made with them when they came out of Egypt stood yet in force to assure them of his presence and as they had seen in the deliverance from Egypt what God would and could do for his confederate people so the same God was by his Spirit and power present with them or standing as the word is ready for employment whereof some evidences were given in the sending out a Spirit of prophecie and consequently they needed not feare Doct. 1. Faithlesse and slavish feare is a principal cause of much miscarriage and will muster up many discouragements and lions in the way of our duty to hinder us from it and therefore is to be set against Feare ye not 2. It may guard the heart of the Lords people against sinful feare to consider that their mercies are not left in uncertainty but are made sure to them by a Covenant which stands firme notwithstanding sad dayes and will be forth-coming for them in due effects so doth the Lord here speak of their mercie and the Covenant According to the Word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt so my Spirit remaineth among you 3. The former experiences of Gods appearing for his confederate people do stand firme as a ground of comfort to them in following exigents however their case and temper may alter considering his covenanted immutability and that these things were done not for their worth but because of his free love therefore doth the Lord hold forth what was done when they came out of Egypt as a ground for their present expectations 4. As it is a sweet signe of Gods presence with a people where there is a Spirit of prophecie or that failing messages put in the mouths of his servants to them or where his Spirit is putting forth his sanctifying vertue and is a Spirit of grace and supplications so where the Lord is present according to his Covenant there his own immediate power and vertue is forth-coming and ready to effectuate what they cannot carry through even that power which needs not yea will not have and therefore layes by our help in the confidence whereof his people may boast much all this is imported in that promise My Spirit remains among you Vers 6. For thus saith the LORD of hostes Yet once it is a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land 7. And I will shake all nations and the desire of all nations shall come and I will fill this house with glory saith the LORD of hostes As the first ground of encouragement speaks chiefly to the exhortation and that they should go on so this second directly meets with their tentation arising from the meannesse of the work which he undertakes to make up with the glory of Christs coming in the flesh and the spiritual things of his Kingdome which should begin in and under the time of that second Temple and promiseth that as of old when he gave the Law he shook the earth Exod. 19.18 so now again within a-short time he would shake both heaven and earth and all Nations to make way for the coming of Christ who is the light and life and desire of all the Elect among the Nations and for their bringing unto him who promiseth here to fill the second Temple with glory by his being presented there unto the Lord at his birth by his publick teaching there and by the promulgation of the Gospel in his Church prefigured by that Temple and in part during the standing thereof This promised shaking hath relation not only to the great commotions and alterations usually represented in the Old Testament as a day of dissolution of heaven and earth Isa 13.13 and 34.4 every state having somewhat eminent resembling an heaven and somewhat inferiour resembling an earth in it that befell that people and other states about to make way for Christs coming according to the foregoing prophecies or to the shaking of heaven by his descension and ascension and by the joy and admiration of Angels and the commotion of the Jewes on earth at the report of his birth or to the fignes in heaven and earth such as darknesse earth-quakes c. at his death and resurrection but also to the great change wrought by the preaching of the Gospel shaking loose and annulling the alterable estate and ceremonies of the Jewish Church represented here by heaven that room may be made for a new state of the Church or Kingdome of Heaven wherein all Nations might have interest and which should not be altered and shaking the world in all the parts of it successively both Islands and Continents by the preaching of the Gospel crying down idols and as men interpreted turning the world up-side down and shaking the Elects hearts throughout the world making them to flee in to Christ as the Hebrew reading of v. 7. will bear I will shake all Nations and they shall come to the desire of all Nations who is to be manifested in that Temple and bring themselves and their desirable things with them according to the prophecies Isa 60. and elsewhere which will be still in doing from age to age and Nation to Nation till once for all God shake and remove these visible heavens and earth as some expound that of the Apostle Heb. 12.26 27. which is indeed the full accomplishment of the prediction but the place doth also include these other shakings to bring in a Gospel-state and worship into the world as previous to that Doct. 1. As Christ manifested in the flesh is in himself the only desirable and lovely one so it is he in whom all Nations as well as Jewes have a right who if he were knowen would be seen desirable and the only choice of all and whom his own in all Nations shall be made to desire and flee unto till the fulnesse of the Gentiles be all brought in so is he here described the desire of all Nations as well as the Lord whom the Jewes sought Mal. 3.1 not with relation to any desire of him any Nation beside the Jewes actually had before he came but with relation to his excellencie to his purposes concerning them and to what the event of his manifestation should be according to that prophecie Gen. 49.10 2. The promised Messiah and Saviour of the world his coming in our flesh to perfect the work of our Redemption was to be performed during the standing of the second Temple and within a short while after their captivity being compared with the time that had past since he was promised to their fathers till that time for it is a little while and the desire of all Nations shall come and I will fill the house c. The time being now confined to Daniels seventy weeks so that the Jewes who understand this place of the Messiah and yet deny that he is yet come after so many hundreds of yeares do bewray the blindnesse and hardnesse of their hearts 3.
