Commentary on Malachi, Chapter 3 · Exposition of verse 16 – Exposition of verse 18
VER. 16.
Then they that feared the Lord, ſpake often one to another; and the Lord hearkned, and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
IN the words before, is ſet down the blaſphemy of the wicked. In the words now read, is expreſſed the behaviour of thoſe, that fear God: they ſpake. 2. The bleſſedneſs of them that fear him; they are. 1. Gods peculiar. 2. Fatherly clemency promiſed them; and, the uſe, and even of it; containing a confutation of the blaſphemy of the wicked; men ſhall return, and put difference; &c.
In the barreneſt times of the Church of God, the Lord hath ſome that fear him, Obſerv. 1 and that ſtand up to juſtifie his truth, againſt the blaſphemies of the wicked: Experience of all times, ſhews it; Gen. 6.12. When all fleſh had corrupted their wayes; there was found a Noah upright before God, and a Preacher of righteouſneſs: In the days of Elijah, 1 King. 19.18. Seven thouſand reſerved; Iſai. 6.13. A tenth; in the days of our Saviour, when all was overgrown with ſuperſtition, were found Zachary, and Elizabeth, Luk. 1.5, 6. Rev. 3.4. A few names, that had not defiled their garments. In the very heat of Antichriſts raign, two witneſſes Rev. 11.3. A few that ſtood up for maintenance of Gods truth, in times of Arius, when the whole world groaned, to ſee it ſelf become an Arian. Athanaſius raiſed up to maintain Gods truth. Reaſon, that his Covenant, and promiſe may ſtand. His promiſe, and Covenant made with the Church, is perpetuity; and howſoever, it be not tyed to any certain place, nor, in all times, hath like number; yet ſome in all times, in ſome places, ſtirred up, to maintain his truth. Rom. 3. Though ſome unfaithful, and deale untruly in the Covenant, yet God faithfull, verſ. 7. Mal. 3.6. I am the Lord, and change not, and ye ſons of Jacob are not conſumed. A ſecond reaſon is, becauſe his worſhip muſt be everlaſting, and without interruption upon earth; he will have alwaies ſome to worſhip him, in ſpirit, and in truth: A third reaſon, for a teſtimony unto the wicked, that they might not, at any time, plead ignorance of the truth, which they have oppugned, and blaſphemed; as, the Goſpell muſt be preached, if not for converſion, yet for a teſtimony unto them. Mat 24.14.
This, Ʋſe. if any thing, ſhould abate the fury of all the enemies of Chriſt, and his Church, that riſe up againſt his kingdome, Pſal. 2.6. The drift of the Pſalm is, to perſwade all men, to ſubmit themſelves to the dominion of Chriſt; and ſundry reaſons are ſet down: as. 1. They, indeed, conſult, and binde themſelves, but, it is but a vain thing; yet, ſaith the Lord, have I ſet my King upon my holy hill of Zion. And, what though tyrants, in all times, have ſet themſelves to extirpate the very name of Chriſt; yet, out of the very aſhes of thoſe ſlain for his teſtimony, have ſprung up others, to defend the Lords cauſe; 2 Tim. 2.9. I ſuffer trouble, even unto bonds; yet the word of the Lord is not bound; that ſtill hath its free paſſage, and that the ſwifter, by meanes of perſecutions, Phil. 1.10. And, let it admoniſh all thoſe amongſt us, if any ſuch, that oppoſe themſelves againſt Gods truth, to lay down all their intendements; many attempts there have been, to put out from amongſt us, the very light of Gods truth, &c. Yet ſtill, the Lord ſtabliſheth it; yea, beloved, as our Saviour ſpeaks, Luk. 19.40. When the Phariſees would have had our Saviour rebuke his Diſciples, for acknowledging him the Meſſiah; If theſe ſhould be ſilent, the ſtones would cry; that is, rather, then God will have his truth unconfeſſed, undefended, he will make the very ſtones of the ſtreets to publiſh it: Wherefore, kiſs the ſon, leſt he be angry; that is, ſubmit to his dominion leſt yee pe…iſh from the way.
