true causes of Judahs captivity the ill use they made of deliverance which drew new plagues upon them out of Gods hand and their conceit of external performances when yet they neglected the weighty matters of the Law We will finde God so reproving them for sin as yet encouraging them to duty and richly comforting them when they are engaged in it we will see them declining after a reformation and this to be the cause of the many calamities that ensued We will also finde here many sweet Predictions concerning the Messiah in the accomplishment whereof the Gospel-Church ought to rejoyce and predictions concerning the various dispensations of God toward his ancient people the Jewes partly in their rejection and dispersion after the coming of the Messiah in the accomplishment whereof we should reade the severity of God and partly in their future conversion and recollection which we should be much in prayer to God for that he would hasten it These and many other precious truths are expressed in these Prophecies and briefly hinted at in the Exposition and Notes Which that they may prove useful to the Church of God and in parricular to your Lordship is the prayer of My Lord Your Lordships obliged Servant in the Gospel GEO. HUTCHESON TO THE Reader Christian Reader THy Acceptance of my former endeavours upon some of the Lesser Prophets hath encouraged me to go on in this work and to offer unto thee also this Exposition of these three Prophets who lived in the Church of the Jewes after their return from the captivity of Babylon My aime and desire herein hath been and is the promoving of thy spiritual good by holding forth as briefly as I could the sense and use of this part of Holy Writing And I desire that accordingly thy care may be to make right use of this as of other meanes which God in these times notwithstanding the thick clouds of errours and delusion that now abound offereth unto thee And that it may be so it is requisite that thy scope in reading be not to satisfie curiosity or to judge of mens abilities and parts in accomplishing what they undertake which is the most that many in this nauseating and wanton age propound to themselves in reading but that thou be one who indeed art making earnest in working out thy own salvation and of honouring God in thy station and generation In which case only the Scriptures will relish with thee as being driven thereunto for reproofe consolation and direction as thou needs them Nor is it to be expected that what is here gathered from the Scripture and presented to thy view will have due weight till first thou learne in thy heart to magnifie the truth and certainty of the written Word and see God who cannot lie speaking to thee in it and by it and then thou may discern much more in it and in every sentence of it then our weaknesse can dip into or comprehend and that thou art bound to deny thy self thy corrupt sense and reason and simply trust God speaking in it blessing him for so sure a ground whereupon thy soule may leane its weight I shall adde nothing concerning this peece in particular wherein are expounded many dark places by the obscurity whereof the Lord would exercise and humble us and the subject whereof is of use to the Church under variety of conditions and revolutions Only recommending it to thy favourable acceptance and thy self in making use of it to the Lords blessing who teacheth his people to profit I am Thine to serve thee in the Gospel GEO. HUTCHESON BOOKES Printed by RALPH SMITH Master Dicksons Exposition on the whole Book of the Psalmes in three Volumes Mr. Hutchesons Exposition on Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk and Zephaniah The Christians Charter shewing the Priviledge of Believers in this life and in the life to come by Mr. Watson Minister at Stephen Walbrook the third Edition much enlarged Also Mr. Watsons Art of Divine Contentment the second Edition A SERMON of Mr. Simeon Ash at the Funeral of Mr. Jeremiah Whitaker together with a Narrative of his pious life An Exposition on the whole Book of Ecclesiastes by that late learned and pious Divine Mr. John Cotton Pastor of Bostock in New-England A BRIEF EXPLICATION OF THE Prophecies OF Haggai Zechariah and Malachi Haggai THE ARGUMENT THis Prophet with the two that follow were sent of God unto the people of the Jewes after their return from the captivity in Babylon We reade not of any Prophets they had immediately after their returne but after that they had by reason of much opposition from without and their own weakness shamefully neglected the building of the Temple Ezra 4.23 24. The Lord who had inflicted several plagues on them for this did also stir up first this Prophet and shortly after Zechariah to rouze up the people and be helpful to them in building of the Temple Ezra 5.1 2. And then sent Malachi list of all to reprove and correct the abuses that fell out amongst them after the Temple was built Haggai being the first sent out is employed partly to reprove their