,
ought
to
be
the
strength
of
thy
aspiring
greatnesse
.
Thy
greatest
safety
consists
in
thy
greatest
villany
:
and
the
least
blush
seemes
to
betray
thy
cause
to
dissidence
and
danger
.
Let
Ruben
trespasse
with
one
of
his
Fathers
wiues
:
Go
thou
in
vnto
ten
of
thy
Fathers
Concubines
;
that
this
thy
fact
at
once
may
surmount
both
example
and
imitation
.
Then
the
hands
of
all
that
are
with
thee
shall
be
strong
:
They
shall
speede
no
worse
than
Absolon
,
and
therefore
ought
to
feare
no
more
.
To
fall
with
our
Captaine
seemes
the
least
duty
:
To
rise
with
him
the
greatest
honour
:
and
who
but
a
Coward
would
feare
to
hazzard
the
life
of
a
Subiect
,
to
make
a
King
?
Great
dangers
and
great
honours
beginne
and
end
in
the
same
circle
:
Neyther
is
the
path
strowed
with
Violets
and
Roses
,
but
death
and
slaughter
,
which
leades
to
the
tents
of
Victorie
.
This
was
Achitophels
first
counsel
,
as
dangerous
to
decline
,
as
desperate
to
execute
:
But
desperate
and
extreame
purposes
are
engaged
to
the
like
meanes
;
and
sincere
honesty
in
the
course
of
policie
,
where
she
findes
not
her selfe
admitted
as
the
chiefe
Mistresse
,
will
seldome
proue
a
trusty
seruant
.
7
Out
of
this
counsell
of
Achitophel
,
not
onely
plotted
by
himselfe
,
but
acted
by
Absolon
,
will
arise
two
especiall
obseruations
:
The
first
is
,
the
fulfilling
of
Gods
iudgement
,
and
Nathans
prophecie
,
threatned
before
to
Dauid
for
his
sinning
with
Bathsheba
,
and
〈◊〉
murder
▪
Behold
(
saith
God
through
the
mouth
of
Nathan
)
I
will
raise
vp
euill
against
thee
out
of
thine
owne
house
,
and
will
take
thy
Wiues
before
thine
eyes
,
and
will
giue
them
vnto
thy
neighbour
,
and
he
shall
lye
with
thy
Wiues
in
the
sight
of
the
Sunne
:
for
thou
diddest
it
secretly
,
but
I
will
doe
this
thing
before
all
Israel
,
and
before
the
Sunne
.
Such
is
the
wisedome
of
Almighty
God
,
which
can
worke
his
owne
good
out
of
our
wickednesse
,
and
make
ourvniustest
actions
the
instrumentall
examples
of
his
owne
iustice
.
Our
very
sinnes
,
though
false
traytors
to
the
owners
,
proue
trustie
executioners
of
Gods
iudgements
:
and
an
easie
matter
it
is
for
that
wise
disposer
of
all
worldly
actions
,
to
turne
mans
greatest
shame
into
his
greatest
glory
.
Secondly
,
we
may
obserue
it
as
a
Maxime
in
worldly
policie
,
That
a
sinne
can
seldome
secure
it selfe
,
but
by
addition
of
greater
.
Where
the
house
is
swept
and
garnished
,
and
one
Deuill
is
too
little
to
enter
,
seuen
Deuils
greater
than
himselfe
,
are
prest
to
giue
a
fresh
assault
:
For
there
is
no
way
left
for
sinne
to
propagate
its
power
,
but
sinne
;
nor
can
truth
euer
be
entreated
to
aduenture
her selfe
as
a
pledge
for
falshood
,
or
stake
her
credit
for
a
professed
enemy
.
Religious
prouidence
,
and
worldly
policie
,
may
(
I
confesse
)
sometimes
runne
together
,
but
seldome
shake
hands
.
The
path
of
the
one
,
as
a
strait
line
,
we
finde
alway
as
one
,
and
like
it selfe
:
of
the
other
,
crooked
,
and
various
,
and
engaged
to
many
difficulties
.
If
euer
they
chance
to
meete
,
it
is
but
as
in
a
point
,
and
so
soone
part
The
further
then
we
runne
in
this
maze
of
worldly
policie
,
the
further
we
estrange
our selues
from
Pietie
:
and
the
distance
▪
which
at
first
seemed
below
the
Se●…se
,
will
at
length
be
found
aboue
the
vnderstanding
.
Euery
ponderous
substance
(
as
Naturalists
obserue
)
the
more
it
descends
,
the
faster
the
motion
:
No
moment
of
space
or
time
,
wherein
we
trauerse
the
way
of
wickednesse
,
which
addes
not
some
weight
to
the
massie
burthen
of
our
originall
impietie
,
and
hastens
not
our
passage
to
perdition
.
One
sinne
seekes
to
secure
it selfe
by
many
,
and
smaller
crimes
finde
no
safe
protection
,
but
in
the
shelter
of
the
greater
.
Treason
and
vsurpation
cannot
support
themselues
,
but
by
the
sword
of
Tyrannie
.
Malice
i●…uokes
Reuenge
to
helpe
her
,
assisted
with
her
seruants
,
Murther
and
Detraction
.
Ingratitude
will
soone
breake
into
open
defiance
,
and
neglect
of
Gods
precepts
is
commonly
seconded
with
Contempt
;
at
the
least
when
all
others
withdraw
their
forces
,
Impudence
and
Hypocrisie
are
sworne
to
backe
their
quarrell
;
whereof
the
former
can
out-face
the
seuerest
censure
,
the
latter
blinde
the
eies
of
the
strictest
inquisition
.
Who
cannot
here
obserue
a
great
distance
between
Christian
and
worldly
policie
?
The
one
counsailes
vs
to
make
vp
the
breach
of
our
sinnes
by
a
sincere
repentance
;
the
other
to
enlarge
it
with
greater
villany
.
Binde
not
two
sinner
together
,
for
in
one
thou
shalt
not
scape
vnpunished
,
saith
the
wisest
of
Kings
.
But
these
Politicians
holding
themselues
wiser
than
the
wisest
,
hold
repentance
base
,
and
perseuerance
in
sinne
generous
.
Nobler
they
suppose
it
to
aduenture
forward
with
danger
,
than
retire
backe
with
shame
;
as
though
they
meant
to
shew
themselues
industriously
resolute
to
sell
their
part
in
heauen
,
and
purchase
their
owne
damnation
.
But
these
we
must
leaue
a
while
to
their
owne
resolutions
,
perhaps
we
shall
find
them
againe
,
with
Achitophel
hanging
on
the
gallowes
;
whose
second
and
last
counsaile
,
offers
it selfe
in
the
next
place
to
our
examination
.
8
Hitherto
hath
Achitophels
care
bin
to
strengthen
the
faction
,
both
to
secure
himselfe
,
and
vnite
the
hearts
of
Israel
more
firmely
to
Absolon
their
leader
.
His
second
Direction
concernes
the
speeding
of
the
execution
;
Let
me
now
choose
out
(
quoth
Achitophel
)
twelue
thousand
men
,
and
I
will
arise
,
and
pursue
after
Dauid
this
night
,
and
I
will
come
vpon
him
while
he
is
wearie
and
weake-handed
,
and
make
him
affraid
,
and
all
the
people
which
are
with
him
shall
flie
,
and
I
will
smite
the
King
onely
,
and
I
will
bring
back
all
the
people
vnto
thee
.
The
man
whom
thou
seekest
,
is
as
if
all
returned
:
So
all
the
people
shall
be
in
peace
.
In
which
politicke
aduice
of
Achitophels
,
three
remarkeable
circumstances
offer
themselues
to
our
obseruation
;
which
by
reason
of
the
scantling
of
time
,
and
your
wronged
patience
,
I
shall
be
constrained
rather
to
touch
,
than
handle
.
In
the
first
place
,
his
desire
was
to
haue
as
well
as
his
Head
in
the
conspiracie
,
so
his
Hand
in
the
execution
:
perhaps
because
hee
hated
Dauid
,
hee
was
ambitious
to
shew
himselfe
the
executioner
of
his
owne
reuenge
and
Dauids
ruine
;
perhaps
out
of
vaine-glorie
,
that
he
might
seeme
as
able
to
act
,
as
wise
to
proiect
a
mischiefe
▪
perhaps
out
of
an
officious
flattery
to
engage
Absolons
thankfulnesse
by
a
do●…ble
seruice
:
But
that
which
seemes
to
mee
most
probable
,
was
his
extreame
iealousie
,
not
daring
to
trust
so
young
an
experience
with
a
matter
of
so
great
moment
.
Absolons
youth
seemed
perchance
too
shallow
to
entertaine
the
depth
of
his
directions
,
his
bloud
too
neare
to
out-face
the
frowns
of
a
fathers
anger
,
or
the
awe
of
filiall
duety
,
could
not
be
supposed
a
fit
actor
in
Dauids
Tragedie
.
The
hardest
Iron
at
the
first
touch
of
the
Load
▪
stone
is
restored
to
its
first
temper
,
and
conceiues
a
Magneticke
inclination
.
And
why
might
not
Dauids
fiery
assault
,
or
gracious
countenance
in
his
rebellious
sonne
Absolon
,
enforce
nature
to
return
vnto
herselfe
,
and
kindle
in
him
the
sparkes
of
filiall
duty
and
obedience
?
Here
may
a
man
reade
the
state
and
condition
of
wicked
po●…icie
,
exposed
to
a
thousand
dangers
,
and
subiect
to
a
thousand
i●…alousies
.
Well
may
such
men
,
as
Damocles
at
Dionysius
Table
,
feed
their
hopes
with
the
choisest
dainties
;
yet
Gods
fearfull
iudgements
,
as
a
sword
pendulous
ouer
their
heads
,
is
alwaies
ready
to
threaten
a
destruction
.
'T
is
not
then
a
good
,
but
an
euill
conscience
which
makes
men
cowards
:
Onely
hee
,
who
wants
guilt
,
wants
feare
;
and
nothing
but
a
cleare
conscience
can
challenge
true
mother-hood
in
a
couragious
resolution
.
The
second
point
we
obserue
in
Achitophels
counsaile
,
was
a
stratagem
of
Diuersion
:
His
quarrell
was
not
against
the
people
,
but
Dauid
;
his
purpose
to
preserue
the
Kingdome
,
but
destroy
the
King
:
and
therefore
thought
it
not
so
meete
to
hew
out
his
passage
to
Dauids
ouerthrowe
through
the
bloud
of
the
subiects
,
as
by
the
Kings
forfeit
,
to
purchase
them
to
Absolons
obedience
.
His
first
care
was
to
strike
at
the
roote
it selfe
,
well
knowing
the
branches
would
fall
of
their
owne
accord
;
and
the
peoples
alleageance
once
dead
in
Dauid
,
would
soone
quicken
againe
in
Absolon
.
The
strength
of
Israel
is
shut
vp
in
the
Princes
palace
;
and
the
same
power
which
conquers
the
one
,
is
soone
master
of
the
other
.
This
counsaile
seemes
to
partake
as
well
of
good
as
bad
:
with
the
death
of
one
,
to
redeem
the
life
of
many
,
in
the
rigorous
lawes
of
hostility
,
seemes
not
a
duety
,
but
a
great
courtesie
:
But
to
sell
a
King
to
buy
a
kingdome
,
and
stake
one
Prince
for
many
subiects
,
is
lesse
than
courtesie
,
and
more
than
cruelty
.
Neither
was
this
course
affected
by
Achitophel
to
spare
the
liues
of
innocents
,
or
auoide
a
greater
mischiefe
;
but
that
he
found
it
an
easier
way
to
conquer
Dauid
,
and
reduce
the
people
vnder
the
yoake
of
Absolons
iurisdiction
.
The
good
which
politicians
vse
to
pretend
,
commonly
swels
in
shew
,
but
shrinkes
in
substance
:
as
the
Ocean
,
they
would
seeme
to
flow
in
their
kindnesses
,
and
embrace
vs
with
twining
armes
,
as
the
waues
the
continent
;
but
seeking
to
lay
hold
on
them
,
we
find
them
commonly
to
ebbe
into
nothing
,
and
snatch
backe
their
owne
with
some
aduantage
.
If
they
chance
to
be
authors
of
any
good
,
it
serues
only
to
flatter
opinion
,
and
deceiue
simplicity
;
not
that
they
loue
good
,
but
that
they
may
be
the
better
armed
to
worke
mischiefe
.
To
commit
euill
for
a
good
end
,
seemes
to
beare
a
better
pretence
before
men
,
than
excuse
before
God
:
but
to
suffer
,
or
act
some
good
for
an
euill
end
,
is
the
height
of
mans
wickednesse
,
and
the
Diuels
institution
.
The
third
and
last
circumstance
in
this
Achitophels
counsaile
,
was
,
by
a
suddaine
and
vnexpected
assault
,
to
take
the
best
aduantage
of
his
owne
strength
and
Dauids
weaknesse
.
I
will
(
saith
he
)
suddenly
fall
on
Dauid
while
he
is
wearie
and
weake-handed
,
and
the
people
shall
flie
.
To
ioyne
with
mens
misfortunes
and
adde
to
misery
,
serues
rather
basenesse
of
the
man
,
than
confidence
of
the
cause
;
and
to
second
Gods
afflictions
with
our
owne
reuenge
,
is
a
marke
of
Gods
instrument
,
but
the
Diuels
seruant
.
The
apprehension
of
an
apt
opportunity
,
is
of
it selfe
(
I
confesse
)
a
matter
indifferent
,
as
well
to
good
as
wicked
policie
:
Yet
hasty
and
vnexpected
actions
commonly
carry
with
them
a
greater
suspicion
of
guilt
,
than
discretion
;
as
that
which
seekes
to
preuent
a
tryall
,
and
feares
discouery
.
Time
,
the
father
of
truth
,
would
(
questionlesse
)
haue
betrayed
Absolons
cause
to
common
examination
,
and
reduced
the
discontented
Commons
to
their
first
temper
.
Dauid
might
haue
giuen
satisfaction
,
&
allegeance
haue
reuiued
in
his
subiects
hearts
.
Necessity
,
which
perhaps
begat
the
effects
of
ill
gouernment
,
might
haue
vrged
the
causes
;
and
reason
,
which
at
the
first
seemed
to
fawne
on
their
discontent
,
might
afterwards
be
taught
to
correct
her
errors
and
suppresse
their
insolence
.
All
this
Achitophel
knew
right
wel
;
and
therfore
chose
rather
to
take
aduantage
of
the
peoples
sudden
passion
,
than
their
maturer
iudgements
:
as
one
who
had
good
cause
to
shunne
a
legall
●…ury
,
where
he
could
promise
himselfe
no
other
than
losse
in
the
fatall
verdict
.
Hitherto
(
beloued
)
haue
we
traced
the
foote-steps
of
our
grand
traytour
Achitophel
through
all
his
politicke
counsailes
,
and
vnnaturall
rebellions
.
Your
expectation
I
know
(
though
almost
tyred
)
hath
long
ere
this
runne
to
the
place
of
execution
,
and
proclaimed
his
comming
:
But
your
wronged
patience
and
my
want
of
time
,
hath
enforced
mee
to
repriue
him
till
another
Session
.
COmmon
censure
hath
stampt
it
for
a
currant
Prouerbe
,
That
it
is
better
for
a
man
to
bee
fortunate
than
wise
.
For
worldly
wisedome
,
though
she
seeme
alwaies
to
fawne
on
fortune
,
yet
can
neuer
command
,
and
seldome
entreate
her
ser●…ice
.
It
hath
been
thought
the
pride
and
priuiledge
of
that
power
which
we
call
Fortune
,
to
bestow
her
best
fauours
where
she
findes
least
worth
;
to
crowne
folly
,
and
crosse
wisedome
;
to
make
fooles
happy
,
and
the
wise
vnfortunate
:
As
a
Queen
,
she
is
supposed
to
shew
her
greatest
Maiesty
in
Mans
weaknesse
;
to
pity
sloath
,
and
enuie
industry
;
as
most
iealous
,
lest
mans
wit
or
endeauours
should
challenge
any
part
in
her
prerogatiue
.
But
he
that
knowes
wisely
to
arbitrate
betwixt
the
clouds
of
Pagan
ignorance
,
and
the
cleare
Sun-shine
of
Christianite
,
betwixt
Poeticke
fancies
,
and
Propheticall
visions
,
shall
finde
vulgar
opinion
only
mistaken
in
the
name
,
ascribing
that
transcendent
power
of
disposing
worldly
actions
,
to
a
Deitie
which
they
called
Fortune
,
which
Christian
knowledge
might
have
taught
them
more
properly
to
haue
termed
Prouidence
.
And
howsoeuer
they
haue
bounded
her
large
Empire
beyond
their
owne
reason
;
yet
Christianity
hath
trauelled
much
farther
,
and
yet
can
prescribe
no
limits
:
as
that
which
transcends
into
an
infinite
,
and
out-reacheth
the
eye
of
all
discouerie
.
