his love in their hearts assuring them of an interest in him for I will hear them I will say It is my people 7. As fait and the increase of it enabling men boldly to prosesse it before God and the world is a choice Gospel-blessing and a rich recompence of much affliction so Gods preventing grace and kindnesse toward his people when they seek him especially under affliction is such as may invite them to make him their portion and give them warrant confidently to rest and relie on him for upon his hearing and saying It is my people they shall say The Lord is my God CHAP. XIV IN this Chapter there 〈◊〉 continuation of the prephecie begâ—n in the end of the former chapter wherein an account is given of the case of the Church from this Prophets time to the end of the world in these particulars 1. The destruction of Jerusalem with the judgement and mercy in that stroak v. 1.2 2. It is cleared that the instruments of this stroak should not go unpunished v. 〈◊〉 noâ— the Church 〈◊〉 by this stroak for the way of salvation should be made clear unto the Gentiles v. 4. to which the elect Jewes should joyn v. 5.3 It is foreâ—old that the condition of the Church and Elect under the dayes of the Gospel shall be unsetled and mixed of variety of dispensations yet so as in end and when men would least expect it should prove better v. 6.7 4. It is fore-prophesied that the doctrine of salvation and the refreshments following thereupon shall spread to all parts of the world v. 8. whereby Christ shall get an universal Kingdom wherein there shall be unity v. 9.5 A particular promise is made of the exaltation restitution and safety of converted Israel v. 10 11. 6. There is a threatening of judgement against the enemies of the Church that they shall be cut off as by a consumption v. 12. by intestine discord v. 13. by the hand of the Church v. 14. and that the stroak shall reach all means they had employed against the Church v. 15.7 There is a promise of the Conversion of many of these enemies who are reserved v. 16. and if not that visible judgement shall pursue them yet more v. 17 18 19. Lastly there is a promise of the holinesse and purity of the Church v. 20 21. Verse 1. BEhold the day of the LORD cometh and thy spoile shall be divided in the midst of thee The chapter begins with a more clear prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem then before wherein God being Judge and Avenger of his Sons blood which they should shed would bring a day of special vengeance upon that city putting it wholly in the power of enemies who without fear of ambush or surprisal should divide the spoiles of the city in the midst of lt and by this doctrine he cleareth what had been said chap. 13.8 of cutting off two parts and leaving a third part Doct. 1. It is the Churches advantage to be ordinarily warned of a stroak before it come that she wisely considering Gods judgement may labour to prevent or prepare for it that the godly be not surprized with such a judgement when it comes and that God may be justified if he make them feel justice who will not believe truth speaking it therefore are they excited to consider this approaching judgement Behold the day cometh 2. The Lord is chief and supreme in all the Churches calamities he it is who executeth his Word by them who pleads his controversies and who however he be but little seen or regarded in the visible Church yet by his judgements will be discovered to be Jehovah the Lord for the day of the Lord cometh 3. It is one evidence of divine displeasure wherein God is to be seen when enemies get power over the substance of his people in pursuing after which God is oft-times forgotten and do without fear of any dispose thereof at their pleasure for it is the day of the Lord wherein he is seen when the spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee Vers 2. For I will gather all Nations against Jerusalem to battel and the city shall be taken and the houses rifled and the women ravished and halfe of the city shall go forth into captivity and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city This calamity is further described from both the severity and moderation that shall be in it The Lord was to gather the Romane army consisting of many Nations subject unto them and confederate with them against Jerusalem and to deliver the city into their hands that houses might be pillaged and women ravished and yet he would not utterly destroy that Nation for some of them should be preserved by going into captivity and others should leave it before the time of the siege as the Christians who went to Pella and so should not be cut off from the city or from that Nation whereof the city was a part Doct. 1. There is not a motion or enterprise among men in the world especially about the Church but Grd hath a sovereign hand in it and is by them carrying on purposes which they little minde for the Romane armies coming against Jerusalem is Gods deed to avenge his Sons death I will gather all Nations against Jerusalem to battel 2. As the Lord hath not a few but all Nations at his command to put them in subjection to whom he will and to be employed as he pleaseth so many of them are employed against the Church that he may bring many witnesses to the pleading of his controversie and may discover to her her folly in provoking him to give her into the hands of these who formerly hated her but could not prevaile because of his protection for all Nations are put under the Romanes by him and gathered against Jerusalem 3. It is no strange thing to see enemies prevail against the Church when God is pursuing a controversie with her nor when she rejects Christ corrupts his worship sheds righteous blood is given to covetousnesse injustice Iuxury c. and is obstinate in all these to 〈◊〉 quite overthrow and overturn her and make her a spectacle of sad judgements for such were the sins of Jerusalem and for these The cities shall be taken housesrifled and the women ravished Theâ—fore other Churches may expect the same measure if they provoke God and being under calamitie are to be thankful in so far as they come short of this stroak 4. Every one ought to submit and prepare for what God may carve out as their share of a common calamity according as in his wisdom he thinks fit without complaining of being otherwise dealt with then others for the city being taken there is death of which no mention is made here rifling of houses captivity and which is worse then death ravishing of women when husbands and parents are not able to defend their wives and children of which some tasted of
only without but also against all humane power and opposition which should be so far from hindring the work that it should help to pave a way to it and the same power should bring this work in Zerubbabels hand to a perfection to the commendation of the grace of God and joy of all testified by their acclamations when the work is perfected and by their prayer that God would continue to blesse it Doct. 1. Christs work in his Church whether externally reforming and setting up an house or internally converting may have opposition in the way which will seem as insuperable as to carry a great traine or make weak persons climbe over high and steep hills and such a work will not go on without exercise and feares for here is a great mountaine in the way whereby in relation to Zerubbabel was signified the Monarchy of Persia in so farre as it obstructed the work and the Samaritan faction about them and in relation to Christ and his Church it signifieth all the opposition that devils and men especially great ones in the world can raise to hinder that work 2. Whatever great opposites may seem to be in their own eyes or in the thoughts of the fainting people of God yet in Gods eyes they are nothing and contemptible and his Spirit is provoked at their presumption in undertaking such an enterprise and that they should offer to crosse his beloved work and people for Who art thou O great mountaine imports his contemning of them his indignation against them and that he will make them know themselves better then to adventure on such a work 3. Not only will opposition not prove so hurtfull as it appears terrible and be easie when the Lords people comes to it and not hinder the work but the over-ruling hand of God will make opposition a meanes of furthering and carrying on the work which it was appointed and intended to hinder to the praise of the glory of his own wisdome and power who is above enemies in that wherein they deal proudly for the great mountaine shall become a plaine not only not a mountaine and easie to walk over but shall pave a way and fill up valleys and hollow places that the work may go on This was accomplished in the type to Zerubbabel and the Jewes when Darius by his Decree promoved the work and compesced their enemies about them and made them furnish what might advance the work Ezra 6. and is daily brought to passe by Christ in making all the plots of devils and men and all their debates contribute to clear up truth and promove the work of conversion and salvation of his own people 4. As