following their own interests and neglecting of the work of God and to stir up that secure people to the work 〈◊〉 partly to encourage them to go on and to do it bonesily being set about it In which Zechariah chiefly joynes with him and enlarges that subject of their encouragement CHAP. I. IN this Chapter after the Inscription v. 1. we have 1. A Sermon reproving the peoples sinful negligence and stirring them up to build the Temple wherein he reproves their shifting to put hand to this work as if the time of doing it were not come whereas they were most active in their own private affaires v. 2 3 4. And exhorts them seriously to consider their condition and for what God had so smitten them v. 5 6. and so to consider as to be stirred up to set to the work of the Temple in which God would shew himself gracious v 7 8. and the neglect whereof had been the cause of so many plagues v. 9 10 11. 2. We have the successe of this doctrine all of them fearing God who spake by his Word set to the work v. 12. and being encouraged by the Prophet in so doing v. 13. they are so active as in short time they have materials ready wherewith they begin the work v. 14 15. Vers 1. IN the second yeare of Darius the King in the sixth moneth in the first day of the moneth came the Word by the LORD by Haggai the Prophet unto Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel Governour of Judah and to Joshua the sonne of Josedoch the High Priest saying In the Inscription we have not only the Author and Penman of this Prophecie but the time of iâ— reckoned from the yeare of the Persiâ—n Kings reign under whose power now they were and the moneth designed which was the time of their hervest the Feast of Tabernacles being the
fifteenth day of the next moneth See Lev. 23.15 33 34. and the persons to whom it is directed which were Zerubbabel the Civil Governour who seems to have been the natural sonne of Pedajah 1 Chro. 3.19 and the legal sonne of Shealtiel or Salathiel as succeeding him in the Government though not now kingly or Shealtiel was his Grandfather and Pedajah his father and Joshua the High Priest whose father had gone into captivity Chro. 6.15 The message is directed to them not as chief in the guilt being godly men but that bearing 〈◊〉 they might stir up themselves and help to excite others â—â—tting what hath been observed on former Inscriptions We may learn hence 1. Whatever men may think of Gods threatenings when they are in prosperity and of his promises when they are in adversity yet time will prove the truth of both in experience as here it is supposed notwithstanding this peoples presumption while they stood a Kingdome and their fainting in captivity yet they had both been sent into captivity as the Prophets had sorewarned them and were brought back again according to Gods promise 2. When the Lord hath delivered his people from the outward captivity wherein they were held he may see it fit to keep them yet in a low and poore estate that they may yet repent of their sins which neither before nor in their captivity have been seriously laid to heart and may be kept from doating on much external glory but be held eying that which is the true spiritual glory of the Church for these ends are the Jewes when returned yet under Darius the King their time reckoned by the yeares of his reigne as a token of their subjection and have only a Governour and High Priest of their own in stead of the Kingly dignity they formerly enjoyed 3. As the Lord in mercy toward his people sweeteneth their sad times by sending messengers unto them as a meanes and token of good so it is an encouragement to his servants to go on in their duty in most desperate times when they consider that his blessing upon the endeavours of a preaching Ministery may be effectual to help forward his work speedily which without this had lien long behinde for here the Word of the Lord came by Haggai to them and that in the second yeare of Darius Now the work was finished in his sixth yeare Ezra 6.15 which being fourty six yeares in building John 2.20 gives us to understand that by his and Zechariahs help as they are called helpers Ezra 5.2 the work went faster on in some yeares then in fourty two yeares before yea when it had been laid by so long before 4. As it is the duty of faithful Watchmen to be instant in season and out of season so especially to take advantage of afflictions on sinful people to see how the rod may help the Word to work therefore came the Word of the Lord in the sixth moneth that their scarce harvest as is marked v. 6. might excite them to consider Gods Word 5. It is the duty of men in highest power to submit to what God saith in his Word and to be active also that the Word of God have place amongst others 〈◊〉 they have power and that Rulers in Church and State concur to see this work carried on for these causes came the Word of the Lord by Haggai unto Zerubbabel and to Joshua Vers 2. Thus speaketh the Lord of Hostes saying This people