John Trapp on Haggai 1:13

Verſe 13. Then ſpake Haggai the Lords meſſenger] Or, Angel. See the Note on Mal. 1.1. Then ſpeaks] Namely on the four and twentieth day of the moneth, as it is in the laſt verſe: untill which day they had been building, for three weeks together. But Governour Tatnai and his complices came upon them, and diſcouraged the people, and hindred the work, Ezra 5.3. It was but need full therefore, that Gods command ſhould be repeated, and a ſpeciall promiſe added, I am with you, ſaith the Lord. Where we may well take up that of Tully concerning Brutus his Laconicall Epiſtle, Quam multa, quàm paucis! how much in a little. I am with you, ſaith the Lord, you need not therefore fear, what man can do unto you. God is All-ſufficient to thoſe that are Altogether his. See 2 Chron. 15.2.Cint. 2.15 The Church is called Jehovah Shammah, that is, The Lord is there, Ezek. 48.35. God is in the middeſt of her, ſhee ſhall not be moved, Pſal. 46.5. Immota manet, may better be her Motto, then Venice's. She is ſurely invincible, Zach. 12.5, 6, 7. as having a mighty Champion, even the holy One of frael: and this makes her (though but a Virgin) to laugh to ſcorn her proudeſt enemies: yea, to ſhake her head at them, Eſay 37.22, 23 as rather to be pitied then envied. There were they in great fear, (ſaith David, of the Churches enemies) for why? God is in the generation of the righteous, Pſal. 14. Hence thoſe Philiſtims were ſo woe-begone, 1 Sam. 4.7. And the Egyptians no leſſe, Exod. 14.25. Let us flee, ſay they, from the face of Iſrael for the Lord fighteth for them. What ſhall wee then ſay to theſe things? ſaith Paul, (who had often heard when he was in the enemies hand, Fear not, I am with thee) If God be for us, who can be againſt us? who dare be ſo foolhardy? ſo ambitious of his own deſtruction? Hath ever any waxed fierce againſt God and proſpered? Job 9.4. Where is Pharaoh, Nero, Nebuchadnezzar, &c? Was it ſafe for theſe, or any any other to provoke the Lord to anger? were they ſtronger then he? Oh that men would (according to Solomons counſell) meddle with their match, and not contend with him that is mightier then they! Eſth. 7.8. Can God be with his people, and ſee them abuſed to his face? Will they force the Queen alſo before him in the houſe? Will they, Giant-like, fight againſt God? will they needs touch the apple of his eye, that tendereſt piece of the tendereſt part? Will they invade his portion, plunder him of his jewels, pull the ſignet from his right hand? Surely God is ſo with his people, that as he taketh notice of the leaſt courteſie done to them to reward it, (even to a cup of cold water) ſo of the leaſt affront, or offence to revenge it, be it but a frown, or a frump, Gen. 4.6. Num. 12.10. Better a milſtone were hang'd, &c. Better anger all the witches in the countrey, then one of Gods zealous witneſſes, Rev. 11.5. Death cannot hurt them, Pſal. 23.3. Hell could no more hold them (the pains of hell gat hold on David, but he was delivered, Pſal. 116.3.) then the Whale could hold Jonas: It muſt needs render them up again, becauſe God is with them. Now I had rather be in hell (ſaid Luther) with God, then in heaven without him, and it were far ſafer for mee.