And
though
no
place
hath
beene
found
so
base
in
the
Theater
of
Nature
or
Ciuill
actions
,
wherein
Prouidence
cannot
shew
the
abundant
Trophees
of
her
magnificence
:
Yet
there
desires
she
to
triumph
most
,
where
to
men
she
seemes
to
haue
least
power
.
Her
chiefest
glory
is
to
set
vp
her
Ensignes
on
the
gates
of
mans
pride
,
and
tread
on
the
necke
of
worldly
policy
.
No
maruell
then
,
that
in
the
great
politician
Achitophel
,
in
whom
neither
loyalty
could
command
restraint
,
or
perswade
duety
;
whom
neither
vndoubted
valour
could
checke
,
or
danger
terrifie
:
onely
Prouidence
could
challenge
a
iurisdiction
.
His
politicke
obseruation
of
Absolons
disposition
and
rare
endowments
,
designing
him
out
as
a
fit
subiect
for
his
treason
,
seconded
by
his
craftie
and
irreligious
counsell
of
abusing
Dauids
Concubines
,
(
through
which
in
my
former
Sermon
in
this
place
,
I
vshered
forth
your
attention
)
had
hitherto
passed
currant
,
and
found
in
euent
as
much
as
it
promised
in
expectation
.
Absolon
had
hitherto
expressed
himselfe
no
worse
a
learner
than
he
a
teacher
;
that
the
world
might
well
doubt
,
whether
the
one
were
more
happy
to
proiect
,
or
the
other
to
put
in
practice
.
Nothing
now
seemes
remaining
behinde
,
but
to
strike
the
last
stroke
,
and
giue
the
fatall
on-set
.
Dauids
ouerthrowe
,
and
Absolons
aduancement
together
appeare
in
sight
;
and
his
long
and
tedious
ambition
,
as
it
were
within
a
league
,
arriued
at
the
port
of
victory
.
Let
not
Absolon
play
the
truant
in
his
last
lesson
,
and
within
a
few
houres
the
voice
of
Israel
shall
salute
him
King
.
But
the
change
of
a
good
Master
,
oftentimes
makes
a
non
proficient
Scholler
:
Achitophels
precepts
must
be
corrected
by
Chusay
,
his
second
Tutor
.
Two
eyes
are
presumed
to
discerne
more
than
one
;
and
the
rugged
and
vneuen
knots
in
our
first
inuention
,
ought
to
be
filed
by
the
second
.
Though
Achitophel
in
counsell
be
a
Politician
,
yet
Absolon
in
ambition
is
a
King
:
and
therefore
ought
to
arrogate
to
himselfe
as
well
the
honour
of
the
Conquest
,
as
of
the
Scepters
.
Too
much
it
might
seeme
for
Achitophel
to
haue
both
;
too
little
for
Absolon
to
haue
no
hand
at
all
in
this
Kingly
proiect
.
If
Absolon
dare
not
trust
his
owne
aduice
,
yet
let
him
shew
his
liberty
of
consent
.
Wisedome
consists
as
much
in
choice
,
as
in
inuention
;
neither
seemes
it
the
least
of
Absolons
prerogatiue
,
amid
diuers
counsellors
to
declare
himselfe
a
King
.
:
Achitophel
shall
be
suffered
to
speak
his
minde
as
an
assistant
,
not
to
determine
causes
as
a
Iudge
;
and
therefore
must
pardon
Absolon
,
if
approuing
him
in
all
the
rest
,
he
in
this
one
dissent
.
But
oftentimes
he
that
can
best
act
,
can
worst
pen
his
owne
part
.
And
therefore
no
maruell
,
if
Absolon
,
vsurping
the
office
of
Achitophel
,
beganne
to
faile
in
his
last
act
.
But
to
leaue
Absolon
to
his
head-strong
will
,
wee
must
here
search
more
neerely
into
the
neglect
of
Achitophels
counsell
:
which
being
the
second
part
in
the
former
subdiuision
of
my
Text
,
offers
it selfe
as
a
subiect
for
this
dayes
exercise
.
And
when
Achitophel
saw
that
his
counsell
was
not
followed
,
&c.
2
Achitophels
counsell
thus
defeated
(
as
you
haue
heard
)
offers
it selfe
to
our
enquiry
vnder
the
obseruation
of
the
causes
,
and
their
concomitant
circumstances
.
The
causes
preceding
the
fact
,
we
may
obserue
to
bee
twofold
:
either
Primarie
,
or
Secondary
.
The
primary
we
finde
to
be
no
other
than
Almighty
God
,
from
whom
all
other
inferiour
agents
deriue
their
strength
and
action
.
Where
Nature
begins
and
Reason
ends
,
there
must
we
place
that
omnipotent
and
eternal
power
,
as
the
centre
from
which
all
operations
first
spring
,
and
the
boundlesse
circumference
into
which
all
discourses
runne
.
Betwixt
this
Eternall
and
Inferiour
Agents
,
as
the
distance
knowes
no
proportion
,
so
Reason
could
neuer
finde
resistance
or
opposition
:
and
easie
was
it
for
that
omnipotent
prouidence
,
to
whom
Achitophels
counsels
were
from
all
eternitie
discouered
,
to
decree
as
well
the
means
,
as
the
end
of
his
defeate
.
For
as
in
the
vast
frame
of
nature
,
bodies
compared
one
with
the
other
seeme
Heterogeneall
,
consisting
of
diuers
and
opposite
operations
:
yet
as
so
many
wheeles
in
an
artificiall
engine
,
are
by
the
same
hand
directed
to
the
same
common
vse
;
so
the
actions
and
counsels
of
men
,
howsoeuer
casually
they
seeme
to
meete
,
and
iustle
one
the
other
,
are
notwithstanding
preordained
by
the
same
Infinite
counsell
,
to
cooperate
to
the
same
vniuersall
end
.
Whence
will
naturally
arise
this
obseruation
,
That
howsoeuer
men
may
propose
to
themselues
,
it
is
onely
in
the
power
of
Almighty
God
to
dispose
.
A
proposition
better
knowne
as
a
Prouerbe
among
men
,
than
acknowledged
in
their
practice
.
Had
yet
the
great
Polititians
of
this
world
as
much
Logicke
to
iudge
,
as
cunning
to
contriue
their
owne
plots
,
they
would
questionlesse
out
of
the
combination
of
second
causes
,
without
respect
vnto
the
first
,
rather
suspect
a
fallacie
,
than
promise
a
demonstration
.
Had
they
as
much
acquaintance
with
Gods
Word
,
as
their
owne
wicked
and
prophane
Axiomes
;
they
would
haue
heard
the
Lord
often
threatning
in
holy
Scriptures
to
stagger
the
counsell
of
the
wicked
,
and
turne
the
wisedome
of
the
wisest
into
folly
.
Had
they
rather
desired
to
be
instructed
,
than
flattered
by
experience
,
they
would
haue
found
of
their
profession
,
in
steed
of
a
few
crowned
happy
by
euent
,
tenne
thousand
miscarry
in
the
meanes
.
A
good
successe
,
like
a
slye
Parasite
,
rather
soothes
than
commends
our
actions
,
and
like
a
coy
Mistresse
,
prostitutes
her selfe
to
mens
neglect
,
but
frownes
on
their
ambition
.
But
these
are
popular
arguments
,
subiect
almost
to
common
sense
;
wherein
euery
common
obseruation
may
claime
a
share
.
Should
wee
search
with
more
subtiltie
,
either
as
sound
Diuines
,
or
deep
Philosophers
,
into
the
mysterious
manner
of
Gods
working
;
wee
shall
finde
no
small
argument
to
bee
drawne
from
the
disparitie
betwixt
Diuine
prouidence
and
Worldly
policie
.
The
plots
and
counterplots
of
men
are
vsually
grounded
,
either
vpon
open
Resistance
,
or
slye
Diuersion
.
The
one
is
taught
vs
in
the
Booke
of
Nature
;
wherein
wee
may
reade
the
interchangeable
conquest
of
the
elements
in
their
mutuall
conflicts
and
operations
:
the
other
is
grounded
on
Ciuill
obseruation
as
well
as
nature
,
which
in
the
shortest
and
easiest
way
commonly
findes
the
safest
victorie
.
But
Gods
Almighty
hand
,
which
neuer
knew
Resistance
,
or
needes
Diuersion
,
easily
knows
how
to
worke
his
own
ends
by
his
supernaturall
concurrence
with
worldly
agents
,
in
their
most
affected
proiects
.
The
same
meanes
which
wicked
men
propose
to
themselues
,
as
the
safest
agents
for
their
desired
ends
,
hee
makes
the
instruments
of
their
owne
ruine
;
that
the
most
exacteft
plot
,
wherein
policie
could
euer
▪
hug
her
own
inuention
,
may
seeme
the
most
exquisite
example
of
her
owne
shame
.
Easie
was
it
for
that
great
King
of
Heauen
and
Earth
,
with
thunder
and
lightning
from
heauen
,
to
haue
pashed
Absolon
in
pieces
,
and
scorched
vp
his
seditious
army
;
more
easily
could
he
haue
broken
the
subtile
nets
of
Achitophels
politicke
inuention
,
than
Sampson
the
Philistines
bands
,
or
an
Elephant
a
Spiders
webbe
:
But
intending
rather
to
make
them
their
owne
execution●…rs
,
hee
suffers
them
to
runne
in
their
owne
Labyrinth
,
till
they
meet
their
owne
ruine
.
What
way
in
Nature
could
Pharaoh
deuise
more
exquisite
to
increase
the
strength
of
Israel
,
and
make
them
populous
,
than
to
tye
them
to
their
daily
burthens
?
Whence
could
Moses
haue
better
deriued
his
greatnesse
in
Pharaoh's
Court
,
than
from
the
bulrush
cradle
floating
on
the
teares
of
the
weeping
riuer
?
How
could
Pharaoh
haue
feared
or
expected
,
euen
in
his
own
tyrannous
decree
,
proiected
for
his
owne
safeguard
,
and
Israels
extirpation
,
to
haue
found
Israel
ransomed
,
and
himselfe
ruined
?
that
his
owne
daughter
should
preserue
that
as
a
Cabinet
of
pleasure
,
which
Moses
mother
bestowed
on
him
as
a
mournefull
Coffin
?
Little
thought
Iosephs
brethren
in
selling
him
to
the
Egyptians
,
to
haue
purchased
their
own
shame
,
and
his
future
greatnesse
.
Little
thought
those
Romane
Emperours
,
in
their
raging
persecutions
to
haue
sowne
the
seede
of
the
Church
in
the
blood
of
the
Martyrs
,
and
haue
seene
Christianitie
most
triumphant
in
her
greatest
wounds
.
Little
thought
Pope
Leo
the
tenth
,
in
sending
his
Indulgences
into
Germany
,
to
haue
met
with
such
an
opportunitie
as
the
peoples
discontent
,
and
the
Heremite
Fryars
defeat
,
to
haue
stirred
vp
the
hot
spirit
of
Luther
,
to
haue
giuen
such
a
fatall
blow
to
his
owne
greatnesse
,
and
see
his
tyrannous
Hierarchie
in
such
a
terrible
combustion
.
Such
is
the
infinite
wisedome
of
that
Prouidence
,
to
ordaine
worldly
policie
to
afford
not
onely
the
aptest
instruments
,
but
the
exactest
opportunities
to
destroy
it selfe
;
and
there
to
declare
our
greatest
weakenesse
,
where
we
repose
our
greatest
strength
.
Whence
by
way
of
application
wee
may
draw
two
other
consectaries
,
expressing
no
lesse
apparant
footsteps
of
Gods
Almighty
prouidence
in
disposing
the
affaires
of
men
.
First
,
that
in
preuention
of
worldly
plots
&
stratagems
he
commonly
shewes
not
himselfe
but
at
the
last
push
,
and
seldome
discouers
our
danger
till
wee
suppose
our selues
most
secure
.
Had
Gods
wisedome
ranne
the
course
of
humane
policie
,
he
might
haue
preuented
,
as
well
as
defeated
Achitophels
designe
;
he
might
haue
stirred
vp
Dauids
iealousie
,
betime
to
haue
shut
vp
Absolon
in
prison
;
or
according
to
the
preposterous
rules
of
the
Ottonian
Iustice
,
haue
rewarded
his
future
treason
with
a
present
execution
.
Absolon
might
haue
failed
as
well
in
the
first
as
last
precept
;
or
at
least
Achitophel
might
haue
read
in
Absolons
disposition
,
his
wilfull
weakenesse
or
inconstancie
.
But
God
pursues
not
ours
,
but
his
owne
glory
,
as
one
who
is
then
most
willing
to
shew
his
power
,
when
our
hopes
or
abilities
can
challenge
least
.
8
Our
second
Consectary
drawne
from
Gods
omnipotent
prouidence
,
is
,
That
God
sits
not
as
an
idle
spectator
,
but
interposeth
himselfe
as
a
chiefe
actor
on
the
Theatre
of
worldly
actions
.
It
was
not
only
an
idle
,
but
a
wicked
dreame
of
Epicurus
and
his
followers
,
that
God
,
busied
in
the
contemplation
of
heauenly
matters
,
gaue
ouer
the
gouernment
of
the
World
to
Chance
,
or
Nature
:
as
if
he
supposed
it
a
Mill
or
Water-worke
,
which
once
framed
by
an
Artificer
,
and
animated
by
an
actiue
power
,
should
worke
of
its
owne
accord
,
and
preserue
in
it
the
principles
both
of
motion
and
continuance
.
Which
opinion
(
for
ought
that
I
know
)
might
bee
fastned
on
our
Master
Aristotle
,
who
not
only
in
his
Physickes
seemes
to
deny
a
Prouidence
;
but
in
the
whole
course
of
his
Phylosophy
seemes
to
preferre
Nature
as
a
Deitie
,
whom
God
should
rather
serue
than
command
:
yet
here
,
should
I
freely
discouer
mine
opinion
,
I
should
thinke
our
Philosopher
mistaken
,
in
diuiding
one
and
the
selfe
same
thing
into
diuers
names
.
To
separate
God
from
Nature
is
to
diuorce
Nature
from
her selfe
:
which
seemes
of
it selfe
absurd
;
but
to
ascribe
act
and
motion
vnto
the
latter
,
and
appoint
the
former
to
sit
idle
as
a
spectator
,
or
at
least
as
a
necessary
agent
to
serue
Nature
,
is
more
absurd
to
thinke
a
finite
more
excellent
than
an
infinite
;
which
is
strange
how
so
great
a
wit
should
once
imagine
.
But
we
out
of
the
principles
of
Christian
Philosophy
,
may
easily
be
taught
a
double
concourse
of
the
Creator
with
the
creature
:
the
one
Generall
,
which
I
hold
to
bee
no
other
than
that
wee
vsually
call
Nature
:
the
other
Speciall
,
which
humane
Ignorance
or
Admiration
hath
tearmed
Miracle
.
Neither
can
reason
imagine
the
naturall
generation
of
things
to
be
any
other
than
a
continuate
Creation
,
wherein
Almighty
God
,
according
to
the
Aptnesse
and
Preparation
of
the
subiect
,
daily
ministers
new
formes
,
or
conserues
the
same
:
which
the
Diuines
tearme
Preseruation
.
For
to
giue
a
Creature
,
without
Gods
immediate
concurrence
,
an
abilitie
of
producing
the
like
or
equall
substance
to
it selfe
,
or
by
his
owne
power
to
deriue
out
of
that
first
Chaos
a
new
forme
or
nature
,
seemes
to
me
to
trench
too
farre
on
Gods
Prerogatiue
;
I
had
almost
said
,
to
emulate
God
in
the
second
part
of
his
Creation
.
But
to
leaue
this
Common-wealth
of
Nature
to
its
first
institution
,
and
enter
into
the
view
of
mens
actions
,
we
shall
finde
a
more
speciall
concurrence
of
Diuine
prouidence
,
than
in
the
former
.
To
what
other
cause
else
should
wee
owe
that
miraculous
preseruation
of
Gods
Church
,
which
through
the
violence
of
so
many
ages
hath
saued
it selfe
entire
,
with
so
small
a
number
,
and
great
an
opposition
.
Time
,
which
hath
seene
the
Rise
and
Fall
of
so
many
famous
Kingdomes
;
the
inuention
and
decay
of
so
many
learned
labours
;
the
erection
and
defacing
of
so
many
stately
Trophees
;
Time
,
which
in
her
vast
gulfe
hath
not
onely
swallowed
vp
antiquitie
,
but
for
the
greatest
part
enuied
her
historie
;
hath
yet
cherished
in
her
bosome
this
one
darling
,
and
kept
a
sure
register
of
all
her
actions
.
Should
I
descend
to
particular
examples
of
Gods
concurrence
in
mans
actions
,
I
should
sooner
lose
my selfe
,
than
finde
an
end
.
