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
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
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
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