IERICHOES DOVVN-FALL As it was Presented in a Sermon preached in St. Margarets Westminster before the Honourable HOUSE of COMMONS At the late Solemne Fast Septemb. 28. 1642. By THOMAS WILSON Preacher of the word at Otham in Kent Published by Order from that HOUSE LONDON Printed for JOHN BARTLET and are to bee sold at the Gilt Cup near to S. Austins Gate 1643. Die Mercurii 28. Sept. 1642. IT is this day Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament that M. Hollis and Sr Robert Harley are appointed to returne thanks from this House to M. Hodges and M. Wilson for the great paines they have taken in the Sermons they preached this day at St. Margarets Westminster at the intreaty of this House And that they desire them to print their Sermons And that no man presume to print them but such as they shall appoint untill the House shall take farther Order H. ELSYNG Cler. Parl. D. Com. To the HONORABLE HOUSE of COMMONS Now Assembled in PARLIAMENT THE Great God the Lord your God God of Gods and Lord of Lords in pity to his people and mercy to this Land hath raised up in our great distresse a seven shepheards and eight principall men out of the severall divisions of the Kingdome when the enemy would come in like a flood the spirit of the Lord hath lift up a Sâ—andard against him God hath called you for such a thing as this at such a time as this to this Great Court your call is high your work is hard you know why you are borne for the benefit of many as Bucers Physitians said to him non sibi se sed multorum utilitati esse natum You are our deliverers from heavy burdens our reformers of great corruptions You find Church and State bruised and diseased You are our healers b What though Israel fret shall Moses faint when men of renown murmure at the instruments of good the Lord will shew who are Gods no man suffers so much injury as God doth contumely as Melanchthon said nullum hominem tantum sustinere malorum quantum contumeliarum Deus It is not strange that some preferre Egyptians Onionâ— to Canaan and its dainties yet their Caleb a noble spirit fully followed the Lord Bucer and Melanchthon framed a form of reformation with approbation of the Peeres and States but the Clergy in the Colledge of Colen wherein were some stood right affected but more were contrary c rejected with slander and affirmed they had rather live in Turky then under such a reformation sub imperio Turcico malle se vivere quà m sub Magistratâ— qui reformationem illam sequatur Nehemiah when he was in the Lords work was scorned resistedâ— accused threatned and by Nobles in Iudah sworn unto Tobiah deserted yet hee builds and prospers desists not his work defieth his adversaries factions dreads not words nor letters Mens d fury against Christ is a good Omen is better then their flattery they laugh at him weep not for it God laugheth at them Gods infinite providence the seven eyes upon â—ne stone Zechar. 3.9 is upon the Churches foundation all things below are wheeled about as the râ—ngs full of eyes infinitâ Dei providentiâ Iun. in Ezek. 1. 18. Build you God will prosper your work make up the hedge God hath sought you for it stand in the gap before the Lord that he may not destroy the Land who now visits our ingratitude as Luther to Melanchton valdè cupio ut sint adversus Satanae furores inaestimabiles aliquor reliqui qui se pro do mo Israel muros opponant in hoc die furoris Domini visitantis nostram sicut dignum est ingratitudinem You love our Nation your acts are nationall execute judgement and seek the truth thus love our Land and the Lord will pardon Ier. 5. 1. Doe men hate him that rebuketh in the Gate and abhorre him that spèaketh uprightly it is knowne by it it is an evill time you contend for peace and truth be constant and confident your warre is peace as Zwinglius de bello Helvetico writing to his friends Bellum cui nos instamus pax est nonbelluÌ„ they strove to preserv verity liberty of the Gospell Men may may be not hurt the body but they cannot reach not touch the soule that spirituall sparkle as Zwinglius his heart was whole cor illaesum when his body was turned into ashes Luther warmed Melanchthons spirit by a letter about the common cause then molested by Pontificall rage and Caesars fury I saith he about the publike cause have a quiet mind assured it is just true and unappalled I feare not the fierce and cruell Papists if we be overthrowne Christ shall be overthrowne with us and come what can malo ego cum Christo ruere quam cum Caesare stare I had rather fall with Christ then stand with Caesar You fast you pray you consult with the God of heaven who will answer in due time with good and comfortable words Zechary 1.13 Pray as e Luther was wont to doe with reverâ—nce as to a God and with confidence as to a friend and father The day of fasting allowes no ornaments in lesser things then Sermons it was only my purpose to speak something pertinent to the day fasting must have prayer