instruments how weak soever their honest and single minding of Gods work and not driving their own interest alongst with it is the way to make it prosper and to make opposition ineffectual for such a one in the type was Zerubbabel before whom the mountaine becomes a plain So Christ being party to all opposition against the Church is ground of hope to her that it shall not prevaile but be made subservient to her good for it is he in the substance of whom it is said before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plaâ—ne 5. As it is the Lords great mercy yea and his way where a people cleave to him that he brings a begun external work of Reformation to a perfection such as is attainable in despite of all opposition however it be oft interrupted and go but slowly on and by degrees for so was it here in the type He shall bring forth the head-stone thereof alluding to some custome wherein as the foundation-stone so also the capestone was laid in the Magestrates sight or by himselfe So it is Christs prerogative and way to perfect his begun good work and to carry on his mystical body and every member thereof by degrees unto perfection for the substance of this promise is perfected in him and his work about his people He shall bring forth the head-stone thereof 6. As there is matter of joy in the going on of Christs work so hath he reserved much joy for his people in the perfecting of it for as some shouted for joy at the laying of the foundation Ezra 3.11 so more is abiding He shall bring out the Head-stone with shoutings as a shadow of the joy of the Lords people when a long desired and much interrupted work of Reformation comes to some period but especially of the Hallelujahs and joy that shall be when Christ presents his Spouse perfect and compleat before the Father 7. The Lords work among his people is so carried on as not only free grace begins it but the further it goes on grace is the more to be magnified and most of all seen at the very close of it yea any perfection it attains to within time must be upheld by the same grace that gave it for so it was in the type here this shouting Grace grace unto it is both an acclamation and acknowledgement of the much and multiplied favour of God that had shined in that work till its perfection and also a prayer that God would let out his grace and blesse that Temple in the use for which it was built 8. Christs work in and about his people is so full of tender favour and loving kindnesse as may bring unto him the glory of abundant grace from all impartial Judges and will one day proclaim it before all the world for this acclamation and applauding of the work made so beautiful and compleat by grace making every one commend and wish well to it is nothing else but a commending him and his grace who made it such and leads his people to expect that day wherein he shall be glorified in his Saints and admired in all thaâ— believe 2 Thes 1.10 Vers 8. Moreover the Word of the LORD came unto me saying 9. The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house his hands shall also finish it and thou shalt know that the LORD of hostes hath sent me unto you The successe of building the Temple is confirmed by a new message that their hearts may rest on it and by seeing the accomplishment may be assured of Christs being sent of the Father to promise this and see it performed Doct. 1. The Promises of the Word are faithful and worthy of our trust and confidence as being the Word of him who by his Word gives being to all things this repetition of the promise and that as the Word of Jehovah shewes not only how ready we are to distrust but how serious he is in promising and will not eat in but make good what he saith so that his Church may lean to it 2. It is a peculiar proof of Gods favour to a land when the Lord not only grants a Reformation and the building of an habitation of pure doctrine and ordinances for his own Name amongst them but when he perfecteth it speedily and in the age wherein
of their sin till vengeance be executed Vers 9. Then lift I up mine eyes and looked and behold there came out two women and the winde was in their wings for they had wings like the wings of astork and they lift up the Ephah between the earth and the heaven 10. Then said I to the Angel that talked with me Whither doe these beare the Ephah 11. And he said unto me To build it an house in the land of Shinar and it shall be established and set there upon her owne base The last part of the vision is of two women carrying away the Ephah and the woman therein to the land of Shinar to abide and dwell there Whereby is signified that when their cup was full they should speedily be carried into captivity out of their own land where they should long abide as in a dwelling place They are said to be carried captives into the land of Shinar or Babylon Gen. 11.2 3 c. partly to expresse their future captivity by the Romanes in such a way as might be most sensible to them who had been captives in Babel before and partly because in their second captivity many of them were scattered in these parts because of the many Jewes who abode still there As for the other circumstance of the vision concerning the two women who had the winde in their wings or were helped to flee by the winde it were curiosity to determine of them further then as pointing out the vanity of that peoples wayes which should drive them out of their land or rather the instruments of their captivity who are resembled to women only to agree with the rest of the vision wherein the sinful Nation is resembled to a woman and to two women as being a competent number for his work as the disciples went out by paires Doct. 1. A people abusing afflictions and marvellous deliverances from it by their sinning yet more may expect their afflictions will be returned upon them in harder measure for a new and sorer captivity and longer dwelling under it is here threatened upon their renewed provocations 2. The Lord hath sufficiency of instruments at his command to execute his determined judgements who being employed by him against his sinful people shall finde all things concurring with them to carry on that work this is signified by two women enough to carry the Ephah and by their wings like the wings of a storke enabling them to flee and do the work violently and swiftly and to flee high betwixt the heaven and the earth above the reach of any opposition made unto them by men and by the winde in their wings providence as it were concurring to help them forward 3. Captivity and exile among prophane Nations and from enjoying the face of God or the society one of another in his Ordinances is one of the Lords sore judgements whereby he plagueth the sins of his own Church for Wickednesse is carried to the land of Shinar 4. As the Church is no place wherein reigning sin will get a biding habitation so a people that are enemies to the Church are accounted in Gods sight as the common sink of all wickednesse whom therefore he will certainly punish this is signified by the carrying of wickednesse out of the holy land to the land of Shinar as its own place where all wickednesse dwelt from which also the Jewes might assuredly gather that as he had punished them so he would not spare their enemies CHAP. VI. IN the first part of the Chapter we have the eighth vision wherein under the type of four charets with horses of severall colours v. 1 2 3. is represented Gods effectual providence in guiding the world by fit instruments for variety of dispensations v. 4 5 6 7. whereof in part an account is given to the Prophet v. 8. In the second part of the Chapter under the type of two Crownes made of some silver and gold offered by strangers and set upon the head of Joshua v. 9 10 11. is represented Christ to be incarnate the builder of his Church and the King and Priest thereof v. 12 13. under whom strangers should come and joyne with the Jewes in building the spiritual Church v. 14 15. which Doctrine is closed with assuring this people that experience should prove the truth of his authority in Prophesying and with a declaration that obedience was the only way for them to finde the comfortable fruit of these promises v. 15. Vers 1. ANd I turned and lift up mine eyes and looked and behold there came four charets out from between two mountaines and the mountaines were mountaines of brasse 2. In the first charet were red horses and in the second charet black horses 3. And in the third charet white horses and in the fourth charet grizled and bay horses 4. Then I answered and said unto the Angel that talked with me What are these my LORD 5. And the Angel answered and said unto me These are the four spirits of the heavens which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth In the vision there are four warlike charets which are expounded at the Prophets desire to signifie the four spirits or windes of the heavens whereby we may understand either bands of Angels who are spirits and as windes Psal 104.4 and are represented by charets Ps 68.17 imployed at Gods direction to all the quarters of the world and therefore called