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

AS the good Samaritan (of whom our Saviour speaketh) ¹taking compassion on the man that had fallen amongst thieves, bound up his wounds, and poured into them, not only sharp vinegar to scour but also mild oil to supply: even so the prophet, meaning to heal the wounds of his people, who had suffered the temple of the Lord to lie waste, hath first sharply reproved them in the former verses, laying open their faults, and here mildly exhorting them to that which they had omitted, that by all means they might be brought to do this which God commandeth them, and first he showeth his warrant and letter of credence for his message, that the thing he commandeth them might be esteemed, not by the worthiness of the man by whom but rather of God from whom it was sent, wherefore he willeth them to consider with themselves, that is deeply and throughly to weigh and mark their own ways, that is their works and behaviour, for if they did so, they should perceive the greatness of their sins, and transgressions, at least if they would endeavour the punishments which God had laid upon them, and consider the scarcity in their goods, and want of natural heat and strength in their bodies. In that they sowed much and brought in little, they eat, but were not satisfied; clothed themselves but were not warmed, &c. which punishment God had laid upon them to the end they might perceive their sin and acknowledge it, which he wisheth them to amend by building the house of the Lord, whereunto he would stir them up the rather, by setting down the promise of grace and favour, by blessing of their labours and graciously receiving their service, But because the promise of good doth less move, than the fear of evil, especially the stubborn, and froward sinner: therefore the Prophet telleth them again of that rod which God held over them, namely of the want and scarcity which they ⟨p. 24⟩suffered, and least they might imagine, that albeit they suffered these things yet happily they might come from some other causes and not from God, he bringeth in the Lord protesting so much (I did blow upon it) or if they would suppose that albeit it were the hand of God; yet that it might come for some other cause than this, it is also added all this came on them because of his house, that was waste while every man ran to his own house.

AS the good Samaratane (of whom our Saviour speaketh)