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Now Joab fpeeds to Gefhur. The exiled prince fhall return to Jerufalem; but as yet he is not admitted into the prefence of his father. David's exceffive lenity had already occafioned him the bittereft forrows-he now refolves to feign at least a severity of temper he cannot feel. "Let him go to his own house, but let him not fee my face." Two years is Abfalom thus excluded from all intercourfe with his parent. At laft his impatient fpirit can bear this abfence no longer. He fends for Joab, the folicitor of his return-he requests inftant death, or unconditional pardon from his father. Perhaps his heart was not yet corrupted-or perhaps even now the deep-laid ftratagem was forming, which afterwards brought down ruin on his head. "Let me fee the king's face, " and if there be iniquity in me, kill "me!" Either banishment or death feemed more tolerable to him, than

these

these public tokens of the royal difpleasure.

WHAT a torment shall it be to the wicked, to be excluded from the prefence of GOD without hope of recovery! Abfalom will not live, unless he beholds the face of that father, whom afterwards he most unnaturally fought to deftroy. GOD is the Father of spirits, without whom there can be no life, no being. To be exiled from Him is eternal death, eternal mifery. If in thy prefence, O GOD, is the fulness of joy, in thine abfence must be the fulness of anguish and horrour. O hide not thy face from us, but fhew us the light of thy countenance, that we may live, and declare thy praise!

THE impatience of Abfalom pleads his cause with a fond parent-it seems to demonstrate, beyond all doubt, the ardour of his filial affection. Long had David been weary of his difpleasure-at

length

length he receives his fon into his favour, and feals his pardon with a kiss of tendernefs. Earthly parents know not how to retain everlasting anger towards their offfpring-how much lefs fhall the GOD of mercies be irreconcileably displeased with his children? how much lefs fhall he fuffer his indignation to burn like fire, which cannot be quenched? He will not alway be chiding, neither keepeth he his anger for ever. His wrath endureth but a moment-in his favour is lifeheaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

ABSALOM is now as much diftinguished for greatnefs, as for beauty. Beauty and greatness excite his pride, and pride occafions his ruin. Ambitious fpirits will not reft contented with moderate profperity. Before two years are expired, Abfalom frames a plot of moft atrocious rebellion. None, but his own father, was his fuperior in Ifrael-none

was

was fo likely as himfelf, in all human probability, to fucceed his father. If

his turbulent mind could have been reftrained for a few years, he might have expected that by fucceffion, which now he fought by force. An aspiring heart is always impatient, and holds time itfelf as an enemy-thrufts itself importunately betwixt the hope, and the enjoyment. Full of labour and travail, it has no intermiffion of its uneafinefs, till it hath brought forth its abortive progeny. O that our affections were as eager for fpiritual and heavenly exaltation! O that our fouls were equally ambitious to feel the weight of that crown of glory!

OUTWARD pomp, unaccustomed fhews of magnificence, are wont to affect the light minds of the vulgar. Abfalom, therefore, to the incomparable graces of his perfon, adds the unufual state of more than royal dignity. His chariots rattle,

rattle, and his horfes trample proudly in the streets. Fifty foot-men run before their glittering mafter. Jerufalem refounds with the praises of this glorious prince-and all are dazzled with his continual display of grandeur. The generous David fufpects no danger from this ftudied oftentation. His partial love confiders all this fplendour as expreffive of joy and thankfulness-as, defigned to do honour to their reconciliation-as not unbecoming the age, the rank, the beauty, the virtues of Abfalom.

HAVING thus engaged the eyes and tongues of the people, the infidious prince lays fnares for their hearts. He rifes early, and ftands befide the way of the gate. Ambition is ever vigilant and industrious-the condefcenfion of Abfalom is equal to his greatness. How gloriously doth the prince of Ifrael neglect himself, and prefer the care of jufVOL. II. E

tice

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