four or generally all instruments acted by the Spirit or motion of God to do his will every where The variety of colours of the charet-horses signifieth variety of dispensations whether joyfull sad or mixed which are in Gods hands the red portending calamities of warre and bloodshed the black calamitie or destruction coming any other way then by the sword and the white peace and prosperity and the grizled and bay a mixed dispensation of mercy and justice though the bay may be rendered strong as a common property of all the charet-horses These charets come forth from between two mountaines of brasse signifying the unchangeable decrees of God which these instruments execute and his firme providence by which they are ruled Doct. 1. It is an useful imployment for the Church of God to be much in studying the Lords sovereignty over the world whereby it is subject to his government and administrations and that he hath competency of fit instruments whereby to execute his purposes and to exerce his providence and sovereignty in the earth for so much is represented to the Church in this vision wherein God is Lord of all the earth hath instruments sufficient for al the parts of the world and these instruments obsequious to receive directions as standing before the Lord and nimble as spirit or windes and strong as warlike charets to execute them By studying whereof the Church is taught to exalt God to stoop to him to cleave to her duty having such a Protector and to be comforted in such a portion as he is whose
the duty of repentance and humiliations persons are not only to cast off sinfull distractions but even to lay aside lawfull delights that they may afflict their souls before the Lord and seriously minde the duty for The families shall mourn and their wives apart CHAP. XIII IN the first part of this Chapter the spiritual blessings of the Gospel purchased by Christ are promised to the Church especially to Israel such is remission of sinnes and holinesse vers 1. Reformation of the Church vers 2. and zeal against false teachers v. 3. some of whom at least shall be convinced of their way and quit it v. 4. taking them to other callings v. 5 and shall acknowledge the equity of severity used against them v. 6 In the second part of the Chapter there is a Prophecie of the suffering of Christ and scattering of the visible Church and his care of his own v. 7 and that the greater part of the Church was to be cut off and but a few to be preserved v. 8. who being purged by afflictions should increase in holinesse and in the sense of Gods favour toward them v. 9. Vers 1. IN that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness There are several blessings and benefits of the Kingdome of Christ here promised which as the godly Jewes before Christ did enjoy though more darkly and in lesser measure then under the Gospel so though they be the common priviledges of the Gospel-Church in every age yet a more full accomplishment of them is reserved for the converted Israelites and therefore are peculiarly promised for that day when they shall repent and be restored as appears from the end of the preceding Chapter The first benefit is Remission of sinnes and sanctification purging away the guilt of sinne by the grace of God in for giving sinnes through Christs blood and the vertue of his blood applied by the Spirit and laid hold upon by faith for purging all uncleannesse of sinne this is compared to a springing fountaine made open to all in opposition to the small measure of water carried into the Temple for legall washings This benefit will be very conspicuous toward converted Israel when the Redeemer shall turne iniquity from Jacob Rom. 11.26 Doct. 1. The great and chiefe priviledge of the Gospel is remission and purging of sinne which as they are only attainable through faith laying hold on Christs blood and the grace of God through him offered in the Gospel so without these no other advantages by the Gospel will availe much or be comfortable for it is the first here A fountaine for sinne and uncleannesse or seâ—cration through uncleannesse pointing at all filthinesse of sinne shadowed out by legall uncleannesse causing men to be sequestrate and particularly at originall sinne shadowed out by menstruous uncleannesse for the purging whereof this fountaine also must be made use of 2. The free grace of God toward lost man and the vertue of Christs blood is a treasure in exhaustible and which cannot be overcome with the greatnesse and multiplicity of sinne in these who flee unto it for it is a fountain or spring 3. Pardon and vertue for purging of sinne is not only purchased and the way to it made patent by the death of Christ giving accesse unto God through him but is held forth in the offer of the Gospel and Ministery of the Word that none may pretend ignorance nor any who need it seclude themselves from so free an offer and that the godly who have found the fruit of it may come and daily make use of it for it is à fountaine opened 4. As the greatest must be in Christs reverence for this benefit even these who have greatest gifts and are Rulers of others so the meanest in the Church however they be not equal to others in gifts yet have a like interest with them in this saving benefit for it is opened to the house of David or Rulers who attend in Christs Courts and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem or body of the Church 5. When the Lord poures out upon his people the Spirit of repentance and humiliation it is a forerunner of ample manifestations of the grace of God in opening up the treasures of the Gospel by the Ministery of the Word and in granting of pardon and growth in purity for when the land shall mourn Chap. 12.10 In that day there shall be a fountaine opened Vers 2. And it shall come to passe in that day saith the LORD of hosts that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land and they shall no more be remembred and also I will cause the Prophets and the unclean spirit to passe out of the land A second benefit promised is Reformation of the Church from all superstition idolatry and corruption in worship under the name of Idols and from false Doctrine in removing of false teachers and the unclean spirit that leads and acts them This is accomplished in every reformed Church by Doctrine and constitutions of Discipline according to the measure of their Reformation but will more especially appear in the Church of Israel when they are converted and restored The Doctrine and Discipline of that Church shall cast out all Hereticks Sectaries and Schismaticks out of the land Doct. 1. Gospel-Reformation consists not only in the internall purging away of sinne but in the outward Reformation of Doctrine also whereby Gods truth and Ordinances which he hath promised to be with and to blesse for conversion and renovation of souls are established and set up for here with the fountaine opened such a Reformation is promised 2. The Reformation of a Church is promoved and carried on especially when the Spirit of repentance for sinne and former deboardings from God is poured out upon a people for this Reformation goeth on in that day when they are mourning chap. 12. The neglect of this provokes God to reforme his Church rather by judgements then by such a merciful way 3. Every corruption in the worship of God is an idol in so farre as it is a device of mans own brain and the deviser imagineth to himselfe a God who will not approve of such worship which certainly is not the true God so it is here held out I will cut off Idols 4. Idolatry and superstition are so grievous in the eyes of a jealous God so scandalous blemishes in his bride and evils to which we have such an inclination by nature as the least mixture of these with his worship cannot but dishonour God and pollute the Church and the very memorial of them will be enough to draw us back to Apostasie therefore in a right Reformation The names of idols are to be cut off and to be no more remembred to wit in any religious state especially 5. Whatever false worship may seem to be or promise yet in effect it proves but matter of terrour and