The
most
irreligious
Heathen
,
through
the
thicke
clouds
of
ignorance
,
haue
often
espied
the
glimpse
of
Gods
dreadfull
lightning
,
and
often
quaked
at
his
thunder
:
They
haue
felt
his
finger
in
their
wounds
,
and
acknowledged
his
strength
in
their
weaknesse
:
Yea
,
such
hath
beene
the
power
of
Almighty
God
,
to
expose
their
owne
wicked
actions
as
a
table
of
their
confession
,
and
extort
an
acknowledgement
of
his
victorie
out
of
their
blasphemy
.
Iulian
,
that
wicked
Apostate
,
though
as
politicke
to
obscure
,
as
malicious
to
oppose
the
truth
of
Christ
Iesus
;
was
yet
in
the
end
constrained
to
shut
vp
his
tyrannie
with
a
Vi●…isti
Gal●…leae
.
In
like
sort
,
we
reade
of
Mahomet
the
second
,
the
first
Emperor
of
the
Turkes
,
that
at
the
siege
of
Scodra
against
the
Christians
,
in
the
defence
of
so
small
a
Citie
against
his
mighty
Army
,
finding
God
his
enemy
,
he
blasphemously
asked
by
way
of
exprobation
,
whether
God
had
not
enough
to
doe
in
Heauen
,
that
he
should
interpose
himselfe
in
his
affaires
on
earth
?
He
that
will
not
deny
a
God
,
must
of
necessity
grant
a
prouidence
,
and
who
knowes
himselfe
,
and
sifts
into
his
owne
will
and
actions
,
must
needs
acknowledge
a
supernall
power
,
which
determines
them
to
good
or
euill
.
Here
,
stood
it
with
my
time
or
your
patience
,
could
I
proceed
to
taxe
Pelagius
,
and
his
latter
spawne
the
Iesuites
and
Arminians
:
who
imagining
our
will
to
be
her
owne
mistresse
,
haue
admitted
God
no
otherwise
than
as
a
seruant
or
assistant
;
as
though
that
Almighty
power
were
not
authorized
to
preordaine
,
but
onely
bound
to
second
our
conuersion
Their
saluation
they
would
rather
owe
vnto
themselues
than
grace
;
as
though
they
sought
the
first
cause
in
their
own
inclination
,
and
expected
nothing
of
God
but
a
Morall
and
strong
perswasion
.
But
although
in
deede
they
will
deny
a
certaine
and
speciall
Predestination
,
yet
in
words
they
will
grant
a
Prescience
.
Here
would
I
willingly
aske
a
question
out
of
my
Text
:
Whether
God
absolutely
foresaw
Absolons
inclination
of
reiecting
Achitophels
counsell
,
or
not
?
If
they
grant
the
Negatiue
,
they
deny
a
Prescience
:
If
the
Affirmatiue
,
I
demand
againe
,
whether
this
fore-sight
could
imply
a
necessity
of
euent
,
or
leaue
Absolon
to
his
owne
free
choice
?
If
the
former
,
they
must
deny
him
a
Free-will
of
declining
to
the
other
side
,
which
they
labour
by
all
meanes
to
establish
:
If
the
latter
;
they
must
eyther
acknowledge
Gods
prescience
to
bee
vncertaine
,
against
the
ground
they
haue
already
granted
;
or
at
least
affirme
,
that
a
certaine
knowledge
may
be
of
such
things
as
shall
neuer
come
to
passe
.
Here
the
Iesuites
are
better
prouided
to
shift
than
answer
;
like
the
subtile
Sep●…s
,
to
make
an
escape
by
troubling
the
water
:
and
rather
than
they
would
be
thought
to
know
nothing
,
they
will
say
any
thing
.
Where
the
Scripture
shewes
no
faire
countenance
,
and
Reason
faints
,
their
recourse
to
Schoole-subtilties
must
be
their
only
refuge
.
But
were
there
no
Smith
in
Israel
,
yet
might
these
Philistins
be
entreated
to
sharpen
our
sword
for
our
defence
against
their
battery
.
God
(
say
they
)
from
all
eternity
foresaw
the
inclination
of
mans
Free-will
,
vpon
which
he
grounded
his
decree
of
withholding
or
conferring
farther
grace
.
Here
I
must
aske
againe
,
Whether
God
foresaw
it
in
his
own
decree
,
or
the
disposition
of
the
second
causes
?
If
they
assent
vnto
the
former
,
then
must
this
foresight
in
the
order
of
our
vnderstanding
,
not
preuent
,
but
rather
second
the
decree
;
which
they
deny
.
If
they
sticke
to
the
latter
(
as
indeede
they
doe
)
I
demand
how
second
causes
may
be
supposed
to
work
,
except
they
were
predetermined
and
actuated
by
the
first
?
That
second
causes
worke
not
in
their
owne
,
but
their
owners
strength
,
is
their
owne
principle
;
and
to
grant
them
an
operation
,
not
depending
on
the
first
Agent
,
were
to
set
an
instrument
to
worke
without
a
hand
.
I
would
aske
moreouer
,
Whether
God
foreseeing
Achitophels
counsell
and
Absolons
inclination
,
bad
the
power
to
hinder
it
or
not
.
If
so
,
then
was
it
in
his
power
to
foresee
what
himselfe
could
hinder
;
which
checkes
the
certainty
of
Gods
knowledge
,
and
inuolues
an
apparant
Contradiction
.
If
not
,
how
can
we
imagine
him
Omnipotent
,
which
cannot
challenge
so
much
power
ouer
second
causes
,
as
to
turne
and
diuert
them
to
his
owne
vses
?
This
argument
Vorstius
and
Episcopius
found
so
strong
against
them
,
that
to
backe
their
absurdity
,
they
must
adde
apparant
blasphemy
;
allowing
God
eyther
no
Prescience
at
all
,
or
such
as
is
onely
vncertaine
and
〈◊〉
;
which
impious
and
grosse
opinion
I
hold
sufficiently
confuted
in
the
mention
.
But
I
haue
stayed
here
too
long
,
and
haue
farre
to
goe
:
wherefore
hauing
taken
a
generall
suruey
of
the
primary
,
or
chiefe
cause
of
Achitophels
defeate
,
let
vs
descend
to
the
second
causes
,
which
in
the
next
place
offer
themselues
to
obseruation
.
4
Gods
power
hath
expressed
it selfe
legible
as
well
in
the
Book
of
Nature
as
of
Grace
:
and
naturall
Agents
(
as
you
haue
heard
)
as
they
deriue
their
operations
from
his
strength
,
so
they
are
determined
by
his
will
,
and
directed
to
his
glory
.
Here
we
finde
Nature
in
second
Agents
not
set
against
her selfe
,
though
raised
a
pitch
beyond
her
priuate
inclination
;
and
the
first
cause
without
eyther
neede
or
violence
,
to
entertaine
the
seruice
of
the
second
.
Whence
,
ere
we
descend
to
each
particular
inferiour
agent
,
will
arise
one
generall
obseruation
:
That
Almighty
God
bringing
to
passe
miraculous
and
great
euents
,
commonly
admits
the
cooperation
of
second
causes
.
As
easie
was
it
questionlesse
for
that
great
Architect
of
nature
,
who
out
of
waste
and
emptinesse
begat
a
world
,
to
create
,
as
to
command
,
to
cause
,
as
to
entertaine
the
operation
of
inferior
Agents
.
Here
might
History
shew
her selfe
prodigall
of
examples
,
but
neuer
bank-rupt
:
euery
moment
,
in
the
ordinary
course
of
humane
actions
,
begets
some
instance
or
other
to
demonstrate
Gods
gracious
loue
and
fauour
to
the
world
;
who
,
able
to
dash
both
Policy
and
Nature
out
of
countenance
,
is
notwithstanding
pleased
to
admit
them
as
his
obedient
hand-maides
.
But
to
expresse
the
secret
cooperation
of
God
,
working
by
second
causes
,
is
a
matter
which
hath
heretofore
staggred
Philosophy
,
and
puzled
the
apprehension
of
the
sharpest
and
acutest
Diuines
.
Neuerthelesse
,
so
farre
forth
as
the
infinite
power
of
God
may
dispense
with
mans
enquiry
,
we
may
reduce
the
manner
of
his
working
to
certaine
heads
;
to
decline
as
much
as
we
can
the
two
enemies
of
vnderstanding
,
Obscurity
and
Confusion
.
The
action
then
of
Gods
concurring
with
second
causes
,
concernes
either
the
beginning
,
progresse
,
or
end
of
the
same
act
.
In
the
beginning
we
may
call
it
either
Positiue
or
Negatiue
.
The
Positiue
consists
either
in
the
furtherance
or
hinderance
of
humane
actions
;
both
which
may
be
either
internall
or
externall
.
The
internall
promotion
or
hinderance
is
againe
diuided
into
two
acts
:
for
eyther
it
concernes
the
supportance
of
the
creature
,
which
in
the
first
moment
is
tearmed
Creation
;
in
continuance
,
Preseruation
;
or
the
preordination
of
the
Agent
,
which
with
our
Diuines
,
against
the
Tenent
of
Arminius
,
I
dare
to
call
Predetermination
.
The
externall
,
is
the
presentment
of
some
externall
and
present
obiect
to
the
apprehension
of
the
sense
,
will
,
or
vnderstanding
;
which
latter
acts
,
concurre
as
well
in
Gods
hinderance
of
humane
actions
:
For
the
same
Almighty
power
,
can
at
once
both
promote
his
owne
,
and
hinder
mens
counsels
.
This
Hinderance
is
many
waies
brought
to
passe
;
for
either
the
impediment
is
cast
on
our
authority
,
power
,
will
,
or
state
.
Our
authority
of
free-working
i●…
curbed
and
restrained
by
the
Law
,
whereof
the
breach
is
a
sinne
:
as
that
of
Adam
in
Paradise
,
whose
liberty
could
not
dispense
with
the
tasting
of
the
forbidden
tr●…e
.
Our
Naturall
power
is
checkt
by
many
interuenient
causes
:
first
by
cutting
off
the
agent
from
life
and
being
,
as
that
of
the
siege
of
Ierusalem
by
Senna
herib
,
by
smiting
in
one
night
an
hundred
fourescore
and
fiue
thousand
;
or
the
bringing
of
〈◊〉
the
Prophet
to
〈◊〉
,
by
the
consumption
of
〈◊〉
men
by
●…ire
from
heauen
▪
Secondly
,
by
detraction
or
diminution
of
the
power
;
as
I●…roboam
was
res●…rained
from
apprehending
the
Prophet
,
by
the
drying
vp
of
his
hand
.
Thirdly
,
by
opposition
of
equall
or
greater
strength
;
as
Vzziah
was
hindred
by
〈◊〉
and
his
fourescore
Priests
from
offering
in
the
Temple
.
Fourthly
,
by
remouing
or
subtraction
of
the
obiect
,
as
our
Sauiour
saued
himselfe
from
the
violence
of
the
Iewes
,
and
the
Tribune
Paul
from
the
conspiracie
.
An
impediment
may
be
cast
on
our
will
,
either
by
Gods
Predetermining
power
,
which
against
Arminius
we
haue
formerly
maintained
,
or
by
some
outward
perswasiue
argument
.
The
arguments
,
wherewith
he
vsually
dis-swades
our
will
from
commencing
any
action
,
are
commonly
drawne
either
from
the
Topickes
of
seeming
impossibilitie
,
and
apparant
difficultie
;
or
vnpleasantnesse
,
losse
,
and
dishonour
.
By
the
first
,
for
a
while
the
Scribes
and
Pharis●…es
were
restrained
from
offering
violence
vnto
our
Sauiour
,
because
they
knew
him
of
the
people
to
be
esteemed
as
a
Prophet
.
In
like
sort
,
God
heretofore
set
a
barre
betwixt
his
owne
people
and
the
Idolatrous
Israelites
,
lest
they
should
trafficke
as
well
sinnes
as
familiarity
.
By
the
second
,
Iosephs
brethren
were
diuerted
from
the
murther
of
their
Brother
,
becouse
a
milder
course
seemed
to
serue
their
purpose
.
By
the
third
and
last
,
Ioseph
was
disswaded
from
adultery
with
Potiphars
wife
,
and
Dauid
from
touching
the
Lords
ano●…nted
.
An
obstacle
may
be
cast
on
the
act
it self
two
maner
of
waies
;
eyther
by
taking
away
the
obiect
,
which
with
some
we
haue
reduced
to
the
impediment
of
the
power
,
or
by
disabling
the
influxe
and
power
of
the
agent
,
in
regard
of
the
patient
:
whereof
we
haue
an
example
in
the
three
Children
,
vnconsumed
in
the
fiery
surnace
.
The
Negatiue
act
of
Gods
concurring
,
is
permission
,
&
is
cleane
opposite
to
the
other
;
and
therefore
ought
to
be
squared
by
the
same
distinction
:
for
as
Logicians
haue
taught
vs
,
Opposites
ought
to
suffer
the
same
diuiston
.
Onely
from
hence
we
must
except
the
impediment
caston
our
actions
by
the
law
or
anthoritie
;
for
otherwise
would
there
follow
an
apparant
contradiction
,
that
the
same
act
should
be
a
sinne
,
and
yet
no
sinne
:
a
sinne
as
it
is
by
the
Law
forbidden
,
and
yet
no
sinne
,
as
it
is
by
the
same
power
permitted
.
These
acts
forespoken
of
Gods
concurrence
,
seeme
to
pr●…uent
and
precede
the
action
of
an
inferiour
agent
.
In
the
action
it selfe
,
we
finde
two
speciall
acts
;
the
one
,
an
actuall
determination
of
the
agent
to
the
obiect
,
the
other
,
a
direction
to
the
end
.
An
instance
of
the
former
wee
haue
in
〈◊〉
cruelty
vpon
the
children
,
which
was
diuerted
by
our
Sauiour
,
by
the
substitution
of
another
obiect
.
Of
this
latter
,
in
King
Ahasuerosh
,
who
amidde
the
spoyles
of
so
many
virgin
concu●…ines
,
lighted
on
Hester
,
whom
Prouidence
had
marked
out
to
be
the
preser●…er
of
the
Iewesh
nation
.
The
concourse
of
God
,
after
,
and
in
the
end
of
humane
actions
,
is
no
other
than
the
direction
of
the
euent
to
a
further
purpose
:
which
we
obserue
in
the
Iewes
crueltie
in
crucifying
our
Sauiour
;
the
execution
of
whose
malice
,
was
found
to
be
the
most
exquisite
meanes
of
our
saluation
.
But
I
haue
almost
lost
my selfe
in
this
Labyrinth
,
whereinto
,
though
Philosophy
seemes
to
haue
taught
an
entrance
in
,
yet
Diuinitie
neuer
discouered
a
passage
out
;
as
that
which
begins
with
mans
smallest
knowledge
,
and
in
his
greatest
ignorance
.
Hence
are
we
taught
,
not
so
far●…e
to
trust
to
Gods
prouidence
,
as
to
neglect
the
ordinary
meanes
which
God
offers
to
our
industry
or
obseruation
,
Hezekiab
,
though
he
had
already
receiued
vnder
Gods
owne
hand
and
seale
,
a
lease
of
fifteene
yeares
to
the
date
of
life
almost
expired
,
neglected
neither
the
Prophets
counsell
,
nor
the
helpe
of
his
Physitians
:
and
Dauid
in
this
place
,
a
man
after
Gods
own
heart
,
and
confident
enough
of
his
protection
,
hath
notwithstanding
his
present
recourse
to
second
causes
,
as
preordained
of
God
for
Achitophels
defeate
,
and
his
deliuery
.
Which
second
causes
comming
next
in
order
particularly
to
be
traced
out
,
your
fauourable
attention
will
(
I
hope
)
a
while
longer
hold
the
candle
while
I
briefly
reade
them
.
5
The
inferiour
agents
concurring
to
the
neglect
of
Achitophels
counsell
,
are
reduced
vnto
two
heads
:
The
impulsiue
,
and
instrumentall
.
The
impulsiue
cause
which
moued
God
to
defeate
Achitophels
counsell
(
so
farre
as
according
to
the
language
of
men
wee
may
speake
of
God
)
was
Dauids
prayer
,
whereby
he
besought
him
to
confound
the
counsell
of
Achitophel
his
profest
enemy
.
The
good
vse
of
prayer
amongst
deuout
and
religious
men
,
hath
alwayes
beene
esteemed
both
the
first
and
last
remedie
in
our
greatest
dangers
,
as
the
surest
key
which
opens
and
shuts
the
doore
of
Gods
secret
closet
.
When
our
friends
shrinke
from
vs
,
and
all
worldly
stratagems
are
out
of
sight
;
when
dangers
present
their
Gorgon
faces
as
hideous
as
our
feares
,
and
death
stands
at
our
elbowes
to
summon
our
appearance
to
the
last
arraignement
;
only
prayer
is
left
to
intercede
as
a
gracious
Orator
,
and
effectiue
aduocate
.
