A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

There is another Objection, which at the writing hereof I have met with: Tis Davids confederacy and association, both with Abner, 2 Sam. 3. 12, 13. and with Amasa, 2 Sam: 19. 13. whom according to agreement he made General of his Host, 2 Sam: 20, 4. although both of them had been Davids enemies, and born arms against him, Abner being also scandalous, both for his whoredom, 2 Sam. 3, 7. and his treachery against Ishbosheth in aspiring to the Crown (which is collected ⟨p. 187⟩from his going in unto Sauls Concubine, as Absalom did unto Davids afterward) yea for that he had born Arms against David, when he knew that God had sworn to make David King, and so against the light of his conscience, 2 Sam: 39, 18. Answ: 1 Peter Martyr commenting upon those places, disalloweth Davids practise in both these cases, especially his League with Abner. Should we follow these two examples, not being allowed or commended in Scripture? or should we not rather avoid such confederacies, because of many examples thereof, plainly condemned in the word of God? 2. What soever may •e conceived to be allowable or excusable in these examples of David, yet it cannot be applied, except in like cases. When David covenanted with Abner, he was but King of Judah, Abner undertakes to bring about all Israel to him, and that he should make him reign over all the tribes, whereas otherwise there was no appearance of Davids subduing of all the other tribes; but by a long and bloody War. Again, when David covenanted and capitulated with Amasa, he was in a manner fled out of the land for Absalom, 2 Sam: 19. 9. and¹ was forced to abide in the land of Gilead beyond Jordan, fearing also (as interpreters observe) that the men of Judah having strengthened Jerusalem and kept it with a garrison for Absalom, and having done so much in assisting Absalom against David, should grow desperate in holding out against him, hoping for no mercy, therefore he is content to make Amasa General of his Army, upon condition that he would cause the men of Judah to bring him back to Jerusalem, which Amasa moves the men of Judah to do, 2 Sam: 19, 14; for it was done by his authority, as Josephus also writeth, nor could it be done without