1643 THOMAS WILSON. The Downfall of Jericho - Gospel Preachers the Salvation of a Nation!

A superb sermon preached in the heat of the English Civil War under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. The Presbyterians and other Puritan Independents and Congregationalists were engaged in a heated philosophical debate regarding the right of more fundamentalist Presbyterians to utilize their new-found power to establish a Covenanted Kingdom based on establishment of something very like Scotland's Solemn League and Covenant. It would, by default, mean persecution of Anglicans, Baptists, and of course Catholics at the National level. 

Some of the Presbyterians were so-inclined, which led to Rogers Williams labeling them as no better than the Priests & Popes with their persecuting and narrow spirit. 

Here Wilson [1601-1653] urges that the Parliament, rather than building better armies, would be better off sending better preachers throughout the land, which would save England sooner than the best equipped soldiers. He seems to have been a more moderate Presbyterian, like Edmund Calamy and others, not insisting on only Presbyterian divines, but open to other forms of dissenters, i.e. Independents, Congregationalists, etc. His funeral sermon was preached by George Swinnock.

Wilson, Thomas. Jerichoes Down-fall: As it was Presented in a Sermon Preached in St. Margerets, Westminster before the Honourable House of Commons at the late solemne fast, September 28, 1642. London. Printed for John Bartlet. 1643. 48pp. 

Extracts: 

Now yee (Right Honourable, who love our nation, and whose hearts are to build us synagogues) who meet with many oppositions, and discern many obstructions, and such dangerous distractions in this crazy State and diseased Church:

I. Promote preaching of the word of faith, which is so powerful to remove impediments: men must hear if they would believe, and how shall they hear without preachers? 

'Tis preaching is a notable alarm against God-forsakers . . . Preachers be the strength of the Land, the Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof. It is more needful to set up Preachers then garrisons in towns. Let them have maintenance, countenance, continuance. Exalt ye Christ's Kingdom, it will down with all contrary Kingdoms. Satan's and Antichrist's power fails and is broken where Christ is known as King. Christ is that stone that breaks some and grinds others to powder. 

What is to be expected in Counties where little or no word of faith is? There the enemies swarm and triumph: What good can you find in men, either toward righteousness or religion where men are as the mountains of Gilboa, no rain nor dew of the doctrine of faith falls on them? Let your hearts be lifted up in the way of the Lord to do according to that your pious resolution, of establishing a Preaching Minister through out all the whole kingdom, for faith comes by the word preached.

Very nicely preserved complete English Civil War sermon from the Cromwellian era. Complete as issued, side-stitched in new endpapers and plain wraps. Textually crisp. Rare on the market.