John Trapp on Haggai 1:12

Verſe 12. Then Zerubbabel the ſonne of Shealtiel, &c.] So mighty in operation, ſo quick and powerfull is the good word of God in the mouthes of his faithfull Miniſters, when ſeconded and ſet on by his holy Spirit. See for this, Eſay 55.10, 11. Jer. 23.28, 29. Act. 19.20. 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. Heb. 4.12. See that ſcala coeli, ladder of heaven, as One calleth it, Rom. 10.14, 15. and conſider how mightily the word of God grew and prevailed in thoſe primitive times. It ſpread thorow the world like a Sun beam, ſaith Euſebius: it was carried about into all places as on Eagles, or rather as on Angels wings. Athanaſius of old, and Luther alate were ſtrangely upheld and proſpered againſt a world of Oppoſites to the truth they preached.Melch. Ad[illegible: 1 letter]m. in vit. Farel. Farellus gained five great cities with their territories to Chriſt. How admirably and effectually King Edward the ſixth was wrought upon by a ſermon of Biſhop Ridleys, touching works of charity; ſee his life written by Sir John Heywood, Pag. 169, 170, &c. It is the ſpirit that quickeneth the ſeed of the word, and maketh it prolificall, and generative. And as in the body there are veins to carry the blood, and arteries to carry the ſpirits that quicken the blood; ſo is it with the word and ſpirit in the ſoul. If Gods Spirit open not mans heart, the word cannot enter. If he illighten not both Organ and Object, Chriſt, though never ſo powerfully preacht, is both unkent, and unkiſt, as the Northern Proverb hath it: The word heard profited them not, becauſe not mixt with faith in them that heard it, Heb. 4.2. They heard it onely with the hearing of the ear, with that griſtle that grew on the outſide of the head: whereas they ſhould have drawn up the inward ear to the outward, that one and the ſame ſound might have pierced both. But this all that hear cannot do, becauſe all are not of God, Joh. 8.47. and ſo have not his ear-mark, ſpirituall ſenſes habitually exerciſed to diſcern good and evil, Heb. 5. ult. they have an heavy ear, which is a ſingular judgement, Eſay 6.10.

With all the remnant of the people] i.e. The generality of the returned captives, followed their leaders. A remnant they are called, becauſe but few in compariſon of thoſe many hedge-rogues Mr. Dyke calleth them, potters they are called, 1 Chro. 4.23. men of baſe and low ſpirits, that dwelt ſtill in Babylon among plants and hedges: being the baſe brood of thoſe degenerated Iſraelites, who when liberty was proclaimed for their return to Jeruſalem, choſe rather to get their living by making pots for the king of Babylon. Theſe are ancient, or rather obſolete things, as Junius rendreth it, worn out and forgotten: and indeed they deſerve to be utterly forgotten, and not written, or reckoned among the living in Jeruſalem, Eſay 4.3.

Obeyed the voyce of the Lord their God] with the obedience of faith: and this they did by the good example of their Rulers. Thus, when Criſpus the chief Ruler of the Synagogue beleeved, many of the Corinthians beleeved alſo, Acts 18.8. When the kings of Judah were good or evil, the people were ſo likewiſe. Great men are the looking-glaſſes of their countrey: according to which, moſt men dreſſe themſelves. Qualis Rex, talis grex. Why compelleſt thou the Gentiles, ſaid Paul to Peter, ſc. by thine example, to Judaize, Gal. 2.14.

and the words of Haggai the Prophet] whoſe mouth God was pleaſed to make uſe of. And this is added for a confirmation of the Prophets calling to the work; becauſe of long time before, there had been no Prophet among the people, nor any to tell how long, as the Church complaineth, Pſal. 74.9.

as the Lord their God had ſent him] Heb. according as the Lord their God had ſent him, after the ſame manner they heard, and obeyed the Prophet, as the Lord had ſent him: they did not wreſt his words to a wrong ſence: nor did they queſtion his Commiſſion; but receiving it as the word, not of man, but of God, they ſet forthwith upon the work, yeelding as prompt and preſent obedience, as if God with his own mouth had immediately ſpoken to them from heaven.

and the people did fear before the Lord] as if He himſelf had been viſibly preſent in his own perſon. So Saint Peters hearers, Acts 10.33. Now therefore, ſay they, we are all here preſent before God, to hear all things commanded thee of God. If young Samuel had known that it was the Lord that called him once and again, he would not have returned to his bed to ſleep. If men were well perſwaded that the God of heaven beſpeaks them by his faithfull Miniſters, they would not give way to wilfull wandrings, but hear as for life, and fear to do any thing unworthy of ſuch a preſence: they would work out their ſalvation with fear and trembling, yea work hard at it, as afraid to be taken with their task undone.Pſal. 103.[illegible: 1 letter]3 Eccleſ. 12. They that fear the Lord will keep his covenant, ſaith David. Fear God and keep his commandements, ſaith Solomon. And, in every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteouſneſſe, is accepted of him, ſaith Peter, Acts 10.35.