Though
Achitophel
in
wit
and
industry
would
shew
himselfe
a
politician
,
yet
Dauid
in
sanctitie
must
expresse
himselfe
a
Prophet
:
and
though
Absolons
hopes
are
grounded
on
his
worldly
strength
,
yet
Dauids
strength
is
erected
on
Gods
protection
.
Neither
in
his
sacred
●…iaculation
,
where
in
he
addressed
himselfe
to
Gods
will
and
mercie
,
was
his
desire
vntutured
,
or
his
deuotion
ignorant
.
Hee
kn●…w
to
whom
he
spake
,
and
obserued
a
distance
:
as
fearing
lest
his
religious
zeale
might
seeme
vnmannerly
if
vnseasonable
.
The
greatest
offices
are
commonly
subject
to
the
greatest
solaecismes
,
and
Prayer
,
deuotions
must
trusty
messenger
,
if
not
well
directed
or
acquainted
with
her
Embassage
,
may
soone
degenerate
into
superstition
.
But
so
well
instructed
was
Dauid
in
this
religious
courtship
,
as
if
the
end
of
his
suite
had
been
others
institution
,
and
his
example
our
rule
.
Whether
we
respect
the
Author
,
●…nd
,
Obiect
,
Time
,
or
Forme
of
his
earnest
petition
,
wee
shall
obs●…rue
him
as
discrecte
as
religious
,
as
one
which
ow●…d
his
oraizons
as
much
to
knowledge
as
deuotion
.
First
we
find
his
prayer
neyther
to
be
ignorant
,
nor
hypocriticall
;
but
as
proceeding
from
a
generous
and
vncorrupted
heart
,
vsh●…red
in
by
sinceritie
,
and
accompanied
with
contrition
.
He
measured
his
meditations
rather
by
weight
than
number
.
Hee
was
not
taught
,
as
a
Popish
peniteutiary
,
to
count
his
beads
in
stead
of
his
prayers
,
and
make
his
fingers
the
intellige●…cers
to
his
faith
.
Hee
knew
not
so
much
complement
as
the
Diuels
formall
Courtiers
,
who
desire
as
little
to
bee
beleeued
of
God
,
as
vnderstood
of
men
;
and
esteeme
praier
rather
as
a
decent
formalitie
,
than
a
religious
exercise
.
Secondly
,
the
end
of
his
Prayer
,
was
,
no
other
than
the
preseruation
of
his
people
,
and
his
owne
defence
:
neither
in
his
own
defence
sought
he
reuenge
but
iustice
;
his
prayer
was
not
directed
against
the
person
,
but
the
sinne
;
neither
his
desire
(
for
ought
I
see
)
so
much
in
the
ruine
of
Achitophel
,
as
the
diuersion
of
his
policie
.
Tur●…e
(
saith
hee
)
the
wisedome
of
Achitophel
into
folly
.
We
finde
not
in
this
forme
the
affected
curses
of
the
Romish
Synagogue
,
which
rauing
〈◊〉
at
the
time
dogging
him
in
his
way
,
might
as
easily
haue
taught
as
Dauid
suffered
.
But
the
Pope
perhaps
may
command
what
Dauid
neuer
durst
to
entreat
of
God
:
And
what
is
a
King
and
Prophet
to
Christs
vniuersall
Vicar
?
or
Dauids
prerogatiue
to
his
Supremacie
?
Too
much
might
it
be
thought
for
Dauid
to
banne
or
excommunicate
a
gracelesse
Sonne
,
or
a
rebellious
Subiect
:
yet
may
it
perhaps
seeme
too
little
for
Peters
successor
,
in
whose
hands
are
the
keyes
of
heauen
,
hell
,
and
purgatory
,
to
shut
and
open
at
his
pleasure
.
Loath
I
am
(
beloued
)
to
ieast
in
earnest
,
or
turne
a
serious
blasphemy
into
a
pleasant
Irony
.
But
nothing
workes
vs
more
,
than
our
shamefull
actions
:
and
the
same
power
which
turnes
humane
wisedome
intofolly
,
makes
it
vnto
men
ridiculous
.
To
bewaile
folly
with
Heraclitus
,
argues
charitie
;
and
yet
to
laugh
at
it
with
Democritus
,
can
be
interpreted
no
sinne
but
iustice
.
Thirdly
,
the
obiect
to
which
Dauids
prayer
was
directed
,
was
no
other
than
God
himselfe
,
as
one
best
acquainted
with
his
〈◊〉
,
and
most
able
to
relieue
him
.
Had
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
tought
the
complement
of
our
Romane
Courtiers
,
o●…
the
religious
mysteries
of
〈◊〉
,
hee
might
haue
prepared
Gods
●…ares
before
,
by
the
meditation
of
some
〈◊〉
,
or
at
least
haue
made
pr●…nision
of
some
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
,
to
〈◊〉
him
safe
from
danger
.
The
holy
Legend
(
had
he
liued
in
these
riper
times
)
might
questionlesse
haue
instructed
him
in
the
particular
●…ffices
of
each
Saint
,
as
well
as
the
ancient
Romane
records
in
the
prerogatiue
of
each
inferiour
De●…ie
.
A
thousand
to
one
but
some
humble
S.
Francis
would
haue
been
singled
out
to
deliuer
his
petition
;
or
some
charitable
S.
Thomas
Becket
,
who
could
not
deny
a
Parrat
his
assistance
,
would
haue
been
m●…ued
with
the
petition
of
a
King
.
But
Dauid
(
it
seemeth
,
better
kn●…w
the
King
himselfe
,
than
these
his
Courtiers
,
and
neglecting
these
inferiour
officers
,
presents
his
suite
to
●…o
other
than
God
himselfe
,
whom
neuerthelesse
hee
found
(
if
wee
beleeue
Scriptures
)
facile
enough
both
to
heart
his
prayer
,
and
grant
his
request
.
Fourthly
,
the
time
and
opportunitie
of
his
prayer
cannot
but
minister
somewhat
to
obseruation
.
Hee
deferred
not
his
petition
,
like
a
malefactor
on
the
〈◊〉
,
or
a
prophane
Sea-man
in
perplexitie
,
to
the
last
extremitie
:
but
he
begins
where
desperate
and
carelesse
sinners
would
(
at
least
)
desire
to
end
.
No
sooner
had
Fame
,
as
a
swist
Pursiuant
,
euertaken
Achitophel
in
his
renolt
,
but
he
makes
his
〈◊〉
to
Almighty
God
,
as
one
who
knew
well
that
it
was
his
office
rather
to
gouerne
than
obey
Destinie
.
The
same
hand
of
vengeance
which
by
Moses
entreatie
was
restrained
from
the
ouerthrow
of
the
idolatrous
Israclites
,
and
by
a
generall
prayer
and
repentance
from
the
desolation
of
Niniuch
,
hee
could
not
imagine
either
slacke
or
impotent
in
defeate
of
his
enemies
,
or
defence
of
his
faithfull
seruant
.
Fifthly
,
wee
obserue
his
prayer
to
bee
short
and
pithy
,
not
tedious
and
impertinent
;
as
thinking
it
meerer
that
his
heart
should
dictate
to
his
tongue
,
than
his
tongue
interprete
to
his
heart
.
His
prayer
was
not
crude
and
vnconcocted
,
abounding
with
as
many
Tautologies
as
words
,
but
seasonable
and
Patheticke
,
expressing
no
lesse
than
his
earnest
desire
,
and
directed
no
further
than
the
present
purpose
.
Here
,
as
our
Sauiour
in
the
Gospell
heretofore
taxed
the
Pharisees
of
long
and
tedious
babling
,
might
I
proceede
to
reprehend
some
Pharisees
of
our
time
,
were
I
sure
to
bee
mine
owne
interpreter
.
But
I
am
much
affraid
,
lest
,
through
the
sides
of
a
few
factious
and
fantasticke
spirits
,
I
should
be
suspected
to
wound
Religion
.
The
sixt
and
last
circumstance
in
Dauids
prayer
,
was
,
that
it
proceeded
from
him
extemporary
,
as
best
suting
with
an
extemporary
and
sudden
accident
.
Hence
our
moderne
Masse-priests
might
haue
beene
taught
a
more
profitable
Art
of
Prayer
,
than
the
sale
of
set
Liturgies
for
all
occasions
.
No
inuention
of
man
could
euer
proue
so
infinite
as
to
sift
the
precise
corners
of
euery
mans
conscience
:
neither
is
it
in
the
wit
of
man
,
but
God
,
to
dictate
a
present
forme
for
all
future
accidents
,
and
prescribe
a
speciall
Antidote
against
all
temptations
.
Herein
commonly
the
Physitian
shewes
himself
no
sooner
than
the
disease
,
as
one
who
would
haue
vs
depend
rather
on
his
present
fauour
,
than
our
premeditated
counsell
.
And
in
such
cases
I
take
that
of
our
Sauiour
,
[
Dabitur
in
illà
horâ
]
to
be
vnderstood
.
Neuerthelesse
from
this
,
or
other
the
like
eiaculatory
prayers
,
warranted
by
Scripture
,
and
practised
by
holy
men
,
little
ground
of
argument
can
the
Brownists
take
for
their
opinion
;
who
admitting
no
distinction
betwixt
publicke
and
priuate
prayer
,
would
haue
all
to
proceede
from
an
extemporary
and
sudden
meditation
.
As
though
God
could
not
as
well
direct
our
studie
,
as
strengthen
our
deliuerie
;
and
there
were
not
a
place
as
well
for
attention
to
follow
,
as
inuention
to
dictate
in
our
Deuotion
.
For
the
confutation
of
which
mens
vnwarrantable
industrie
,
we
neede
go
no
further
than
our
Sauiours
own
example
,
who
prescribed
vs
a
set
form
of
Prayer
;
or
Dauid
at
least
,
of
whom
we
now
speake
,
who
hath
left
behinde
him
so
many
sweet
and
diuine
meditations
,
as
a
testimony
of
his
sanctitie
,
and
a
patterne
for
our
imitation
.
Hitherto
(
beloued
)
haue
I
discoursed
of
the
Impulsiue
second
cause
of
Achitophels
defeate
.
The
instrumentall
causes
,
whereunto
my
method
in
the
next
place
is
engaged
,
concerne
either
the
immediate
preuention
of
Achitophels
designe
,
or
discouery
of
it
to
Dauid
and
his
Army
.
The
former
consisting
of
Chushai's
loyalty
and
Absolons
weaknesse
,
discouers
vnto
vs
as
well
the
character
of
a
trusty
Subiect
,
preferring
his
Kings
safety
before
his
owne
ambition
,
as
of
an
vnexperienced
young
Prince
,
more
willing
to
hearken
to
the
voice
of
flattery
,
than
wise
direction
.
The
latter
,
Gods
power
in
the
weake
simplicitie
of
a
silly
Ma●…de
,
the
instrument
of
this
discouerie
.
In
the
briefe
touching
of
which
points
,
I
hope
to
finde
your
patience
a
little
more
propitious
than
the
time
.
6
As
much
as
the
dignity
of
a
King
transcends
the
Subiect
,
is
the
obligation
of
the
Subiect
to
his
King
:
neyther
is
the
duety
lesse
we
owe
to
the
safety
of
our
Soueraigne
,
than
the
safeguard
wee
challenge
in
his
protection
;
as
the
center
,
next
vnder
God
,
from
which
we
deriue
our
honours
,
and
to
which
we
owe
our
seruices
Of
this
duety
,
Chushai
,
Dauids
trusty
seruant
,
was
not
ignorant
,
neyther
was
his
knowledge
better
tutoured
than
his
industry
.
The
same
hand
of
Kingly
munificence
which
dispensed
him
his
honours
,
pointed
him
out
the
li●…es
of
his
obliged
loyaltie
;
neither
was
hee
more
slacke
to
obey
than
Dauid
to
command
.
Returne
into
the
Citie
(
quoth
Dauid
to
Chushai
)
and
say
vnto
Absolon
,
I
will
bee
thy
seruant
,
O
King
,
as
I
haue
beene
thy
fathers
seruant
;
so
shalt
thou
defeate
the
counsell
of
Achitophel
.
Almighty
God
,
who
formerly
heard
Dauids
prayer
,
directed
his
aduice
,
and
Chushai's
industrious
loyalty
.
In
vndertaking
of
which
designe
,
wee
shall
finde
Dauid
blessed
in
so
good
a
seruant
,
as
Chushai
worthy
of
so
good
a
Master
;
whose
carriage
of
so
dangerous
a
businesse
in
so
honest
and
discreet
a
fashion
,
seemes
to
coppy
out
vnto
vs
all
the
offices
of
an
honest
politician
.
In
the
first
place
,
we
finde
his
obedience
and
resolution
,
neither
shrinking
from
the
awfull
lookes
of
danger
,
or
forfeyting
his
Masters
trust
.
The
apprehension
of
an
vnexpected
friend
,
or
reconciled
enemy
,
might
haue
betrayed
his
errand
to
watchfull
iealousie
:
suspicion
might
haue
called
his
very
lookes
to
examination
,
and
guilty
feare
,
the
childe
of
treason
,
might
haue
deliuered
him
ouer
as
a
spie
to
present
execution
.
Achitophels
deep
in
sight
in
State
affaires
,
and
Absolons
confidence
in
his
oraculous
aduice
,
might
haue
eyther
sounded
his
disposition
,
or
dasht
his
counsell
out
of
countenance
;
and
then
should
he
find
his
best
seruice
rewarded
with
death
or
torture
:
at
least
,
had
his
message
met
the
best
successe
,
and
ransomed
his
Master
Dauid
from
so
imminent
a
conspiracie
,
yet
,
according
to
the
rules
of
worldly
policy
,
he
could
not
yet
suppose
Absolons
iealousie
more
dangerous
than
Dauids
obligation
.
Princes
,
vnwillingly
owe
courtesies
greater
than
themselues
,
and
commonly
preferre
a
bank-rupt
debtor
,
before
an
ouer-deseruing
creditor
:
as
if
the
very
sight
or
remembrance
of
a
beneficiall
friend
,
should
seeme
a
perpetuall
exprobation
of
ingratitude
.
A
smaller
disparagement
it
seems
among
worldly
Tyrants
to
want
Iustice
,
than
Power
;
rather
to
bee
thought
willing
to
offend
,
than
not
to
be
thought
able
to
requite
.
These
obiections
vrged
to
Chushai's
likely
coniecture
and
politicke
obseruation
,
might
easily
haue
checkt
his
forwardnesse
in
Dauids
seruice
,
and
strangled
his
resolution
in
the
very
birth
.
But
he
out
of
a
cleare
and
couragious
spirit
,
neither
feares
an
enemy
,
nor
suspects
a
friend
,
nor
seekes
his
dutie
abroad
in
other
mens
forecasts
,
which
he
might
finde
at
home
in
his
owne
bosome
.
In
the
second
place
,
we
may
obserue
his
trusty
loue
to
his
Master
Dauid
:
occasion
might
here
seeme
to
smile
on
his
aduancement
,
and
Absolons
growing
fortunes
,
as
the
rising
Sunne
,
might
haue
tempted
his
ambition
:
Dauid
seemes
ready
to
depart
,
and
Absolon
to
enter
the
Scene
of
life
and
soueraignty
:
and
who
,
in
policie
,
would
not
rather
chuse
to
haue
his
fortunes
to
liue
in
Absolon
,
than
dye
in
Dauid
?
To
haue
betrayed
the
fathers
trust
,
might
haue
ingaged
the
sons
affection
;
and
to
raise
himselfe
a
fortune
out
of
his
Masters
ruine
,
though
the
greatest
breach
in
the
lawes
of
loyalty
,
had
seemed
one
of
the
chiefest
Maximes
in
the
art
of
Policie
.
But
hee
,
as
a
faithfull
subiect
,
respects
not
what
he
might
,
but
what
he
ought
;
not
so
much
what
occasion
might
seeme
to
offer
,
as
what
religion
might
be
knowne
to
iustifie
:
as
one
who
would
rather
owe
his
misfortunes
to
his
trusty
seruice
,
than
his
preferment
to
dishonest
treachery
.
Thirdly
,
we
may
note
his
secrecie
and
discretion
in
managing
so
dangerous
and
great
a
proiect
.
He
inuaded
not
the
young
Princes
eares
with
a
sudden
and
vnexpected
on-set
,
or
like
an
intruding
Polipragmon
,
shewed
himselfe
more
officious
than
wise
,
to
out-runne
the
goale
,
and
let
slip
before
occasion
.
He
expected
,
not
preuented
his
opportunity
;
and
suffered
Absolon
to
aske
,
before
hee
thought
it
conuenient
to
giue
his
counsell
:
that
Absolon
might
seeme
more
indebted
to
Chushai's
wisedome
,
than
Chushai
to
Absolons
approbation
.
