Footnotes

1. Malachi 4:1 He prophesieth of God’s judgments against the wicked, who would not receive Christ, when as God should send him for the restoration of his Church.
2. Malachi 4:2 Meaning, Christ, who with his wings or beams of his grace should lighten and comfort his Church, Eph. 5:14, and he is called the sun of righteousness, because in himself he hath all perfection and also the justice of the Father dwelleth in him: whereby he regenerateth us unto righteousness, cleanseth us from the filth of this world, and reformeth us to the image of God.
3. Malachi 4:2 Ye shall be set at liberty, and increase in the joy of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3:17.
4. Malachi 4:4 Because the time was come that the Jews should be destitute of Prophets until the time of Christ, because they should with more fervent minds desire his coming, the Prophet exhorteth them to exercise themselves diligently in studying the Law of Moses in the mean season, whereby they might continue in the true religion, and also be armed against all tentations.
5. Malachi 4:5 This Christ expoundeth of John Baptist, Matt. 11:13, 14, who both for his zeal, and restoring of religion, is aptly compared to Elijah.
6. Malachi 4:5 Which as it is true for the wicked, so doth it waken the godly, and call them to repentance.
7. Malachi 4:6 He showeth wherein John’s office should stand: in the turning of men to God, and joining the father and children in one voice of faith: so that the father shall turn to the religion of his son which is converted to Christ, and the son shall embrace the faith of the true fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
8. Malachi 4:6 The second point of his office was to denounce God’s judgments against them that would not receive Christ.