Obſerv. 2 The properties, and behaviour of men truly fearing God. 1. That they ſtand up, to ſtop the mouth of blaſphemy, and to maintain Gods truth againſt the adverſaries thereof. 2. That they labour to ſtabliſh one another, in perſwaſion of Gods truth, and care of his children.
3. That they think upon his name.
The firſt of theſe properties, ſee in all the Saints of God, Iob 32.19. When Elihu had heard the fond reaſonings, and cenſures of Iobs friends; as if afflictions could not, with Gods juſtice, be inflicted on Gods ſervants; the Spirit was in him, even as new wine in veſſels, without vent, and he could not keep ſilence. Ieremy, cap. 20.9. when he ſaw, that the word of God became a reproach unto him, that the people fell a ſcoffing at his moſt ſerious reprehenſions, and ſevere denunciations of judgment againſt the ſins of the people, he profeſſeth of himſelf, that (in his weakneſs) he had reſolved, and almoſt vowed to ſpeak no more, in the name of the Lord; but thy word (ſaith he) was in me as fire, and he was weary of bearing, when he heard the railing, and blaſphemy of the multitude, Pſal. 39.3. David, he alſo had a purpoſe to keep ſilence before the wicked, but that ſamefiery Spirit of God, would not let him be at reſt, he muſt ſpeak, or burſt aſſunder, &c. See alſo, Act. 17. I might be infinite this way. If any man demand the reaſon of it, it's nothing but this, the ardent, and fiery love that is in them, to the glory of God; having taſted of his love in Chriſt, they cannot indure to ſee Gods name diſhonoured; life it ſelf not ſo precious unto them, as Gods glory. Beſides, this is the very work of the Spirit of God, as our Saviour, Matth. 3.11. he is compared unto fire; as in other reſpects, ſo for this alſo, that he is of a ſtrong and operative nature, in the hearts of the children of God; as Gen. 6.3. He is ſayd, in Noah, to have ſtriven with men.
By this, let us try our ſelves, whether our hearts be poſſeſſed with the fear of Gods name, indeed, or no: Beloved, we cannot have a ſurer teſtimony of the ſoundneſs of Gods graces in us, then this; the fearleſs maintaining, and defending of the Lords cauſe, againſt the adverſaries, and blaſphemers of Gods truth. Look then, and ſee how thou findeſt thy heart affected, when thou heareſt the blaſphemies of the multitude.
Beloved, theſe, and as great blaſphemies, we are, ſome of us, forced to hear from prophane men, in the Church of God: Its vain, to ſerve God, and, what get they, by theirzeale, but hatred, and obloquy, and trouble amongſt men? Now, when thou heareſt any of Gods truth's blaſphemed, and evil ſpoken of; how feeleſt thou thy ſelf affected? Goeth it not to thy heart, nearer, than any thine own outward reproach? elſe, ſuſpect thy ſelf.
And, alas, beloved, to ſee the ſtate of moſt men, this way, argues a nullity of Gods fear in their hearts. If it be but a friends name called in queſtion, how do we ſtartle? If our own credit never ſo little impeached, and queſtioned, that kindles us, and ſets all on fire; but, if Gods name be blaſphemed, his word traduced, his ordinances violated, &c. How keep we ſilence, as if this, of all other things, did leaſt concern us. Beloved, this is the effect of Gods fear in the hearts of his children, to be much affected at the diſhonour of his name.
When Iehu approached neer unto Ieſabel, and eſpyed her, in her window, trimming her ſelf, after the faſhion of harlots; he cryes out to them with her. Who is on my ſide, who? and the Eunuchs threw her down. Beloved, the Lord ſeems,2 King. 9.32. ſometimes, thus to ſay to us, in the extremities of the peoples blaſphemies; and he ſeems to cry unto us, Who is on my ſide? If then thou be ſilent; that which our Saviour hath, Matth. 12.30. will be here applyed; who is not him, is ſure againſt him; and ſo ſhall be accepted, in the day of acounts.