Neither
in
his
aduice
did
Chushai
shew
himselfe
factious
or
vnmannerly
;
hee
seemed
onely
to
dislike
Achitophels
direction
in
this
one
designe
,
not
without
a
silent
acknowledgement
of
his
former
wisedome
.
The
counsell
(
saith
he
)
which
Achitophel
hath
giuen
at
this
time
is
not
good
.
The
aduantage
of
Achitophels
reputation
amongst
those
that
had
tryed
his
policy
,
&
of
the
peoples
preiudice
of
such
as
should
contradict
,
taught
Chushai's
discretion
to
disapproue
rather
the
counsell
,
than
the
counseller
,
and
mitigate
his
dissent
with
some
colour
of
former
approbation
.
This
designe
,
inspired
by
God
himselfe
,
directed
by
Dauid
,
and
practised
by
Chushai
,
seemes
to
giue
warrant
to
this
obseruation
,
That
there
is
as
well
a
good
as
an
euill
policie
;
as
well
an
honest
and
discreet
conueyance
of
our
actions
,
grounded
on
religion
,
as
an
indirect
proceeding
ingaged
to
vnwarranted
and
vnlawfull
actions
.
Hee
that
would
haue
vs
to
be
innocent
as
Doues
,
hath
taught
vs
also
to
be
wise
as
Serpents
;
and
he
that
dispenseth
vs
the
means
to
atchieue
our
ends
,
permits
vs
also
the
proper
and
best
direction
.
But
how
precisely
to
diuide
betwixt
an
honest
prouidence
,
and
vnlawfull
policie
▪
neither
on
the
one
side
to
violate
Gods
precepts
,
nor
on
the
other
to
neglect
our
own
right
,
seems
a
matter
as
curious
to
determine
,
as
necessary
to
vnderstand
.
To
be
Gods
seruant
and
the
Times
,
at
once
,
seemes
incomparable
;
esp●…cially
,
in
such
a
disorderly
mixture
of
humane
actions
:
in
which
(
as
Bodin
would
counsell
vs
)
it
behooues
a
wise
man
to
shew
himselfe
as
various
as
the
season
.
We
cannot
command
,
but
obey
occasion
.
The
meanes
and
opportunities
whereof
Statesmen
take
aduantage
in
defeating
of
their
opposites
,
are
rather
found
than
chosen
;
and
the
manner
and
direction
of
our
proiects
rather
prescribed
vs
by
chance
than
skill
,
as
such
whose
causalitie
depends
not
on
our
will
,
but
obseruation
.
Neuerthelesse
between
the
iniquitie
of
our
times
,
and
the
strictnesse
of
a
good
conscience
,
a
space
is
le●…t
wide
enough
to
giue
a
passage
for
a
religious
&
wise
discretion
:
and
by
how
much
the
plots
of
men
,
and
changes
of
State
seeme
more
dangerous
to
Gods
children
,
by
so
much
is
their
care
and
prouidence
,
in
declining
the
snares
of
the
wicked
,
the
better
warranted
.
For
God
condemnes
in
vs
as
well
the
neglect
of
our
care
,
as
his
prouidence
;
as
on●…
whose
wisedome
workes
seldome
without
,
but
with
and
in
our
industrie
.
7
The
second
instrumentall
cause
which
shewes
it selfe
in
the
priuation
of
Achitophels
counsell
,
was
found
in
Absolons
inclination
.
Achitophels
proiects
hauing
long
since
past
the
first
conception
,
are
now
come
vnto
the
very
birth
:
but
Absolons
vnexperienced
youth
,
as
an
vnskilfull
midwife
,
made
it
abortiue
in
the
deliuery
.
The
ground
of
his
errour
I
can
interprete
to
be
no
other
,
than
the
vsuall
disease
of
Princes
,
who
had
rather
bee
soothed
than
aduised
,
and
haue
eares
more
facile
to
the
tongue
of
flatterie
,
than
the
heart
of
loyaltie
.
Flattery
by
Tacitus
,
was
well
termed
the
old
sicknesse
of
the
Romane
Common-wealth
,
as
the
loue
of
flatterie
,
the
staine
and
blemish
of
the
wisest
Emperours
.
Those
whom
neither
the
sword
could
conquer
,
nor
treason
vndermine
;
whom
neither
pleasure
could
allure
,
nor
riches
perswade
,
nor
greatnesse
tempt
to
the
least
dishonour
,
onely
flatterie
could
bring
into
subiection
.
For
as
the
obiect
of
flatterie
,
selfe-loue
,
is
most
vniuersall
,
and
no
where
excluded
humane
nature
:
so
adulation
in
it selfe
,
euery
where
,
findes
occasion
to
enter
without
resistance
or
impeachment
.
And
whereas
all
other
vices
are
countermanded
and
checkt
by
their
contrary
vertues
,
this
one
seemes
to
challenge
a
prerogatiue
aboue
vertue
her selfe
,
in
that
she
findes
acceptance
among
her
enemies
,
and
growes
stronger
by
opposition
.
No
maruell
then
,
if
Absolons
youthful
weakenesse
,
vnable
to
endure
the
siege
of
so
puissant
a
beleaguer
,
reuolted
from
Achitophels
(
as
I
may
say
)
irreligious
loyalty
,
and
yeelded
to
Chushai's
pious
flatterie
.
Chushai's
adulatory
counsell
wee
may
obserue
to
consist
in
three
especiall
circumstances
.
First
,
that
he
perswaded
him
to
enter
the
field
in
his
owne
person
,
and
make
himselfe
the
owner
as
well
of
the
victory
as
the
Soueraigntie
;
as
though
it
had
seemed
a
matter
not
becomming
the
greatnesse
of
a
King
,
to
owe
the
honour
of
his
Scepters
to
the
valour
of
a
seruant
.
Secondly
,
in
that
in
his
aduice
hee
seemed
more
firmely
opinionated
of
the
peoples
loue
,
and
Absolons
popular
estimation
.
What
wee
desire
,
that
wee
easily
beleeue
:
neither
prize
wee
our
periections
dearer
in
themselues
,
than
in
other
mens
admiration
.
Our
vertues
neuer
please
vs
better
,
than
when
,
by
reflection
,
they
seeme
augmented
in
the
false
glasse
of
popular
opinion
.
Neither
shall
Sophocles
the
Tragedian
,
bee
so
well
accepted
in
describing
mens
manners
as
they
were
,
as
Eu
ipides
,
who
presented
them
as
they
should
be
.
More
honour
found
Homer
in
expressing
mens
manners
to
the
best
,
than
Hegemon
to
the
worst
.
And
howsoeuer
the
two
famous
Painters
,
Pauson
in
limming
out
the
most
deformed
,
and
Cleophon
the
most
semblable
and
likely
Pictures
,
expressed
in
their
worke
as
much
art
as
industrie
:
yet
who
with
Polignotus
,
so
cunningly
can
handle
his
pensill
,
as
to
paint
out
mens
best
parts
beyond
truth
or
existence
,
shall
easily
purchase
the
reputation
of
the
rarest
workemanship
.
Thirdly
,
Chushai's
counsell
seemed
more
to
aymeat
Absolons
honour
and
magnificence
,
in
that
he
perswaded
him
to
oppose
his
Father
Dauid
,
rather
by
open
strength
than
vndermining
policie
.
For
Absolon
to
haue
entrapped
his
Father
Dauid
by
a
secret
ambush
,
had
beene
termed
rather
a
treason
than
a
victory
:
and
by
how
much
the
field
is
more
ample
than
the
closet
,
seemes
a
clancular
conspiracie
,
inferiour
to
an
open
hostile
opposition
.
To
scrue
himselfe
into
his
Fathers
kingdome
by
cunning
engines
,
might
derogate
from
his
valour
,
and
obscure
the
glory
of
the
conquest
.
A
pitcht
field
would
be
thought
the
best
scene
,
whereon
honour
ought
to
display
her
Ensignes
,
and
the
sword
the
most
graceful
actor
.
These
adulatory
suggestions
of
Chushai
,
howsoeuer
preiudiciall
to
Absolons
designe
,
had
neuerthelesse
the
aduantage
of
Achitophels
well
wayed
policy
.
For
as
sicke
and
queafie
stomackes
had
rather
appetite
should
vmpire
their
desires
,
than
iudgement
;
affecting
for
the
time
,
rather
to
be
pleased
than
profited
:
so
Chushai's
aduice
tempered
and
seasoned
,
(
as
it
seemes
)
to
Absolons
vain-glorious
and
ambitious
humour
,
was
as
soone
swallowed
as
suggested
.
From
which
example
,
practised
by
Chushai
,
and
paralleld
by
the
like
in●…ances
in
all
times
and
histories
,
will
arise
this
obseruation
:
That
flatterie
is
the
most
exquisite
and
dangerous
policie
.
A
proposition
requiring
no
other
confirmation
,
than
common
practice
;
wherein
we
esteeme
those
ax●…omes
established
as
the
most
vndoubted
truth
,
which
by
ordinary
experience
are
found
most
succesfull
.
A
happy
successe
is
that
which
crownes
our
actions
;
neither
is
our
naturall
knowledge
more
indebted
to
sensible
experiment
,
than
our
politicke
to
ciuill
obseruation
.
Hence
an
ordinary
path
,
by
policy
,
seemes
to
be
troden
out
to
all
preferments
,
through
the
back-doore
of
adulation
,
through
which
,
euery
base
and
vndeseruing
Parasite
shall
finde
an
easie
entrance
,
while
desert
,
waiting
for
a
turne
at
the
fore-gate
,
shall
freeze
ere
it
obtaine
admission
,
and
pine
away
in
fruitlesse
expectation
.
No
maruaile
then
,
if
flatterie
,
which
some
haue
tearmed
the
eight
liberall
Science
,
haue
gotten
the
start
of
the
other
seuen
,
hauing
beene
tried
to
be
most
compendious
and
readie
way
to
all
aduancement
;
at
least
one
,
to
whom
all
other
professions
owe
their
grace
,
and
direct
their
seruice
.
The
curious
workemanship
of
artificers
,
the
subtile
nets
,
and
pleasant
dreames
of
Philosophers
,
the
hyred
voyces
of
Lawyers
,
the
sugred
pils
of
Physitians
,
the
sett
and
formall
grauitie
of
Diuines
,
the
oylie
tongues
of
Courtiers
,
the
scraping
legges
of
Peasants
,
seeme
all
corriuals
in
courting
this
proud
Mistresse
,
and
prostituting
their
seruice
to
adulation
.
Here
(
Reuerend
and
Beloued
)
might
I
in
modesty
aske
of
you
,
as
sometime
the
King
of
Israel
of
Elisha
the
Prophet
,
Father
,
shall
I
strike
?
But
your
grauity
checks
my
swelling
passion
,
and
seemes
to
answer
me
with
the
same
Prophet
,
Thou
shalt
not
strike
.
What
,
wouldst
thou
smite
them
whom
the
Lord
hath
made
already
capti●…e
?
I
am
no
shamelesse
Cham
,
to
discouer
a
fathers
nakednesse
,
no
remorselesse
Nero
,
to
open
and
expose
the
entrailes
of
my
mother
.
The
vaile
of
Charity
is
in
my
hand
,
to
couer
a
multitude
of
sinnes
,
if
I
chanc●…
to
meet
them
in
my
passage
;
yet
had
I
rather
euer
to
shut
mine
owne
eyes
,
than
behold
mine
owne
sorrow
,
and
my
mothers
shame
.
With
Noahs
two
modest
sonnes
,
I
purposely
looke
awry
and
goe
backwards
;
not
so
much
as
to
see
that
,
which
I
haue
no
hands
to
hide
,
no
browe
to
iustifie
.
Should
I
wander
with
Acteon
in
so
wide
a
forrest
,
my
vnwarie
eye-sight
might
vnhappily
glance
on
Diana
naked
,
and
make
it selfe
guilty
,
as
well
of
danger
as
obseruation
.
But
casting
mine
eyes
on
this
learned
and
graue
assembly
,
me
thinkes
I
could
promise
my selfe
as
much
liberty
to
speake
,
as
truth
prerogatiue
to
warrant
.
Can
any
prescription
pleade
a
stronger
immunity
from
the
yoake
of
flattery
,
than
the
charter
of
the
Muses
?
or
any
nation
vnder
heauen
vaunt
of
a
larger
freedome
,
than
the
children
of
the
Prophets
?
and
yet
here
I
may
well
feare
,
lest
my
obseruation
may
betray
flattery
to
discouery
,
and
my
language
to
exception
.
Affraid
I
am
almost
to
open
mine
eyes
and
looke
abroad
,
lest
I
should
espie
flattery
dispensing
offices
,
conferring
dignities
,
conniuing
at
offences
,
violating
priuiledges
,
debasing
worth
,
disgracing
learning
,
and
vndermining
honesty
.
Flattery
is
not
alwayes
clothed
in
the
same
weeds
or
colours
;
she
can
put
on
blacke
as
well
as
white
:
in
the
seate
of
Iustice
she
can
shew
her selfe
in
purple
,
in
the
Court
of
Princes
shee
can
strut
in
gaudy
silkes
,
and
(
for
ought
I
know
)
in
the
chiefest
place
of
learning
and
religion
,
can
shrowd
her selfe
in
scarlet
.
There
was
a
false
Lucifer
among
the
Angels
,
a
wicked
Saul
among
the
Prophets
,
a
trayterous
Iudas
among
the
Apostles
:
and
an
easie
inquiry
,
might
heretofore
,
haue
discouered
a
scycophanticke
Shaw
among
the
Doctors
.
—
Satis
esse
vid●…sse
,
reuertor
.
If
adulation
should
bee
now
found
to
soiourne
in
our
Cloysters
,
I
could
wish
,
by
Chushai
,
shee
should
be
taught
her
best
office
,
which
is
the
common
good
,
and
the
Princes
preseruation
:
so
should
wee
neuer
feare
that
censure
,
which
Tacitus
giues
of
the
Romane
Senators
liuing
vnder
Tyberius
,
That
they
ambitiously
stood
vp
in
Senate
,
and
stroue
to
out-vie
one
the
ther
in
seruile
basenesse
:
much
lesse
should
we
deserue
to
bee
laught
at
with
those
Thebans
,
who
(
as
we
reade
in
Iustine
)
fawning
too
much
on
Philips
greatnesse
,
bought
their
new
protection
with
the
losse
of
their
ancient
libertie
.
But
I
haue
too
long
intangled
my selfe
in
this
discourse
of
Flatterie
,
wherein
(
I
feare
)
I
haue
neither
obserued
the
time
,
nor
flattered
your
patience
.
I
must
now
briefly
descend
to
the
instrument
of
the
discouerie
,
which
in
the
next
place
presents
it selfe
to
examination
.
8
Almighty
God
,
in
bringing
to
passe
matters
of
the
greatest
moment
,
rather
makes
than
findes
the
fittest
instruments
;
as
one
who
would
rather
haue
the
subiect
indebted
to
his
choyce
,
than
his
choyce
to
our
estimation
.
Hee
,
to
whom
it
was
as
easie
to
create
as
suborne
a
creature
,
could
as
well
giue
as
take
occasion
,
and
for
his
sacred
purpose
as
soone
fortifie
the
weakest
,
as
single
out
the
strongest
.
Achitophels
politicke
aduice
suggested
to
Absolon
,
defeated
by
Chushai
,
communicated
to
Zadocke
and
Abiathar
the
priests
,
is
at
length
by
Dauids
seruants
,
discouered
by
a
Woman
,
a
silly
Maide
,
whose
vnexperienced
youth
,
vnable
sexe
,
and
meaner
estate
,
could
expresse
no
other
character
than
weakenesse
;
is
notwithstanding
design'd
out
by
God
as
the
choysest
instrument
of
securing
the
state
of
Israel
,
and
a
Kings
deliuerie
.
The
rarest
workemanship
is
commended
as
much
by
the
worst
,
as
the
best
instruments
;
and
it
is
Gods
frequent
practice
(
to
speake
with
the
Apostle
)
to
make
knowne
the
riches
of
his
glorie
on
the
vessels
of
his
mercie
.
Our
Sauiour
Christ
,
to
whom
all
the
Kings
and
Emperours
of
the
earth
owed
obseruance
,
whose
least
alliance
could
haue
royalized
the
basest
familie
,
was
pleased
notwithhanding
as
an
inmate
to
make
himselfe
a
passage
into
this
world
through
Maries
neglected
wombe
;
his
cradle
was
no
better
than
a
cribbe
,
and
his
first
entertainment
no
higher
than
Iosephs
fortunes
.
Neither
was
his
birth
a
better
argument
than
his
life
and
actions
.
He
might
haue
breathed
in
the
ayre
of
some
Princes
court
a
kingly
education
,
or
committed
the
tuition
of
his
youth
to
the
institution
of
the
learned
Doctors
:
Rome
was
then
in
her
pride
,
and
set
the
foote
of
her
magnificence
on
the
necke
of
the
proudest
nations
.
