Sentence:  Honest men, who tell their sovereigns what they expect from them, and what obedience they shall be always ready to pay them, are not upon an equal foot with such base and <WSD>abject</WSD> flatterers; 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Cast down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile; grovelling; despicable; lacking courage; offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit. (First attested from around (1350 to 1470).)<ref name=SOED/>