Whereunto shall we liken the people of this generation, and to what are they like? [2]

I imagine to myself a number of persons of various characters, who are involved in one common charge of treason and rebellion against the government. They are already in a state of confinement, but not yet brought to their trial; the facts however are so plain, and the evidence against them so strong and pointed, that there is no doubt of their guilt being fully proved, and that nothing but a pardon can preserve them from punishment. In this situation, it should seem their wisdom to do everything in their power to solicit and obtain mercy.
 

But they are entirely regardless of their danger, and wholly taken up with contriving methods of amusing themselves, and to pass away the time of their imprisonment with as much cheerfulness as possible. Among other expedients they call in the assistance of music. And among a variety of subjects which offer in this way, they are particularly pleased with one. They choose to make the solemnities of their impending trial, the character of their Judge, the methods of his procedure, and the awful sentence to which they are exposed, the ground work of a musical entertainment.
 

And as if they were quite unconcerned in the event, their attention is chiefly fixed to the skill of the composer in suiting the style of his music to the very awful language and subject with which they are trifling.
 

The king, however, out of his great clemency and compassion towards those who have no pity for themselves, prevents [3] them with his goodness. Undesired by them, he sends them a gracious message. He assures them that he is unwilling they should suffer – he requires, yea he entreats them to submit. He points out a way in which their confession and submission shall be accepted. In the way which he has prescribed he offers them a free and a full pardon.
 

But instead of taking a single step towards complying with his goodness, they set his message likewise to music, and this together with a description of their present state, and the fearful doom awaiting them if they continue obstinate, is sung for their diversion, accompanied with the sound of cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer and all kinds of instruments.

Surely if such a case as I have supposed could be found in real life, though I might admire the musical taste of these people, I should commiserate their insensibility.
 

But is not this case more than supposition? Is it not in the most important sense actually realised amongst us? It would be an insult to your understandings to think a long application necessary. I know my supposition must have led your thoughts to the subject of the Messiah, and to the spirit and temper of at least the generality of the performers and of  the audience. [4] [5] The Scripture concludes all under sin - all chargeable with treason and rebellion against our Great Sovereign Lawgiver and Benefactor - declares the misery to which we are obnoxious. But God is longsuffering and waits to be gracious. The stroke of death which would instantly place us before his awful tribunal is still suspended. In the meantime he affords us his Gospel, he assures us there is forgiveness with him, he informs of a Saviour, that of his great love to sinners, he has given his only Son to be an Atonement and Mediator in favour of all who sue for mercy in his Name. The character of this Saviour, his unspeakable love, his dreadful sufferings, the agonies he endured in Gethsemane and upon the cross are made known to us. His past humiliation, his present glory, his invitation to come to him for pardon and eternal life are largely related to us. These are the principal points in the passages of the Messiah. Mr Handel, who adapted the music to them, has, many years after his death, been commemorated and praised, in a place professedly devoted to the praise and worship of God. [6]

But alas how few are disposed to praise and love the Messiah himself. The same truths divested of the music, when delivered from the pulpit, are heard by many with indifference, too often with contempt and disgust.
 

Having thus as I conceived myself in conscience bound, plainly and publicly given my sentiment of the great impropriety of making the great fundamental truths of the Gospel the subject of a public entertainment, I do not mean to trouble you often with repetitions of what I have now said. Let us now consider the words I have read, and may the Lord command a blessing.
 

Malachi confirms and unites the prophecies of Isaiah and Haggai which we have already considered. John is the messenger in the beginning of verse 1, sent to prepare the way of the Lord. Then the Lord himself shall come suddenly, immediately after the appearance of his forerunner — and unexpectedly as to the people in general.

With respect to the inferior character he sustained in our nature and for our sakes, as the Father’s servant, he is styled the Messenger of the Covenant.

He was the gift, promise, head, substance of the everlasting covenant – and he came himself to establish the covenant, and to declare and bestow the blessings it contained. God who before had spoken at divers times, and in sundry manners by his prophets, in the fullness of time spoke by his Son [7] – testifying to him by a voice from heaven: This is my beloved Son, hear him. In him I am well pleased. [8] And thus our Lord, of himself, All things are delivered to me of my Father. [9] The law - moral and ceremonial - was given by Moses, but grace to relieve us from the condemnation of the one, and truth answerable to the types and shadows of the other, came by Jesus Christ.

 

It is said the Messenger in whom ye delight. The Messiah was the hope of the true Israel of God, and when he was born he found some waiting for him as their consolation. The people at large likewise expected great things from the coming of the Messiah, but their expectations of him were low and earthly. The[They] thought he would deliver them from the Roman yoke, and give them power over the heathen nations, and therefore they were awfully disappointed when he came.