to know so much that his Providence is so universal for her good for here is a command to get hence and walk to and fro through the earth obeyed by them holding out his providence and this is discovered to the Prophet for the Churches comfort though particular actions done by them be not declared Vers 8. Then cried he upon me and spake unto me saying Behold these that go toward the North-countrey have quieted my Spirit in the North-countrey An account is given to the Prophet of that part of the vision which specially concerned the Church that the instruments employed in the North had fulfilled his counsel in severity against Babel and tendernesse toward the Jewes there as a pledge for future times Doct. 1. Albeit the Lord do effectually execute his purposes in all the world yet his providence about his Church is to speak after the manner of men his special care in the study and knowledge whereof his Church is to acquiesce albeit many other passages be hid from her therefore it is that the Lord takes pleasure in giving an account of that passage and declares that only unto the Prophet leaving the rest untouched Then he cried to me and spake to me saying Behold these that go toward the North c. 2. The Lord accounts himself not a little concerned in the afflictions of his people and the prosperity of their enemies nor will he be at rest till he plague the one and relieve the other for the red and white horses do quiet his Spirit which was before commoved 3. Whatever work the Lord undertake against his enemies and in delivering his Church and whatever instruments he employ there shall be nothing left undone or imperfect or be delayed but shall be fully accomplished according to his purpose and as he hath promised or threatened for saith he They have quieted my Spirit in the North-countrey or done all things according to my minde Vers 9. And the Word of the LORD came unto me saying 10. Take of them of the captivity even of Heldai of Tobijah and of Jedaiah which are come from Babylon and come thou the same day and go into the house of Josiah the sonne of Zephaniah 11. Then take silver and gold and make crownes and set them upon the head of Joshua the sonne of Josedech the High Priest In the second part of the chapter we have a promise of Christ the Builder and Governour of his Church and of the Conversion of strangers the type whereof is the making of two Crownes the one of silver and the other of gold as sacred signes appointed of God for the uses after-mentioned and the setting them solemnly on the Head of Joshua the Priest These Crownes are to be made of what was offered by foure men the first whereof and the last seems to have had two names v. 14. at least the first of them fur Hen might be brother to Josiah who seem not so much to be eminent men amongst them who were fainting and made others to faint by their example and therefore needed to be encouraged as to be men lately come from Babylon with offerings for themselves or in name of others of which for special cause the Crownes are made to encourage them to come and joyne with their brethren from 〈◊〉 promise of Christ at that time in whom all that they missed in Judea was to be made up and of the Conversion of strangers as is after cleared Doct. 1. Where Christ sets up his Church in the world he can when he pleaseth induce men to joyne themselves thereunto though it seem to bring much outward disadvantage for there are of the captivity which are come from Babylon where many of these Jewes thought themselves better accommodated then to leave it for Judah 2. The Lord is very tender of such as are at any paines to seek him and allowes special encouragement upon them and commands all diligence to be used for that end for this great type and the explication therof is for their encouragement and the Prophet is to come the same day unto the house of Josiah or the place where he lodged if he be one of the number 3. None are to appear before the Lord empty but when they come unto him in his Church they are to give up themselves and what they have to be at his disposing this is signified by their bringing silver and gold which the Prophet is to take of them 4. Albeit our services and any thing we can offer to God be of no worth before him and may justly be rejected yet such is his graciousnesse that he may make more of our services then we could well expect for not only are their gifts accepted but made use of in contributing to this type their silver and gold were the matter of the Crowns 5. The Lord may employ persons to sustain extraordinary relations as types which it is not lawful for them to exerce in any ordinary way for Joshua's getting two Crowns to be an extraordinary type of Christ in his two offices was no warrant for Joshua in his administrations to take on him not only the Priestly but the Kingly office also whereof some shadow was yet remaining in Davids race and presently exercised by Zerubbabel Vers 12. And speak unto him saying Thus speaketh the LORD of hostes saying Behold the man whose Name is the BRANCH and he shall grow up out of his place and he shall build the Temple of the LORD Followes the application of this type in two particulars the first whereof is of Joshua's being crowned with two crowns which lest any should mistake it is cleared to him that all this type pointed at Christs coming in the flesh the true King and Priest of his Church who albeit in his humiliation he should appear contemptible as a tender branch yet should he grow up miraculously