Malachi.
MALACHI; The last Prophet; and after the Tem∣ple was built; Contemporarie with Nehemiah, as may seeme by chap. II. 11. and chap. III. 8. com∣pared with Neh. XIII. Or at least presently after him, in the later end of the reigne of Artaxerxes Longimanus; or, in the time of Ochus called No∣thus. He ends the Old Testament; Reproving their Prophansing of Gods Worship in the Temple, chap. I. 7,—14. And other manifold Vices in their lives: Threatening them, both Priests, and People: and Exhorting to Repentance, chap. II. Promi∣sing, and Propheticaly telling them, of the sending of Elijah, the Mes∣senger, and Harbinger; And of the sudden coming of the Lord of the Covenant, in whom they delight, to his Temple, chap. III. 1, &c. Meane while Referring them to the Law of Moses. In his Prophecie he prooceeds most Dialogisticaly.
Hence Saint Paul argueth directly, [chapter I] [verse 2, 3.] or ratione pari, by a Conse∣quent at least, Rom. IX. 11, 12, 13. for the Freedome of Gods Will and Pleasure, in the free Election of some to Salvation; and the Pre∣terition of others.
Seek the Law at his mouth] The Priests duty to teach it. [chapter II] [verse 7] And so, Ier. II. 8. Deut. XXXIII. 10. Neh. VIII. 8. The Prophets so frequently mentioned in the practice of it, ordinarily were the Priests and Levites.
Against Polygamie, [verse 15, 16.] and Divorce; alledged and pleaded by our Sa∣viout, Matth. XIX 3,—13.
Chap. III. 1. and ch. IV. v. 5, 6. mentioning the Messenger, Elijah, is expounded of Iohn Baptist, by Zacharias, Luke I. 76. and by Mark, ch. I. v. 2, 3, 4. and by our Saviour himself, Matth. XI. 10,—14.
dreadful day] [chapter IV] [verse 5. 6.] Of Ierusalems final destruction by Vespasian and Titus.
to the children] Or, rather with the children; turning and convert∣ing them both to Christ, by his preaching of Repentance, and Faith in Jesus; so preparing the way before him.