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…

Now then let them that will plead for the lawfulness of confederacies with wicked ⟨p. 188⟩persons from these examples of David, first make the case alike, that is, that the wicked one have power of an Army, and of a great body of the Kingdom, to make them either continue in Rebellion and enmity, or to come in and submit. Next let it be remembered that both Abner and Amasa did a great service, (which was most meritorious at the hands of men) for the good, peace, and safety of King and Kingdom, and they did it at that time also when David was but weak, & they had power enough to have continued a War against him. Which is a very rare case, and far different from the case of such as have done and are doing all that they can to pervert and mislead many thousands of the people of God, instead of reducing many thousands to obedience; as Abner and Amasa did. 3. There are some other answers proper to the one case and the other. There is nothing in the Text to prove, that David made such a Covenant with Abner, as the Grecians call [Greek or Hebrew], or that he Covenanted to make him General of his Army, (as afterwards he Covenanted with Amasa,) for at that time he could have no colour of reason for casting Joab out of his place, as afterwards he had; Therefore I understand with Sanctius that the League which Abner sought from David, was Foedus pacis, a Covenant of Peace. Hierome readeth, fac mecum amicitias, make friendship with me, for before they had been enemies: So that this League is not of that kind which is chiefly controverted. As for Amasa, I shall not go about (as some have done) to excuse or extenuate his fault in joining with Absalom, as not being from any malice or wicked intention against David his Uncle; But there is some probability that Amasa was a penitent and hopeful man. Sure David had better hopes of him, then of Joab: And if it be true which Josephus writeth, that before David sent Zadock and Abiathar to the men of Judah, and to Amasa, frequent messages came from them to the King, desiring to be received into his favour; how ⟨p. 189⟩ever Amasa being so willing and ready to do so much for David, when he might have done so much against him, David as he could not do his business without him, so he had some ground to hope well of him;

Now then let them that will plead for the lawfullnesse of confederacies with wicked ⟨p. 188⟩