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
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
to and fro through the whole earth Vers 11. Then answered I and said unto him What are these two Olive-trees upon the right side of the Candlestick and upon the left side thereof 12. And I answered again and said unto him What be these two Olive-branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oile out of themselves 13. And he answered me and said Knowest thou not what these be and I said No my Lord. 14. Then he said These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth The scope of the vision being thus explained and the Prophet understanding that of the Condlestick which was ordinary in the vision doth only desire to be informed concerning the two Olive-trees furnishing the Candlestick v. 11. and particularly concerning two branches which did furnish the Candlestick by two golden pipes with bright oile which therfore is called gold v. 12. Unto which question the Prophet being again prepared and humbled with a new sense of his ignorance v. 13. answer is returned v. 14. For understanding wherof Consider 1. That by the two Olive-trees it is not clear to understand only the graces of God poured out on his Church for that is indeed signified by the oile according to the Scripture Psal 45.7 but here the resolution is concerning the trees that furnished the oile Nor yet are we in general to understand them of a fountain of bounty in God for there can be no reason given why that should be compared to two trees and be said to stand before the Lord. But by them we are to understand Christ anointed in his Priestly which includes his Prophetical and Kingly office who was chief in this work and in furnishing all instruments who furnishes his Church and serves his Father in the work of Redemption and is cared for by him as will be expressely cleared to us chap. 6 12 13. Consider 2. That the Angel answering both his questions in one leads us to understand the one by the other in so far as is needful and therefore we may conceive that either that of the branches is not touched as needlesse or pointing out only the fit wayes of communicating himself to his peoples capacity the pipes not being able to receive the oile of the whole tree at once or that branches only now furnishing imported Christs communicating himself in a small measure in this typical work of building the Temple in respect of what he had and was to communicate in the building of his Church under the Gospel or if we will stretch it further it may take in Joshua and Zerubbabel the one anointed Priest the other a successor of their anointed Kings who however as instruments in the work they were resembled by the burning lamps getting furniture from the bowle yet In respect of their office among that people and their influence upon all instruments of building the Temple they were types of Christ and so might be represented by two little branches resembling him the great Olive-tree and this interpretation seems to have ground Rev. 11.4 where as the two witnesses are resembled to Moses and Aaron Elijah and Elisha in regard of the effects of their Ministery v. 5 6. So also to Joshua and Zerubbabel in their time under the type of two Olives and two golden Candlesticks also perhaps cald two in respect of the double rank of lamps on it standing before the God of the earth as being instrumental to keep in life in the Church when all power shal be opposite to her However leaving what further may be said of Câ—trist and his offices till we come to chap. 6. We may here learn 1. When Christ is doing much for his people he may yet let somewhat be wanting to the end he may stir us up to prayer employing him whereby to draw prepared mercies out of his hand that so we may not only have the mercie but be confirmed and comforted in the acceptance of our persons and services by his granting our desires for this vision is so explained in the former answer as leaves room for new information upon new prayer and enquiry 2. Christ doth not allow that his people should rest upon the habits or seed of graces within them nor upon old sensible experiences but where he is about to manifest himself he keeps grace in exercise and puts his people to frequent actings of it for albeit the Prophet had been but lately humbled in the sense of his ignorance v. 5. yet here he is put to it afresh again v 13.3 Christs humbling of his people when they seek to him and his giving such answers at first as may contribute to that end gives them no ground to think that either he doth reject or will deny their suit but rather assures them that he is making way for a satisfactory answer for Christs humbling of the Prophet hinders him not from satisfaction in his demand 4. Christ sustaines very many relations to his people and is very much to be seen in her furniture and well-being for many things in this type point at him he is the Olive-trees having as God and in his mediatory office all fulnesse and being both active and willing of himself to communicate it according to their capacity He also may be pointed at in his two offices by the two golden pipes conveighing the oile from the trees to the Candlestick it being through his merit as Priest and his efficacy as King that the fulnesse in him becomes ours and that gives us allowance to depend on him for it and further as he hath all fulnesse and hath found a way to make it ours so is he the bowle to keep it and to guide us and it and be forth-coming for our good with it In a word Christ is to be seen all in all to his people 5. The work of the Churches Redemption and salvation by Christ is a work well-pleasing to God however he be the party offended and in doing whereof Christ doth acceptable service to his Father and is maintained and cared for by him for the two anoinied ones or Christ in his offices represented by these trees or sons of oile stand by the Lord as doing him service in his office and upheld by him and so God in Christ reconciles the world and is at peace with his people 6. As God is blessed over all and all-sufficient in himself so he hath given daily gives and will give proof hereof in carrying on the salvation of his Church through Christ making his power and dominion in all the earth contribute thereunto therefore in this work is he named the Lord of the whole earth 7. As any measure of furniture is given to any member of the Church that it may be made use of for the good of the whole so all such as desire to be useful in their stations ought to be much in dependance on God and to study to stand in his favour and be under his care
