Contemplations. S H I M E I curjing. i,.;;!:;{:~~';Jf.~"'~,Ith an heavy heart, and 3 covered head, and 3 weeping eye, and bare feet, is David gone away from Hierulalem 1 never did heewithmorejoycomeuptothisCity, then now heeleft it with forrow: how could he do otherwife, whomthe infurredion of his owne Sonoc drcve out from his koufe, from his throne, from the Arkc of God~ and now, when the depth this griefedeferved nothing but '"mpaffion, the foule mouth of Shlmti enterr.aines D•viJ with curfes : There is no fmall cruelly in the picking out ofa time for mifchiefe ; That word would fcarce one feafon, which at another killeth. The fame !haft flying with the wiade deep,whicb againll ir,can hardly find llrength to llick upright. The valour, ofchildren condemns it for injurioufiy cowardly to llrikc theirad1rcrlfanrwherd he is once down. It is the murder ofthe tongue to infult upon thofe, whom bath humblcd,and to drawblood ef that backc,which is blewfrom the Almighty. If Shimti hadnot ptefumcd upon Davids de)ectcon,be<Jurllt ncJt bave rhus bold; now he that perhaps durll not have lookt at one uo!:le,,aetres1tnemall atonce,and doth bothcalt, and fpcak !tones againlt David,and malice ofbafe fpirits fometimes caries them further, then the courage ofthe valiant. In all the time of Davids profperiry, we heard no news ofShimti;hislileocc and colourableobedience made him pa!fe for a great fubjetl; yet all that while was his heart unfou"d and trayterous.Peacc and good fucce!fc bides many a falfc heart (liko Snow-drift covers an heap of dung) which once melting away, defcryes the rottennes that lay within: Honor and welfare arc but flattering gla!fes ofmens ctions:adverfity will not deceive us,bllt will make a true report asof our own pow• m, fo ofthe difpotitionofothers. He that fmiled on D•vid in his throne, corfeth him in his flight : if there be any quarrd<,any exceptions to be taken againlt aman, let him look to have them layd in his d11h when he fares the hardelt. This ptatlife have wicked men learnt of their malter,to take the utmolt advantages ofour atllittions 1 He that fulfers had need to be double armed, borhagainltpaine and cenfurc. Every word of Sbimti wasa llauoder ; He that tookc s ••Is fpeare from bis
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