and build his own Church whereof the Temple was a type and in building whereof he also had a chief hand Doct. 1. Christ manifested in and to his Church is an excellent and sovereign encouragement to invite men to come and joyne with her in how low an estate soever she be for the substance of all this type and the encouragement held out unto these strangers to draw them and their brethren out of Babylon is Bebold the man whose Name is the BRANCH 2. It neither takes away the glory of Christ noâ— the encouragement of his people in him and from him that he was incarnate and became a man like us and appeared contemptible during the state of his humiliâ—tion but rather contributes much to their encouragement that he came so near unto them and was so like them in all things and to his glory that from so small beginnings he grew to so great an height and makes his Church to flourish therefore is he here described The man whose Name is the BRANCH or tender bud out of the root of Jesse who shall grow up 3. As Christ
sinfully hardened their owne hearts and added to their natural obduration by despising commands sleighting and rejecting of convictions and challenges Such not only stop their cares but make their hearts as an Adamant stone which is the hardest of stones 6. The sin of disobedience unto the Word is an opposition not unto men but unto the Spirit of God who employes them and speaks by them who though in his special operations of grace he works effectually and invincibly yet in his perswasions by the Word working as a moral agent is oft-times resisted and opposed for such is their sin here they would not heare the Law which the Lord of hostes sent in his Spirit by the former Prophets See Acts 7.51 Isa 63.10 In the last place the Prophet gives an account of Gods just procedure in punishing this their carriage as they provoked the Lord exceedingly to anger so he let it break forth upon them in sad judgements under which he justly recompencing their rebellion would not bear them to deliver them and did suddenly and violently cast them out of their land and scatter them among strangers as chaffe before a whirlwinde and laid their land desolate which was to be charged upon their sins which had polluted it Doct. 1. Contempt of and opposition unto the Word doth provoke God to hot and more then ordinary displeasure which will break forth irresistibly when the iniquity is come to the height as being the displeasure of an Omnipotent Lord for Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hostes 2. As God can make the stoutest hearted sinner who cares least for him stand sensibly in need of his help when he pleaseth insomuch that a favourable look of God and his interposing will be his only refuge so it is just with God to recompence his contempt of Gods Word with not regarding his cry in his strait and when the Lord seems not to beate prayer in trouble he calls us thereby to lay to heart and be humbled for our not hearkening to his Word for Therefore it came to passe that as I cried and they would not hear so they cried and I would not hear saith the Lord of hostes 3. Gods pursuing a controversie against his Church makes enemies endeavours successeful and dreadful and her opposition in vain for I scattered them with a whirlewinde which cannot be resisted 4. It is a fore judgement and the fruit of contempt of the Word and Ordinances when the people of God are scattered from the fellowship one of another and cast among strangers with whom they can have no communion especially in Ordinances I scattered them among all the Nations whom they knew not 5. It is no small addition to a judgement or aggravation of guilt to consider the desolation that sin brings upon a land for the sinners sake especially upon a land wherein God hath dwelt which is the only beauty of a land able to supply the want of all other pleasure for Thus the land even the pleasant land was desolate 6. Albeit all calamities for sin are to be ascribed unto God as the author and inflicter thereof in justice yet guilty sinners procuring the stroak are to look on it as their deed and themselves as justly charged with all that a land the Church or others suffer for They laid the pleasant land desolate 7. The tendernesse of God toward his people is such as in greatest severity he still doth somewhat that speaks ground of hope of future mercy for the lands being desolate after them that no man passed through or returned was not only a judgement for sin but a mercy that during their captivity no Nation about did sit down and possesse their land but it was left void till they should return to it and have none to contend with them for possession CHAP. VIII IN this Chapter 1. The Lord encourages the Jewes against the grounds of their distrust by setting before them his affection toward them evidenced in their late deliverance v. 1 2. assuring them of his being reconciled unto them and of his purpose to restore them to their wonted priviledges v. 3. that they should increase and multiplie in much peace v. 4 5. which his power was able to effectuate v. 6. and that he would gather his people from all quarters and bring them to their land v. 7 8 2. The Lord exhorts them to make use of these incouragements to strengthen them to go on in building the Temple and to hearken to the Prophets stirring them up thereunto considering the great change of Gods dealing and blessings which they had foretold and had really come on them since they began to bulld and were yet more to be letten forth upon them v. 9 10 11 12. And that God was to make them as remarkable an example of his blessing as they had been of his curse v. 13. and would as certainly perform these promises as he had formerly executed his threatnings v. 14 15. 