one some of more as God saw fit 5. The Lord can so season saddest dispensations to his people and set bounds to over-flowing trouble as even when they seem bitterest some mercy may be in the bosome of them for not only was this fatal stroak a mercy in that it was a clear demonstration that the Messiah was come in that their Common-wealth was quite abolished and their Ceremonial worship put to a close the Temple being destroyed but yet further mercy appears in that that Nation is not quite cut off but a part reserved for future mercy a refidue not cut off from the city Which as it was literally true in Antiochus invasion before Christ that some were left in the city so under the Romanes some of that Nation and City escaped the siege and these calamities 6. The Lord may conveigh purposes of mercy in a sad time through very sad dispensations which at first view would seem to promise no such thing for as this mercy of being preserved was granted to some in escaping the siege so others were reserved to be a seed of that Nation by their captivity into strange Nations Halfe of the people shall go forth into captivity is both a calamity and yet a mercy to that Nation Verse 3. Then shall the LORD go forth and fight against those Nations as when he fought in the day of battel In the next part of this prophecie the Lord cleares some difficulties that might arise upon the hearing of this sad judgement And first it might be enquired what shall become of these so cruel enemies to which answer is here made that they should not escape unpunished but God should appear and fight against them as ever he did at any time for his Church and his fighting imports successe this the Romanes and their Consederates felt in many calamities since that time till now Doct. 1. No affliction of the Church for her provocations not yet Gods seeming to hide himself will hinder him from testifying his affection to her or from being her enemies party in due time and to embarque in her quarrel and engage his power for revenge for the Lord shall go forth and fight against these Nations 2. Albeit the Lord by his secret Providence do so order affaires as that the Churches enemies do nothing but execute his quarrel yet they are to expect no thanks for their service against his Church as minding nothing lesse therein then the execution of Gods will but they may rather reckon that they are permitted to go on in that service to ripen them for vengeance for though the Lord gathered them v. 2. yet now he will fight against them 3. The Churches low estate may be a time of greater mercies at least as to his reckoning with her enemies then when she is most flourishing for then when Jerusalem is destroyed albeit he do not yet restore them yet he will go forth and fight against their enemies 4. All the Churches experiences in former times are forth-coming for the Churches comfort in after-ages according as she shall need them and as the Lords wisdom seeth fit to improve them for he shall fight as when he fought in the day of battel which is not to be restricted to any one particular experience or time but generally to be understood of all or any experience which may seeme most comfortable in this or that strait Verse 4. And his fect shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives which is before Jerusalem on the East and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the East and toward the West and there shall be a very great valley and halfe of the mountain shall remove toward the North and balfe of it toward the South A second question might arise upon the hearing of this judgement what should become of the Church when Jerusalem is gone the Temple burnt and that Nation cut off or scattered To which answer is given that the Church should not perish for God should reveal the doctrine of salvation and make a plain way for the Gentiles to come unto the Church in place of the Jewes and to worship him according to his will from afar off Thus do I take up this dark speech without troubling my self with other expositions for the clearing whereof consider that the City Jâ—rusalem was encompassed with hills Ps 125.2 whereof this Mount of Olives was one so that it was not seen afar off nor the way to it easie Whe eby was signified that under the Law the Church and way to heaven was hid up from the rest of the world being not only dark to the Jewes in respect of many ceremonies but these ceremonies were a partition-wall betwixt the Gentiles and the Church so that the turning of that hill into a plaine valley imports that God should make the Church and way of his worship clear to them afar off that they might look there-away as of old they did to the Temple 1 Kings 8. Dan. 6. testisying their worshipping God as he had prescribed and revealed himself and that he would remove impediments in the way of their Conversion and make a plain way without ceremonies for them to come unto the Church In this dark speech the Mount of Olives is only mentioned though there were other hills about Jerusalem because of an external symbole of this prophecie accomplished on that Mount when Christ ascending into heaven from off this Mount gave Commission to his Apostles to carry the Gospel into all parts of the world Acts 1.8 12. and upon his Ascension poured out his Spirit and so did make the Church notor and the way to it conspicuous and easie through the world As for the valleyes lying Eastward and Westward and the parts of the cleft Mount going to the North and the South it is not curioufly to be dipped in for the parts of it were to go somewhere and it may be thus conceived that through all the world the large extent whereof is ordinarily taken up from East to West Psal 103.12 and 113.3 the Church shall be conspicuous or rather because the City lay to the West of the Mount the two parts of it bendved to go that way to North and South and not to overwhelme the city which would overturn the scope of the figure Doct. 1. No commotions and overturnings in the visible Church will deprive Christ of a Church and people he will finde a way to get a people amongst these who are little thought of when these who account themselves the children of the Kingdom are cast out for so are we taught here 2. The opening up of the way of salvation is God and Christs owne work who by his preventing power and grace overturnes mountaines of impediments to bring the light of salvation unto men and make it have place with them for His feet standing on the Mount of Olives makes it cleave and be a valley 3. The accesse and Conversion of the Gentiles
heavenly grace and influence Doct. 1. Most fruitful and flourishing times of the Church will not want sleighters opposers and refusers for there will yet be who will not come up c. 2. Judgements will be multiplied on these who having seen the hand of the Lord upon enemies and having been convinced by the stooping of others do yet stand out and rebel for after the plague of the Nations and others going up to Jerusalem this plague comes on others Clear convincing light being disobeyed ripens for sad stroaks 3. Where the Gospel and Christ offered in it is not received as it is a judgement sufficient to be deprived of the refreshful grace of God and be left under scorching wrath so God can easily adde to this famine of their bodies who suffer their soules to starve and the withholding of his blessing from temporal estates for Even upon them shall be no raine Ver. 18. And if the family of Egypt go not up and come not that have no raine there shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of Tabernacles This threatening is particularly applied to Egypt the Churches old enemie who by reasson of the overflowing of Nilus seemed not to need raine Deut. 11.10 and though they had some at sometimes Psal 105.32 yet they might subsist better without it then others they are threatened with the same plague with others and to be as much straitened as if they needed raine Doct. 1. As such as have been greatest enemies may yet be gained to the Gospel so such persevering in their rebellion will be especially eyed and stricken therefore he names Egypt the Jewes ancient enemie supposing that some of them will submit as is promised v. 16. and threatening the rebels that he will then pay them home once for all 2. The way of the wickeds temporal mercies seem to put them out of Gods reverence or at least they reckon so whereas the excellencie of any mercie the godly receives consists in this that it puts them yet to more dependance on God and to need further manifestations of him for Egypt is a land that seems not to need rain whereas Canaan depended on the dew of heaven Deut. 11.10 11 12. 3. No outward estate or condition will put a people contemning God without the reach of his blow for Egypt that hath no raine shall not misse the same plague with others Ver. 19. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all Nations that came not up to keep the feast of Tabernacles This threatening is again repeated and generally denounced that as all do concur in this sin as the word also bears so all such shall be punished Hereby teaching 1. God is an impartial Judge and avenger of all such as continue enemies and despisers of him be who they will for Egypt and all the Nations that come not up are thus plagued 2. The wrath of God pursuing such as flee not to him to seek his face is not easily believed either by such despisers to make them stand in awe or by the Church to confirme her in her way of seeking him therefore such a doctrine needs to be repeated and inculcate Ver. 