Exposition of Jonah, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Ver. 1.2.
Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fiſhes belly: And ſaid, I cryed by reaſon of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cryed I, and thou heardeſt my voice.
THis Chapter contains Jonahs repentance.Parts of the Chapter. His confeſſion of the fault, and ſubmiſſion to the puniſhment we have ſeen already. And now having got out of the Whales belly, he relates how things had paſſed: 1. That he prayed for deliverance, and was heard in prayer, ver. 1.2. 2. That he had hope of deliverance when he was at loweſt, ver. 4. and 7.3. That upon deliverance he promiſed thankſgiving, verſe 9. 4. That at laſt he was actually delivered, ver. 10
Or we may conceive his prayer amplified four ways.Amplification of Jonahs prayer. 1. By the greatneſs of the danger whereinto he was brought; the fiſhes belly, the belly of hell, the deep, the midſt of the ſeas, bottoms of mountains, weeds, floods and billows. 2. By the anguiſh or ſtraights ariſing out of the danger; I cryed to the Lord, I ſaid I am caſt out of thy ſight, my ſoul fainted within me. 3 By the hope he nouriſhed all the while; I will look again toward thy holy Temple; I remembred the Lord, and my prayer came in unto the… into thine holy Temple. 4. By the good ſpeed he found at laſt; The Lord ſpoke unto the fiſh, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land!
We muſt begin with Jonahs prayer, and the Audience he found with God, ver. 1.2.
In the firſt Chapter, ver. 9. he profeſſed to fear the Lord the God of heaven, which made the ſea and the dry land; and now to the ſame God as the only true God, he addreſſeth his prayer: not to Neptune as Heathens were wont to pray nor yet to true Saints who had traded much in waters; as Noah was ſaved in the general flood of waters, or Moſes who was drawn out of the waters while an infant, and led Iſrael through the red ſea, and through Jordan; or Elias who parted the waters this way and that way: whereby one would think they ſhould have compaſſion on them that are in danger by water, according to the carnal reaſon of Idolaters in other things.
No, Jonah prayes only to the God of heaven who made the ſea and the dry land.
God alone is an All-ſufficient God, and he alone ought to be called upon. Prayer is one part of divine worſhip, whereof it is ſaid, Thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, and him alone ſhalt thou ſerve, Mat. 4.10. And it ſtands with reaſon, we muſt pray to none but one in whom we believe; but we believe in God only, therefore to God only muſt we pray, Rom. 10.14. how ſhall they call on him in whom they believe not?
Uſe. Mark this againſt the Papiſts, and maintain the truth againſt them.
Note. Pray earneſtly.Jonah prayed and cryed to the Lord: This crying notes his fervency in prayer, and it is twice ſet down, I cryed, I cryed, to the ſame purpoſe. Chriſtians ought to be both frequent and fervent in prayer, Rom. 12.11, 12. fervent in spirit, ſerving the Lord, and continuing inſtant in prayer, If one prayer will not fetch a mercy, try what another will do, and let the ſecond be more earneſt then the former, and the third more earneſt then that. Paul beſought the Lord thrice, and obtained grace ſufficient. Jonah at laſt got out of the Whales belly.
Uſe. It is not every ſluggiſh and ſhort-breathed prayer that will obtain a mercy. Therefore continue inſtant in prayer, Col. 4.2.
But I aim at another point, from the conſideration of Jonahs prayer, as being now in a diſtreſſed condition. No doubt but in all this time, three days and three nights, he prayed often and earneſtly for the pardon of his great ſin; for deliverance out of the Whales belly, and for the employment he had refuſed of going and preaching to Nineve: Oh that God would truſt and enable him to do that ſeruice! he would do it with all his heart, if he might be put upon it again.
Let the point be this: Doctr. In diſtreſs prayGods children in their greateſt and deepeſt afflictions ſhould keep their hearts in a praying frame, to obtain grace and mercy to help in time of need; we read a prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and poureth out his complaint before the Lord. Pſal. 102 1. and 130.1. Out of the depths have I cryed unto thee O Lord.
