viall is on them and yet they repent not Goe on and prosper in your work and the Lord hasten Babylons full and finall fall Rev. 18. 2. 2. In regard of the work 1. It is high an Angelicall work who but Angells powre out the vialls May not men work Rev. 15. 1 6. 2. It is holy a divine work you work as Gods you have a divine title in office Gods Psal. 82. 6. You work for the King and the Kingdome for your countries and our consciences your and our Eternity You work for Christ and his Kingdome you work for the Lord 2 Chron. 19. 6. 3. It is a happy it is a blessed work happy you in rewarding Babylon as shee hath served us you may by just censure doe to her what she in her agents hath done to us in unjust sentence Psal. 137. 8. You work here but you and yours have many a prayer every day prayer oft in the day prayer Christs servants in the Ministery pray for you Christs people his beloved ones pray for you all that can pray pray for youâ— the blessing of the poore the prisoner the exiled the persecuted the oppressed the just is upon you that you may be as the Sun when it goeth in his strength over all mountaines and sublunary impediments Much honoured you may well work you are under many a prayer with many a teare powred out to God the hearer of prayers that you and your work may prosper it will wither any most flourishing bay tree to have the Church pray against it it will put vigour and spirit into any gracious heaâ—t to have Gods children pray for it Iud. 5. 31. 4. It is Honourable a work full of credit Ioshuah is by this made famous in the world upon this fall his fame was noised throughout all the countrey Josh. 6. 27. Great is and greater will be the glory of this Englands Parliament albeit you meet with ill requitall by an unworthy and unthankfull people yet your work will redound to ages to posterity that will know your name you continue Israels name yea Christs name among us you shall bee called the friends of nations the healers of the Kingdome deliverers raised up Saviours come up on mount Sion the repairers of the breach the restorers of the path to dwell in Isay 58. 12. Work the Lords work study his name and glory hee will mind your memory and honour your name shall be blessed Prov. 10. 7. 3. In regard of good to many 1. The King shall raign in honour and happines all impediments removed a loving King over a liâ—gâ— peopleâ—his throne will be established iâ— righâ—â—ousnesse Prov. 25. 5. the evill the King sitting on the throne of judgement will bee scattered away with his eyes 20. 8. His Crowne will be in safety and His Person in dignity verse 21. His Subjects many to His Honour 14. 28. His Countenance as life to them 16. 15. and His Favour as the cloud of the latter raine yea as dew upon the grasse 19. 22. to the joy of his people by justice 29. 2. 2 The way to Canaan heaven opened and by the preaching of the Gospell made plaine which by impediments was shut up the Temple of God was open Revel. 11. 19. After much ignorance truth shall be knowne more clearly the little book will be open the vaile will be taken away Revel. 10. 2. which was marvellously over-spread Isay 25. 7. downe with these walls and then many may goe on more comfortably hopefully speedily to the promised land 3 Liberty for Gods chosen to come out of the fellowship of Canaanites to hold communion with true Israelites as Rahab was freed from Iericho when the walls fell and it was taken She was saved alive and dwelt in Israel many now greatly afflicted with the company of the evill doers when the work of reformation comes to an end shall be able to live in communion of Saints Ioshua 6. 25. 4 An addition to the Church of God of many distressed who by humane vanities and inhumane persons could not dwell in the land who will come home and fall in to us abundantly by a reformation many went away but went not from us but were scattered they love the assembly of Saints without separation from them when offences bee taken away they being driven away will be gathered we shall lose none but gaine many whereas mens former wayes have scattered Saints and increased Papists and superstitions have over-spread the face of Religion in many places our study to continue the Church in peace by vaine ceremonies hath increased distractions in it and the will and wit of man to content and convert Papists with May-poles and Morris-dances is both vitious and ridiculous King Asa his serious reformation in putting downe Idols and in setting up Gods worship brought in men 2 Chron. 15 8. And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasses and out of Simeon for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance when they saw that the Lord his God was with him verse 9. 