say The time is not come the time that the LORDS house should be built 3. Then came the Word of the LORD by Haggai the Prophet saying 4. Is it time for you O ye to dwell in your fieled houses and this house lie waste That the Lord may reprove their negligence in building the Temple he propounds their pretences whereby they thought to justifie them selves to wit that finding many lets and impediments from the Kings of Persia and many difficulties from themselves they neither pretend to unwillingnesse nor yet professe misbelief but that it will be built only however the seventy yeares of their captivity were expired they pretend that Gods time was not come wherein they should meet with no rubs and might be able to build it more stately and so pretended to acquiesce in Gods secret Will and Providence looking for better times This the Lord refutes from their own practice who did admit of no such excuse in their own affaires but notwithstanding all difficulties and vexations every one builded stately houses to themselves and how much more might all of them build an house unto the Lord Doct. 1. It is a fearful though usual sin in the Church when that which is the principal fruit and end of all their deliverances and a chief meanes of their happinesse and which they seemed to esteem most of when they wanted it is most neglected when they are delivered and have occasion to testifie their affection and thankfulnesse such was the building of the Temple to this people and yet this house lies waste 2. It is a most dangerous way of sinning when the sinner pretends affection to God when he wrongs him and his matters most and when he thinks himself able by faire pretences to excuse if not to justifie his way so did this people sin alledging no disaffection but that the time is not come c. 3. As the Lord may permit very great obstructions to be laid in the way of a work which yet he will carry on as was seen in this Temple which took fourty six yeares ere it could be gotten perfect so a people who do not openly disaffect the work may sinfully concur in obstructing of it as the Jewes do here And namely 1. When they are not sensible of obstructions in the way but are soon hindered for so much speaks their senselesse submission in this particular 2. When they neglect or passe from a known duty upon any pretence of Providence or of Gods secret will as here they leave off a commanded duty alledging that Gods time was not come 3. When they are hindered from their duty in advancing the Work of God by any hazard whatsoever if it were even by the command of misinformed authority especially when they have clear law for what they do as well as Gods command for this was their fault that they were hindered by Artaxerxes letter Ezra 4.23 24. when they had Cyrus decree standing for them which Darius sustaines Ezra 6.2 c. when they were challenged for building without a new warrant 4 When they look for times wherein there shall be no difficulties but all advantages for doing Gods work in and in expectation of such times do lie by from present duty because their times were not such they say The time is not come whereas his work goeth on in the midst of disadvantages Dan. 9.25 5. When the true cause of mens negligence which layeth many a lion in the way is their love to their own things and private interests
as come to joyne with Gods people are not to be idle and uselesse but to study in their stations to contribute somewhat for edifying and building up the body for they that come must build in the Temple of the Lord. Unto this doctrine two things are subjoyned by way of Conclusion 1. That their own experience should prove that Christ the Mediator was sent to reveal these prophecies and that the Prophet had authority to publish them which was in part verified unto them by their getting help to the work from these they little expected it of and is now fully verified to the Church in after-ages as their successors 2. That it was requifite on their part to be diligent in obedience to Gods commaods if they would not be hinderers of the performance of promises so far as they could and would not deprive themselves of benefit by their accomplishment Doct. 1. Whatever debates may arise in the mindes of Gods people concerning the truth of promises yet experience and the event will put it out of all controversie that God is true for Ye shall know that the Lord of hostes hath sent me which may be understood of Christ sent to reveal these things to the Prophet or rather of the Prophet sent to publish them to the Church in the Lords Name as v. 9. 