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horse HOLINES VNTO THE LORD and the pots in the LORDS house shall be like the bowles before the Altar 21. Yea every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holinesse unto the LORD of hostes and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them and seeth therein and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hostes In the last part of the Prophecie we have the purity and holinesse of the Gospel-Church especially after the Conversion of Israel and of these Gentile enemies unto the Church this is held out in these particulars First that the bells or ornaments of their horses should be marked with holinesse unto the â—ord which of old was written upon the High Priests mitre Whence learn 1. That holinesse is the sweet result of all dispensations toward the Church for so doth this whole promise in the general following upon the former purpose reach 2. Nothing is so prophane but it may be sanctified and made holy when Christ begins to reigne through the world and it is so unto the pure for then holinesse shall not be confined to Priests and Temple-services but bells of horses going to war and these employments that seem most impure shall bear holinesse unto the Lord. 3. Holinesse doth then bear full sway when that which was against God of a man shall be consecrated to him for so also the bells of these horses that had been employed against the Church v. 15. should be consecrated to God and employed in his service as if pots and instruments for the Temple alluâ—ing to the legal worship were made of them Secondly it is promised that the pots in the Temple should be like the bowles before the Altar not so much for number in regard of many sacrifices v. 21. as for purity there being degrees of holinesse in the several places and instruments belonging thereunto in the Temple these should be elevated to an higher pâ—g as if the pots were scoured to shine as bowles and employed before the Altar whereby we are taught not only that all the meanes of Religion and parts of external worship ought to be according to the Word as these very pots in the Temple were appointed by God But 1. That under the Gospel especially holinesse ought to be upon the growing hand and encreasing from degree to degree as if pots were taken to the Altar 2. That meanest parts of Gospel spiritual worship hath greater true splendour then what was more glorious under the Law pots now are like bowles then Thirdly it is promised that the pots in Jerusalem and Judah shall be consecrated to God and emploâ—ed in sacrifices Teaching 1. That true holinesse will extend it self and shine in a mans most common things and employments that all these things shall be holy to the holy and that the godly man will study holinesse in all his life and actions as if he were about immediate worship The pots in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holinesse unto the Lord as if they were to be employed to boile sacrifices 2. Times wherein there are many in-comers to the Church is a time of thriving in holinesse for these things are thus holy when there are an all that sacrifice and they needing to take these to make use of Lastly it is promised that theâ—e shall be no moâ—e the Candanite in the house of the Lord of hostes where allusion is made to the state of Israel before Christ and it may signifie that however at their first entrie into the land the Canaanites were not quite expelled and after their return from Babylon there were Samaritanes and others in the land who vexed them yet
the purity of doctrine and discipline of the gospel-Gospel-Church especially in the latter dayes shall be such as no such Canaanite shall be admitted to abide in the Church And so it teacheth 1. That the doctrine and discipline of the Church is then agreeable to the Scripture when by doctrine it is declared that none are allowed or approved as members of the invisible Church in the Court of Conscience but the elect and faithful and the Israel of God only and when by discipline none are admitted or continued members in the outward Court but such as submit to the doctrine and discipline of the Church and give up their names unto Christ for when this rule is followed there is no Canaanite admitted in the house of the Lord. And who so followeth not this rule but will follow the rules of the inward Court in their external Ecclesiastical administrations or will in the point of doctrine allow people to acquiesce in that as sufficient before God unto salvation which is sufficient to the visible Church to go upon in the outward Court these cannot but condemn the innocent and absolve sinners 2. The Lord may and doth at some times let out much of his Spirit upon on his Church to make real holinesse and purity abound in it and shame out what is contrary to it or short of it yet without any prejudice to the rules ordinarily prescribed for constitution of Churches for taking this Prophecie at its fullest extent it only foretels that in some age of the Gospel-Church and particularly about the Conversion of Israel real holinesse and Conversion shall be very frequent so that all who come to the Church shall be ashamed not to look somewhat like them yet supposing they were all to be real Saints which never will be within time it doth not follow that it is the duty of the Church in all ages to admit none but such in the outward Court for his dispensations are not the Churches rule more then it will follow that because the Lord makes in every age some real Saints more eminent then others therefore the Church should reject all who come not to that pitch But if we look on these words more narrowly we may finde them looking another way for the promise is not of their being cast out of the land but of their not being in the Temple where Canaanites weee not admitted as such to enter or abide sometime indeed prâ—phane Nations entered it by force but that was the Jewes affliction not their sin and hath nothing to do in this place where the holinesse not the security of the Church is held out And therefore I conceive that the place points at the practice of the Jewes in their Temple who had Gibeonites who were Canaanites and were afterward from their office called Nethinims Ezra 2.58 1 Chro 9.2 given for the service of the Priests and Congregation in bringing wood and water to the Altar and sacrifices Josh 9.21 27. and foretels that there shall be none such then in the Temple to signifie and teach not so much that there should be no sacrifices then needing such service as 1. That under the Gospel there is no distinction of Nations no Canaanite in the Temple to serve in inferiour offices and Israelite or Levite to the Minister to the Lord for then Priests and Levites are of remotest Nations Isa 66.20 21. 2. That the truly godly will be ready to condescend to meanest service to God and for his people and esteen of the lowest place in the Church as too high for them for there shall be no more a Câ—naanite there shall be no need of some baser people to set apart for these services that are basest for the greatest of these who consecrate themselves to God will be willing to do them and count a dooâ—-keâ—pers place honour enough for them Ps 84.10 Malachi THE ARGUMENT THis Prophet being the last of the Old Testament is raised up of God after that the second Temple was built when the peoples zeale was decayed purity of worship corrupted and vices had crept in amongst them and all things were now growen worse and he seems to have lived toward the latter end of Ezra or Nehemiah in whose times some of the faults taxed by him were committed The scope of the Prophecie is partly to reprove these grosse faults whereof for most part both Priests and people were guilty such as ingratitude contempt of God and his worship and service unlawful marriages polygamie adultery divorces perjury oppression sacriledge atheisme murmuring against Providence c. partly to encourage the godly who kept their integrity in such declining times And partly to foretel more distinctly of the coming of Christ in the flesh and of his fore-runner John the Baptist and to direct the Church how to carry themselves in the mean time and to assure both wicked and godly what they might expect by his coming CHAP. I. IN this Chapter after the Inscription v. 1. the Lord by the Prophet 1. Reproves the people for their ingratitude and light estimation of his love which had appeared in his Election of Jacob their father rather then Esau v. 2 3. and moderating their afflictions when Esaus land was desolate v 〈◊〉 3. and should continue so v 4. whereby they should be convinced of Gods goodnesse toward them v 5. 2. He reproves their contempt of God v. 6. which appears in their polluted service v. 7. and faultie beasts for sacrifices which no governour would take off their hand v. 8. and threatens them with rejection of their prayers and intercessions v. 9. and of their persons and sacrifices as being greedy and justly unacceptable v. â—0 with transferring his worship from them to the Gentiles v. 11. to punish their prophane contempt of him and his service and their wearying at and sleighting of it v. 12 13. and with a curse for their double dealing with so great a Lord v. 14. Ver. 1. THe burden of the Word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi The Inscription of the Prophecie holds out 1. The authority of this message and the instrument that carried it it is the Word of the Lord by Malachie who what he was whether Ezra called by this name in respect of his office or some other is no great matter only his name signifieth my messenger or Gods messenger by whom God sent his Word which is the chiefe thing to be eyed in Gods servants that we do not sleight God in sleighting them and what they say 2. These to whom the message is directed are Israel that is such of all the tribes as had come up from Babylon for though Judah and Benjamin were chiefe yet others were joyned with them They are called Israel that considering they were all that was now left of Israel in any visible fellowship with God the rest being scattered for these sins which they now committed and considering that these courses were more like Israel yet rejected then Judah