prayer faith and faith activity What can be more necessary in the caâ—se of faith then faith in tantuÌ„ est opus fidei ne causa fidei sit sine fide your difficulties many faith which hath a kind of omnipotency will carry you through all tantum possumus quantum credimus In this service my study was that the word of truth propounded your hearts lift up in the way of the Lord to the work of the Lord might continue in their height and heat by the spirit of burning till all our filth and blood be purged and washed away till fasting be turned into feasting till men may use this speech in England concerning the State The Lord blesse thee ô habitation of justice and concerning the Church The Lord blesse thee ô mountaine of holinesse till there be one Lord and his Name one That this Parliament the repairer of the breaches the restorer of the Paths to dwell in by loyalty to our Soveraign fidelity to the Kingdome and zeale to Religion may be the joy of many Generations which is the prayer of Your devoted servant and daily Petitioner to the God hearing Prayer THOMAS WILSON JERICHO'S DOWN-FALL A SERMON PREACHED before the Honorable House of COMMONS at a solemn Fast Novemb. 28. 1642. HEB. 11. 30. By Faith the walls of Iericho fell downe after they were compassed about seven dayes THE authority of this Epistle depends not on the Writer but on the Authour not on Maâ— but on God whose Spirit of truth held and ruled the pen of the Writer It evidently sets forth 1. Christs 1. Person God and man and 2. Offices King Priest Prophet 2. The
for him Ier. 32 17. Faith lookes not at the deadnesse of men or â—naptnesse of meanes but relies on God perswaded that what he had promised he is able to performe Rom. 4. 19. 20 1. Faith in God being so mighty know it 1 Beleevers be most valiant victors the chiefest conquerours godly men relying on the word bee stronger then all the world their spirits be heroâ—â— call their armes made strong by the mighty God of Iacob Kingdomes cannot stand before them Through faith they subdued Kingdomes Heb. 11 33. Waxed valiant in fight verse 34. David beleeving in the Lord prevailed against the great and formidable Philistine by faith Barak over-powred Sisera and vanquisht Iabin by faith Gedeon mastered the Midianites by faith Asa chased the Ethiopians by it the Iewes brought down Haman in his glory by it the Canaanitish Kings fell before Ioshua by it the Kingdome of Saints are a Peerlesse people It is the honour of all the Saints to triumph over all contrary Royalty and Nobility to bind Kings in chaines and Nobles with fetters of iron Psal. 149. 8 9. 2 2. 'T is a vanity in any difficulty to expect victory by what is not of faith which is so potent an instrument without faith there is no setling of any heart in hope or state in happinesse If ye will not beleeve surely ye shall not be established â—say 7. 9. 1. Formality in Religion Ceremonies in Gods worship be heartlesse empty powerlesse faith is the power of godlinesse 't is a deceit to rest in going to Church as men speak as once it was confidence in a lye to say The temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord are these Ierâ—â— 4. These are lying words they trusted to that could not profit vers. 8. Yet God ruined all where was no faith both the temple vers. 14. and Shiloh of old vers. 12. When Israel trusted to the Ark to save them from the enemy 1 Sam. 4. 3. â—etch the Arke let it save us Could it saveâ— did it save them nay many Israelites were â—mitten vers. 10. and an impure paire of Priests slaine verse 11. 2. Policy is too impotent to remove all impediments worldly wisdome weakens men carnall reasonings be faiths enemies and Satans strong holds Lean not to thine own understanding Pro. 3.5 carnall reason is called a bitter enemy of God Luthers oracle published what would be the pest and perdition of Christian Religion 1. Oblivion of Evangelicall blessings 2. Security generally raigning 3. Wordly wisdome which would reduce all in order and heale the land with ungodly counsells Iehu subtilly cut off Ahabs Baals and in wylinesse yea wickednesse kept Ieroboams calves 2 Kin. 10. 28 29. yet could not he continue the Kingdome for then began the Lord to cut Israel short verse 32. 3. Power of many men is too weak a prop to lean on Many provisions severall stratagems manifold machinations be without faith meanes of no value God promised Zerubbabel whom as speciall Magistrate it concerned to see the temple reedified nâ—t by might of many men or power of one man but by my spirit power providence and gracious favour when all helps which bee subordinate faile will I build the Temple Zechary 4. 6. 1. Prove ye your selves 2 whether you be fitted to conquer all commers to remove all impediments obstacles or obstructions in your way and work Have ye faith deale kindly and truly with your selves be not by sloth and presumption deceived 1. It is a faith will cast down walls 1. In mens hearts it casts down strong holds in us 2 Cor. 10. 