A ſecond property, that they labour to edifie, and exhort each other, that they may preſerve them from infection by thoſe, who labour to over-throw their faith; as here, theſe Atheiſts they begin to publiſh it, it's vain to ſerve God; Now, leſt the people of God ſhould hereby be poyſoned; they that fear God, begin to confirm their brethren, every one his neighbour; as if he had ſaid, look not to theſe blaſphemous wretches; for, ſurely, the Lord hearkens, and hears, &c. And this, as it is the practice of Gods Saints, every where, ſo hath it the precept, and commandment of God, Jude 23. Edifie one another in your moſt holy faith. Heb. 10.24. Provoke to love, and to good works; See Pſal. 34.8. And, indeed, it's one end, why God endues us with his graces, namely, to ſtrengthen our brethren, Luk. 22.32. See, 1 Cor. 12.7.
Let us then be all exhorted, in theſe declining daies, Ʋſe. thus to ſtabliſh one another, in the perſwaſion of Gods truth; as Saint Paul hath it, ſtrengthen the weak knees, comfort the feeble-minded, 1 Theſſ. 5.14. Heb. 12.13. and provide that that which is halting, be not turned out of the way, but may rather be healed. And, beloved, ſundry reaſons there are for it. 1. The evilneſs of the times, wherein we ſee it verifyed; that the love of many waxeth cold. 2. Look we to the carriage of all things; and ſee, whether we find it not true, that theſe Atheiſts here ſpeak of; the wicked are ſet up; ſo that, if there were not an expectation of another life, it were better to be any thing, even the vileſt miſcreant, then to profeſs the fear of the Lord. 3. Thoſe many diſcouragements, that we ſhall ſee raiſed up to the Children of God. Beloved, if ever that were needfull, that our Saviour ſpeaks, ſtrengthen thy brethren, Luk. 22.32. Now are the days. 4. And, methinks, if there were no other reaſon, then that induſtrious, and never wearied paines of the adverſary, to ſubvert the faith of Gods Children, it ſhould move us: Shall the limbs of the divell be more painfull, to overthrow, then we to build up the Church of Chriſt? Thus then let us do: And, let no man ſay, they ſhall, every one, bear their own burthen; for, even to us ſhall be imputed their ruin, if they periſh, through defect of our admonition.
Ʋſe. 2 If this be the mark of Gods childe, to confirm in the truth; what ſhall we judg of thoſe, that labour to pervert their faith? And, to ſpread even opinions of Atheiſme it ſelf into the mindes of men? This is an evil that I have ſeen, under the ſun; would God, it were not found in Jacob, even in our own congregation! to ſay nothing of that opinion, which our practice teſtifieth us, to be poſſeſſed withall, of overmuch ſtrictneſs, in the ſervice of God. How many ſuch peſtilent inſtruments hath Sathan, every where, that inſinuate into the mindes of the ſimple, and ignorant, opinions of Atheiſme, yea perſwaſions thereto? Whoſe damnation is juſt.
Third ſign, and property of them; they think upon Gods Name. For explication, know we, that Gods name is, ſometimes, put for the Majeſty of God himſelf; ſometimes, for his glory; whether ſence we take it, it matters not. Its true, that a man fearing God, his property is alwaies, Obſerv. to have God before his eyes, Pſal. 16.8. The Lord is ever, and continually, in his meditation: Or, if we take the other ſence, this alſo ſhall be found their practice; they think upon his name, that is, that's one principall part of their care, and ſtudy, how God may be glorifyed, and his name kept from diſhonour, and blaſphemy: That, whereas the uttermoſt care of a worldling is, how he may grow great upon earth; the care of Gods children is, how God may beſt be glorifyed; and he is ever deviſing ſomething, within the compaſs of his calling, how farr glory may come to the Name of God. When David was now at reſt, and ſate in his houſe; mark, what thoughts his minde was poſſeſſed withall; conſidering what an houſe he had built for himſelf, to dwell in; he thus ſpeaks to Nathan his ſeer: Behold, ſaith he, I dwell in an houſe of Cedar trees; but, the Ark of the Lord remains in the curtains; it ſeems, he more diſcontented himſelf, that that had not been his principal, and firſt thought, that the glory of God ſhould have been provided for.
By this alſo try we our ſelves, and our uprightneſs in the ſight of God. Surely, who ſo findes not this in himſelf, that his principal thought, and care is, that God may be glorified; I may boldly ſay of that man, he is none of Gods.
Queſt. Is it then not lawful, to think of the things of this life?