no loser by any who sleight him all the advantage or losse of mens service is their own and though God reject a visible Church for sin yet he will not want enough to serve him for so doth he threaten the Jewes and Priests that he would fill up their room with Gentiles 2. The glory of God and of his Kingdome in his Church doth shine more conspicuously under the Gospel then under the Law for then his service was restricted to one Nation now enlarged to all Nations of the Gentiles then his worship was shut up in Judea and their solemn worship was only in one place Now from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same and in every place he may be worshipped then their service however pure in respect of institution yet was carnal and full of shadowes and was at this time prophaned by them But the Gospel-service is not only pure in respect of institution but more perspicuous and spiritual and however many do yet pollute it yet many perform it more purely then they did and there are far more spiritual and pure worshippers in the Church of the Gospel then was in the Church of the Jewes It shall be incense and a pure offering speaking of Gospel worship in the language of these times 3. As God is great in himself so an high estimation of him which only himself who doth reveal himself can work in hearts in his majesty and graciousnesse is a means to produce reverend and pure worship for My Name shall be great among the Gentiles saith he twice over as undertaking it when incense and a pure offering is offered Verse 12. But ye have prophaned it in that ye say The Table of the LORD is polluted and the fruit thereof even his meat is contemptible The equity of this sentence of rejecting them and choosing others is confirmed from their especially the Priests prophaning of Gods Name which the heathen would magnifie when it should be made known unto them This he proves by their deeds and expressions accounting of the Altar and Temple as polluted in respect of what it was and all the oblations or any thing they had for their share as contemptible and therefore any thing might suffice to be offered Doct. 1. The equity and justice of Gods sentence against sinners especially in the visible Church is not soon seen or laid to heart by them nor the causes procuring it considered therefore is it so needful to presse it as here 2. Necessary truths and instructions are oft-times so ill heard that they must be again and again pressed therefore is that same doctrine repeated here from v. 7. 3 Contempt of God and his service is no where more rife then where there is most frequent occasion of service and it is superficially performed for the Priests being still before God and still about service they prophane his Name and say The Table of the Lord is polluted c. 4 Hypocritical and formal worship is a prophanation and taking the Name of God in vaine and in its own kinde an hainons breach of the command for which God will not hold men guiltlesse for Ye have prophaned my Name in that ye say The Table of the Lord it polluted c. Verse 13. Ye said also Behold what a wearinesse is it and ye have snuffed at it saith the LORD of hastes and ye brought that which was torne and the lame and the sick thus ye brought an offering should I accept this of your hand saith the LORD A further evidence of their prophaning his Name which yet confirmes the sentence is that they served God with wearinesse and snuffed at the frequencie of sacrifices and multitude of ceremonial observations Whence it came to passe that they made no conscience of sacrifices but the people brought and they accepted what came to hand or could do no good otherwise which their own conscience might tell them could not be accepted Doct. 1. Wearying and repining at Gods service as it is the ordinary sin of all within the visible Church who are earnal and see not the Majestie of God nor feel sweetnesse in worship and especially is the ftuit of contempt of him So it is enough to make service abominable before God seeing he loves and requires a willing people Ye said also What a wearinesse is it and ye snuffed at it 2. They who wearie in Gods service if they do not quite abandon it will soon sleight it and minde nothing more when they come about it then how to get it over any way for Ye brought that which was torne and the lame and the sick for an offering 3. When men have bred themselves to wearie and sleight God in his service it is no wonder to see clear light and their conscience prove no aw-band or tie unto them they will soon either silence or sleight its voice for God appeals to their own consciences Should I accept this of your band as pleading for him against themselves and yet they went on Verse 14. But cursed be the deceiver which hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the LORD of hostes and my Name is dreadful among the heathen Followeth upon these sins the last part of the sentence wherein a curse is pronounced upon them for their great hypocrisie in pretending too much forwardnesse and yet out of diffidence that if they gave their beasts they would be poore and out of their contempt of God as if any thing might suffice him they offered but the refuse of what they had to God the sinfulnesse whereof might appear by considering the greatnesse of God which calls for other service and from the respect he hath among heathens by reason of common Providences whereof some proofs appeared when God shewed forth himself in delivering them from Babylon Doct. 1. As to be under a curse from God is the saddest of judgements though no present outward affliction should follow thereupon so it is the portion of obstinate sleighters of Gods worship Cursed be the deceiver c. 2. The Lord abhors the wrongs that are done under fairest pretences of zeal and piety more then these that appear in their own colours as being twice an injurie for The deceiver is cursed who doth all under colour of zeale and forwardnesse making vowes which are a testimony of singular affection and performing them which seems to speak integrity He vowes and sacrifices and yet it is but a corrupt thing when he hath better 3. Albeit the Lord can get nothing of it self perfect from his people yet it is their duty not to give him the refuse of what they have as if all were lost that is employed in this service but to spend and employ the best of their strength time parts and affections in his service and albeit our obligation go far beyond our ability yet it cannot but procure a curse when willingly we lie
by and emprove not all received ability for He is cursed who hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupt thing 4. As double and superficial dealing in Gods service floweth from mean thoughts of him so his greatness is such as wil not sit with affronts especially under pretence of doing him honour for this is one reason of the curse For I am a great King saith the Lord of hosts 5. The estimation that very Pagans are forced to have of a Deity by reason of common Providences and of the true God from what they see of him at any time in doing for his people and against their enemies may condemn the contempt of him that is among his seeming friends and shew the equity of his plaguing them that he may set forth his glory to the world upon them who would not honour him It is another reason of the curse My Name it dreadful among the heathen CHAP. II. IN the first part of this chapter the Lord prosecutes the controversie with the Priests shewing that the former doctrine concerned them specially v. 1. which if they neglected he threatens to plague them and the people v. 2 3. and cleares that this should be no breach of Covenant on his part v. 4. for he had indeed made a Covenant with that tribe to do them good while they walked with him in their office v. 5 6. as was their duty v. 7 but they transgressing v. 8. it was just with him to plague them v. 9. In the second part of the chapter he accuseth Priests and people of other faults Such as 1. Injustice and deceit v. 10 2. Marriage with idolaters v. 11 12. whereupon followed afflicting of their lawful wives contrary to their obligation v. 13 14. by Polygamie v. 15. and injust divorce v. 16. 