Malachi 3

Malachi 3:1

MEssengr] my servant or Embassador, Malachi 2:7. Here is meant John the Baptist Shll prepare] by his preaching he shall prepare mens hearts for to receive Christ; taking away all lets of hypocrisie, carnall pride, impiety, &c. See Isaiah 40:3 Whom ye seeke] towards whom all the hopes and thoughts of beleevers are bent Suddenly] presently after that John shall begin to preach; Christ the true everlasting God shall appeare, and publickely exercise his office To his Temple] namely; the Temple in Jerusalem, which was the figure of the Church, to preach there, and use his authority as in his owne house. See John 2:14; John 2:16 The Messenger] namely; Christ the Mediator, and foundation of the Covenant of grace with the Elect. See Exodus 33:20-21. Isaiah 63:9. Hab. 8. 6. and 9. 15. and 12. 24.

Malachi 3:2

Who may abide] his presence and preaching shall be accompanied with a most powerfull vertue of Gods Spirit; and with most severe judgements, to destroy all Rebels, and cleanse his Church. See Isaiah 4:4. Matthew 3:10-12 Fullers sape] the Italian, Fullers gasse] which was very ordinarily used to whiten wooll, and cleanse it.

Malachi 3:3

Sit] as a Judge. Or he represents his diligence, and care about this worke of cleansing of his Elect, likened to precious mettals The sonnes] namely; all true Christians, made Priests by him, Rer. 1. 6. to offer unto God spirituall sacrifices, Romans 12:1. which were figured by the Ceremoniall sacrifices, as Malachi 1:11 In righteousnes] rightly, lawfully, and according to his ordinance, without any default. See Psal. 51. 19.

Malachi 3:5

Come neare to you] my Spirit shall effectually redargue all sinners, Isaiah 4:4. John 16:8. and the execution shall speedily follow that inward redargution.

Malachi 3:6

For I am] under the Gospell, I will proceed with a speedy operation of my Spirit and judgement: whereas now, I doe use a great deale of clemency and patience; out of my meere loyalty, and constancy in my promises. See Lam. 3. 22. 23.

Malachi 3:7

Wherein] wherein have we sinned, that we should returne?

Malachi 3:8

In tythes] keeping those things back which are my right, and are to furnish out my service; and for the maintenance of mine Officers, Nehemiah 13:10.

Malachi 3:10

The store-house] of the Temple, 1 Chronicles 26:20. See the performance of this Commandement, Nehemiah 13:12 Prove me] whither if you obey my Commandements, I will faile in my promises I will not open] A figurative terme, to signifie, as it were, a deluge of goods. See Gen. 7. 11. 2 King. 72. 19.

Malachi 3:11

The devourer] the Italian, the beasts; namely; those insects, which doe spoile the fruits of the earth Cast her fruit] they shall not lose their fruit by any accident.

Malachi 3:12

A deligh sme] A most happy Land, and abounding in all things as can be desired in the world.

Malachi 3:14

Walked mornfull] the Italian, gone mourning] as Job 30:28. Psal. 38 6. he seemes to have relation to those Fasts which are set down, Zechariah 7:3.

Malachi 3:15

The proud] an ordinary title given to the most grievous sinners, who sinne maliciously and boldly Set up] established and preserved in lasting happinesse.

Malachi 3:16

Spake] whilest the wicked did blaspheme in this manner; the true beleevers opposed themselves against them, and strengthened themselves against those temptations A Booke]God shall remember them in due time, and reward them for their faith and constancy. Termes taken from men, Psal. 56. 9 That thought] that have his feare alwayes in their hearts, and before their eyes; that meditate upon his grace, and his commandements, have a care to call upon him, and doe actually remember him in all their works.

Malachi 3:17

Make up] namely; execute my judgements upon the wicked Spare] I will love them, and preserve them carefully.

Malachi 3:18

Returne] you doe wrongfully impute to God, that he doth not reward those that serve him: serve you him heartily and uprightly, and then you shall finde the effect of his promises; whereas now you deprive your selves of it, because your service is defiled with hypocrisie and impiety.