3. The Lord exhorts them to study to please him in following true piety and justice v. 16 17. promising to give them causes of feasting instead of their Fasts v. 18 19. and that many Gentiles should be converted by the Ministery of Jews and that they should be much honouerd because of their enjoying the true Religion v. 20 21 22 23. Verse 1. A Gain the Word of the LORD of hostes came to me saying 2. Thus saith the LORD of hostes I was jealous for Zion with great jealousie and I was jealous for her with great fury In this Chapter the Lord goes on in answering that question propounded concerning their fasting as appears v. 19. and as the Lord found much to be reproved in their way in the former Chapter so also considering that these questions flowed in part from their discouragement and doubtfulnesse how matters would succeed therefore he subjoyns unto the reproof several grounds of encouragement unto them whereof the first is taken from his marriage-affection toward them as they might reade in what he had done of late his destroying of Babel and delivering them being an unquestionable evidence of his love toward them and of his indignation toward their enemies Doct. 1. When the Lord is most severely reproving his people for sin it is not his purpose to drive any sensible soul into discouragement but he allowes them to strengthen themselves that challenges may work the better therefore is this doctrine subjoyned to the former lest they should mistake his scope and purpose in it 2. The authority of God speaking in his Word is to be much and often thought upon by all such as desire the benefit of Scripture-comforts therefore albeit this be but a part of the former Sermon yet it is found necessary to repeat the Prophets Commission The Word of the Lord of hostes came unto me in regard that many promises here made could only be assured to them from his being God and for this end is he so oft brought in speaking
To exhort them who were employed in so holy a work to consider their former sin in neglecting of it and to do it purely lest they polluted it as to themselves which is propounded in two cases v. 10 11 12 13. and applied v. 14. â— 2. To encourage them yet to do the work in expectation of a blessing and of Gods change of his outward dealing which heretofore had been â—â—d v. 15 16 17. but from that day should be better v. 18 19. The third Sermon is directed to Zerubbabel as the type promising stability to that people in the midst of all commotions and to Christ as the Anti-type holding out the stability and enlargement of his Kingdome v. 20 21 22 23. Vers 1. IN the seventh moneth in the one and twentieth day of the moneth came the Word of the LORD by the Prophet Haggai saying 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel governour of Judah and to Joshua the sonne of Josedech the High-Priest and to the residue of the people saying 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory and how do you see it now Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing These verses hold forth the time of this Sermon the persons to whom it was directed and the occasion of it which was their discouragement considering the meannesse of this Temple being compared with Solomons which now appeares to them by the materials they had provided and by their taking the rubbish off the old fouudation which had been laid in Cyrus time Ezra 3.12 for as yet they had built none themselves v. 10 15. and so they were discouraged consideriog that Ezekiel prophesied of other things Here two things would be cleared 1. How it can be supposed that any then alive should have seen the first Temple for many yeares before this they are called ancient men who remembred it Ezra 3.12 Answ This place speaks only by way of supposition if there were any such and to such as kept on foot that complaint which they had heard from others at the first laying of the foundation Ezra 3. 2. It would be cleared upon what ground the second Temple is thus exâ—enâ—â—â—â— for Cyrus his decree Ezra 6.3 compared with Solomons fabrick 1 Kings 6.2 seems to make it larger Answ 1. We are to suppose that Solomous building was measured by sacred cubits called the first measure 2 Chro. 3.3 and that Cyrus decree mentions common cubits which were by one half lesse and so the difficultie is in part removed 2. We are not to conceive that Cyrus allowed to double the height of the Temple but that the porch which was before one hundred and twenty 2 Chron. 