3. Impatiency under afflictions and murmuring against the Providence of God v. 17. Vers 1. ANd now O ye Priests this Commandment is for you The Lord having sharply reproved and threatened for the sin of sleighted worship in the former chapter doth apply that general charge more particularly to the Priests whom it concerned to see that the publick worship were not prophaned Doct. 1. Particular application of general truths iâ— the only way to make the Word effectual that which is spoken generally toall being ordinarily looked on as spoken to none therefore doth the Lord here apply it 2. However men may shift and guard themselves from the challenges of the Word as thinking themselves not chief in any guilt reproved yet the impartial Word of God will finde out the guilty and charge that upon the conniver or flatterer which another acteth for however the Priests might have laid the blame on the people that brought no other sacrifices and alledge that if they offâ—red not these they should offer none at all and so publick worship should cease yet he chargeth it on them who did not their duty to have it otherwise 3 Ministers had need to have much spoken to them from God concerning their duty they having so few beside to speak to them therefore doth he here take them in teaching O ye Priests c. 4 Albeit an obligation lie on every publick worshipper to carry himself so as he may be approved of God and albeit Civil Magistrates ought in their Sphere to protect the true worship of God and hold off disturbers yet the care of Christs affairs in his Church belongs peculiarly to his own Church-officers who by doctrine are to reveal his will and by discipline to censure and in an Ecclesiastical way restrain the violation of the rule for O ye Priests this Commandment is for you 5. Every reproof and threatening for sin carrieth in the bosome of it a command to amend the fault and the minde of God in them is then rightly seen when we neither stand out nor taking with it are discouraged or hopelesse but when taking with the fault we endeavour to get out of angers way by repentance and reformation for in this respect all the reproofes and threatenings in the former chapter are a Commandment to wit to return and reform the abuse Verse 2. If ye will not heare and if ye will not lay it to heart to give glory unto my Name saith the LORD of hostes I will even send a curse upon you and I will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not lay it to heart The use of this application is that yet they would lay the challenge and their sin to heart and glorifie God in their office by seeing that God be sanctified in his worship and by acknowledging their former negligence as Josh 7.19 upon the neglect whereof the Lord threatens to curse them and the people and that in their very outward enjoyments which are in themselves blessings or in sending curses in stead of the blessings which they pronounced should come on the people whereof they had some experience already Doct. 1. The first step unto well-doing is when people get an attentive eare to attend unto the Word and do not prophâ—nely contemn so much as to hear If ye will not heare 2. When the Word is hearkened unto it will not yet availe till what we hear be seriously meditated upon and pondered and the authority of God speaking in it be laid to heart and our carriage contrary thereunto become grievous unto us and in this duty much unsanctified light makes little seriousnesse for this is required of these Priests who knew more then others and it is supposed they will prove negligent If ye will not lay it to heart 3. Every one who seriously considers their condition and what the Word saith unto them will be careful to honour God by taking with their faults and aime at his glory in their stations And especially Ministers being sensible of their duty will make it their chief care to see God exalted in his own ordinances rather then how to advantage or set out themselves for this followeth on the other two to give glory unto my Name 4. Albeit the curse of God which is the saddest of judgements be due for every transgression of his Law yet it is for the sin of impenitency chiefly that the Lord lets out any visible evidences thereof for it is when they will not heare c. that he sends a curse upon them 5. Curses are most sad curses when they are inflicted on blessings either in removing of them or in depriving of the comfort and blessing of them or in making them snares to the enjoyers I will curse your blessings 6. It is also a sad evidence of a curse upon Ministers and people when the blessings allowed upon or promised to the Church take not effect and when Ministers are left to themselves to promise and pronounce good things when in the mean time God is sending on judgements Thus also are blessings cursed when they pretending to their office Numb 6.23 flattered the
city burnt and is also of verity in the particular judgement of every wicked man and in the second coming of Christ when the whole Word hath its full and final accomplishment Doct. 1. Man by nature is a proud creature and retaines a stamp of Adam and the devils sin that would be as God Humility is no native plant in fallen man they are the proud whom God hath to do with 2. A mans daring to hazard on wicked wayes which the most high God hath prohibited and guarded with sad threatenings is a clear evidence of pride let him otherwise appear never so humble the proud and all that do wickedly are conjoyned as being the same and the latter an evidence of the former as chap. 3.15 See Psal 119.21 3. The stoutest of creatures will prove but weak when God reveals his justice and deals with them in wrath The proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble to the fire in the day of the Lord that cometh 4. The pure wrath of the living God is a dreadful thing leaving neither hope of out-gate nor present mitigation but violently consumes all without recovery The day shall burne us an Oven where the heat is closed in and all that is put in it shut up from coming out and shall burn them up and leave them neither root nor branch Ver. 2. But unto you that feare my Name shall the Sun of righteousnesse arise with healing in his wings and ye shall go forth and grow up as Calves of the stall As for the godly he promises to send Christ unto them bringing illumination righteousnesse healing protection and encrease of grace and joy in the Holy Ghost Doct. 1. An infallible character of the truly godly is their reverence and holy feare presumption being very contrary unto piety and that not only of Gods justice and terrible judgements which the wicked may tremble at but also of his Name and whatsoever he reveals himself by his Word being enough to make them tremble Isa 66.2 and his goodnesse to make them feare Hos 3.5 ye that feare my Name get the promise 2. Christ is the substance of the godlies encouragement as being unto his Church and children in a super-excellent manner what the Sun is to this inferiour world in enlightening all their darknesse illuminating all the inferiour lights that shine in any measure making all hid things patent rejoycing warming cherishing and ripening all fruits Unto you that feare my Name shall the Sun arise 3. Not only is every man by nature and without Christ in a dark disconsolate condition till he come unto them but his manifestation of himself under the Law was far inferiour to that under the Gospel which is far more clear glorious and comfortable then the legal shadowes were for where Christ comes the Sunariseth after a dark night and this especially relates to his Incarnation which is Sun-light in comparison of the Old Testament which had but as it were Moon-light 4. That which makes Christ especially comfortable to the godly is that he brings glorious righteousnesse to them whereby they who durst not appear before God and are vile and menstruous become glorious and beautiful in the eyes of the Lord he is not only righteousnesse but the Sun of righteousnesse glorious righteousnesse unto them 5. As these who get good of Christ will have many sores and be made to feel the deadly wounds and diseases which every one by nature hath so Christ is the only Physician to cure such sores and deliver his people from all sicknesse of sin and misery He arises with healing 6. Christs merit and his love and providence is the sweet shelter of sinners when pursued by their enemies and these who would taste of his healing vertue are to lie near this Sun and get in under his beams and rayes which embrace and cherish the sick till they be healed He hath warme wings to hide us under and this healing is under his wings 7. As every man by nature is but a prisoner and a slave to Satan and his own lusts and lying under the power of a hard heart and spirit of bondage and their souls are also wasted with leannesse and feeding upon the husks so Christ being fled unto and enjoyed and made use of as the soules shepherd brings spiritual libertie and encrease of grace to make fat and flourishing and of joy and gladnesse in the Lord Ye shall go forth and grow up as Calves of the stall who being well fed and set at liberty do skip for joy Verse 3. And ye shall tread down the wicked for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feete in the day that I shall do this saith the LORD of hostes To make this difference yet more conspicuous he not only threatens judgements against