but short be what they will for It is one day known to the Lord that is known to him how long it shall continue Mat. 24.36 yet this is known to all that it shall be at least to every one in particular but short as one day 5. It is a further encouragement to the Gospel-Church that all her lots are of Gods carving out and that he hath an especial eye and providence upon her dark times for her good for thus also is the day known to the Lord carved out and cared for and seen to by him 6. It may yet further encourage that the Churches saddest times shall end in light and comfort It shall he light that this light shall come when looking to all probability we might expect more darknesse as at evening time when the Sun hers and light removes and especially this may encourage that toward the end of the dayes of the Gospel especially when all Israel and the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall be converted there will be a time of light comfort and ease for at the evening-time of this day it shall be light which is not to be understood absolutely that there should be no mixture then but comparatively in respect of former times for tribulations shall be immediately before his second coming Mat. 24.29 Ver. 8 And it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem halfe of them toward the former sea and half of them toward the hinder sea in Summer and in Winter shall it be The fourth part of this Prophecie containes a prediction of the spiritual graces of the Gospel whereby the darknesse of the times are counterbalanced and made to shine with some light In summe thus the doctrine of salvation containing all Gospel refreshments and holding forth and instrumentally communicating all gifts and graces acted and applied by the Spirit for so are living waters to be understood John 4 14. and 7.38 39. shall by the Apostles be derived from Jerusalem ere it be destroyed to all parts of the world figured out by the bounds of the land of Canaan from the lake of Sodom on the East or further to the Persick sea Ezech. 47.8 and the Mediterranean sea on the West and shall be as a Spring-well which shall continue both Summer and Winter That on the East is called the former and that on the West the hinder sea according to the Jewes way of naming the foure windes of heaven from the posture of a man with his face to the East where the South is on his right hand the North on his left and the West behinde him Doct. 1. The pouring out of the Spirit and the refreshments of the Gospel are the chief meanes of healing the Churches distempers and sweetening her sad times for this makes light in her darknesse and evening that living waters go out 2. The Spirit of Christ and Gospel-riches are sufficient to satisfie and quench the souls thirst to take away excessive longing after other things to refresh the wearie purge the unclean and make the barren fruitful for in these respects are the treasures conveyed in and by the doctrine of the Gospel compared to waters 3. It is the character of these who enjoy the Spirit of Christ and feed indeed upon the treasures of the Gospel that they are lively and fresh not mouldie rotten and formal nor as emptie clouds without raine for these waters are living waters not only themselves springing and constant but in these who drink them lively in their effects 4. It speaks much of the freedome and riches of grace offered in the Gospel that they are not confined to any one Nation or People but sent abroad unto all or many Nations and that they are sufficient to refresh and satisfie all as a river that waters a whole Kingdome or whole city every one receiving as if there were no more to receive for They shall go forth from Jerusalem to the former and the hinder sea 5. The doctrine of the Gospel is permanent and to endure for ever so as neither heat of persecution nor decay of zeal in the Church shall be able to overthrow it or hinder it from spreading where Christ pleaseth and from triumphing over errout It is also permanent in its effects in believers in whom grace once received shall never be totally extinct and it shall be to them enough for all conditions to refresh them in the heat of persecution and quicken them in their dead and frozen condition In Summer and in Winter it shall be as a Spring that is neither exhausted with Summer-heat nor made inaccessible or dried up with Winter-frost Ver. 9. And the LORD shall be King over aâ— the earth in that day shall there be one LORD and his Name one The communicating of these Gospel-blessings unto the world is amplified from an effect that they should so water and fructifie the world and bring it in subjection unto Christ that he should be an universal King over Jewes and Gentiles and that this Kingdom should be an united Kingdom being in subjection to one Lord and his spiritual regiment idols being renounced and following one way of truth profession and worship which are his Name whereby he is known false doctrine and corruption in worship and government and badges of distinction being taken away Doct. 1. It is the work of the Gospel to bring in our Lords rent as King of the earth which otherwise he gets not for however Christ as God be King of all the earth in all ages yet he is not acknowledged to be so but by them who receive the Gospel 2. Christ as Mediatour and King of Saints hath by right and will have by possession an universal Kingdome by the spreading of the Gospel and gathering of a Church unto himself in one Kingdom after another till the Kingdomes of the earth become the Lords and his Christs for The Lord shall be King over all the earth wherein yet there may be a limitation of some Azal or some place sequestrate 3. The Church is not only Christs Bride and Spouse but his Kingdom to be subject unto him in all things to be ruled by his Word and Spirit and ought to acknowledge that spiritual order and government established by him in his own house for The Lord shall be King 4. Whatever difference there be in the world about a Deity and about the doctrine and way of worship of the true God yet as there is but one true God so there is but one way of faith of worship and Government established and approved by him for when the Church comes to be right indeed then there is but one Lord and his Name one which is agreeable to the paterne 5 As unity in the faith and uniformity in Religion and worship is a desirable blessing among them who acknowledge Christ so it is a mercy to be expected under the New Testament so that they are undoubtedly in the way of God who in their station