3.4 was to be now sixty cubits and that the sixty cubits in breadth comprehended also the length of it which therefore seemeth to be omitted in that decree because these cubits expressed both these dimensions 3. There were many other things which might make this Temple as nothing in their eyes as the losse of many things which had been in the first Temple and their base materials having but rolling stones Ezra 5.8 and 6.4 in stead of polished stones 1 King 5.18 and 6 7. and wanting gold such as David and Solomon had prepared to adorn it withal which is a part of their trouble removed by God v. 8. Doct. 1. As they who are about the Lords work will need to be frequently encouraged so when the Lord hath engaged a people in a work he will not faile to obviate all their tentations by comfortable messages therefore shortly after they had begun even in the seventh moneth c. came the Word of the Lord c. 2. As all are bound to submit to the Word so the Lord hath an especial eye upon the difficulties of every one employed in his work to encourage them therefore are all ranks even to the meanest spoken to again v. 2. that they may be strong 3. As a people sleighting the Lords work are justly contemptible in his sight so when they fall to duty they become precious in his sight and he is tender of their afflictions for now they are not this people as chap. 1 2. but the residue of the people 4. Satan is so violent and so active an enemie to a work of Reformation and our hearts so unfit for going about it that when other impediments faile he will fetch discouragements from mens own carnal mindes and the work it self as nothing answerable to their expectation and so be in peril to make it be laid aside when none other would hinder it for this is a new impediment laid in the way that the house was nothing like the former 5. Our judging of Gods work by outward appearances and looking upon it with a carnal eye is a great enemie to reformation while we consider not that the more spiritual glory Christ is about to manifest in his Church the lesse visible glory will he let appear because it would take out heart off the other this was their tentation Is it not in our eyes in comparison of it as nothing as judging of prophecies according to sense whereas Christ by taking away of some of the outward glory was making way for the greater spiritual glory of the Temple Vers 4. Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel saith the LORD and be strong O Joshua sonne of Josedech the High Priest and be strong all ye people of the land saith the LORD and work for I am with you saith the LORD of hostes Notwithstanding any alleadged cause of fainting the Lord exhorts all of them to be encouraged and go on with the work and gives the first ground of encouragement from his presence with them Doct. 1. Discouragement in any of the Lords people is a disposition ill pleasing to him and which they should oppose in themselves whatever reason say to the contrary and when their tentations are at the height therefore in opposition unto and in the midst of all their fainting thoughts Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel c. saith the Lord. 2. Whatever debates and fainting thoughts of heart the Lords people may meet and be exercised with yet they would guard against slackening of diligence and weakening of hands from duty by them which will be the result of entertained discouragement whatever present exercise it may seem to put men to therefore saith the Lord be strong and work 3. The Lords work is so honourable an employment for any to be put to and his presence and approbation so sweet a cordial that it will be found a great wrong for such as are so employed and rewarded not to be encouraged Be strong saith the Lord and work for I am with you saith the Lord of hostes Vers 5. According to the Word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt so my Spirit remaineth among you Fear ye not The exhortation is yet pressed and this first ground of encouragement confirmed The Covenant
The way of Gods worship and of the Church established by Christ at his coming in the flesh is such as however there may be many commotions even until the end of the world for its getting footing where it had none and its restoring where it hath been dispossessed yet in its own nature is unalterable and is to continue without any new formes or wayes till God once for all shake and dissolve heaven and earth for however after that shaking at Sinai in giving the Law there was to be a new shaking of the ceremonial Law to make room for the Gospel-way yet it was to be but yet once and no alteration after that 4. As the Lord will shake and overturn all things before his Word faile and his people want promised help and as all Nations have their owne time of shaking and commotions so every such case doth not speak ruine but sometime is the fore-runner of Christs coming in a Gospel-reformation especially where Christ becomes precious and desirable unto a people therefore to confirme the Jewes doth he hold forth his power employed for fulfilling his promises and that in this order as to shake heaven and earth c. and then the desire of all Nations shall come 5. As there is much opposition lying in Christ his Kingdom and Gospels way in the world and especially in mens own stubborn hearts which he both can and will remove where he hath a purpose of good to any so there must be strange shakings of Nations and persons before Christ and the Gospel can have their due place or employment therefore he shakes heaven and earth and all Nations ere this great mercy can have place or they be fit for it that the desire of all Nations come 6. Christ manifested in the flesh and his presence in his Gospel makes up the want of all outward visible glory amongst a people and the want of external pompe in worship for in opposition to their mean thoughts of their work it is promised the desire of all Nations shall come and I will fill this house with glory yea the administration of the Gospel is more glorious then that of the Law in regard that in giving the Law he only shook the earth but now both heavek and earth as it is expounded Heb. 12.26 7. Christ the promised Messiah as he was to be true man bone of our bone so was he also from eternity very God Jehovah equal in power