And he — John the Baptist. Shall turn the heart — There were at this time many great and unnatural divisions among the Jews, in which fathers studied mischief to their own children. Of the children — Undutiful children estranged from their fathers. With a curse — Which ends in utter destruction; leaving Jerusalem a desolate heap, and a perpetual monument of God's displeasure. Some observe, that the last word of the Old Testament is a curse: whereas the New Testament ends with a blessing, yea, the choicest of blessings, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all! Amen.
Dec. 24, 1766.