First therefore for the place where he was converted, it appeareth to be Jericho, a city not far distant from Jerusalem. It was sometime a notable City, till it was 1subverted and ruinated by the Lords Champion Joshua. 2It was builded again in the days of Ahab, by Hiel the Bethelite, and remaineth at this day with the rest of that holy Land, under the Turkish Empire. Unto this Jericho, the Lord of heaven and earth vouchsafeth to come in the likeness of a servant. And as Joshua compassed Jericho seven times minding to destroy it, so Christ the true Joshua, resorted oftentimes to Jericho, minding to save it. But as in the destruction of Jericho, Joshua spared none but Rahab the harlot: so Jesus in his journey to Jericho converted none but Zaccheus the Publican. When Joshua had conquered and raced Jericho, he sowed salt in it to make it barren, and cursed him that should attempt to build it up: yet in this barren soil Christ hath his spiritual harvest, and in this cursed City he hath a holy Temple, a blessed building. Samaria that wicked city, affordeth many that believe in Christ. John 4. 39. And out of Galilee, from whence they thought no good thing might come, John 1. verse 46. Christ called divers of his Apostles; and even in Jericho 3this cursed City, Christ hath a rich man that is to be saved. In every place Christ hath his chosen. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all in all, to all that call upon him, Rom. 10. 12.
First therefore for the place where he was conuerted, it appeareth to be Jericho, a citie not farre distant from Jerusalem. It was somtime a notable Citie, till it was 1subuerted and ruinated by the Lords Champion Josua. 2It was builded againe in the dayes of Ahab, by Hiel the Bethelite, and remaineth at this day with the rest of that holy Land, vnder the Turkish Empire. Vnto this Iericho, the Lord of heauen and earth vouchsafeth to come in the likenes of a seruant. And as Iosua cōpassed Iericho seauen times minding to destroy it, so Christ the true Iosua, resorted oftentimes to Iericho, minding to saue it. But as in the destruction of Iericho, Iosua spared none but Rahab the harlot: so Iesus in his iourney to Iericho conuerted none but Zaccheus the Publican. When Iosua had conquered and raced Iericho, he sowed salt in it to make it barren, and cursed him that should attempt to build it vp: yet in this barren soile Christ hath his spirituall haiuest, and in this cursed Cittie he hath a holy Temple, a blessed building. Samaria that wicked city, affordeth many that beleeue in Christ. Iohn 4. 39. And out of Galile, from whence they thought no good thing might come, Iohn 1. verse 46. Christ called diuers of his Apostles; and euen in Iericho 3this cursed Citie, Christ hath a rich man that is to be saued. In euery place Christ hath his chosen. There is neither Iew nor Gentile, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all in all, to all that call vpon him, Rom. 10. 12.
- 1Josu. 6.Iosu. 6.
- 21. Reg. 16. 34.
- 3Joh. 7. 52.Ioh. 7. 52.