Athens
,
the
mother
of
the
Grecian
wisedome
,
had
long
ere
this
triumphed
in
her
fruitfull
and
glorious
off-spring
:
And
the
Scribes
and
Doctors
at
Ierusalem
,
sitting
in
Moses
chaire
,
could
haue
challenged
a
right
beyond
the
Delphicke
Oracle
:
and
yet
we
find
neither
his
knowledge
fathered
by
the
most
famous
teachers
,
nor
his
manners
indebted
to
the
seuerest
institution
.
The
shop
of
a
Mechanitian
seemed
his
first
Academie
,
the
Publicans
and
sinners
his
familiar
hosts
and
friends
,
and
the
poore
fishermen
,
returning
from
their
broken
nets
,
admitted
into
the
number
of
his
choice
Disciples
.
By
which
,
wee
Christians
may
be
taught
,
not
to
repose
so
much
confidence
in
the
strength
of
our
mighty
and
great
confederates
,
as
to
neglect
the
industry
and
good
will
of
our
weakest
and
meane
associates
.
Virgils
silly
Gnat
could
awaken
the
sluggish
shepheard
from
his
improuident
slumber
,
to
decline
the
approching
Serpent
;
and
the
impotent
Pismire
hath
bin
taught
to
rouze
vp
the
sleeping
Lion
,
to
make
an
escape
from
the
hunters
snares
.
Thus
wee
finde
the
chaine
of
God
Almighties
prouidence
linkt
together
by
so
many
dependant
causes
,
began
in
Gods
counsell
,
seconded
by
Dauids
prayer
,
continued
in
Chushai's
loyaltie
,
and
Absolons
weaknesse
,
shut
vp
at
length
in
the
action
of
a
silly
Maide
:
which
as
an
introduction
might
leade
our
discourse
a
Scene
further
,
to
the
last
Catastrophe
,
and
Achitophels
bloudy
Tragedie
:
to
which
,
hauing
so
much
at
this
time
trespassed
on
your
patience
,
I
shall
(
God
willing
)
engage
my
next
exercise
.
HEe
must
needes
runne
,
whom
desperation
leades
,
and
the
And
Achitophel
saw
that
his
counsell
was
not
followed
,
&c.
2.
The
Scene
whereon
we
now
enter
,
containes
the
last
actions
of
Achitophel
,
whose
Catastrophe
shuts
vp
all
in
his
shamefull
end
,
and
honourable
buriall
.
The
actions
preceding
his
death
,
are
expressed
in
these
foure
circumstances
.
1.
That
he
sadled
his
asse
,
2.
That
he
went
home
,
3.
That
he
put
his
house
in
order
,
4.
That
he
hanged
himselfe
.
In
the
first
,
we
may
obserue
his
Tyrannie
,
in
imposing
on
his
silly
Asse
the
burthen
of
his
transgression
.
In
the
second
,
his
Treacherie
,
in
leauing
his
Master
in
his
greatest
extremity
.
In
the
third
,
his
worldly
Prouidence
,
in
preferring
the
preseruation
of
his
temporall
estate
before
the
preseruation
of
his
owne
soule
.
In
the
fourth
,
his
desperate
execution
of
himselfe
,
in
distrust
of
Gods
mercy
,
and
daring
his
iustice
to
the
last
extremity
.
The
latter
clause
concernes
his
ceremonious
funerall
;
which
,
howsoeuer
in
it selfe
a
passion
,
as
we
respect
Achitophel
as
the
subiect
:
yet
so
farre
as
it
may
haue
reference
to
his
former
testament
and
ordination
,
wherein
this
may
seeme
included
,
it
may
be
termed
an
action
,
wherein
he
shewed
himselfe
ambitious
,
to
file
and
furbish
ouer
the
staine
of
his
shamefull
life
and
end
,
with
an
honourable
buriall
.
These
are
the
lists
of
my
present
meditations
,
wherein
as
God
shall
enable
my
discourse
,
and
your
Christian
patience
second
,
I
shall
proceed
in
order
,
and
first
of
the
first
[
He
sadled
his
asse
.
]
3.
So
contagious
hath
been
the
sinne
of
our
first
Parents
,
that
it
not
onely
vsurped
iurisdiction
on
mankinde
,
the
spawne
of
our
Father
Adam
,
but
inuaded
,
without
resistance
,
natures
vniuersall
Monarchy
:
in
so
much
,
as
the
Heauens
,
Elements
,
Plants
,
and
Beasts
themselues
,
by
the
diuine
institution
of
their
creation
,
as
disdaining
to
serue
ingratitude
,
are
by
the
Apostle
,
said
to
groane
vnder
their
tedious
burthen
,
and
desire
to
bee
at
liberty
.
Why
the
creature
should
desire
this
freedome
,
foure
reasons
are
alleaged
by
Peter
Martyr
on
the
Romans
.
First
,
because
of
his
perpetuall
turmoiles
&
labours
,
seruing
onely
for
the
vse
of
man
.
Secondly
,
because
they
together
suffer
the
same
affliction
.
Thirdly
,
out
of
the
sympathy
and
fellow-feeling
of
one
anothers
aduersity
.
Fourthly
and
lastly
,
which
is
the
greatest
of
all
,
because
they
are
constrained
to
become
the
seruile
instrument
of
sinne
,
and
by
consequence
,
the
subiect
of
Gods
fury
.
This
wrath
of
God
,
though
general
(
as
we
haue
said
)
to
all
the
creatures
,
we
find
no
where
more
legible
than
the
silly
Asse
;
a
beast
created
,
as
it
might
seeme
,
to
torture
it self
,
to
supply
the
defect
of
mans
industry
:
wherein
,
according
to
the
Egyptian
Hierogliphickes
,
nature
seemes
to
haue
patternd
forth
vnto
vs
the
exact
image
of
Patience
,
Fortitude
,
and
Frugalitie
;
gifts
not
vnworthy
the
choice
of
the
most
generous
temper
,
had
not
the
sinne
of
man
exposed
them
rather
to
scorne
than
imitation
.
Such
is
the
vnchristian
censure
of
our
supercilious
times
,
who
disdaine
to
salute
vertue
,
except
shee
come
accoutred
in
golden
garments
.
Of
this
poore
creature
notwithstanding
,
whereof
they
scorne
the
name
,
they
cannot
want
the
vse
.
The
ignominie
of
a
seruile
disposition
is
the
reward
of
his
best
seruice
;
the
profitable
fruits
of
his
painfull
industrie
,
the
glorie
and
improuement
of
his
Masters
ambitious
husbandrie
.
If
such
iniustice
,
offered
by
a
man
to
a
seruile
beast
,
seeme
opposite
to
the
lawes
common
equitie
,
which
commands
euery
thing
his
owne
:
how
huge
in
the
eyes
of
euery
Christian
Iudge
swels
their
tyrannie
,
who
command
their
seruants
and
inferiours
to
carry
the
burthen
of
their
transgressions
;
as
though
they
meant
to
ride
them
on
the
spurre
with
themselues
to
hell
?
The
obedience
of
Achitophels
Asse
to
serue
him
in
this
wicked
action
,
was
onely
passiue
,
as
of
one
to
whom
the
law
of
nature
had
prescribed
no
other
rule
than
his
masters
raines
.
But
the
sacred
image
of
God
,
stampt
in
the
reasonable
soule
of
man
,
is
to
vs
both
law
and
libertie
,
as
well
to
preserue
the
rights
of
Magistrates
,
as
our
owne
priuiledge
.
An
obedience
we
iustly
owe
to
our
superiours
both
actiue
and
passiu●…
,
so
farre
forth
as
it
may
stand
with
the
right
of
nature
,
and
Gods
honour
,
as
that
which
God
expresly
commands
,
and
no
communitie
can
want
.
But
when
the
sword
of
the
Magistrate
pretends
a
title
to
any
part
of
diuine
prerogatiue
,
it
findes
alwaies
,
in
the
way
of
resistance
,
the
right
of
the
cause
,
or
sinceritie
of
a
good
conscience
,
whereon
,
as
on
a
rocke
of
Adamant
,
it
may
sooner
hacke
it selfe
to
pieces
,
than
make
a
breach
for
entrie
.
Hence
wise
Magistrates
may
be
taught
to
exact
no
more
of
their
inferiours
,
than
their
commission
from
God
dares
to
countenance
,
or
their
duty
to
him
commands
:
much
lesse
in
regard
of
their
owne
worth
,
to
sleight
the
good
offices
of
the
meanest
seruant
.
Our
consciences
and
opinions
are
seldome
so
flexible
,
as
our
ioynts
to
fawne
on
greatnesse
:
neither
is
the
iudgement
of
the
wisest
gouernour
able
so
much
to
challenge
a
Monarchie
in
the
weakest
vnderstanding
,
as
to
command
opinion
.
Balaams
Asse
could
see
the
Angell
of
the
Lord
with
his
sword
drawne
against
him
,
when
his
Masters
eyes
were
shut
;
and
therefore
had
good
reason
to
leaue
beating
his
poor
beast
,
when
he
opened
his
mouth
to
preuent
his
danger
.
But
if
any
wise
Christian
desire
the
ministeriall
offices
of
these
seruile
creatures
,
let
them
imitate
the
example
of
our
Sauiour
Christ
,
who
came
meekely
on
an
Asse
riding
into
Ierusalem
,
where
the
Ensignes
of
gracious
acceptance
,
and
the
shouts
of
H●…sanna's
applauded
his
arriuall
:
Not
as
Achitophel
,
who
arose
in
haste
,
and
went
home
to
his
house
;
not
like
our
Sauiour
to
saue
,
but
like
himselfe
to
betray
his
friend
:
which
is
the
next
circumstance
which
awaits
our
obseruation
.
[
And
hee
arose
,
and
went
home
to
his
house
.
]
4
The
truest
touch
▪
stone
of
friendship
,
is
aduersity
,
which
commonly
vnmasketh
our
enemies
to
discouerie
;
and
singles
out
our
best
friends
for
triall
.
Here
Achitophel
,
as
an
ill
actor
,
fainted
in
the
last
Scene
,
and
chose
rather
to
shew
himselfe
what
he
was
,
than
what
he
ought
.
His
master
Absolon
,
whom
he
had
engaged
to
so
great
a
danger
,
he
left
to
greater
.
Sinke
he
might
or
swimme
for
him
,
as
the
windie
gu●…t
of
his
new
counsell
,
or
the
inconstant
tyde
of
occasion
pleased
to
befriend
him
.
His
great
hopes
,
grounded
on
the
rise
of
Absolon
,
hauing
promised
so
much
in
the
bud
,
beganne
to
wither
ere
they
saw
the
blossome
:
And
a
vaine
proiect
it
seemed
vnto
him
to
venture
with
a
banckrupt
,
and
out
of
his
masters
blasted
field
to
expect
a
haruest
.
If
Absolon
will
needes
wed
himselfe
to
his
owne
will
,
and
his
seducers
counsell
,
let
him
runne
his
owne
hazzard
;
Achitophel
stands
engaged
no
farther
,
than
his
owne
direction
.
If
Absolon
fall
so
short
of
his
ambitious
wishes
,
as
Achitophels
wise
augury
,
let
him
suffer
alone
himselfe
,
as
not
deseruing
Achitophels
pitie
or
societie
.
Hee
was
once
warned
,
and
therefore
twice
armed
,
to
withstand
so
weake
an
assailant
as
Chushai
his
fained
friend
.
And
why
shall
Achitophel
shew
himselfe
so
superstitious
to
obserue
him
,
who
neglects
himselfe
,
and
sleights
his
friends
?
Two
dangers
here
offered
themselues
at
once
;
the
one
the
desertion
of
his
young
master
,
the
other
the
neglect
of
his
owne
estate
.
But
with
a
Politician
the
choyce
is
easie
;
and
therefore
it
is
time
to
hye
him
home
,
to
order
his
owne
house
,
which
had
left
the
Common-wealth
in
a
combustion
.
His
master
might
as
well
finde
him
absent
,
as
neglect
him
present
,
and
sooner
meet
him
in
his
death
than
counsell
.
From
whose
example
,
a
good
Christian
may
be
taught
so
much
policie
,
to
trye
his
friends
in
aduersitie
,
ere
he
trust
them
in
prosperitie
.
Those
vermines
which
vndermine
the
house
,
are
taught
to
runne
from
the
ruine
,
and
quit
that
mantion
which
preserued
them
,
because
they
neuer
loued
it
further
than
it
serued
their
own
purpose
.
But
a
true
friend
hides
himselfe
as
a
glow-worme
,
obscured
in
the
day
of
prosperitie
,
to
reserue
his
light
for
the
obscure
night
of
aduersitie
.
Chushai
,
as
wee
haue
formerly
shewed
,
had
lesse
reason
to
suspect
Achitophels
head
to
want
Absolons
arme
,
than
Dauids
arme
to
want
direction
:
yet
to
preferre
the
loyaltie
of
a
friend
,
hee
chose
rather
to
cast
himselfe
on
rash
aduenture
,
than
knowne
experience
,
and
hazzard
the
shipwrack●…
of
himselfe
to
saue
a
friend
.
If
any
man
should
demand
how
farre
friendship
may
challenge
a
iurisdiction
in
our
conuersation
?
God
will
answer
,
that
he
must
first
ioyne
ere
we
shake
hands
.
A
true
and
iust
amitie
shines
not
so
much
in
the
subiect
wherein
it
growes
,
as
on
the
subiect
whereon
it
workes
;
as
that
which
desires
not
so
much
to
purchase
,
as
to
deserue
applause
.
It
was
a
poore
shift
of
Naaman
,
out
of
the
sinceritie
of
his
vnfained
loue
,
to
excuse
his
fained
Idolatrie
in
this
sort
:
When
I
come
into
the
Temple
of
Rimmon
,
and
my
Master
boweth
downe
to
the
image
,
and
leaneth
on
my
shoulder
,
and
he
leaneth
down
with
me
,
the
Lord
be
mercifull
vnto
me
in
this
thing
.
Had
his
eye
offended
him
,
or
his
hand
mistooke
his
message
,
he
had
not
only
sufficient
warrant
,
but
command
to
pluck
out
the
one
,
and
cut
off
the
other
:
Much
more
are
we
warranted
to
dissolue
the
strongest
contract
betwixt
outward
friends
,
where
God
shakes
his
rodde
betweene
a
friends
impietie
and
our
affection
.
But
neither
of
these
motiues
found
footing
in
Achitophels
designe
.
Had
the
distrust
or
dislike
of
his
Masters
cause
disswaded
furtherance
,
he
had
not
suffered
him
so
farre
to
runne
beyond
preuention
.
Had
his
motiue
afterwards
grounded
it selfe
on
iustice
,
hee
might
haue
turned
his
counsell
another
way
,
rather
to
his
masters
good
than
his
own
ruine
;
at
least
,
by
his
submission
he
might
haue
pieced
vp
this
breach
of
Treason
,
and
haue
cast
his
fortunes
on
so
fauourable
a
calme
as
Dauids
attonement
,
with
his
deere
,
though
rebellious
,
Absolon
.
But
Absolons
case
was
desperate
,
his
owne
treason
euident
,
Dauids
remissiue
pardon
vnlikely
,
his
own
house
vnsettled
:
and
therefore
out
of
the
grounds
of
his
own
worldly
policie
,
he
thought
it
more
expedient
to
arise
and
go
home
to
his
house
,
and
set
his
house
in
order
.
Which
is
the
third
,
and
comes
next
in
order
to
be
handled
.
5
In
setting
of
Achitophels
house
in
order
,
wee
may
by
way
of
explication
,
obserue
two
points
.
First
,
what
we
ought
to
vnderstand
by
his
house
:
secondly
,
wherein
this
ordering
of
his
house
consisted
.
A
house
so
far
as
the
word
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
,
in
the
originall
language
renders
it
,
signifies
as
much
as
an
Artificiall
receptacle
fitted
for
habitation
:
whence
afterward
by
an
apt
Metonomie
,
expressing
the
place
containing
for
the
persons
contained
,
it
was
taken
for
a
Familie
,
as
we
finde
in
Scripture
mention
made
of
the
house
of
Saul
,
and
the
house
of
Dauid
:
in
which
sense
〈◊〉
or
a
house
,
is
by
Aristotle
,
in
the
first
of
his
Politickes
,
defined
to
a
daily
●…ocietie
of
people
dwelling
together
.
And
howso●…ner
the
name
of
family
among
the
ancients
seeme
to
deriue
his
originall
from
the
s●…cietie
of
diuers
seruants
,
liuing
vnder
one
roofe
and
regiment
:
yet
vse
hath
taught
it
so
far
to
enlarge
it selfe
,
as
to
signifie
a
companie
,
consisting
of
three
essentiall
parts
,
to
wit
,
of
the
Husband
and
the
Wife
,
of
the
Father
and
the
Sonne
,
of
the
Master
and
the
Seruant
;
the
due
administration
of
which
,
wherein
euery
member
answers
in
harmonie
to
preserue
the
whole
,
we
call
Oeconomie
or
good
husbandrie
.