4. it layeth low our lofty imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God it silenceth our reasonings verse 5. it removes the perversenesse of heart it causeth frowardnesse of heart to depart Psal. 101. it cannot endure vaine-glory as in Hezekiah his heart was lifâ— up after a mercy 2 Chr. 32. 25. yet he humbled himselfe for the pride of his heart verse 26. Faith diâ—allowes worldlinesse â— in lusts after honour greatnesse reputation as Moses by faith he refused to be called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter verse 24. 2. In lusts after pleasure faith preferres the afflictions of Gods people before the pleasures of sinne verse 25. 3. Lusts after profit and pleasure the treasures of Egypt cannot lye in faiths way to bribe it verse 26. Faith wasts ruines and undermines all inward evill it regards no iniquity in heart it purifieth the heart it cleanseth the conscience abhorres hypocrisie security inward vanity Acts 15. 9. 2. In mens houâ—es it is upright in the family as David I will walk within my house with a perfect heaâ—t Psal. 101. 2. he reformes servants He that worketh deceit shall not dwell in my house he that telleth lyes shill not tarry in my sight ver. 7. The father of the faithfull Abraham commanded his children and houshold to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. Iacob purged his house from all straâ—ge Gods and vanities 35. 2. and had no enemy to hurt him for the terror of God was upon the cities round about him verse 5. Cornelius a Centurion a pious souldier a devout man one that feared God with all his house Acts 10. 3. Gedeon a noted man for goodnesse and famous for faith began his reformation at his fathers houshold and cut downe his grove and threw downe the Altar of Baal Iud. 6. 25. 27. Have yee faith to cast down evils Idols and to remove scandals in Gods houses to reforme our Churches Ministers and members and is it not most serious and sincere to begin with your owne hearts and houses how unseemly yea and unsound is it to talk of reformation Ecclesiasticall and to neglect the heart as disordered and the family as deformed and unreformed 2. This faith in God is effectuall 2 where it is in man 1. It relyeth on the Lord his presence his assistance his arme his name as Iudah did in 2 Chron. 13. 18. Faith will set God his word his promise against all Faith hath a God to trust to the Lord is its hope not men or meanes Ier. 17. 7. 2. It gloryeth in the word of God with praise to God when it seeth nothing but present trouble in dayes of feare it feares not man his cruelty policy power When King Saul misled by evill counsellours pursued David a loyall subject a faithfull servant to swallow him up Psal. 56. in the title and verse 1. his faith cures his feare verse 3. his soule made its boast of the promise of God verse 4. 3. It worketh by love 1. to the Lord Jesus Many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drowne it if a man would give all the substance of his house for love it would utterly be contemned it cleaves to Christ in contrary temptations Cant. 8. 7. 2. To the Church it loves the houshold of faith the Saints others it pitieth in them it
in its way for liberty Deut. 25. 17,18 These as Balaam hired to curse the Church of God can pray read a prayer yea preach against the children of God under the notion of heresie hypocrisie schisme rebellion treason Numb. 22. 17. 23. 8. 4. Who be builders of Ierichoes walls as the men who set up superstitions Altars images innovations they be knowne men God if they belong to him grant them repentance lest that curse be clapt upon them Cursed be the man before the Lord that riseth up and buildeth this city Iericho Ioshua 6. 26. Faith in God being so Active for God 2 as men perswaded of this bee active quit your selves like men as did Generall Ioab to his brother Abishai in that fight against Ammon and the Syrians Be of good courage and let us play the men for our people and for the cities of our God and the Lord doe that which seemeth him good 2 Sam. 10 11 12. receive that counsell put your selves in Aray against Babylon round about all ye that bend the bow shoot at her spare no arrowes for she hath sinned against the Lord Ier. 50. 14. 1. Rulers ye Worthies of our Israel called out of Noble families in the severall coasts of the Kingdome as they in Israel out of Ephraim Benjamin Machir Issachar Zebulon and Naphtali beâ— ye of raised and stirring spirits in the work of the Lord Iud. 5. 14 15 18. 1. In the civill State Most sage Senate touch the mountaines of proud incendiaries they will become a plaine before you Zechar. 4. 7. Scatter the everlasting mountaines of firme setled Canaanites make the perpetuall hills bow Hab. 3. 