For reaſons, thus. 1. There is a Commandment to Reaſon. 1 call upon God in the day of trouble, Pſal. 50.15. Not only in proſperity but adverſity; not only if it be likely we ſhall get out of trouble, but againſt all likelihood; not only if means be preſent, but if no means appear likely to be had.
2. There cannot be ſuch a caſe of ſin, unworthineſs, Reaſon. 2 and miſery, but the mediation of Chriſt can help at a dead lift; Whatſoever ye ſhall ask the Father in my Name, he will do it for you. The Father can deny nothing to the Son, nor to ſuch as plead in his Sons merits.
3. The ſpirit of grace and ſupplication is given them Reaſon. 3 on purpoſe, that they ſhould alway pray, Luke 18.1. Rom. 8.26.and not wax weary; he helps their infirmities, not knowing what to pray as they ought the bears up their spirit, to hope to the end; he raiſeth ſighs and groans which cannot be uttered.
4. No affliction whatſoever can break aſunder the Reaſon. 4 tie between God and a Believer; Jonah at this time wanted neither ſin nor ſorrow, nor fear, nor care, what would become of him; yet mark the word of appropriation, he prayed to the …ord his God.
5. The covenant and promiſes are made ſo, as to ſerve our turn in the worſt condition that is, either of ſin or ſorrow. Of ſins he hath ſaid, I will blot out thine iniquities, I will ſcatter them as a miſt, I will forgive their ſin and remember it no more. Of ſorrow he hath ſaid, I will be with thee in ſix troubles, and in ſeven; I will be with thee when thou paſſeſt through the fire, and through the water; and in a word, I will not leave thee, nor forſake thee.
6. The greater a trouble or danger is, the more we need to flee to God, and keep cloſe to him, and hide with him; as he that is caſt upon a rock at ſea, the more the waves beat upon him, the more careful he is to keep to his rock ſee Pſal. 61.1, 2, 3. ſo we, We are weak, but he is a ſtrong God: we are helpleſs, but he is a friend good enough.
Uſe. 1 A fault to faint in prayer.All to reprove our fooliſhneſs, who in great afflictions ſuffer our ſelves to be ſo afraid with amazements, that we neglect the duty of prayer. The heart is even bound up and ſo ſtraightned with fear, care and ſorrow, that we cannot lift up a prayer to the God of our life and mercy: yet Jonah prayed out of the Whales belly, and amidſt all thoſe incumbrances. Moſes cryed to the Lord at the red ſea, when the people ſo murmured and were diſcontented. Daniel prayed in the den of Lions, where every moment he was ready to be devoured; David prayed in caves, woods, mountains, in all his flight before Saul and Abſalom. He longed to come to the Temple and pray, but could pray out of a Temple as well as in it: and Jonah here in great diſtreſſe looked toward the Temple, v. 4. no whit like thoſe who can never pray but when they ſtumble into a Church, or when they are in ſome hope to receive what they crave.
Ob.Oh but my caſe is higher then worldly afflictions: I have many and great ſins upon me, and much guiltineſs which puts me out of heart.Sol. Anſw. Jonah at this time had ſinned hainouſly, and might be aſhamed to look God in the face; yet ſee how he ownes God for his God, and falls to prayer; ſo did David, Daniel, Ezra, other Saints; they ever prayed to God as to a God pardoning iniquity, tranſgreſsion, and ſin. Exod 34.7.And he is glorified in this act of mercy, as well as in delivering out of trouble and danger; and more, becauſe it is an act of greater mercy, as he proclaimed before Moſes.
Oh but mine is an amazing evil,Ob. Sol. and ſo puzzles me that I cannot pray. Anſw. 1. Jonahs, caſe had as many amazements as any mans caſe lightly can have yet was not he puzzled. 2. It is a ſinful infirmity in Saints that they were not able ſometime to pray, and to lift up their heads; and ſo they have confeſſed it, Pſal. 77.10. I ſaid it is my infirmity. And they checked themſelves for their unbelief, haſtineſs, ſaying, they were caſt out of his preſence, and he was angry with their prayer. Often we read in the Pſalms how David upon theſe diſtempers fell to prayer again.