2. The Lords accomplishing and performing what he hath foretold in his Word should lead his people back to a new and serious consideration of the truth of it that their confidence may rest on it in new exigents without hesitation for this is the use of what God doth that we may know God hath sent his Word by his servants and learne to magnifie it as true 3. Albeit the performance of the Lords absolute promises be not suspended upon mens doing of duty yet neglect of duty may keep back the performance of many particular conditional promises may justly be charged with impeding the performance of all promises to mens power and doth alwayes hinder the comfort and fruit of performed promises from coming to the guilty man for saith he This shall come to passe if ye will diligently obey c. Not that the promise of Christs coming and Conversion of the Gentiles depended on the Jewes obedience but that their neglect of duty would hinder mens present favouring of the work of the Temple whom their sins had made enemies of a long time and that they did what they could if they finned to obstruct all and should certainly have no comfort by these spiritual promises 4. The people of God are then accounted to make conscience of their duty when they submit to what God injoynes in his Word however it suit with their inclinations when they are careful to hear and seek out Gods minde in his Word not shifting light when they are diligent and active in endeavouring obedience as becomes so great a Lord to be obeyed by his creatures trembling lest they be found out of the way in a course of disobedience or sleighting convictions and contemning the light of information and when all this obedience is performed not as a cause of righteousnesse and justification but as a fruit of faith closing with God reconciled in Christ and as a testimony of thankfulnesse for so is duty here described If ye will diligently obey or hearken to the voice of the Lord your God which includes their absolute subjection to the Word their enquiring and hearkening to its directions and both these with great diligence and as a fruit of their being in Covenant with God CHAP. VII IN this Chapter occasion of a case of conscience propounded by some from Babylon concerning their fasting in remembrance of their desolations v. 1 2 3. The Lord sends out his Prophet to condemn all these their fastings and their feastings also v. 4 5 6. and their neglect of obedience which if it had been studied might have prevented their exile and such questions v. 7. And to clear up their duty and the right way of composing all differences betwixt God and that Nation the Prophet at Gods command repeats the whole procedure betwixt God and them to wit that God had given faithful warning to them and laid their duty before them v. 8 9 10. that they had been rebellious and disobedient v. 11 12. and that therefore God in his justice had let forth his displeasure neglected them in their trouble and brought that on them and their land which their sins had deserved v. 12 13 14. Vers 1. ANd it came to passe in the fourth yeare of King Darius that the Word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth moneth even in Chisâ—eu 2. When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech and their men to pray before the LORD 3. And to speak unto the Priests which were in the house of the LORD of hostes and to the Prophets saying Should I weep in the fifth moneth separating my selfe as I have done these so many yeares Hitherto this Prophet hath been for most part employed in receiving and communicating to the Church several visions Now there followes a doctrinal Sermon occasioned by a case of conscience propounded whereof the rise was thus the people of the Jewes during their captivity observed divers yearly Fasts in remembrance of their many desolations of which chap. 8.19 one in the renth moneth in remembrance of the besieging of the city which began in that moneth 2 Kings 25.1 one in the fourth because the city was then taken 2 Kings 25.3 Jer. 52.6 one in the seventh moneth because of the scattering of the remnant of the Jewes when Gedaliah was slain 2 Kings 25.25 and one in the fifth moneth in remembrance of the burning of the Temple and City in that moneth 2 Kings 25.8 9. Now the City being again inhabited and the work of the Temple far advanced being two yeares since they had gone to work again comparing v. 1. with Hag. 1.15 two chief Ambassadours with their traine are sent belike from these in Babylon to worship God and to propound the case to the Lords ordinary or extraordinary Ministers whether it were needful to continue that Fast or not Doct. 1. However the Lord in his wisdom may when he pleases forbear to employ extraordinary meanes and dispensations even in the time when such are in use and leave his people to the use of ordinary meanes yet upon new emergents he will not faile to appear as formerly for here after Zecharies first Sermon containing the former visions which was in the second yeare of Darius chap. 1.7 we finde no more revelations till the fourth yeare of King Darius yet when this new case comes to be solved the Word of the Lord came unto him 2. To know the minde of God in our duty is worthy of much pains and matters of Religion should be looked upon as of very particular concernment to every one therefore they think a solemne ambassage little enough