6. Remove the wicked from before they will rush into the presence of the as speciall servants and Chaplaines in Ordinary to the King that his throne may be established in righteousnesse take away the drosse from the silver impious persons be very pernicious to Princes as Darius counsellors Herods flatterers Pharaohs sorcerers Rehobâ—ams young companions with many Hamans to Ahasuâ—â—â—â— Dâ—â—gâ— to Saul who blemish the repuâ—ation of Princes as Shâ—bna did Hezeâ—iahs Prov. 25. 45. Leave no frogs that creep into Kings chambers provoking them by their croaking to make warre they are knowne by the gâ—â—ter whence they come out of the mouth of the Dragon out of the mouth of the beast and the false Prophet they are spirits of devils which goe forth unto the Kings of the earth to gather them to battell Prince against his Principality King against Parliament Kingdome against Kingdome nation against nation England against Scotland by Men like frogs impudent in croaking the frogs head like their caps quadrata ranarum capita frogs are an Egyptian plague Rev. 16. 13,14 Here is work for the power of a Parliament that the King may have no croakers in his Chamber or Court to be offensive to his Royall â—ares â—haâ—â—he Kingdome distracted and bleeding may have justice and peaceâ— this God commanding you so doe according to your wisdome given you of God 1. 〈…〉 binding 〈◊〉 any vanityâ— or burdens which lye heavy on the Church the Kings word was changed Dan. 3. 28. the decree â—ullified verse 10. as did Darius Dan. 6. 26. and Hamanâ— letters of Mart reversed by Ahasâ—â—râ—s to Esther and Mordecai Esther 8. 5. 8. 2 2. Contend with great oneâ— Nobles Judges Justâ—ces that be profanâ— themselves or countenâ—nce â—â—iquity in the Kingdome as did renowned Neâ—emiâ—â— with those men who profaned the Sabbath Nâ—hâ—m 13. 17 18. 3. Destroy the accursed dâ—aw the wheel over the wicked take away the accursed things else God will have a controversy with England and deny us his presence in all our proceedings away with Achans Iosh. 7.11 12. 2. In the Church 1. Cast out blockâ— stumbling blocks as Asa took courage and put awâ—y abominations out of the land 2 Chron. 15. 7 8. and Iehosophat took away the high places groves out of Iudah and did not leave them to please the people 17. 6. Shew you your integrity as that pious Prince 20. 32. let it bee the peoples blemish to affect and keep â—p high places verse 33. Remember the Prelates as that proud Primate Diotrephes with malicious words prating against and casting out good Church-members 3 Ioh. 10. Beare not but be impâ—tient with men who pretend to be Apostolicall and are Apostaticall lyers Rev. 2. 2. Forget not the odious sin of non-reâ—idency idle dumb and scandalous ministers which make the people loath the offerings of the Lord drive them out of Gods house for the wickednesse of their doings Hos. 9. 15. Regard the godly discipline of zealous Iosiah he put down idolatrous Prieâ—â—s 2 Kin. 23. 5. that they should not come up to the Altar of the Lord in Ierusalem verse 9. It is recorded what Nehemiah did in his zeale and reformation he cleansed the Chambers of intruders in the Courts of the house of our God Neheâ— 13. 7 8,9 and chaced away Saâ—ballats sons in law from him veâ— 28. These as the Ierichâ—nâ—iâ—esâ—hut their gates Iosh. 6. 1. hinder the passage of the people of God into the land of Canaan Mat. 23. 13. â—ee â—inder people be too slow but it is laid on the Priests as the impediment yee would not verse 37. It is considerable what was done to the leprous house 1. Take away the stones in which the plague is â— Take other stones and put in the place of them Lev 14. v. 42. If after the house be scraped and plaistered the plague come againe and break out in the house v. 43. then break down the house the stones of it and timber thereof and all the morter of the house it is a fretting leprosie verse 45. A leprosie was discovered in Queen Mary her dayes after that zealous Prince King Edward the sixt but all was new plaistered in the Raigne of that Englands Deborah Queen Elizabeth but the plague is broken out againe wherefore downe must the house leave not one stone upon another unthrowne downe For profanenesse from the Priests is gone out through all the land profanenesse superstitions are spread downe with their walls their builders their repairers their defenders as Ioash judged Iud. 6. 31. 2. Erect â— wall about the Church in building it up as Exod. 15. 2. prepare God an habitation with a stirring spirit doe the Lords work Hag. 1. 14. and then prosper in your work From this day will I blesse you consider what successe hath followed since the voting downe the Prelacy what blessing God gives you Hag. 2. 18 19. 2. Preachers be active to cast down Antichrist Popery in doctrine and worâ—hip the Churches be called Reformed not onely in doctrine true but in discipline pure 1. In preaching the word of truth Preachers must doe their work as well as Princes to cast down the man of sinne God casts him down with the spirit of his mouth 2 Thâ—s. 2. 8. preach the Gospell Christ conquers by it riding on the white horse