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

For the first, it is the Lord, for though the exhortation be delivered by the voice and ministry of the Prophet, yet is it indeed the Lord that exhorteth them, even as it is added (saith the Lord) and this as the rest of the Prophets are wont often to mention, and that to raise up the hearts of the people to the dutiful consideration of that which is uttered, for Haggai also mentioneth the same both in the former words, and here again, and likewise afterward, having thought it good to put them still in remembrance hereof, thereby to move them to obey and believe the Commandment and promise delivered from the Lord, The which the very name of God which the Prophet useth, doth therefore recommend more effectually to them, because it layeth before their eyes the Majesty of him that speaketh and the truth of the speech. For whereas in the language which the Prophet spake there are divers names attributed to God, some of them betokening his Almightiness and All-sufficiency, some his Majesty and power, some his authority and judgement, one there is above the rest that most lively expresseth his eternal essence, ¹the constancy also and the truth of his word, as the which is derived from a word that signifieth to Be, betokening not only the eternal essence of the Lord of Majesty, as John showeth in his Revelation, where he openeth the meaning of that name when he saith. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending saith the Lord, which is, which was, and which is to come, even the Almighty: ²as it were interpreting that which he spake of himself by the Prophet. Moses demanded by what name he should call him if the people of Israel enquired who sent him, I am, saith he that I am; For when our Saviour said of himself, Before Abraham was I am, he meant to show the eternity and everlastingness of his God-head that was from the beginning, or rather indeed without any beginning or end, being the same yesterday and to ³day and for ever. Neither thereby is the eternity only of his ⁴Majesty noted, but the truth also and certainty of his word and Promise, which in the 6 of Exod.

For the first, it is the Lord, for though the exhortation be delivered by the voice and ministry of the Prophet, yet is it indeed the Lord that exhorteth them, even as it is added (saith the Lord) and this as the rest of the Prophets are wont often to mention, and that to raise up the hearts of the people to the dutifull consideration of that which is uttered, for Haggai also mentioneth the same both in the former words, and here againe, and likewise afterward, having thought it good to put them still in remembrance hereof, thereby to move them to obey and beleeve the Commandment and promise delivered from the Lord, The which the very name of God which the Prophet useth, doth therefore recommend more effectually to them, because it layeth before their eyes the Majesty of him that speaketh and the truth of the speech. For whereas in the language which the Prophet spake there are divers names attributed to God, some of them betokening his Almightinesse and Alsufficiency, some his Majesty and power, some his authority and judgement, one there is above the rest that most lively expresseth his eternall essence,