4 In regard of God 1 His word 1 Calling you his choice ones to doe his work as to Solomon God hath chosen thee to build him a Sanctuary take heed Gods providence was in your choice people set their hearts on you gave voice and hand for you to doe this work you see your call mind your duty authority opportunity and doe as God hath called you 1 Chron. 28. 10. 2 Commanding you to doe his work bee strong and of good courage doe it v. 20. 2. His reward to you your work shall be rewarded so did Obed assure Asa 2 Chron. 15. 7. you shall not lose your labour in Gods service Ierem. 31. 16. God will not be a man as Nebuchadnezzar lack his wages for his Army Ezek. 29. 19. but the Lord said I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it Tyre because they wrought for me saith the Lord verse 20. Then he will give his voluntary servants a plenary reward 2 John 8. 1 Internall peace joy hope the fruit of well-doing in your pure consciences inward friends very fast and faithfull to you without falshood or flattery 2 Cor. 1. 12. 2 Externall in your houses God will blesse you and build your families take care of Gods house his worship Religion children let God alone with your housholds you are from them for to wait on God God will be with them to wait to doe you good mind Gods house now at this dayâ— this time God will care for yours for time to come as to David the Lord will build thee an house 1 Chr. 17. 10. David said in thankfulnesse to his God thou hast spoken of thy servants house for a great while to come verse 17. 3 Eternall the reward of faith the salvation of the soule 1 Peter 1. 9. God will never give lesse then a Kingdome ô be faithfull in
this Kingdome you shall have a call to inherit a prepared Kingdom Ye blessed inherit ye it Mat. 25 34. 3 His presence behold him Moses saw him hence is your ability sufficiency safety successe think on it every day to meet with God in your Honourable assembly God is among you gods God judgeth among the Gods Hebrews 11. 27. with Psal. 82.1 1 To work before you God wrought on the Ierichuntines ere Ioshua came to them Rahab told the spies The Lord hath given you the land your terrour is fallen on them they faint because of you Ioshua 2.9 God hath wrought before you in Scotland an honoured nation our dearest brethren a loyall people most faithfull subjects You have had your feet on the neck of the enemy follow on in justice and holinesse so shall God doe to all your and his enemies God will cleare your righteousnes as the light and your judgement as the noon day Psal. 37. 6. 2 To work for you God will work all your works for you to your hand when they may be too hard for you Isay 26. 12. Christ that man with a drawne sword comes in for his as a captain of the Lords host to fight for them when Ioshua could not tell which way to assault Iericho Ioshua 5. 13 14. 3 To work with you as with Gedeon The Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour Iud. 6. 12. the sword of the Lord and Gedeon will make the enemies run cry and fly away 7. 20 21. 4 To be rereward to you to gather you up the Lord will regard the faint and weary he will help his on he will shield his from feare of the enemies and hurt of evill The Lord shall goe before you and the God of Israel shall be your rereward Isai 52. 12. 4 His praise and glory your ultimate end your chiefe desire when the walls be down the people shout Ioshua 6. 20. the Church will praise God when Babylon falls much people in heaven the Church reformed and redeemed from the earth were saying Allelujah Salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God Revel. 19. 1. for he hath judged the great whore and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand verse 2. againe Allelujah verse 3. all the company of Saints say againe Allelujah verse 4. a voice charging meâ— to praise God vers. 5. Allelujah for the Lord God omnipâ—tent raigneth verse 6. Let the feare of the Almighty fall upon all your hearts who come this day to lay your selves low before him goe from this duty with renewed purposes and confirmed resolutions to be for the Lord and his work with all activenes Think on the enemies of the Church Be they active and not you Would they ruine all and not you study to preserve all Be they spiritlesse may not you have heartinesse Bee they falne will you feare them Consider what may carry you on in your work it is high and holy happy and honourable be of good courage and doe it ponder in your hearts the good you may doe in your work the Kings Honour the Subjects peace the way to heaven more opened the liberty of the Church procured and an addition to the Church of many scattered all call upon you and under God depend on you With deepest thoughts regard Gods word calling and commanding you Gods reward internall externall and eternall for you Gods preâ—enâ—e to work before you for you with you and to bee rereward to you Gods praise the greatest good the chiefest fruit of all your work who will allow you comfort and take the glory to himselfe vow this day to the Lord and performe it Say every soule I am the Lords that it may bee evident you have fasted to the Lord prayed to the Lord beleeved in the Lord while you work for the Lord then the Lord will turn our Trouble into Peace our Crosses into Comforts our Fasting into Feasting our Prayer into Praise our Sorrow into Ioy and our Mourning into a good day FINIS a Micah 5. 