when they are a little settled, they strive to spoil the king of his prerogative, to usurp it to themselves; and, rather than fail of their designs, time hath been, that they have involved the people of this kingdom, in a miserable war and destruction of each other, when the thing, they seemed to insist on, was either of no moment at all to the people, or something that had a very remote possibility of ever happening; where. by, instead of preventing the mischief, they drew it hastily upon us. There are too many examples hereof in history, whereof to name a few: let it be impartially considered, and then judge, if there was a justifiable cause for the insolency of that parliament, in Edward the Second's time, who, being set on by some lords, that envied Gaveston's favour with that king, framed articles of some trifling grievances to be presented to the king, but added thereunto, the king must banish Gaveston, else they declared, they would rise in arms against the king. An action much to the credit of parliaments, indeed, that they, to gratify an envious lord or two, would not stick to stir up the plague of a civil war, in the bowels of their own country, by engaging in a rebellion, against the king! And they proceeded so far, that they murdered Gaveston, instead of bringing him to a fair and legal trial, for no reason in particular, that appears by Baker's Chronicle, other than that the king loved him, and that he was in more favour than they and, not long after, they even deposed the king, and yet no intrenchment upon the people's liberty or property was committed by that king, in all his reign, and it is expresly said of him, he took no base courses for raising money. And although, being forced to resign his crown, he was content to live a private life, and did so, very quietly, yet his seditious lords thought his liberty too much favour for him, and caused him to be imprisoned; and in carrying him to prison, he was most barbarously abused; for, being taken from his horse, and set upon a hillock, there, taking puddle water to shave him with, his barber told him, cold water must serve for that time: whereat the miserable king, looking earnestly upon him, told him, that, whether they would or no, he would have warm water to wash withal; and, to make good his words, he let fall a shower of tears: and, being carried to prison, they lodged him in a chamber over carrion and dead carcasses, thinking, thereby, to have poisoned him: but, when they saw that would not do, a letter was devised from a lord, to the king's keepers, blaming them, for giving him too much liberty, and for not doing the service that was expected from them; and, in the end of the letter, was wrote this line; Edvardum occidere nolite, timere bonum est: which may be Englished either, It is good to kill Edward, do not fear it : or, do not kill Edward, it is good to be afraid to do it: but they took it in the sense intended, and most inhumanly murdered the king. And (to see the fickleness of them) it is recorded, that they that despised him when living, so honoured him, being dead, that they could have found in their hearts to have made him a saint.

It cannot yet be forgot, nor will the ill effects a while be overcome, of that parliament, infamous for long, and of sad and direful memory, how, in the time of the best of kings, when they all ruled, there was no rule at all; but that, upon pretence of removing evil counsellors,

they removed from us all happiness, and overwhelmed us with all the evils imaginable; and because some people would make the world believe there is no preservation against popery, but by means of a parliament, be it remembered, how poorly and sneakingly the parliament, in Queen Mary's days, became apostates to the protestant religion, drew up a supplication to the king and queen, wherein they shewed themselves very penitent for their former errors, and humbly desired their majesties to intercede for them to Cardinal Pool, the pope's legate, and the see apostolick, that they might be pardoned of all they had done amiss, and be received into the bosom of the church, being themselves most ready to abrogate all laws prejudicial to the see of Rome. That this is no fable, they that list may read it in Baker's Chronicle, fol. 320.

Is it not apparent, that what execution hath been done upon the late popish plotters, was by the king's immediate command? And the discoverers of plotters, and prosecutors of papists, are to this day encouraged by his majesty. Were not the lords in the tower several times brought to Westminster-hall, by the king's command, in order to their trial; but the house of commons were not, or would not be ready for it, unless they might pluck a plume from the prerogative, or peerage, to feather their own caps withal? And whether they were not more ready to kindle coals of contention, when even in the house, not long since, some laid hands on their swords to draw at each other, I leave the world to judge. Can any man then, that loves the peace of his country, be troubled at the prorogation or dissolution of such a parliament ?

It is, indeed, to be found in our English chronicles, that one parlia ment had the name of good, and that was in the reign of Edward the Third; but it seems to be so called in derision only; for the same author says, they wrought ill effects. To be plain, there seldom or never was a long parliament that did deserve much commendation, or that was free from faction: but that it was not otherwise, much may be imputed to the fault of the electors, who take not right measures in their choice. And because good parliaments are very useful to his majesty and people, it is to be wished men would observe the right means to obtain such; whenever it should please his majesty to give another opportunity of a new choice. And forasmuch as many of the commons of our late parliaments were so vile as to take pensions for their votes, as some of their own fellow-members give out; which, if true, in all likelihood were given by some corrupt minister of state, to promote the interest and designs of some foreign prince; and some others of them were under very gross errors touching succession, whether out of a real misapprehension, or a voluntary misfeasance, it is not proper here to determine. Only this I say, it is somewhat strange, that men, that are all for religion, will not trust God Almighty himself with that prerogative, though he give us his word for it, that the hearts of kings are in his rule and governance, and he turneth them which way it pleaseth him;' and in another place it is said, 'By me kings reign, and princes do decree: ' But of this more, perhaps, hereafter. Some others are mightily inraged at their dissolution, because it hath put them to

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 judg ments 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 remember 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.

THE

London, printed in the year 1680. Folio containing two pages.

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 tempta tions of grey Achitophels.

Achitophel, the engineer of all this mischief, seeing his counsel despised, and foreseeing the event, prevented the hand of the execu tioner, and, in revenge upon himself, went home and hanged him. self; 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,