An
institution
founded
on
the
law
of
nature
,
as
the
first
and
strongest
band
of
humane
societie
,
and
the
first
ground-worke
of
a
common-wealth
.
The
setting
of
such
a
house
in
order
,
which
is
the
next
point
to
be
scanned
,
is
either
the
generall
administration
of
a
family
,
which
wee
may
call
husbandry
;
or
else
a
finall
determination
or
ma●…ters
,
as
we
would
they
should
stand
at
the
time
of
our
death
,
expressed
in
our
last
will
and
testament
.
Herein
Achitophel
,
although
a
wicked
caitiffe
,
scarce
deseruing
a
good
Epithete
,
seemed
to
shew
as
much
piety
as
policy
,
in
settling
his
estate
by
prouidence
while
he
liued
,
which
after
his
death
,
might
be
shipwrackt
by
dissension
or
confusion
.
So
much
of
the
image
of
God
he
had
left
vndefaced
in
him
,
as
to
shew
him
some
obscure
glimpse
of
eternity
,
to
seeke
that
being
in
posterity
by
propagation
,
which
the
times
disasters
were
readier
to
cancell
than
preserue
.
A
president
surmounting
the
example
of
many
Christians
of
our
times
,
who
imagining
all
the
world
to
be
borne
for
them
,
and
them
for
themselues
,
neglect
former
presidents
,
and
stop
the
passage
to
all
posterity
,
as
if
the
line
drawne
out
so
many
ages
from
their
first
father
Adam
,
should
breake
off
with
themselues
,
and
attaine
its
highest
pitch
in
their
perfections
.
It
was
a
noble
,
though
arrogant
reply
of
Iphicrates
to
Hermodius
in
Plutarch
,
boasting
too
much
of
his
continued
line
,
and
ancient
nobility
;
Nobilitas
mea
in
me
inc●…pit
,
tua
in
te
desijt
:
wherein
hee
vaunted
himselfe
by
prouidence
and
vertue
to
haue
so
much
improued
,
as
the
other
to
haue
decocted
his
fortunes
and
an
ancient
family
.
To
lend
posterity
a
head
,
may
to
a
wise
man
seeme
a
greater
glorie
,
than
to
borrow
from
ancestry
a
taile
;
and
on
the
other
side
,
to
play
away
in
sport
our
predecessors
labours
,
a
greater
dishonour
than
to
pisse
on
our
Parents
ashes
,
or
raze
their
monuments
.
Amongst
all
the
temporall
blessings
of
Almighty
God
,
promised
or
deriued
as
rewards
to
his
faithful
seruants
,
I
finde
none
greater
in
holy
Writ
,
than
the
multiplying
of
their
seed
,
and
spreading
of
their
family
.
Behold
(
saith
God
to
Abraham
)
I
will
make
of
thee
a
mighty
people
:
And
that
which
God
in
his
especiall
fauour
prizes
,
as
so
great
a
guerdon
to
his
best
fauourites
,
shall
vnworthy
man
esteeme
a
trifle
,
and
value
so
farre
below
the
rate
?
He
that
prouides
not
for
his
famili●…
,
is
worse
than
an
Infidell
,
saith
the
Apostle
.
Not
(
I
suppose
)
that
a
prouident
Heathen
was
absolutely
to
be
preferred
before
a
negligent
professor
:
but
that
in
this
comparison
of
settling
a
mans
estate
after
him
,
in
regard
of
posterity
;
a
wise
Infidell
might
challenge
a
precedency
before
a
carelesse
Christian
;
according
to
that
of
our
Sauiour
in
the
Gospell
,
The
children
of
this
world
,
are
wiser
in
their
generation
than
the
children
of
light
.
Herein
Achitophels
policy
shooke
hands
with
honesty
,
which
seldome
met
before
in
consort
:
but
no
sooner
could
they
meete
,
but
part
;
as
if
they
meant
to
meete
no
more
.
He
settled
his
worldly
estate
on
earth
,
but
forgot
his
eternall
hope
in
heauen
.
He
reserued
to
himselfe
out
of
all
his
legacies
,
the
worme
of
a
guilty
conscience
,
which
he
could
as
well
shake
off
as
himselfe
;
which
leades
our
discourse
to
a
second
obseruation
,
arising
from
this
point
,
That
worldly
wise
politicians
proue
most
vnprouident
for
future
life
,
and
preferre
temporall
blessings
before
eternall
happinesse
.
6.
Where
a
mans
treasure
is
,
there
will
his
heart
be
also
,
saith
our
Sauiour
.
Whence
a
reason
may
be
rendred
,
why
Achitophel
,
despairing
of
any
portion
among
the
Saints
in
heauen
,
set
his
minde
to
dispose
of
his
possessions
here
on
earth
.
Riches
,
which
the
wisest
sort
of
Philosophers
,
haue
esteemed
no
other
than
the
complement
of
temporall
felicitie
,
are
the
maine
of
their
ambition
,
while
the
fruition
of
the
eternall
ioyes
in
heauen
,
stands
as
doubtfull
in
their
hopes
,
as
vnsettled
in
their
opinion
.
But
this
prouidence
in
disposing
worldly
affaires
,
at
the
best
,
can
be
reputed
no
other
than
the
childe
of
Nature
,
whose
Mole-eyes
,
through
the
glimmering
light
of
humane
reason
,
can
hardly
pierce
so
farre
as
its
owne
spheare
;
much
lesse
through
the
clouds
of
humane
ignorance
,
and
the
worlds
contagious
fogs
,
open
to
it selfe
a
passage
to
that
eternall
glory
,
to
which
none
but
the
light
of
grace
can
direct
or
command
an
entrance
.
No
maruaile
then
,
if
worldly
men
,
hauing
all
their
cares
bounded
in
this
world
,
runne
alwayes
in
the
same
circle
,
and
respect
onely
their
owne
center
,
disdaining
(
as
it
were
)
any
interest
in
any
superior
Orbe
.
This
,
they
esteeme
their
highest
heauen
;
without
the
which
,
with
Aristotle
,
they
can
imagine
neither
Locus
nor
Tempus
;
neither
place
to
containe
their
treasure
,
nor
time
to
adde
to
their
mortality
:
if
at
any
time
,
by
the
permissiue
indulgence
of
Almighty
God
,
some
sparkle
of
grace
presents
itselfe
,
it
is
but
as
the
lightning
,
no
sooner
seene
but
lost
;
enough
to
shew
it selfe
,
but
too
little
to
giue
direction
;
enough
for
their
curiosity
to
dispute
,
but
too
much
for
their
faith
to
apprehend
:
And
therefore
rather
resolue
they
to
set
vp
their
rest
in
this
world
,
which
they
know
,
than
to
hazzard
themselues
on
so
dangerous
a
discouery
,
wherein
they
should
shew
themselues
,
at
least
diffident
,
if
not
desperate
.
This
seemes
to
haue
been
the
resolution
of
wicked
Cain
,
who
,
although
shut
out
from
Gods
presence
,
sought
out
a
place
in
the
land
of
Nod
to
build
a
Citie
,
which
might
beare
his
name
,
and
preserue
his
family
.
Himselfe
,
as
it
were
,
branded
with
the
blacke
coale
of
reprobation
,
he
quickly
submitted
to
perdition
,
in
this
desperate
resolution
,
My
sinne
is
greater
than
can
be
forgiuen
me
.
His
posterity
,
he
committed
rather
to
chance
and
policy
,
than
to
Gods
protection
;
as
though
his
owne
care
had
been
sufficient
to
vndermine
the
Diuine
prouidence
:
or
at
least
he
had
proued
so
good
a
proficient
in
the
schoole
of
policie
,
as
to
work
his
owne
desperate
fortunes
to
his
sons
aduantage
.
Amongst
many
such
examples
of
this
kinde
,
which
in
this
age
of
ours
are
too
too
frequent
,
I
finde
none
more
remarkable
than
of
a
certaine
Lawyer
,
whom
Bellarmine
(
as
himelfe
reports
)
in
the
time
of
his
sicknesse
comming
to
visite
,
and
vrging
vnto
praier
and
confession
,
replyed
,
That
he
could
wish
,
that
prayer
were
made
for
his
wife
and
children
,
whose
welfare
in
this
world
he
greatly
tendred
;
for
himselfe
,
as
lost
and
desperate
,
he
gaue
ouer
to
perdition
:
Bellarmines
obseruation
of
this
desperate
man
,
might
,
me
thinkes
,
haue
opened
his
eyes
to
haue
seene
that
mysterie
of
iniquity
,
closed
vp
in
their
Babylonish
Hierarchie
.
How
many
thousand
soules
,
whom
they
ought
to
purchase
vnto
Christ
,
sell
they
daily
vnto
Sathan
,
to
buy
their
owne
gaine
or
greatnesse
?
as
if
they
conspired
,
all
in
one
,
to
shipwracke
their
hopes
of
another
life
in
heauen
,
to
bolster
vp
a
Papall
Monarchie
here
on
earth
.
Their
fire
of
Purgatorie
had
long
since
been
extinct
,
had
it
not
maintained
the
Popes
kitchin
.
Their
Indulgences
had
long
since
waxed
stale
,
and
laine
vpon
their
hands
,
had
not
the
costly
marriages
of
the
Popes
N●…eces
,
or
rather
Daughters
,
set
them
out
in
a
new
Edition
,
to
make
them
vendible
.
The
●…doll
of
their
pretended
Supremacie
had
wanted
adoration
,
and
Peters
imaginary
Chair●…
been
broken
and
hurled
to
the
ground
,
had
not
couetousnesse
on
the
one
side
,
pompe
and
ambition
on
the
other
,
as
two
supporters
,
laboured
to
keep
it
vpright
:
And
little
could
St.
Paul
himselfe
effect
by
his
powerfull
preaching
among
such
Athenians
,
with
whom
there
is
neuer
wanting
a
Demetrius
,
a
siluer
Smith
;
who
,
lest
his
shrines
should
want
sale
,
will
stoutly
stand
vp
for
the
honour
of
Diana's
Temple
.
Well
may
we
call
that
a
meere
politick
religion
,
or
rather
a
masked
Atheisme
,
wherin
,
Gods
pretended
seruice
is
set
vp
as
a
pillar
to
vnderprop
an
Antichristian
Hierarchie
;
and
Religion
,
which
should
command
our
best
obseruance
,
becomes
the
slaue
and
seruant
to
ambition
.
Herein
Achitophels
designe
seemes
to
fall
short
of
their
industry
:
He
sets
his
house
in
order
,
(
for
ought
we
find
)
without
any
sense
of
Religion
,
or
preiudice
to
Gods
Church
.
These
men
vse
the
sword
of
the
Church
against
Religion
,
constraining
her
at
once
both
to
inflict
,
and
smart
at
her
owne
wounds
.
Achitophel
left
the
common-wealth
in
a
combustion
to
set
his
owne
house
in
order
:
but
these
fire-brands
of
State
,
set
their
owne
houses
in
order
first
,
that
they
may
the
more
easily
disturbe
the
good
temper
of
a
settled
Common-wealth
.
Achitophel
,
for
ought
we
know
,
shut
vp
all
his
treacherous
designes
in
his
owne
execution
;
leauing
as
hereditary
,
rather
the
staine
than
the
guilt
of
his
odious
treason
to
posterity
.
But
these
Iesuiticke
factours
,
vnwilling
to
cut
off
the
entaile
of
their
traiterous
inclinations
,
either
by
despaire
or
repentance
;
like
a
brood
of
Vipers
,
bequeath
a
legacie
of
their
venemous
quality
vnto
their
off-spring
:
in
which
,
as
out
of
a
Cockatrice●…
egges
,
is
hatched
,
preserued
,
and
multiplied
,
the
accursed
spawne
of
treachery
and
sedition
.
Which
last
clause
,
leades
our
discourse
to
a
second
point
,
to
wit
,
the
consideration
of
Achitophels
death
,
in
that
he
hanged
himselfe
,
which
comes
next
in
order
to
be
handled
.
7.
In
Achitophels
death
,
you
may
with
me
obserue
two
especiall
points
;
1.
The
cause
.
2.
The
manner
.
Th●…
cause
,
grounded
on
the
motiue
fore-mentioned
in
my
former
exercise
,
was
Despanre
:
The
manner
of
his
death
,
as
shamefull
and
ignominious
as
his
life
and
action
.
To
begin
with
Despaire
,
we
shall
finde
it
an
infirmity
of
mans
nature
;
rather
deseruing
mens
pitie
than
indignation
.
A
childe
it
is
,
whom
the
guilt
of
sinne
begets
on
an
euill
conscience
;
which
no
sooner
beholds
the
light
,
but
couets
darknesse
,
as
if
it
made
no
more
vse
of
life
,
than
to
instruct
him
the
next
way
to
death
.
In
this
bottomlesse
pit
of
despaire
,
wherein
no
passenger
could
cast
anchor
,
Achitophel
now
finds
himselfe
plunged
;
and
therefore
,
as
arrested
by
deaths
immediate
sergeant
,
prepares
for
his
next
appearance
.
Better
dye
once
,
than
feare
alwaies
;
and
shut
vp
all
mischiefes
in
one
death
,
than
spin
out
life
in
many
mischiefes
.
Those
lofty
Scenes
of
State
,
wherein
Achitophel
hath
either
hitherto
acted
himself
or
prompted
others
,
must
now
shut
vp
in
an
ill
Catastrophe
;
and
who
sitter
to
end
,
than
hee
who
began
this
Stately
Tragedy
?
To
liue
at
another
mans
beneuolence
,
seemes
the
smallest
priuiledge
of
a
subiect
to
dye
at
his
owne
command
,
the
greatest
prerogatiue
of
a
King
.
A
base
headsman
must
not
share
so
great
a
glory
,
as
the
chopping
off
a
head
enriched
with
so
much
policy
,
nor
lustice
seeme
to
entreate
any
other
hands
than
his
owne
in
his
stately
execution
.
Behold
here
the
last
resolution
of
this
matchlesse
politician
,
proposed
afterwards
(
as
it
seemes
)
as
a
patterne
to
many
high
spirits
amongst
the
Heathen
;
whose
iudgements
infatuated
with
false
principles
,
misconster
the
badge
of
cowardise
,
for
the
most
honourable
seale
of
courage
:
as
if
it
were
a
point
of
valour
to
shake
hands
with
death
,
&
faintly
giue
themselues
ouer
to
his
mercy
,
with
whom
,
as
an
enemy
,
they
ought
to
combate
.
True
honour
neuer
feares
to
stare
death
in
the
face
,
but
seldome
courts
it
as
a
friend
;
often
,
as
a
corriuall
,
it
struggles
with
it
for
victory
:
but
neuer
giues
vp
the
hilts
,
or
cryes
quarter
,
till
ouer-mastred
by
a
greater
and
disproportioned
strength
,
he
finds
them
wrested
from
his
hands
.
So
great
an
impression
not
with
standing
got
this
wicked
opinion
of
selfe-killing
amongst
the
ancient
Romanes
,
that
a
speedy
dispatch
of
our selues
in
case
of
extremity
,
seemed
to
challenge
as
much
honour
,
as
with
a
Christian
it
deserueth
shame
;
as
we
find
it
not
recorded
only
,
but
in
a
maner
recómended
,
by
that
turn-coat
Lipfius
out
of
the
principles
of
his
Stoicall
Philosophy
:
whose
broken
rudiments
he
had
(
as
it
seems
)
better
conned
than
Christianity
.
But
how
far
out
of
our
voluntary
disposition
,
we
ought
to
entertain
the
stroke
of
death
,
is
not
easie
to
determine
without
distinction
.
A
concurrence
of
our
wils
we
may
interpret
two
waies
:
either
for
a
Passi●…e
obedience
,
indebted
rather
to
constraint
than
choice
,
wherin
Nature
submits
her selfe
to
Iustice
or
necessity
:
or
an
Actiue
violence
,
deriued
for
the
most
part
from
fear
or
rashnesse
;
wherin
reason
suffers
her self
to
be
led
captiue
by
boistrous
frensie
,
arming
the
strength
of
vnwilling
Nature
against
her
own
bosome
,
&
life
,
her
sweet
companion
.
The
former
concurrence
of
our
assent
,
or
at
least
submission
to
such
extremities
,
we
find
warranted
not
only
by
permission
but
cómand
,
so
far
forth
,
as
the
Iustice
of
the
cause
conspiring
with
a
regulated
conscience
,
imports
necessity
.
Those
blessed
Martyrs
of
the
Church
,
whose
glorious
wounds
&
scars
,
shine
as
so
many
orient
pearles
in
their
white
robes
of
sanctity
,
haue
markt
&
seald
them
out
to
posterity
,
as
examples
of
the
highest
imitation
.