5. b {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Sept. ligator vulneram Chirurgus Reip. mediâ—us {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ab {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} medela Cornâ—l à Lap. in Isai. 3.7 c {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in alta omnia iverunt Melchior Adam vita Buceri p. 217. d Furere istâ—ic â—â—emere reges principes populos adversus Christum Domini foelix Omen puto ac melius quam si blandirenâ—ur c. Id. vita Lutheri p. 158. Id. vita Melan p. 358. Id. vita Zwing p. 36. Id. vita Luth p. 138. e Tanta reverentia aliquid petit ut cum Dâ—o tanta spe fide ut â—um patre amico se loqui sâ—ntiat p. 142. Lutherâ— animosa ep. de negotio Evangâ—lii ad Spalatin The Epistlâ— to the Hebrewes 1. It s author 2. Its matter Fidei documentum in toto populo ediâ—um Iun. Par. in Hebr. This text 1. Interpreted 2. Divided Nixi Dei Praecepio Promissione Par. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Observ. 1. Church-enemies helps will faile them Herodot. Xenoph. Decima persurbis est tota bodâ—erna Romae Pontificia M. Mede * The enemies vvalls 1. Principality 2. Prelacy Satans Vicar the Antichrist of Rome instigated Charles the most puissant Emperour to attempt war that by violence the doctrine of the Gospell and the liberty of Germany may be oppressed And the united Princes compelled to the service and observance of his wicked and devilish religion Sleid. Comment li 17. Exossatio non Physicè seâ— mysticè Contusiâ— Antistitum falsâ—m religionem â—â—entium Bran The defence of the enemies walls 1. Policy 1. Detected 2. defeated 2. Patrimony 3. Power of 1. One man 2. Many men Hanc urbis decimam casuram agro sibi pro patrimonio aâ—tributo spoliatam Pontiâ—ice vi iude pulso praerogativam dominium in urtes populos amissuram M. Mede Euphrates â—â—gnificat praecipua Babylonis Antichrist praesidia quibus ad tantam excrevit potentiam Et in vigore stetit hactenus Vrbs slumine qâ—à m muriâ—â—rat munitior Par. Reasons why the enemies wals will fall 1. The enemies 1. Impiety being 1. prayerlesse 2. ful of cursing 3. Idolatrouâ— 2 The vanity of their helps 1. Horses 2. Men 1. Faint 2. Fearfull 1. Kings 2. Merchants 3. Mariners Romanae sedis filii spirituales qui cum Papa perseverabunt Par. Nundinatores spirituales Camerae Pontificiae Quaestores Par. 2 God his 1. Contrariâ—ty 2. Commination 3. Promise 1 Exhort 1. Wicked men be not 1 Vain conâ—ident 2 Impenitent T.W. in his Dist. 2 Godly men 1. Come out from the enemies 2. Be not afraid of the enemies 2 Consolat Comfort when the enemies be 1. In power 2. In policy 3. In prosperity 2 When the Church is 1. In impotency of men 2. In the insufficiency of meanes God can cause
pride of their glory shall be strainedâ— he shall tread upon Princes as morter and as the Potter treadeth the clay Isay. 41.25 â— The defence of the eneâ—ies wallâ— departs from thâ—â— 1 Policy that failes when they work by subtilty yet nothing in man no wisdom understanding nor counsell by all plots and hellish practices can prevaile against the Lord his will and work Pr. 30. 1. 〈…〉 detected albeit most secreâ— as the Syriâ—ns plot against Isrâ—â—l 2. King 6.9 yet God told the Pâ—ophet of it and the man of God told the King vâ—â—s 10. the King of Syria suspected some to by imâ—â—â—sty vers. 11. but his servanâ—s â—â—ll him Elisha revealed to the King of Israel the words which he spake in his bed-chamber v. 12. â—od knowes and can point at the man or men that gives evill counsel Ezek. 11.2 He knowes all that comes into their mindes v. 5. The folly not wit of them who resist the truth shall be neere their fall manifest to all men How many plots of mentlesse men have been discovered before the eyes of all men have they not proclaimed to every one by their way this their folly 2 Tim. 3.9 2. It is defeated their counsell comes to nothing but to the hurt of the authors as Ahitophel a deep Politician gives counsell against a good man but the good God disappointed it for the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsell of Ahitophel 2 Sam. 17. 