They knew, them men might by bad Councils Err. Tho' Loyal, yet oppress'd, they did not fear To make their heavy Grievances appear. This was indeed the Humor of the _Jew_, The People by Complaints their Griefs would shew; And never would, in truth, contented seem, Untill redress'd by their wise _Sanhedrim_. Thus now the _Jews_, tho' free from ill Design, In their Religious Cause together joyn: They cast their Eyes on _Amazia_'s Son, Who, without Arts the People's Love had won: Full of tormenting Jealousies and Fears, _Eliakim_ a dangerous man appears: The sober part of the whole _Sanhedrim_, Desire to keep _Judea's_ Crown from him: For they foresaw if he should wear the Crown, _Baal_'s Worship he'd set up, and God's cast down: That all the Nations must be Slaves to _Baal_, Suffer in Flames, fly, or 'fore Idolls fall. Great were their Fears, but yet they did abhor The very Thought of a dishonest War: For they had seen the Kingdom's many Scarrs, Th' unseemly Marks of former Civil Wars. They _Amazia_ lov'd and wish'd him well, Resolve to suffer rather than rebell; Yet openly declare free from all Stain, How much they hate a _Baalite_ should Reign; And for this Cause, and for this Cause alone, _Eliakim_ they'd put by from the Throne. _Eliakim_ at Court had many Friends, By whom in Secret he could work his Ends; So that no Accusation could remove Him, deeply rooted in his Brother's Love. But since the _Jews_ to him shew'd open Hate, Lest that his presence should embroil the State; And that the _Jews_ might have no cause to sin, He's sent to rule the Tribe of _Benjamin_. Thus two great Factions in _Judea_ rose, } So hotly each the other did oppose, } 'Twas fear'd they'd fall at last from Words to Blows. } Each side most zealous for the King appears, Each full of Jealousies and disturbing Fears, Each pleads for _Amazia_ and the Laws, God and Religion both do make their Cause: Both Loyalty profess, both opposite, } Both would persuade that each was in the right, } Tho' both contrary shew as day and night. } Sweet _Azaria_ with these Troubles mov'd, On that side hated, and by this belov'd; Fearing th' inveterate Malice of his Foes, Which he sought to avoid, not to oppose, And lest they should their sought Occasion find, } To tax him of an ill ambitious mind, } By seeing all the _Jews_ to him so kind; } Lest he should grow i'th' King's Opinion worse, He seeks for Council how to steer his Course, That he might to the Court give no Offence, But live wrapt up in his own fair Innocence, The wise and thoughtful _Hushai_ he doth find, And thus to him he breaks his troubled Mind, Great Councellor, and Favorite of Heav'n, To whom the Blessing of true Wisdom's giv'n, Which by no Mortal can possessed be, Whose Thoughts are not inform'd by Loyalty. I know Reproaches upon you are thrown; But judge your Innocency by my own. I am accused Sir, as well as you,