Mixt contemplations in better times by Thomas Fuller ...

XX. Riddle unriddled.

WE read [2 Sam. 15.11] that when Absalom aspired to his Fathers Kingdom, with him went two hundred men out of Ierusalem that were called, and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. If any have so little charity, as to call these persons TRAITORS, I will have so much con∣fidence as to term them LOYAL TRAITORS, and (God willing) justi∣fie the seeming contradiction.

For they lodged not in their hearts the least disloyal thought against the person and power of King David. But alas when these two hundred were mix∣ed among two thousand, ten thousand, twenty thousand of active and designing Traytors; these poor men might in the

violent multitude be hurried on, not only beyond their intentions, but even against their resolutions.

Such as are sensible with sorrow that their well intending simplicity hath been imposed on, abused and deluded by the subtilty of others, may comfort and content themselves in the sincerity of their own Soules; God, no doubt, hath already forgiven them, and therefore men ought to revoke their uncharitable censures of them. And yet Divine Iu∣stice will have its full tale of intended stripes, taking so many off from the back of the Deceived, and laying them on the shoulders of the Deceivers.