the wicked and promises spiritual comforts to the godly but promises to bring the wicked under the godlies feet and to make them triumph solidly over all their enemies Doct. 1. Whatever external excellencie be permitted to the wicked yet they are in comparison of the godly but vile and contemptible and will in due time appear so they are but ashes to be tread upon by the godly 2. Albeit the godly are oft-times lying under the feet of wicked enemies yet not only are they even then Conquerours over all their enemies in Christ their Head and by faith which keeps them from hurt and brings them advantage from their troubles and makes them boast in God over all of them and sometime get their hand over enemies even in this world either by themselves or by others But in due time their victory shall be compleat and visible when they shall be set with Christ on his throne and all the wicked made his and their footstool Ye shall tread down the wicked for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this saith the Lord of hostes Verse 4. Remember the Law of Moses my servant which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the statutes and judgements This Prophecie as also the rest he being the last is closed with some directions to the Church whereof the first is that since there was no other extraordinary Prophet to succeed him till Christ and his fore-runner should come and there being terrible schismes and commotions to ensue amongst them therefore they would have recourse to the written Word therein to seek eternal life and instruction how to walk in Gods way till they come to the actual possession of salvation Doct. 1. The written Word of God is to be closely adhered unto as that which will direct our course in dark times which ought to be the rule of our faith worship and manners which will supply the defect of extraordinary revelations and to which all extraordinary revelations agree and bear witnesse and will afford matter of comfort in saddest times and for attaining these ends the Church is to be much in the studie
thereof upon these grounds is this charge given Remember ye the Law of Moses 2. The doctrine revealed by God to Moses and by him to the Church containes the substance of all that is necessary to salvation and is the foundation of all the rest of the Scriptures which are as a Commentary and particular application of it upon this ground it is that they are remitted to the Law of Moses not to seek justification by the works of the Law nor yet only to be led by the Law to Christ but as containing the summe of all the doctrine of the Prophets which they would not neglect who made conscience of Moses law as being Gods own Commentarie upon it enjoyned as an appendicle to it 3. That the Word may have place and be entertained with due reverence and respect we are seriously to consider the authority of God enjoyning it I commanded our obligation to it and our honour in enjoying it I commanded for all Israel and only Israel secluding other Nations the Majestie of God at any time appearing in or about that Word how dreadful he was in publishing it at first what of God hath appeared in refreshments by or judgements and mercies according to that Word I commanded it him in Horeb with great glory and what authority his servants have to inculcate that Word upon us and how much their fidelity in duty will condemn our contempt Remember the Law of Moses my servant which I commanded him 4. Such as make conscience of submitting to and walking by the rule of Gods Word will be far from allowing to themselves or others a liberty in some points of truth and practice to believe or do as they please providing they keep right in some chief and fundamental things but will be tender of the whole Will of God of lesser and greater Commandments they are enjoyned to remember the ceremonial statutes and political judgements as well as the moral Law and in a word his whole doctrine Vers 5. Behold I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD A second direction is earnestly to expect Christs coming and to prevent any mistake about it he premonishes them that he would send John Baptist in the spirit and power of Elias immediately before his coming This is so clearly expounded in the New Testament Luks 1.17 Mar. 11.14 and 17.11 12. that it is high presumption to contradict it Doct. 1. Christs coming in the flesh and as a Prophet to his Church is not only greatly to be reverenced by the godly as when Jacob had the vision Gen. 28.17 but indeed terrible unto the wicked and may be the occasion of terrible judgements to corrupt visible Churches whose measure of sin will be filled up by contempt of such an offer It is the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And so the Nation of the Jewes found it 2. Christ is not easily discerned when he comes to his Church as not appearing in such a way as carnal men imagine but may be mistaken and rejected or another taken for him which because it is the hinge whereupon our happinesse turnes that we have Christ indeed and mistake him not in his manifestations nor embrace a delusion in his stead therefore we would studie sure and cleare light in this truth Hence it is that the Lord so much guards this by shewing the marks of the Messiahs coming and the Evangelist Mark begins where Malachi leaves off Mark 1.3 Ministers who would preach repentance unto a people and fit them for the Kingdom of Christ ought to be men of Elijahs temper for through zeal and integrity for courage and fidelity to resist a declining generation to contend with the greatest decliners and freely to reprove the sins of the time such a one was Christs fore-runner he was Elijah the Prophet as coming in his Spirit and power Luke 1.17 Verse 6. And he shall turne the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers lest I come and smite the earth with a curse Johns doctrine is commended from the end of it which is to convert the people to prevent the curse and from the efficacie of it that by his preaching for reformation of the Church he shall either be instrumental to convert both elder and younger and make an harmonie in faith amongst themselves and with the Patriarchs their Ancestors from whom they had so far degenerated as that they might justly renounce them Isa 63.16 and to beget mutual love amongst them as a sure fruit of faith or else they being unfit to receive and embrace Christ the whole Nation should be ripened for the ensuing curse and withal that his Ministery should be blessed to convert some of all ranks and bring them to unity in the truth and love that the Nation be not totally rejected and destroyed but a remnant saved Doct. 1. As the Lord in mercy sends his Ministery with the doctrine of repentance to prevent sadder messengers and messages so a Ministery will either be effectual to convert or ripen for ruine It is the Lords last Word to his Church that the lively Ministery of the Word will either ruine the corruptions of men or occasion mens own ruine on whom it hath no saving effect as here we may see 2. True Conversion and the fruit of the Ministery of the Word will shew it self in making all ranks both the old that have lived long in a good conceit of themselves and the young who may seem not to have gone far astray see need of repentance and reformation and making use of Christ in discovering unto men how far they have degenerated from the rule and from the piety of Ancestors of whom they are ready to glory in a carnal way and will unite men in adhering to the truth of Religion and in the bond of love He shall turne the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers doth import all these 3. The great love of Christ toward the world appears in that no provocation would hinder him to come and perfect the work of Redemption however his coming was occasion of ruine to many I come is an absolute promise made by Christ as God 4. Such as embrace not the Word of God to fit them for Christ nor will admit of the grace offered by Christ and his servants are lying under the curse from which Christ alone can free men and do provoke him to let that curse break forth to the utter ruine of Nations and visible Churches for such is the certification if Johns Ministery had no place and consequently Christs whose way he prepared Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse 5. As the Lord is alwayes effectual in some measure by them whom he calls and sends forth about his work so faithful Ministers however looked on as turners of the world up-side down are as pillars to uphold a Nation and according to the measure of their being fruitful among a people shall the moderation of a judgement on a people be for John shall turne some his zealous Ministery was a means if it had been received to prevent that curse on Judea which after followed and his turning of some as also Christs successe whose way he prepared and the Apostles was a means of preserving a remnant of that Nation from the curse as a seed and first fruit till the encrease and lump of that Nation be saved and turned to the Lord Even so come LORD JESUS Amen FINIS