Gods call to his people to turn unto him; together with his promise to…

Use 1. for Instruction: 1. That it is no easy thing for sinners to turn unto God. 1. You see great and long-continued afflictions, of themselves, cannot convert men: so the Text. The building of the Temple had been hindered above forty years, which they should have been affected with, as an effect of Gods displeasure for some sins yet remaining among them, and they should have been provoked thereby to turn unto God: but on the contrary, they turned their thoughts to mind the building of their own houses. Then the Lord was further displeased, and afflicted them with scarcity of food, by Drought and Dearth; yet they were dedolent and stupid, till the Lord sent the Prophet Haggai, to call them to consider their ways, and to show them for what cause this Judgement was upon them, and to stir them up to remove the Cause, that the Effect might cease. 2. The multitude and variety of afflictions one following another successively, cannot of themselves turn sinners to God, Prov. 27.22. This we may see in Pharaoh, who though under the stroke of punishment he sometimes confessed his sin, and promised amendment, yet after ten plagues, remained as hard-hearted as at first: And in Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28.22. and in the people of Israel, Amos 4.6 —12. 3. Nor can outward Mercies of themselves work this, Isa. 26.10. 4. Nor can awakings of Conscience by the shameful and dreadful Effects of sin, of themselves work this. This made Adam fly to hide himself, when he heard Gods voice walking in the garden, Genes. 3.15. Nor can the outward Ministry of the Gospel, though accompanied with Miracles, of themselves work this: this we see in Christs hearers, Mat. 11.20, to 25. unless the Spirit by his divine Efficacy turn men to God, it cannot be done. See Deut. 29.2, 3, 4.

Vse 1. for Instruction: 1. That it is no easie thing for sinners to turn unto God. 1. You see great and long-continued afflictions, of themselves, cannot convert men: so the Text. The building of the Temple had been hindred above fourty years, which they should have been affected with, as an effect of Gods displeasure for some sins yet remaining among them, and they should have been provoked thereby to turn unto God: but on the contrary, they turned their thoughts to minde the building of their own houses. Then the Lord was further displeased, and afflicted them with scarcity of food, by Drought and Dearth; yet they were dedolent and stupid, till the Lord sent the Prophet Haggai, to call them to consider their wayes, and to shew them for what cause this Judgement was upon them, and to stir them up to remove the Cause, that the Effect might cease. 2. The multitude and variety of afflictions one following another successively, cannot of themselves turn sinners to God,