14. Men advanced for their wisedome are oft times made a prey and Judges who should keep a Common-wealth from civill dissentions and ruines doe themselves when God pleaseth become fools He maketh the Iudges fools Iob. 12.17 2. Patrimony and possessions will faile them the tenth part of the city fell {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} nomen tributi the revenues profits first fruits tributes commeÌ„dams lands taken away Rev. 11.13 In that fall many men were slaine not in their bodies but in their estates spoiled of Monasteries Nunneries Abbeys whereby many filled their paunehes as Lordly Prelates all-belly Abbots evill beasts slow bellies it was a death indeed to be brought to true poverty from their former luxuâ—y v. 13. the vine was gathered many cloysters and clusters pulled and cut downe in the dayes of that great Prince Henry 8. who not onely did shake off the Antichristian yoke but did confiscate the lands of many Frieries Priories c. whereby the stals of the fatlings were destroyed and havock made of Papists goods that the horses of them set over the businesse seemed to swim in their spoiles as it were in a river of pressed grapes to the great good of many who had no small good by the fall of this oake Rev. 14.19,20 The water of Euphrates was dryed up as Cyrus when he took Babylon the way of Romish traffick decayed Euphrates notes the chiefe safeguard of Antichristian Babylon which was stronger by this river then their wall 16.12 3. Power mountaines be made a plaine however they swell and seemed invincible immoveable unpassable inaccessible yet God contemnes the enemies mightinesse and will remove all impediments of the restauration of the Church and make it as easie to march over as a plain and eaven Champaine Zechar. 4.7 1. In the might of one man is no safety for sinners against Sion as Haman a great favourite highly promoted and advanced no man had either priority or parity Esther 5.11 yet he abode not in honor he began to fall before Mordecai 6. 13. he is detected and accused as the adversary and enemy of the Jews 7.6 he is cast off by the King v. 7. he is cut off for they hanged Haman on the gallowes which he had prepared for Mordecai he made a net for his owne neck his pride falls and power failes 7.10 2. In the multitude of many men is no strength to uphold the evill doers Captain Sisera had in his company nine hundred Charets of iron and much people Iud. 4. 13. yet the Lord discomfited them ver. 15. there was not a man left ver. 16. The Midianites were numberlesse Iud. 6. 5. as the grashoppers for multitude 7.12 yet before Gedeon and his three hundred ver. 16. all the Host ran cryed and fled v. 21. Many nations of divers abominations wickedly consulted unanimously consented in a cursed coÌ„federacy and cruell combination against the Lord of glory Who hate his Church hate him Ps. 83. 5 6 7 8. which by some is supposed to be in the dayes of Iehoshaphat whom Moab Ammon and Edom beset and assaulted 2 Chron. 20.1 a great multitude there was v. 2. yet they were smitten v. 22. one helped to destroy another v. 23. that Iudah looking on the multitude and behold they were dead bodies fallen to the earth and none escaped v. 24. The Ethiopians came against Asa with a huge host of a thousand thousand and three hundred Charets 2 Chron. 14.9 yet they fled v. 12. Thus it is clear that no policy of man no patrimony in the world nor power of united forces can be a sure wal to secure the sons of wickednesse Reasons why the Enemies wals will fall 1. In regard of Church-enemies 1. Their impiety they are a cursed generation iniquity will cast them down as the inhabitants of Iericho whose wall fell were Canaanites a seed of evill doers to be utterly destroyed both man and woman Ios. 6.21 1. They are prayerlesse they cannot they will not they do not pray they twit prayer in the spirit they by predominancy of Atheisme call not upon God hence is that prediction of wrath to fall on them who call not on Gods name Psal. 79.6 2. They are full of cursing and it shall come unto them cursing men be cursed men What is in their mouthes but fearefull self-damning imprecations and innominate soule-damning oathes the mercy they desire God to shew them is to damne them such words be heard as those who wished they might die in the wildernesse God took them at the word As ye have spoken in mine eares so will I doe to you Numb. 14. 28. 3. They are idolatrous who withstand the Church in the way to reformation they desert God and his pure worship and cannot prosper by that meanes but must fall they and all their confidences as is manifest in those vain men children of Belial who gathered to Ieroboam 1 Chron. 13. 7. who had golden calves for gods the gods of the land of bondage v. 8. who cast out the Priests of the Lord v. 9. who kept not Gods charge but forsooke him v. 11. who albeit Israelites in name opposing God a gracelesse act cannot prosper v. 12. God smote Ieroboam and all Israel v. 15. that Israel fled v. 16. fell downe v. 17. and were brought â—nder at that time v. 18. 2 2. The vanity of their helps their wals high and broad are earth dust built on the sand 1. Their horses how many soever troops they have be but vaine for