and salvation of his Elect because of the perversity of many in the visible Church therefore notwithstanding their quarrelling chap. 2.17 Christ is here promised 2. Convincing evidences of Christs Godhead do appear in this Prophecie as first that he was before his Incarnation keeping intercourse with and making promises to his Church Behold I will send c. Secondly that he authorizeth and sendeth messengers into his Church in his Name and upon his errands I will send my Messenger to prepare my way Thirdly that he is Lord of the Temple of Jerusalem and he to whom homage was payed there It is his Temple Fourthly that when he appears in the forme of a servant a worme and not a man Davids son and a small twig out of Jesse's root yet he is under all that vaile The LORD and above all Fifthly that he and his Father are about one and the same work speaking in the same promise as being one in essence though distinct persons Doct. 3. As Christ when he comes to any person or people must be received as a King for Kings have their Harbingers going before them so men are by nature unprepared for the receiving of Christ having so many obstructions laid in his way being so unworthy of such a mercy and having in their own conceit so little employment for such a Saviour and men would still continue so unlesse Christ who freely gives himself do also freely prepare his own way so much doth this promise I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me import 4. It is a sweet fore-runner of Christs coming when he sends a Ministery amongst a people and causeth the Ministery to take place especially in convincing of sin and shewing the necessity of repentance for thus was John in his Ministery a fore-runner of Christs Incarnation 5. Christs Incarnation and dwelling in our flesh and his presence hereby in his Church is the sweet and refreshful encouragement of his people the riches whereof will not be seen at first view therefore is the promise doubled and men called to consider it The Lord shall come behold he shall come saith the Lord of hostes 6. As it is the high priviledge of the Church to be singled out among all the world to enjoy Christ and the fruits of his coming so it behoved the true Messiah to be incarnate while the second Temple stood and to come and preach there for the Lord shall come to his Temple is a Prophecie of his being present in the material Temple as a type of his Church to which all his special manifestations are 7. As it is a double mercie when the Lord makes great dispatch in performing promises considering the long attendance others have been put to so where the Ministery of the Word and repentance have place it is a token the Lord is hasting to manifest more of himself The Lord shall suddenly come partly in respect the time betwixt this Prophecie and his exhibition was to be short considering how long he had been expected before and partly after Johns preaching and its having place he should come upon a sudden 8. Albeit Christ be God over all blessed for ever yet he took upon him the office of Mediatour and Ambassadour of his Father to the Church and having obtained of his Father by the Covenant of Redemption that a Covenant of reconciliation should be betwixt God and man he came into the world to make offer thereof in preaching the Gospel and to confirm it by his own blood and he it is who from time to time perswades the Elect to embrace the conditions of the Covenant and doth make the Covenant sure to them who flee to him as Mediatour for that end and confirmes the faith of such as rest on the Covenant with many proofes of his love This Lord who comes is even the messenger of the Covenant and in all these respects he proves himself so 9. As Christ ought to be and is unto his peculiar people their chief desire and joy and his presence or hope of future manifestations of him their life so many may pretend much respect to Christ at a distance in hope of satisfaction to some lusts by him and may be so impatient in expectation that if God delay his coming they will scarcely have hope to see him at all and yet mistake him when he comes for Christ is the Lord whom they sought and delighted in who were not only the godly among them whose hearts longed for his Incarnation but even the wicked as hoping to get temporal felicity by him and who therefore quarrelled God for delaying to send him These the Lord promises to make liars but little to their advantage Vers 2. But who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth for he is like a refiners fire and like fullers sope Followes a prediction of the effects of Christs coming which was begun when he came in the flesh to the material Temple and is verified daily when he comes to his Church in the power of the Gospel to reform it and to governe and rule in it In general it is declared that Christ will be quite another thing then hypocrites dream he will be such a winnower and purger as it will be hard to abide his trial which will be as fire to purge drosse and as sope to wash away filth Thus was his fan in his hand Mat. 3.12 and his scourge John 2.14 16 and his axe laid to the root of the tree Doct. 1. Christ manifested in the flesh and coming even in his low estate is a terrible sight to his enemies and will be a stone of stumbling and rock of offence to many for who may abide the day of his coming and who may stand c. 2. Christs coming to his Church in the Ministery of his Gospel and to carry on a Reformation makes a time prove very winnowing and a trying time and so hard to be endured that it is a wonder to see any get through in it and no wonder if we consider the many hypocrites in his Church and the great hypocrisie and drosse of his Saints which he cannot endure the great vicissitudes and shakings that attend a time of Reformation the many errours and delusions that usually are aloft then the efficacie of the Ministery of the Gospel in discovering of sin by which if men be not amended they grow worse the civil turne prophane the formal loose and the prophane insolent and how speedily a people under the Gospel fill up the measure of their sin and ripen for many judgements for these causes it is that Christs coming is held out as so terrible a day Who may abide who shall stand 3. Not only is there much unsoundnesse to be found in Christs Church but this is ill to discern till Christ discover it and it cleaves close to men that it is ill to remove for no lesse then a refincers fire and fullers sope can