charges at their new elections, and, perhaps, by the intermission of a parliament, were forced to pay some of their debts. 'These sort of men, if they meet again, unless they are become converts, will, in all likelihood, be doing mischief; therefore it would be well, that not one, suspected of such miscarriages, should be ever chose again. There can be no inconvenience in changing, for there is no country or place, but what hath several fitter to be parliament-men, than those; and the new men may the better, and, in more likelihood, act for the good of the nation, than the old ones; for these will meet without any private prejudice, or pre-engagement, in any faction. It cannot well be expected there should ever be a good parliament, as long as men will be misled to their choice by extravagancy of expence; therefore they would do well to consider what will a belly-full of ale signify, in recompence of their peace; it will be but like Esau's selling his birth-right for a mess of pottage; neither ought the recommenda tion of any great man to have any influence upon our choice; but the good qualifications of the person ought only to be respected. Men's care, in this concern, is of very great consequence; for a great politician says it, that it is more dangerous to the publick, when there is an evil council, and a good king, than when there is an evil king, but a good council; and that we way always have a good council, above all other rules, God's own direction, for the choice of a council in Israel, ought to be followed: Assemble unto me,' saith he, 'seventy of the most ancient of the people, wise men, fearing God,' Deut. i. It is of dangerous consequence, when the people have a slight opinion of the parts and abilities of their council: therefore it is, that old and not young men, ought to be chose into this great council; for most men are apt to think slightly of those of like age with themselves; and though some young men may be good and virtuous, yet the heat and vigour of their youth and blood is apt to transport them into passion, and to too violent a prosecution of what their unripe and unexperienced judgments dictate. Solon, therefore, forbad any young man to be admitted into the senate, seemed he never so wise. To conclude. God grant the great council the parliament, whether the present, or a new one, that when they meet next, they may remem ber it is great grace and favour in the king, to advise or consult with them at any time; and therefore may they not insist upon what belongs not to them, but render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's,' and then God will bless both our king and us. Amen. London, printed in the year 1680. Folio containing two pages. THERE HERE is nothing so dangerous either to societies in general, or to particular persons, as ambition. The temptations of sovereignty, and the glittering lustre of a crown, have been guilty of all the fearful consequences that can be within the compass of imagination. For this, mighty nations have been drowned in blood, populous cities have been made desolate, laid in ashes, and left without inhabitants: for this, parents have lost all the sense and tenderness of nature; and children, all the sentiments of duty and obedience; the eternal laws of good and just, the laws of nature and of nations, of God and religion, have been violated; men have been transformed into the cruelty of beasts, and into the rage and malice of devils. Instances, both modern and ancient, of this, are innumerable; but this of Absalom is a tragedy, whose antiquity and truth do equally recommend it as an example to all posterity, and a caution to all mankind, to take care how they imbark in ambitious and unlawful designs; and it is a particular caveat to all young men, to beware of such counsellors, as the old Achitophel, lest, while they are tempted with the hopes of a crown, they hasten on their own destiny, and come to an untimely end. Absalom was the third son of David by Maachah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, who was one of David's concubines. He, seeing his title to the crown upon the score of lawful succession would not do, resolves to make good what was defective in it, by open force, by dethroning his father. Now the arts he used to accomplish his design were these: First, he studied popularity; he rose up early; he was industrious and diligent in his way; he placed himself in the way of the gate: and, when any man came for judgment, he courteously entered into discourse with him. This feigned condescension was the first step of his ambition. Secondly, he depraved his father's government: The king was careless, drowned in his pleasures; the counsellors were evil; no man regarded the petitioners: Absalom said unto him, see thy matters are good and right, it is but reason that you petition for; but there is no man that will hear thee from the king; there is no justice to be found; your petitions are rejected. Thirdly, he insinuates what he would do, if he were in authority; how easy access should be to him; he would do them justice; he would hear and redress their grievances, receive their petitions, and give them gracious answers. 'Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man might come unto me, and I would do him justice.' And, when any man came to do him obeysance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him and thus he stole away the hearts of the people from their lawful king, his father and sovereign. But all this would not do: he therefore joins himself to one Achitophel, an old man of a shrewd head, and discontented heart. This Achitophel, it seems, had been a great counsellor of David's; but was now under some disgrace, as appears by Absalom's sending for him from Gilo, his city, whither he was in discontent retreated, because David had advanced Hushai into his privy-council; and no doubt can be made, but he was of the conspiracy before, by his ready joining with Absalom as soon as the matters were ripe for execution. Absalom, having thus laid his train, and made secret provision for his intended rebellion, dispatches his emissaries abroad, to give notice by his spies, that all the confederates should be ready at the sound of the trumpet, and say, 'Absalom reigneth in Hebron ;' and immediately a great multitude was gathered to him: for the conspiracy was strong; some went out of malice, and some in their simplicity followed him, and knew not any thing. David is forced to fly from his own son, but still he had a loyal party that stuck close to him. Achitophel gave devilish counsel, but God disappointed it strangely. For Hushai, pretending to come over to their party, put Absalom upon a plausible expedient, which proved his ruin. So impossible is it for treason to be secure, that no person who forms a conspiracy, but there may be some, who, under pretence of the greatest kindness, may insinuate themselves, only to discover their secrets, and ruin their intentions, either by revealing their treason, or disappointing it: and certainly, of all men, traitors are least to be trusted; for they, who can be perfidious to one, can never be true to any. The matter comes at last to the decision of the sword. Absalom's party are defeated, and many slain, and Absalom himself, seeking to save himself by flight in the wood, is entangled in a tree, by his own hair, which was his pride; and his mule, going from under him, there left him hanging, till Joab came, and, with three darts, made at once an end of his life and the rebellion. Thus ended his youthful and foolish ambition, making him an eternal monument of infamy, and an instance of the justice of divine vengeance, and what will be the conclusion of ambition, treason, and conspiracy, against lawful kings and governors: a severe admonition to all green heads, to avoid the temptations of grey Achitophels. Achitophel, the engineer of all this mischief, seeing his counsel despised, and foreseeing the event, prevented the hand of the executioner, and, in revenge upon himself, went home and hanged himself; giving fair warning to all treacherous counsellors, to see what their devilish counsels will lead them to at last: mischievous counsel ever falling in conclusion upon the heads where first it was con. trived, as naturally as dirty kennels fall into the common-sewer. Whatsoever was written aforetime, was written for our instruction: for holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. THE EARL OF STRAFFORD'S LETTER TO THE KING, TO PASS THE BILL OCCASIONED BY THE TUMULT OF THE APPRENTICES. TAKEN FROM THE ORIGINAL COPY. London, printed for Thomas Burrel, 1680, Folio, containing two pages. May it please your MAJESTY, T hath been my greatest grief, in all these troubles, to be taken as a person which should endeavour to represent and set things amiss between your majesty and your people; and to give counsels tending to the disquiet of your three kingdoms. Most true it is, that, this mine own private condition considered, it had been a great madness, since, through your gracious favour, I was so provided, as not to expect, in any kind, to mind my fortune, or please my mind more, than by resting where your bounteous hand had placed me. Nay, it is most mightily mistaken: For, unto your majesty it is well known, my poor and humble advices concluded still in this, that your majesty and your people could never be happy till there were a right understanding betwixt you and them; no other means to effect and settle this happiness but by the council, and assent of the parliament; or, to prevent the growing evils upon this state, but by intirely putting yourself in your last resort upon the loyalty and good affections of your English subjects. Yet, such is my misfortune, this truth findeth little credit, the contrary seemeth generally to be believed, and myself reputed as something of separation between you and your people, under a heavier censure than which, I am persuaded, no gentleman can suffer. Now, I understand the minds of men are more incensed against me, notwithstanding your majesty hath declared, that, in your princely opinion, I am not guilty of treason, nor are you satisfied in your conscience to pass the bill. This bringeth me into a very great streight; there is before me the ruin of my children and family, hitherto untouched, in all the branches of it, with any foul crimes. Here is before me the many ills which may befal your sacred person, and the whole kingdom, should yourself and the parliament part less satisfied one with the other than is necessary for the preservation of king and people. Here are before me the things most valued, most feared by mortal men, life or death. To say, Sir, that there hath not been a strife in me, were to make me less than, God knoweth, mine infirmities give me. And to call destruction upon myself and young children, were the intentions of my heart, at least have been innocent of this great offence, may be believed will find no easy content to flesh and blood. But, with much sadness, I am come to a resolution of that which I take to be the best becoming me, to look upon that which is most principal in itself, which, doubtless, is the prosperity of your sacred person and the commonwealth, infinitely before any man's private interest. And, therefore, in few words, as I put myself wholly upon the honour and justice of my peers so clearly, as to beseech your majesty might please to have spared that declaration of yours on Saturday last, and intirely to have left me to their lordships; so now, to set your majesty's conscience, &c. at liberty, I do most humbly beseech you, for the preventing of such mischief as may happen by your refusal to pass the bill, by this means to remove, praised be God, I cannot say this accursed, but, I confess, this unfortunate thing forth of the way, towards that blessed agreement, which God, I trust, shall for ever establish betwixt you and your subjects. Sir, my consent herein shall more acquit you to God, than all the world can do besides. To a willing mind there is no injury done; and as, by God's grace, I forgive all the world, so, Sir, I can give up the life of this world with all chearfulness imaginable, in the just acknowledgment of your exceeding favour; and only beg that, in your goodness, you would vouchsafe to cast your gracious regard upon my poor son and his sisters, less or more, and no otherwise than their unfortunate father shall appear more or less guilty of his death. God long preserve your majesty. Tower, May 4, 1641. Your majesty's most humble, SEDUCTION OF LOYALTY, See Vol. I. p. 50. WORD ABOUT SUCCESSION BILL, See Vol. I. P. 59. VOL. VIII. I i |