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
delighteth Gal. 6. 10. this is the faith the Gospell praiseth Gal. 5. 6. 4. It walks and works by rule a divine Canon 6. 16. 1. In Religion and worship of God it minds and credits the word of God 't is fully for the Scripture all that is in the Scripture it is for as Paul confessed I worship God beleeving all things which are written in the law it dislikes unwritten traditions it disallowes no divine institutions it is well pleased to be ruled by Gods will it will not accept mans lust for a law nor except against any law of Christ Acts 24. 14. 2. In reformation it minds the word as a patterne most perfect as Moses had his patterne not a pin was left to his discretion in that great work of the tabernacle yet he was prudent he was pious but he is charged to attend to directions of God See that thou make all things according to the patterne shewed to thee Heb. 8. 5. the word is our pattern in the day of grace the man of God is to hold fast the forme of sound words as 2 Tim. 1. 13. measure all by this patterne in this our new building Ezek. 43. 10. Learne all the formes all the ordinances and all the lawes of this house and doe them verse 11. A faithfull man is to mind that too Ezra 7. 18. Doe after the will of your God command or commend nothing but by divine warrant whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven let it bee diligently done for the house of the God of heaven verse 23. Gods words is a perfect rule feare him doe nothing without beside or against the word of God Gods commands containe a mans whole duty Eccl. 12. 13. Faith is to beleeve no more then may bee preached but the preachers may and must preach not what men invent but whatsoever Christ commands Mat. â—8 20. Gods word will furnish a man with all that is profitable 2 Tim. 3. 16. and will perfect a man in all things doctrinall and in all things practicall more then is in that perfect word needs neither be knowne taught nor done in the Church of God verse 17. 2. Procure that which is the speedy way to remove all obstacles in your work your good work 2 even this wonder-working faith Mark 11. 22. Have faith in God this will remove mountaines great and seemingly setled impediments beleeve what God doth say and you may have what you shall say verse 23. Christ doth ascertaine us of it neither is it spoken of miraculous faith which removes these mountaines it is an usefull instruction unto beleevers now Mat. 21. 21. 22. 1. Governours yee most noble Senatours trust in the Lord this will make you incomparable succesfull free-men as Hezekiah a godly King trusted in the Lord so that none was like him 2 Kings 18. 5. and he prospered whither soever he went verse 7. it is a glory to be a beleever and a counsellour a beleever and a Parliament man Bee wise now and kisse the sonne of God with faith 't is your wisdome the beleever is the wise man it will bee your happinesse to trust in Christ the beleever is a blessed man Psal. 2. 11,12 2. The Governed people who desire to doe any good at this day when difficulties be many this work sticks ô 't is want of faith beleeve in the Lord beleeve down these walls these high walls when others put to their hands have yee faith in your hearts Beleeve in the Lord and prosper 2 Chron. 20. 20. Now yee Right Honourable who love our nation and whose hearts are to build us synagogues who meeet with many oppositions and discern many obstructions and such dangerous distractions in this crazy State and diseased Church 1. Promote preaching of the word of faith which is so powerfull to remove impediments men must heare if they would beleeve and how shall they heare without preachers Rom. 10. 14. 'T is preaching is a notable alarme against God-forsakers although as Church-Papists may doe they keep their Church and will not bee called Church-forsakers 2 Chron. 13. 12. Preachers be the strength of a Land the Charets of Israel and horsemen thereof 2. Kings 13. 14. It is more needfull to set up Preachers then garrisons in townes let them have maintenance countenance continuance Exalt ye Christs Kingdome it will downe with all contrary Kingdomes Satans and Antichrists power failes and is broken where Christ is known as King Dan. 2.44 Christ is that stone breaks some and grinds others to powder Mat. 21.44 Let Christ the object of faith be the head albeit the builders in place name not in 1 act 2 nature refused him Psal 118.22 What is to be expected in Counties where little or no word of faith is there the enemies swarme and triumph What good can you find in men either toward righteousness or religion where meÌ„ are as the mountains of Gilboa no rain nor dew of the doctrine of faith fals on them Let your hearts be lift up in the way of the Lord to doe according to that your pious resolution of establishing a Preaching Minister through out all the whole â—ingdome for faith comes by the word preached Rom. 10. 