Those
valiant
champions
in
defence
of
their
Country
&
Religion
,
exposed
to
the
merciless
iaws
of
death
,
or
the
bloudie
phangs
of
vncertain
hazzards
in
a
Christian
warfare
,
what
age
so
enuious
which
will
not
crown
with
present
honour
,
&
register
to
future
admiration
?
Yea
,
wicked
malefactors
themselues
,
in
whom
Iustice
often
preuents
Nature
in
an
vntimely
execution
,
may
seem
to
cancell
some
part
of
their
former
guilt
,
in
giuing
by
their
submissiue
patience
,
the
strictnes
of
the
Law
a
iust
satisfaction
.
And
therfore
without
question
,
the
sweetnes
of
life
ought
not
to
share
so
great
a
moyty
in
our
affections
,
as
to
shut
out
our
obedience
,
when
either
Religion
stands
at
stake
,
or
our
Country
craues
our
assistance
,
or
Iustice
challengeth
her
prerogatiue
.
The
other
exposure
of
mens
liues
to
certain
death
,
where
necessity
on
either
hand
threatens
apparant
ruine
without
repriuall
,
I
could
charitably
interpret
,
as
of
Sampsons
designe
in
razing
the
house
to
his
own
&
the
Philistins
destruction
,
or
of
Lucans
and
Seneca's
aduice
in
making
choice
of
their
owne
death
,
by
cutting
their
owne
veines
:
but
that
Gods
Almighty
prouidence
in
our
greatest
designes
,
shewes
it selfe
most
pregnant
beyond
mans
expectation
,
&
commands
rather
our
patience
than
preuention
.
But
for
such
vntimely
and
vnnaturall
designes
,
where
in
the
hands
are
made
instrumentall
executioners
to
the
heart
,
as
prickt
on
with
the
horrour
of
a
guilty
conscience
,
and
distrust
of
Gods
fauours
,
neither
Christianitie
gaue
euer
president
,
nor
Stoicall
Philosophy
among
all
her
strict
axiomes
a
warranted
precept
;
as
an
action
odious
both
to
God
&
man
,
which
begins
with
sin
&
ends
with
shame
.
Which
leads
our
discourse
from
the
immediate
cause
of
his
death
,
to
wit
,
his
despaire
,
to
the
maner
&
qualitie
of
it
,
his
shameful
end
.
8
Shame
is
the
sworne
seruant
vnto
sinne
,
an
odious
but
officious
hagge
;
whom
life
could
neuer
entertaine
without
sorrow
,
or
death
easily
shake
off
,
till
memory
forfeit
her
records
to
time
,
and
time
to
obliuion
.
T
is
the
misery
of
guilt
with
constraint
to
cherish
in
her
bosome
the
childe
she
hates
,
and
bequeath
such
a
fatall
issue
to
posteritie
,
whose
browes
shall
carry
the
true
stampe
and
character
of
her
owne
deformitie
.
And
how
great
a
soueraigntie
soeuer
sin
might
seeme
to
challenge
in
the
spheare
of
humane
nature
,
which
our
first
Parents
by
their
disobedience
forfeited
to
her
iurisdiction
;
yet
shall
in
the
end
finde
himselfe
conquered
,
in
that
sinne
liuing
for
the
most
part
in
darkenesse
,
shuts
vp
all
her
malice
with
death
,
while
her
vntoward
babe
shall
suruiue
to
vpbraid
her
actions
in
the
light
,
and
arraigne
her
after
death
at
the
barre
of
Iustice
.
Had
Achitophel
been
as
prouident
to
preuent
an
ill
report
after
death
,
as
ambitions
to
preserue
reputation
during
life
,
he
had
measured
his
actions
by
a
betterend
,
or
at
least
in
the
euent
directed
his
worst
ends
to
a
better
purpose
,
than
lose
at
the
last
cast
which
he
was
so
long
a
winning
,
or
haue
stained
the
fame
of
his
former
actions
with
so
base
an
execution
.
His
eminent
gifts
of
Wisedome
,
howsoeuer
sorded
and
wicked
in
themselues
,
as
directed
rather
to
his
own
priuate
ends
,
than
Gods
glorie
,
or
the
honour
of
the
Common-wealth
;
might
not
with
standing
,
out
of
a
foreconceiued
opinion
of
his
worth
,
haue
found
in
the
common
voyce
,
a
fauourable
construction
.
Old
vices
commonly
find
welcome
vnder
new
names
;
and
nothing
so
witty
as
Sinne
to
inuent
new
Epithets
to
shut
out
shame
,
and
entertaine
plausibilitie
.
Luxuris
and
leacherie
,
the
bane
of
nature
,
may
passe
currant
vnder
the
title
of
Good-fellowship
.
Ignorant
pride
and
supercilious
contempt
may
call
themselues
retyred
grauitie
,
or
stout
〈◊〉
Gr●…ping
Couetousnesse
and
base
Vsury
,
may
finde
entertainement
vnder
the
shew
of
thrifty
husbandry
:
〈◊〉
and
Oppression
shall
be
stiled
seuere
Iustice
and
strict
Government
.
At
least
from
each
of
these
,
common
conniuence
would
make
a
shift
to
extract
somewhat
which
might
sauour
of
ingenuitie
,
to
couer
guilt
from
the
strict
inquisition
of
truth
,
and
stoppe
the
harsh
mouth
of
censure
:
wherein
at
least
it
should
shew
it selfe
no
lesse
ingenious
,
than
Aristotle
in
his
Ethickes
,
who
in
painting
out
to
the
life
his
I
doll
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
,
is
obserued
to
haue
stolne
the
chiefest
markes
of
many
notorious
vices
to
character
one
imaginary
vertue
.
No
worse
,
but
rather
better
fauor
,
might
Achitophels
life
seeme
to
haue
deserued
,
especially
amongst
the
common
rout
of
his
inferiours
,
who
valuing
the
worth
of
their
superiours
,
imagine
them
as
eminent
in
wisedome
,
as
they
transcend
in
greatnesse
,
as
if
they
conceiued
them
fashioned
in
another
mould
,
and
wrought
to
another
nature
;
that
the
least
slips
or
scapes
which
in
ordinarie
men
wee
can
interprete
no
other
than
the
effects
of
infirmitie
,
should
in
them
bee
thought
to
proceede
from
premeditated
counsell
,
and
mature
deliberation
,
as
critically
directed
to
some
especiall
end
or
other
in
the
State
.
But
admit
his
sinnefull
proiects
had
laine
open
to
discouerie
,
yet
sauouring
of
a
reaching
wit
or
seasoned
with
discretion
,
they
might
seeme
rather
amongst
vulgar
iudgments
,
the
fruits
of
politicke
preuention
,
than
humane
weaknes
.
Our
intellectuall
gifts
we
commonly
value
aboue
our
Morall
vertues
,
and
therefore
hold
it
a
smaller
disparagement
to
be
taxed
of
d●…shonesty
than
indiscretion
:
As
if
wee
rather
coueted
an
inheritance
here
amongst
the
children
of
this
world
,
than
to
haue
our
names
enrolled
with
the
children
of
light
.
Thus
far
Achitophel
had
carried
his
matters
in
such
fashion
,
as
might
speak
his
wisedome
though
not
his
honesty
.
Had
Absolon
through
his
aduice
,
aduanced
himself
to
the
Throne
of
Israel
,
his
notorious
treason
had
passed
for
profound
policy
;
neither
could
the
world
euer
tearme
that
act
treason
,
which
is
of
a
King
,
or
for
a
Kings
promotion
.
Had
Achitophels
proiect
falne
below
expectation
(
as
he
did
afterward
)
it
was
Absolons
weaknesse
to
reiect
aduice
,
not
Achitophels
to
suggest
the
best
counsell
.
But
shift
the
Scene
,
and
let
the
selfe
same
Theater
which
euen
now
found
him
plotting
Absolons
aduancement
,
contriuing
the
meanes
and
manner
of
his
owne
death
;
and
you
would
imagine
him
all
this
while
but
to
haue
personated
a
wise
man
,
and
now
in
the
end
to
resume
his
proper
habit
:
like
a
certain
beast
of
Scythia
recorded
by
Pliny
in
his
naturall
history
,
whom
he
reports
to
be
able
to
change
himself
into
all
variety
of
shapes
&
colours
,
yet
returning
to
his
owne
forme
,
expresses
the
resemblance
of
an
Asse
.
A
good
embleme
of
a
wicked
politician
,
who
sitting
as
it
were
at
the
sterne
of
state
,
&
holding
the
helme
in
his
hands
,
must
of
necessity
vary
himself
a
thousand
wayes
to
obey
all
winds
,
&
second
all
tides
.
But
Nature
,
which
is
the
worst
dissembler
of
guilty
actions
,
will
one
time
or
other
betray
it selfe
to
discouery
,
or
atleast
plain-dealing
Death
wil
strip
him
naked
,
&
lay
him
open
vnto
shame
,
&
leaue
him
as
a
fool
to
mens
contempt
&
Gods
vengeance
Shame
&
reproach
,
the
most
vnwelcom
guests
to
Achitophel
in
his
life
,
are
here
inuited
as
friends
to
bear
him
to
his
sepulchre
;
&
the
kind
&
maner
of
death
most
odious
to
God
&
man
,
is
thought
the
safest
and
sweetest
in
his
foolish
choice
.
Among
so
many
waies
wherby
euery
man
may
make
himself
a
passage
to
death
,
he
must
needs
chuse
the
worst
,
to
dye
as
a
dogge
on
a
tree
,
and
make
himself
guilty
aswel
of
his
shamefull
death
,
as
the
ignominious
motiue
.
Death
is
the
common
destinie
of
mankind
;
to
feare
or
wish
for
death
,
is
the
mark
of
a
coward
&
shame
of
a
man
.
To
end
our
course
of
life
in
a
warm
bed
,
is
natures
tribute
,
and
the
crown
of
siluer
haires
:
to
cancell
cares
in
the
field
by
the
hand
of
an
enemy
,
is
the
chance
of
war
,
&
the
honour
of
a
souldier
:
To
die
by
the
sentence
of
iustice
&
stroke
of
the
executioner
,
is
a
satisfaction
of
the
law
,
&
expiation
of
the
guilt
.
But
to
die
out
of
cowardise
&
despair
,
to
die
by
the
enforced
violence
of
our
own
hands
,
to
die
as
a
theefe
on
a
tree
,
not
expiating
the
guilt
of
sin
by
giuing
satisfaction
to
the
law
,
or
affording
nature
any
right
in
expectation
;
&
,
which
is
more
than
all
the
rest
,
to
quit
the
vexations
of
this
world
,
to
incurre
greater
in
the
next
,
&
to
treade
with
vnresolued
feet
that
vnknown
path
of
death
,
whose
common
entrance
shuts
vp
in
as
doubtfull
an
end
,
as
celestiall
ioyes
&
infernall
torments
;
what
settled
iudgement
will
not
brand
with
the
odious
blot
of
extreamest
folly
?
in
sight
and
comparison
of
which
,
the
greatest
vanitie
in
the
world
should
lose
her
name
&
seeme
discretion
.
Here
may
we
see
the
weaknes
of
humane
wisedom
tutored
by
temptation
,
&
directed
by
the
common
enemy
of
mankind
;
as
the
strength
of
Sampson
ouer
mastred
by
the
wiles
of
Dalilah
;
which
commonly
affords
the
owner
no
greater
courtesie
than
confusion
,
&
their
names
and
memorie
no
other
Trophee
,
than
a
liuing
shame
,
or
a
lying
sepulchre
.
Which
by
occasion
directs
our
enquiry
to
the
third
&
last
action
,
preordained
(
as
it
seemes
)
by
himselfe
in
his
life
,
but
executed
by
his
friends
after
death
,
his
pompous
buriall
:
Hee
was
buried
in
the
Sepulchre
of
his
Fathers
.
9
Whether
this
last
action
of
Achitophel
bee
rather
to
bee
ascribed
to
Achitophel
himselfe
,
as
prescribed
by
his
last
Will
&
Testament
;
or
to
his
children
as
their
last
duty
&
obligation
to
their
dead
Parent
,
we
will
make
no
long
dispute
.
It
seemes
an
act
of
both
,
wherin
either
partie
may
share
an
interest
,
as
commanded
by
the
one
,
&
executed
by
the
other
.
From
each
obseruation
may
be
copied
out
vnto
vs
some
vseful
doctrine
for
instruction
.
In
Achitophels
prouidence
in
seeking
to
preserue
his
name
&
memorie
,
in
so
fleight
a
Trophee
as
a
stone
or
statue
,
we
may
reade
the
shallow
reach
of
many
politicians
of
our
age
,
ambitiously
setting
vp
their
garnished
sepulchres
in
Churches
&
high
places
,
as
idols
of
admiration
to
bee
worshipt
by
ignorant
spectators
:
which
,
notwithstanding
in
a
iudicious
censure
,
liue
only
for
a
time
to
vpbraid
their
folly
,
and
fall
after
a
time
into
the
dust
&
ashes
,
as
the
rotten
bones
they
shrowd
vp
in
obliuion
.
Enuious
time
which
hath
eaten
out
the
workemanship
of
so
many
famous
Architects
,
&
left
not
so
much
as
stones
or
ruines
for
antiquitie
to
boast
,
or
posterity
to
admire
by
the
mouth
of
History
,
his
best
Secretary
,
might
hane
discouered
the
weaknesse
of
such
considence
,
as
grounds
it self
on
such
vncertainties
.
Babel
the
greatest
ambition
of
humane
industry
,
vndertaken
(
as
it
were
)
by
the
ioynt
handicraft
of
mankinde
,
neither
by
disparitie
of
religions
,
or
difference
of
languages
as
yet
diuided
into
factions
;
wherein
(
as
Philo
Iudaeus
notes
,
and
holy
Scriptures
not
obscurely
intimate
)
the
chiefest
men
of
ranke
and
estimation
in
engrauen
stones
sought
to
preserue
their
memory
;
what
other
legacie
in
her
fal
hath
shee
bequeathed
to
our
obseruation
,
than
the
want
of
discouery
,
the
whetstone
of
diligent
Antiquaries
,
&
tortures
of
the
most
curious
inquisition
?
How
much
better
is
the
content
of
a
quiet
conscience
,
grounded
on
the
assurance
of
Gods
promises
for
future
happines
,
than
such
painted
sepulchers
,
which
present
in
a
maner
,
nothing
to
posterity
but
their
own
ruines
,
and
their
founders
weaknesse
.
Neuerthelesse
,
from
this
officious
care
of
Achitophels
children
toward
their
deceased
Father
,
may
Christians
bee
taught
the
reuerend
respect
they
owe
to
the
ashes
of
their
dead
ancestors
.
The
raising
vp
of
monumentall
statues
to
the
memory
of
others
,
ought
we
rather
to
interpret
the
duety
of
Posterity
,
than
the
ambition
of
our
deceased
parents
:
yet
in
such
wise
,
that
they
ought
rather
to
humble
vs
,
with
the
thought
of
mortality
,
than
puffe
vs
vp
with
glory
of
our
Parents
Nobility
.
Neither
can
such
monuments
,
besids
shame
&
infamie
,
(
if
erected
to
wicked
men
)
expresse
any
other
than
the
common
Epithaph
of
mankinde
.
That
he
liued
and
died
.
The
greatest
Tyrant
in
the
world
can
command
no
more
;
the
poorest
beggar
can
challenge
to
himselfe
no
lesse
.
Hitherto
,
Beloued
,
hath
my
discourse
,
seconded
by
your
fauourable
attention
,
followed
Achitophel
through
the
by-paths
and
indirect
passages
of
his
life
&
actions
,
from
the
beginning
of
his
conspiracy
with
Absolon
,
to
his
shamefull
death
and
pompous
sepulchre
:
whose
story
deseruing
a
more
able
discouery
than
my
poore
discription
,
out
of
all
these
circumstances
,
will
minister
this
one
true
and
vndoubted
Corrolary
:
That
honesty
is
the
best
policie
.
When
worldly
policy
commonly
hides
her selfe
in
darknes
,
and
Proteus
like
,
transformes
her selfe
into
a
thousand
shapes
,
to
auoide
discouery
;
this
one
only
dares
boldly
aduenture
in
the
light
,
and
iustifie
all
her
actions
:
this
one
,
couets
no
other
likenesse
than
her
owne
,
as
not
ashamed
to
present
her
face
to
view
and
censure
.
Finally
,
this
alone
,
is
sufficient
to
preserue
a
competent
estate
in
this
life
,
and
after
death
aduance
vs
to
Christs
glorious
Kingdome
,
where
we
shall
raigne
with
him
for
euer
amongst
the
Saints
in
heauen
.
To
which
Kingdome
&c.
Deo
Triuni
laus
in
aeternum
.
FINIS
.