The prophecy of Haggai, interpreted and applied in sundry sermonsThe prophesie of Haggai, interpreted and applyed in sundry sermons

It were to be wished that our Preachers would thunder but as the sons of thunder, to shake the heavens, so as to move all people to those things which remain and continue, Psalm 45. by the sharp arrows the people shall be subdued unto thee. It's not by bol•, ⟨p. 122⟩but by sharp arrows; therefore the Ministers of God had need to sharpen their arrows by taking heed, As the Apostle wisheth 1 Timothy 14 15. to learning, to wrap himself as it were therein, for so the word signifies, that so he may save himself, and those that hear him: For though Gods providence do cast somewhat further, that all that hear are not saved, hereby humility and modesty is commended to the Ministers, as to know that they are only instruments, and therefore to pray, as Paul requested the Ephesians for himself, that a door of utterance might be given him, and yet when they have that, all is nothing, but that God it is by whom that is performed, which followeth, that the desire shall come, &c. yet all must be moved, for that it is an effect in all; Many are called, but few are chosen; many moved, few drawn, and none can come to Christ, except they be called, Matth. 21. When Christ came to Jerusalem, many, even the whole City were moved, and what a tumult was there, and yet not many drawn: And Acts 2. many were pricked, hearing Peter, when at the first they jested. And Acts 17. When Paul preached at Athens, some mocked, and some, as Damaris clave unto the Lord; these were of the desired of the nations, and so was Lydia, of whom it was said▪ that it was God that opened her heart to attend unto that which Paul preached. The whole glory therefore is to be ascribed unto the Lord, who of his special mercy draws some, and leaves others to their own corruptions; For it is not in him that willeth, nor in him that runneth, but in God that showeth mercy: He it is that accepteth, and approveth, and maketh desired, where by the way is a lesson for us, how we account of them whom God makes his desire and liking, especially