17. 2 Provoke unto prayer Prayer is a way to have an addition to faith Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith restraine not prayer by any decree for any time as they wickedly did Dan. 6. 12. Let them that can pray pray men are to be excited to cover earnestly the best gifts and not to rest in a dull devotion but to pray in the holy Ghost a perfect help to prayer a blessed mean of more faith Iud. v. 20. 3 Provide that the seales of the Covenant of God may be purely administred as helps of faith this excellent grace Rom. 4.11 Let your wisedome search the book of God and study the will of God that according to the counsell of the Lord Ministers and members in all our assemblies may be sanctified sufficiently for this 2 Chron. 30. 2. Till men be sufficiently sanctified they cannot come to the Lords supper no more then keep the passeover vâ— 3. Remove in this all obstacles all superstitions profanations v. 14. O that all mighâ— be according to the Word of the Lord in Pastors and peopâ—e 35.6 God is the God of order in his owne ordinances Worship him we must after the due order lest in stead of a blessing we meet with a blow as David discovered and reformed 1 Chron. 15. 2.13 Motives to this faith in God 1. Preaching by it profits men How good is a word a sermon a promise beleeved it works effectually in them that beleeve 1 Thes. 2.13 whereas the Gospell full of glad tydings profits not being not mixt with faith in them that heare it Heb. 4. 2. 2. Prayer then prevailes when it is the prayer of faith What is fasting without prayer prayer being a speciall duty more to bee mending on a fast day or prayer without
faith this day ye fast this day yee pray this day yee beleeve and speed Asa cryed to God relyed on God 2 Chron. 14. 11. and the Ethiopians fled verse 12. 3. The souldiers by this triumph and the enemies fall faith is good in the field faith is the warriours Target the souldiers shield Trust in God will raise us and ruine his enemies Psal. 20. 7.8 4. God will doe much good for those who trust in him 1. God will effect what they commit to him trust to this Commissioner and he will bring all to passe works shall succeed and be prosperous when men rest on the Lord without faith things will be at a stâ—nd and not bee effected you would have all ended comfortably that is happily begun rest on the Lord and he will doe it to your hand Faith puts the businesse in and will not take it out of Gods hand as Psal. 37. 5. 2. God will carry beleevers thorow mids of manifold troubles and difficulties with great ease comfort and safety the red Sea was for beleevers made dry land Yee whose unparalleld paines have met with unheard of difficulties in your proceedings cast the eye of your faith upon the Lord to make your way plaine and passable that the Lords flock may goe albeit through the wildernesse Canaan-ward Heb. 11. 29. 3. God will shew beleevers his glory his glory of power to help of mercy to pity of truth to keep promise of wisdom to counsell them men without faith misse and meet not with God but bow the eare to that of Christ our Saviour Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldst beleeve thou shouldst see the glory of God Iohn 11.40 4. God can doe a world of good for men in a week he made a world in sixe dayes that may cause us to rest on him What great things can God doe in a day in your great councell for this sinfull Kingdome and corrupted Church mind what a day may bring forth or a week bring about and rest on the Lord who can work all our works for us were a matter as hard as to make a world yet God can by his owne hand he needs no inâ—truments who are all unactive without him plant the heavens and lay the foundation of the earth Isay 51.16 2. The manner of this fact they are diligent every day early compassing this city Iericho seven dayes having no rest till the work bee done the wals be down as the Lord had told them Faith in God is active for God till it have done the will of God the worke of God as Ioshua and Israel did as God bad them without ceasing so Caleb a man of a generous spirit having a regenerate heart when others would turne back he would on to Canaan in the act of faith he fully followed the Lord who promised them the land Numb. 14. 24. Faiths activenesse is 1. In removing stumbling-blocks as walls out of the way that Gods people may hold on in Gods way and not decline it is a command Prepare the way take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people Isay 57. 14. 2. In restoring the worship of God that all divine institutions may be enjoyed in a right manner and due order thus David was solicitous and reckoned himselfe afflicted till the Ark of God was set in its proper place Psal. 132. 