Anſw. No doubt, yes; but, in getting of theſe, this is the difference betwixt Gods children, and another. That which the man who feareth God, aimeth at, is this; that God may be glorified; ſo, in ſports, no doubt lawful, ſo be, they are lawfully and moderately uſed; but, look that this be thy end, that thou mayeſt be fitter to glorifie God, and do him ſervice; elſe, thou uſeſt recreations as an Epicure, not as a childe of God.
Well, now hear what it is, that they avouch. A book of remembrance is written for thoſe that fear God] This is ſpoken, after the manner of men, for our capacity; that, as men uſe, for better remembrance, to keep a book of memorandum's, that they may not forget; See Heſt. 6.1. So, this is attributed unto God, to ſignifie unto us, that he doth certainly remember the ſervices of his children.
Hence then, the collection is eaſie; Obſerv. that the Lord will never forget, to reward the ſervices of his Saints that ſerve him: See Heb 6.10. God is not unrighteous, that he ſhould forget your work, and labour of love, which ye have ſhewed to his name; Pſal. 16.8. Thou telleſt my wandrings, and putteſt all my tears into thy bottle; all things noted in the Lords regiſter; See Neh. 13.14, 22, 31. Yea, Matth. 25, 44. Thoſe things that the Saints had forgotten, the Lord remembers; See Eſth. 9.32.
This ſhould encourage Gods children, in his ſervice; yea, though they ſee their ſervices amongſt men, altogether to want recompence, and reward; and though the Lord long delay, yet, at length, in due time, we ſhall reape, if we faint not, Gal. 6.9.
This alſo ſhould encourage Miniſters, though of all others, their labours be moſt ſlenderly regarded amongſt men, as Iſai. 49.4. I have laboured in vain, I have ſpent my ſtrength; nevertheleſs, my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. Thus ſhould Magiſtrates encourage themſelves, though for conſcionable diſcharge of duties, they receive nothing amongſt men, but ſhame, and reproach; let it be enough, as Nehemiah prayes, that the Lord remembers thee in this: So, in works of mercy: though, perhaps, thou feareſt to loſe it, even as if thou ſhouldeſt caſt it down the waters, yet, after many days, thou ſhalt finde it, Eccleſ. 11.1. &c.
Again, doth the Lord remember the good works, and words of his ſervants? No doubt, he hath alſo, then, his remembrance-book, his regiſter, for the ungodly; See Rev. 20.12. The books are opened; a glympſe whereof we may ſee in that little book of the conſcience; which though in times of peace, it be as a book ſhut up; yet, in judgments of God, layeth open it ſelf to the view of ungodly men. Joſeph's brethren, a long time, carried away the matter ſmoothly; but, at length, in affliction, mark, how conſcience ſheweth its record; Gen. 42.21, 22. Now, his blood is required: Herod had ſlain Iohn Baptiſt with the ſword, Mat. 14. Mark how, when he hears of the fame of Chriſt, conſcience is his remembrancer; John Baptiſt's blood ſtill runs in his minde.
Now, beloved, that this one perſwaſion might be ſetled in our hearts; no doubt, it would reſtrain many of our ſins: and thoſe concluſions of Atheiſme, Pſal. 94.7. God ſeeth not, or regards not, or, (his memory oppreſſed with multitude) forgets, breeds all this Atheiſme, and profaneſs in practice.
Conſider then, beloved, what the Lord, every where, teacheth, Pſal. 50.21, 22. I will ſet thy ſins before thee, in order: Words, we think, are wind; and, with us, ſoon forgotten; yet, ſaith our Saviour, every idle word ſhall come to be reckoned for, at the day of judgment; Mat. 12.36. And, let me ſay, as David, Pſal. 50.22. Conſider this, yee that forget God; there is not an oath, that thou ſweareſt, but the Lord knoweth it; there is not an idle word, but the Lord takes notice of it; not a wanton look, but the Lords eye ſeeth it; &c. And, if this were thought of, much wickedneſs would be reſtrained.
VER. 17.
And, they ſhall be mine, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, in that day, when I make up my Iewels; and I will ſpare them. as a man ſpareth his own ſon that ſerveth him.