and glory with the Father who was conversant by his Spirit with his own people and had a care of them before his incarnation for he whose presence was to make up the glory of the Temple is Jehovah and here himself promiseth I will fill this house with glory saith the Lord of hostes which is Christs speech to whom we come in the Gospel as is cleared further Heb. 12.24 25 26. Vers 8. The silver is mine and the gold is mine saith the LORD of hostes 9. The glory of this latter house shall be greater then of the former saith the LORD of hostes and in this place will I give peace saith the LORD of hostes The third ground of encouragement raiseth the promise of glory mentioned v. 7. yet higher and meets with a particular rcason of their tentation for whereas they complained of the want of gold and silver wherewith to adorn the Temple and make it stately as in Solomons dayes the Lord declares that if he accounted that to be the true glory of his Church and took pleasure in that carnal splendor he could easily be at the expences having as much at his command as in Solomous dayes but did refrain from that now as purposing to traine them up for a greater glory of the second Temple by Christs presence and spiritual gifts poured out of which all the glory of the first Temple was but a shadow and particularly by the preaching of the doctrine of reconciliation and spiritual peace by the death of Jesus Christ which should begin there and from thence go through the world Doct. 1. The absolute dominion of the riches and splendor of the world belongs unto the Lord who hath all these things in his power to dispose of as he pleases and who is to be eyed acknowledged and submitted unto by every man in his portion and lot according as he dispenseth it for the silver is mine and the gold is mine saith the Lord of hostes 2. It may satisfie the people of God in their wants to consider that God hath all they want at his command and would not withhold it unlesse he saw such a dispensation tending to their good to meet with the Jewes tentation of poverty the silver is mine c. saith the Lord of hostes 3. When the Lord withholds any glory or splendor from his people and work it is for their advantage and flowes from a purpose to give what is better if they had eyes to see it for when he withholds silver and gold which they so much desired he purposeth that the glory of this latter house shall be greater then of the former 4. The spiritual things of Christs Kingdom do far surpasse all the legal administrations in glory and do put more real splendor on any place where they are administred then all the pomp of the world beside can do the glory of this latter house shall be greater then of the former saith the Lord of hosts for there there was but a Solomon here a greater then Solomon there was gold and worldly splendour here heavenly treasures shined there was the ministration of the letter here of the Spirit there a precious ointment here the oile of gladnesse there God dwelt in thick darknesse here the light of the world shined and in a word there were the dark shadowes here the true substance 5. As peace and reconciliation with God is the allowance of Christs subjects which out-shines all the splendour and glory of the world so it is the great glory of the Gospel-administrations that by them peace may be had through Jesus Christ which was attainable by none of the works and ceremonies of the Law being rested on therefore in stead of their wonted splendour and in opposition to former administrations it is promised that by Christs coming his death and doctrine In this place will I give peace saith the Lord of hostes Vers 10. In the foure and twentieth day of the nineth moneth in the second year of Darius came the Word of the LORD by Haggai the Prophet saying 11. Thus saith the LORD of hostes Ask now the Priests concerning the Law saying 12. If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment and with his skirt do touch bread or pottage or wine or oile or any meat shall it be holy and the Priests answered and said No. 13. Then said Haggai If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these shall it be unclean and the Priest answered and said It shall be unclean 14. Then
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
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
put away their old wives The Lord declares that to be hateful to him as not being a quiteing of their violence to their wives but an executing of it under that pretext of Law and so but a covering it as with a garment and again exhorts them to purge and watch over their spirits Doct. 1. Whatever the Lord did permit for the hardnesse of Israels heart yet divorce and loosing of that marriage tie upon trivial causes or any other cause beside that of adultery Mat. 19.9 and malicious desertion 1 Cor. 7.15 is a sin and hateful to God For the Lord saith that he hateth putting away 2. Not only doth the authority of God prohibit groundlesse divorces but his own carriage toward his confederate and married people in not giving up with them for every fault shewes how unpleasing such courses are to him in others for not only the Lord but the God of Israel saith this his not ceasing to be the God of Israel shewes how unsuitable it is to his mind to break off marriage-affection 3. The nature of sinful courses are not changed but only daubed over when they are acted under pretence of Law and therefore are so much the more hateful to God for the Lord hates putting away as