1. Davids afflictions his religious care to bring the Ark home before that breach upon Vzzah â—un he vowed and layd a solemne tye upon his soule an oath a forcible obligation verse 2. he would not give sleep to his eyes or slumber to his eye-lids ver. 4. in his new house which he had builded in the city of David verse 3. till he found out a place for the Lord represented by the Ark verse 5. In that faith is so active it may informe us 1 1. 'T is no wonder that many unwilling to bee good or wise to doe evill so hinder and oppose faith in the meanes of it the enemies have reason as they would be true to a cursed cause to resist it which will not rest till it have razed their walls ruined their building crossed their cause overthrowne their helps and dashed their hopes 1. The devill hinders faith that it be not preached to men Paul would have come to the Thessalonians for the furtherance of faith but Satan an adversary hindered 1 Thes. 2. 18. the devill in his instruments turns away men desirous to heare the word of God from the faith as Elymas the child of the devill dealt with the Deputy Sergius Paulus a prudent man Acts 13. 7,8,10 2. The world allowes and likes no beleevers they are all under the observation of an envious eye as â—ahab was in Iericho Ios. 22. the men of this world not men of God forbid preaching the word of faith and salvation 1 Thes. 2. 16. they are stiffe opposers as Apostaticall Alexander greatly withstood who had once stood for Pauls preaching 2 Tim. 4. 14 15. They put away shoulder and thrust out the word of God Acts 13.46 2. Many persons be wickeâ— men men of no faith as is evident by their non-activity for God for whom faith is active and of this sort are they 1. Who be pleaders for Baal and his wall that it should not down when it was down that men if they doe not stigmatize yet they particularize reformers eminent men as Gedeon a man well known in those corrupt times by his work of faith appointed to dye Baals Altar was cast down Iud. 6.28 they said Gedeon had done it verse 29. they willed his father Ioash to bring him forth that he may dye verse 30. a fitter censure for those who will plead for Baal he that will plead for him let him be put to death verse 31. 2. Who be neuters as luâ—e-warme most loathed persons who will not medle nor have a hand in any good as cursed Meroz a people who came not to the help of the Lord Iud. 5. 23. men bitterly cursed of God as the Reubenites meer worldlings minding their folds and flocks verse 16. lazy Gilead tarried at home verse 17. Dan tarried minded his trade his ships and traffick ibid. Asher on the Sea coast abode in his breaches to fortify himselfe as weak verse 17. and secure Iabesh Gilead yeelded sent in none to punish delinquents men of great folly and villany in Israel Iud. 21. 9. albeit it was by an ordinance of their Parliament in a generall Assembly 20. verse 2. 9 10. that the children of Belial might receive condigne punishment verse 13. 3. Who be active against the Church for the enemy with the enemies of Church and State as Edom Moah Ammon joyne with Philistines Tyrians Assyrians degenerate professors fit companions in service against the Church albeit they pretend the Church-service of lewdest persons Papists Atheists and men of flagitious lives Psalm 83. 5 6 7. This did Amelek feared not God but smote the Church
Revel. 6. 2. Dagon will fall before the Ark 1 Sam. 5. 3. 2. In praying coveting the best gifts to lift up a prayer not in their hand but in their heart for Zions happy deliverance not in a formall customary bedulling manner but watching thereunto according to all occasions and seasons wee having the same spirit of prayer as Isaiah had let us lift a prayer as Isaiah was bid 2 King 19.4 3. In our examples as patterns bee patterns of beleevers in spirit 1 Tim. 4. 12. be as the Hee-Goates before the flocks Ier. 50. 8. The Priests circuited Iericho goe into the gap stand in the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battell in this day of the Lords controversie with England Ezek. 13. 5. 3. People be active for God 1. By their portions Honour the Lord with your substance now when his enemies would rob us of Religion let your Merchandize be holinesse to the Lord Isay 23. 18. Prov. 3. 9. 2. By their persons power and lives it is a glory in â—ebulon and Naphtali they jeoparded their lives Iud. 5. 18. 3. By prayer earnest prayer was made by the Church in a troublous time Acts 12. 5. that God would remember Church-enemies Edomites Psal. 137. 7. 1. The manner of this Activenesse 1. Obedientially doe all according to Gods will rule and call else a man may smart for it as Iehu did Hosâ— 1 4. Iehu reformed after his owne and not Gods heart and God would bee revenged on the house of Iehu Doe all according to the law of God and then let all obeyâ— as Artaxerxes to Ezra Ezra 7 25,26 Gods lawes are not new but old wayes his law is not novelty but the best antiquity Aske for the old way Ier. 6. 