THe bleſſings of God upon thoſe that fear him. They ſhall be unto me a flock, peculium cordis: ſome read, Res deſideratiſſima, or, as ſome, his chiefe treaſure: mark here the priviledges of thoſe that fear God; they are called Gods peculiar, his lot, and his inheritance. Secondly, that the Lord will ſpare them; which is ſet down in a ſimilitude.
The bleſſings that this includes. 1. Singular protection: there is an univerſal providence and protection, that is vouchſafed unto all his creatures; Thou Lord ſhalt ſave both man, and beaſt: There is a ſpecial protection, which the Lord vouchſafeth unto men, 1 Tim. 4.10. The Saviour of all men. There is, thirdly, a ſingular protection, which he carrieth over the Church, and thoſe, in it, that fear him; ſpecially, of them that believe. Beſides the ſingular bleſſings, and gifts, that he vouchſafeth unto them; there are common graces, which he vouchſafeth unto all; as general knowledg; more ſpecial vouchſafed, to them that fear him, ſee Exod. 19.5.
That which we learn hence, is,
Firſt, ſeparation from the wicked; that, as the Lord ſingles us out, from the reſt of mankinde, to be his peculiar; ſo ſhould we ſeparate our ſelves from the corruptions of the times, ſee 2 Cor. 7.1.
Secondly, comforts that hence ariſe to Gods children; as aſſurance of defence in all miſeries, and calamities.
The next priviledg promiſed, is ſparing, or mercy; ſee Pſal. 103.13. Whence obſerve we, that remiſſion of ſins is a bleſſing peculiarly belonging to the Church of God; Obſerv. 2 for theſe Chriſt alone merited, Ioh. 17. to theſe only God is a father. And it confutes the opinion of ſuch, as make remiſſion of ſins, a common gift: for thought it be ſo, in reſpect of offer, and propounding; yet is it not ſo, in reſpect of actual performance. Again, this, if there were no other thing, ſheweth a plentiful difference betwixt religion, and Atheiſme; in that, to the one, is promiſed remiſſion of ſins; to the other not. This the treaſure of the Church of God: No ſins are forgiven to a caſt-away; but, every ſin, to a childe of God, Pſal. 32.1. 1 Joh. 1.7.
And, this ſhould comfort us againſt our infirmities, and imperfections, that, alas! ſhew themſelves in every beſt duty, that we perform unto God; and this that, which moſt humbles Gods children, their preſent weakneſs, and imperfections conſidered; but, brethren, conſider we, God is a father unto us; and if he ſee in us, but a ſtriving to perform our dutyes acceptably, that deſire is accepted, Heb. 13.18. 1 Pet. 2.5.
VER. 18.
Then ſhall ye return, and diſcern between the righteous, and the wicked: between him, that ſerveth God, and him that ſerveth him not.
THat which, in ſum, is hence obſervable, is this; Obſerv. that the Lord will not alwayes ſuffer his children to be afflicted, and the wicked to proſper; but, a day ſhall come, wherein a ſenſible difference ſhall be put betwixt him that ſerveth God, and him that ſeveth him not; the juſtice of God, and his truth requires it, 2 Theſſ. 1.5. Then ſhall Chriſt perfectly winnow the chaff from the wheat. 2. In common judgments, the Lord delivers his, Ezek. 9.4.
3. The finall conſummation reſerved for the time of the laſt judgment, when the full ſeparation ſhall be, Mat. 25.32.
And, this ſhould ſtay Gods children, againſt that temptation, which ariſeth from that ſeeming confuſion of things, in this life; See Pſal. 37. & 73. & Ier. 12.1. A thing, that hath troubled the Saints of God, in all times. It pleaſeth God, for a time, to grant the wicked proſperity, and to exerciſe this Children with afflictions: Reaſons. 1. To prove the patience of his Saints. 2. To give the wicked their portion. 3. To nouriſh in us the hope of another life. But alas! as their rejoycing is but ſhort; ſo the afflictions of Gods ſervant are but momentany, 2 Cor. 4.17. Truſt then in God, and keep his way; judg not of the happineſs of Gods Children, by things preſent, but by their end, and iſſue; Pſal. 37.37, 38. The wicked exalted, but, to be thrown down into utter deſtruction; the godly afflicted, but, his end is peace.