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

Sermon the Fourth, June 11. 1584.

The Prophet Haggai, being sent by special Commandment of the highest to preach to the Jews that were returned from the captivity of Babylon and to stir them up to the building of the Temple, the foundation whereof was laid before, because they were faulty herein, doth first reprove them for that they were so careful to see their own houses, but suffer the Lords house to lye waste, and next doth advertise them to call to mind the punishments, which they •uffered, in sowing much, and bringing home little, in eating, and not having enough, in drinking but not being filled, in clothing themselves but not being warm, in earning of wages and putting it as it were into a bottomless bag, showing that all this did light upon them for this cause, Because they left the house of the Lord waste and every man ran to his own house. Thirdly, he exhorteth them that they would go up to the mountain, and bring timber and build the house, and so promiseth he will accept thereof and be glorified, &c. Of the former parts and namely of the reproof and advertisement, I have spoken heretofore, It followeth that I now speak of the exhortation in this 8 verse, in the which there are two things to be observed. First, who it is that exhorteth, Secondly, what he exhorteth unto. First, who exhorteth, the Lord himself, signified in the last words of the verse (saith the Lord) Secondly to what he exhorteth, that they go up to the mountain and bring timber to build the house: The which exhortation that it may be more effectual he addeth thereunto, two reasons to stir them up to that, he exhorteth them, First that he will accept of it, Secondly, that he will be glorified, So that in the substance there are three branches commended to us in these words to be considered First, who exhorteth; Secondly, the thing he exhorteth,