16. Away cast up of God to goe in Isay 57. 14. Thus peace shall bee to you in doing as God commands you Exod. 18. 23. 2. Diligently the Israelites goe about Iericho seven dayes and seven times the seventh day most of all on the Sabbath enemies receive greatest blowes and the Church greatest help blessing victories on that day Be not weary of your work albeit it cost you many dayes work not slothfully He is cursed who doth the work of the Lord negligently Ier. 48. 10. 3. Vnanimously they all compassed it unity is happy in the people in the Preachers in the Parliament all as one man all one way Neâ—em â— 1. no divisionsâ— Are yee not Members in this High Court both Houses one Parliament all vote for the truth for holinesse for justice against iniquity scâ—ndall Popery it is the good haâ—d of God to our joy to give you one heart 2 Chron. 30. 12. with your magnanimity to grace you with unanimity You call to mind this day wee have one Covenant and Protestation to maintain truth to withstand evill be enlarged in covenanting as of Iehoiada 't is writ He made a covenant between the Lord and the King and the people that they shoulâ— be the Lords people when this was then all the people of the land brakâ— down throughly Baal his house altars and images to pieces unanimity works effectually to cast downe iniquity 2 Kin. 11. 17 18. 4. Patiently 1. in tarrtance for a fit time the Lords time wee see nothing done wee call great things nothing who the other yeare would have been glad of some of those many things bee now effected at many dayes work as they in compassing Iericho many times 12 times saw never a stone falne yet it will succeed well in the end and all will downe Though the vision tarry wait for it at the end it shall speak and not lye it will surely come it will not tarry Hab. 2. 3. 2. In silence mutter not in this compassing of Iericho not one spake a word till the last day and then yee shall shout Joshuah 6. 10. Stand still feare not hold your peace Exod. 14. 13. 14. Wait ye for the salvation of the Lord 2 Chron. 20. 17. 5. Confidently by faith an active grace valiaâ—tly be strong in the Lord who will not deceive Heb. 11. 34. Stagger not at the promise Rom. 4. 20. call to mind ye mighty men the Magistrates must have Lyon-like courage in every pâ—ssage of their work all the steps of Solomons throne were sâ—ppâ—rted with Lyons 1 Kings 10. 19. 20. 6. Constantly till the wall be downe the work bee done and way bee made for the Lords peoplâ— to passe on toward their inheritance wait on God till mercy come Psal. 123. 1 2. till the Lord lâ—ok down upon us Lam. 3. 49 50. as Israelites wâ—astling till we have a blessing Gen. 32. 26. nevâ—r hâ—ld your peace day nor night keep not silence give the Lord no rest till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth Isay 62. 6 7. 2. The motives to this Activenesse 1. In regard of the enemies 1. They are active a busie world it is they lay their heads together to plot mischiefe and as Sampsons foxes turned taile to taile to burn up all they are set on fire Iud. 15. 4. they take crafty counsell they consult shall they stirre against good for evill and we sit still and not move against evill for good Psal. 83. 3. Philistines could animate one another Be strong quit your selves like men against the Israel of God 1 Sam. 4. 9. they encourage themselves in an evill matter Psal. 64. 5 6. 2. They would ruine all Ierusalem must so they have their will down to the ground Rase it rase it even to the foundation Psal. 137. 7. they would have the name of Israel no more in remembrance 83.4 They would cut off Ireland that none might remember the Lord any more May not this provoke mens zeale to see the wicked devoure the men more righteous then themselves to help Ireland with all forwardnesse alas for it the day is great cruell men have shed blood the blood of Saints the blood of Prophets and in justice they must have blood to drink for they are worthy Rev. 16.5,6 Reward Babylon as she hath rewarded you double to her double in the cup she hath filled fill to her double 18. 6. 3. They be spiritlesse faint and fearfull they flye away follow on the Canaanites hearts melted before the armies of Israel Iosh. 5. 1. and no courage left in Iericho 2. 11. near a ruine they are dead 6.21 A hornet of feare is before their fall feare not them who are halfe dead men Exod. 23. 27 28. 4. They are falne Babylon is falne is falne it is repeated it is certain Revel. 18.8 falne 1. in dominion Kings and people fall from them 2. In doctrine her folly is manifested 3. In credit for religion and holinesse which made them feared and honoured 4. In rich revenues taken away by the power of the Gospell the whore is a withered that once was a well favoured harlot the beasts Kingdome is full of darknesse a Scottish myst is falne on Episcopacy the