Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

I. A Character of the Godly. 1. In General, they were Fearers of God; they that feared the Lord. 2. In Special: (1) They spake often one to another. (2) They thought upon Gods Name. II. The Good Effects of their Piety. 1. The Lord regarded it; he hearkened and heard. 2. He recorded it; a book of remembrance was written. 3. He rewarded it; and this reward consisted in three things. (1) Gods owning them; they shall be mine. ⟨p. 3⟩(2) Gods Honouring them; in that day when I make up my Jewels. (3) Gods Sparing them. I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him.

I. A Character of the Godly. 1. In General, they were Fearers of God; they that feared the Lord. 2. In Special: (1) They spake often one to another. (2) They thought upon Gods Name. II. The Good Effects of their Piety. 1. The Lord regarded it; he hearkned and heard. 2. He recorded it; a book of remembrance was written. 3. He rewarded it; and this reward consisted in three things. (1) Gods owning them; they shall be mine. ⟨p. 3⟩(2) Gods Honouring them; in that day when I make up my Iewels. (3) Gods Sparing them. I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him.

Before I come to the several parts distinctly, here is a connexive particle stands in the front of the Text which may not be omitted, namely, the word Then.

Then they that feared the Lord, &c. Then, that is, after Israels return from the Babylonish Captivity; then, when the major part of the people grew corrupt, and came worse out of the Furnace than they went in, vers. 13, 14 ^*