covering violence with a garment This forme of speech covering with a garment or as some reade it violence covering the garment seemeth to allude to the Scripture-expression wherein covering with the garment signifieth conjugal protection Ezek. 16.8 Ruth 3.9 and so while they spread their garment over another wife they covered that violence with a pretext of divorce and violence covered that act of marrying another it was but violence though they pretended to have law for the marriage after divorce 4. The Lords frequent challenges ought to stir up men to double diligence in reforming their way it being a double guiltinesse to sin after admonition and such as would reforme sin must first see their spirit polluted and begin their reformation there for this cause is the exhortation repeated therefore take heed to your spirit that ye deal not treacherously Verse 17. Ye have wearied the LORD with your words yet ye say Wherein have we wearied him when ye say Every one that doth evil is good in the sight of the LORD and be delighteth in them or where is the God of judgement The third fault reproved is their impatiencie under afflictions breaking forth into murmuring and blasphemie against God and his Providence as judging that because enemies and wicked men prospered more then they did either God did approve of wicked men and delight in their sin or else was not a just and impartial Judge or had no Providence at all in the world This carriage did grieve Gods Spirit albeit they either denied the fact or that it was such a sin to complain Doct. 1. Hard times drive on tentations unto Atheisme and may prevaile with many in the visible Church as this example teacheth 2. Tentations unto Atheisme begin ordinarily at the matter of Gods Providence in the world and first it carves out a Providence to mens own minde that God loves none but whom he deals kindly with in matters of the world and that he delights in such as he spares outwardly Then it falls a quarrelling under crosse dispensations that his providence is not just when every one that is evil is good in the sight of the Lord. And at last comes to an expresse denying of providence and consequently of God Where is the God of judgement 3. Tentations of impatiency and Atheisme arising from crosse dispensations do flow from too much conceit of mens selves and their deservings and prove them not meane in their own eyes or humbled under the rod for while they quarrel his goodness to others that do evil it imports they look on themselves as good and deserving no such usage as they meet with 4. Impatiencie and quarrelling of Gods Providence is a vexing evil which the Lord will not endure especially when men are not wrastling against it in their bosomes but let it break out in expression without controulment Ye have wearied the Lord with your words Isa 40.27 He cannot properly wearie but will do with such as wearied men do with an insupportable burden 5. Men falling in a quarrelling disposition prove themselves to be deprived of tendernesse and in an ill frame of spirit in that they can neither discerne what they are doing nor be sensible of the hainousnesse of such an evil which a tender heart would tremble at for these murmurers have the boldnesse and stupidity to reply to the challenge Yet ye say Wherein have we wearied him CHAP. III. IN the first part of this Chapter we have a Prophecie of Christs coming in the flesh v. 1. who would be found far otherwise then many of them looked for in refining his Church v. 2. purging of his people and Ministers that their worship may be pure and acceptable v. 3 4. and in manifesting of all wickednesse and taking order with it v. 5. the reason of which benefits is his unchangeable grace and the constancy of his promise toward his people v. 6. In the second part of the chapter he accuseth them of desperate impenitencie in their defection v. 7. of sacriledge v. 8. which as it was a special cause of the judgements lying on them v. 9 so upon their repentance and amendment he undertakes remarkably to blesse them v. 10 11 12. and of blasphemie and wearying in Gods service v. 13 14 15. In the third part of the Chapter we have the carriage of the godly in such a time and the fruit of these doctrines upon them v. 16. who are encouraged from Gods observation and laying up their carriage as upon record v. 16. from a promise of being precious in Gods sight and graciously and tenderly dealt with v. 17. and that the difference betwixt the godly and wicked in Gods esteem shall in due time be made manifest v. 18. Verse 1. BEhold I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me and the LORD whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple even the messenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in Behold he shall come saith the LORD of hostes In this Prophecie of Christs coming first Christ speaks himself and promiseth to send John ' Baptist as his fore-runner and Harbinger as is exponed Luke 1 76 and 7.27 Mat. 11.10 Mark 1.2 who by the doctrine of repentance and of grace to be given to the penitent through Christ should prepare the way for the exhibition of Christ Then the Father speaks and promises that Christ the Messenger of the Covenant whom the Jewes longed so much after should shortly after Johns preaching come into his Temple being exhibited in the flesh and preach the Gospel there Doct. 1. The love of God in Christ toward the world will not be impeded by the wickednesse of men nor will he make void his promises of the redemption