Oh but I am unworthy to pray,Ob. Sol. or to be heard in prayer. Anſw. So was Jonah, and yet he prayed, and was heard. And the Centurion, who acknowledged his unworthineſs, yet had his ſuit granted. And Gods Children when they fall upon this work, do not go as worthy perſons, but in Chriſt they are accounted worthy; and that is all their pleading. In true and proper ſpeech none but the Lamb is worthy to receive honor and glory.
Oh could I ſee any door of hope open to me,Ob. Sol. I ſhould be encouraged to pray Anſw. 1. God is able to open a door, where in nature and in thy ſenſe there is none at all. 2. Pray, and it ſhall be opened, and thou ſhalt ſee it, as Hagar who ſaw the we…l of water. Little did Jonah think that the Whale ſhould vomit him out upon dry land. Little did Iſrael think that thy ſhould go on foot through the red ſea, or Jordan.
Ob. Sol.Oh but I am afraid God is angry with me, and will do nothing for ſuch a wretch as I am. Anſw. It is a certain rule, that God is ſometimes angry with his Children, but never hates them; as with Jonah, angry but loved him ſtill. He ever loves his faithful ones, and in his love he will receive their prayers, as Jonahs. In Chriſt their perſons are accepted, and in his mediation their prayers ſhall prevail.
Uſe 2 Hear thou afflicted, and never give over thy praying though in a forlorn caſe. Think what Jonah did in the Whales belly, and among the weeds, waves, billows, noyſomeneſs. Think what it is to cry out of the deeps, when the floods of ungodlineſs made thee afraid, when the arrows of the Almighty ſtick faſt in thee, when a pluriſie comes or ſome dangerous diſeaſe: Try what an hearty prayer can do, do not reſtrain prayer from the Almighty, nor give all for loſt: or if thou haſt fainted as Jonah, yet pluck up thy ſpirits, and to it again.
Inſignis mutatio, ſaith Mr. Gualter: He that before fled from the preſence of the Lord, doth now upon his repentance hang on him, and will not let him go without a bleſsing; even ſo do thou: Amend every error, and mark this notable change in the Penitent, 2 Cor. 7.11. to ſorrow after a godly ſort works much carefulneſs, and fear, and zeal. Conſider for encouragement to prayer, while a Chriſtian finds an heart, God will find an ear to hear, and do, and ſave out of troubles; and ſtill the beſt is behind. Mark here what follows:
I cryed, and he heard me; again, I cryed, and thou heardeſt me.
Doctr. 1 God will hear and regard all the moanings of his Children in prayer;God hears all good prayers. why? becauſe he is a God hearing prayer; it is one of his Attributes, becauſe Jeſus Chriſt appears for them, and is a powerful Mediator with his Father; becauſe good prayer i… the breath and voice of his own holy ſpirit in his Children; becauſe they caſt themelves upon his mercy and faithfulneſs; becauſe hell and the world is all againſt them; becauſe they have an honeſt purpoſe to glorifie God with whatſoever mercies they ſhall receive at his hands, as here Jonah.
But mark how he hears prayer. 1. In the kind of mercy How. 1 which is deſired, as Jonah to be delivered out of the Whales belly; we out of ſickneſs, danger, or any adverſity. 2. In How. 2 ſomething that is as good or better; we ſhall have grace ſufficient for us, ſtrong conſolation of his ſpirit; hereafter it ſhall come, but not yet; our poſterity ſhall fare the better for thoſe prayers: in the appointed time and manner all the promiſes of God ſhall moſt certainly be fulfilled.
Now take this as an encouragement to prayer: Ask and Uſe. 1 ye ſhall have, ſeek and ye ſhall find, knock and it ſhall be opened unto you. Cry as Jonah, and thou ſhalt be heard as Jonah; every ſuitor at Court is not ſure to ſpeed of his Petition, but believers are ſure to ſpeed, 1 John 5.15. we know that we have the Petitions that we deſired of h…m. And a begger will know the door where he uſeth to get a good alms.
And if it be ſo, do not miſ-conſter Gods delays, as if Uſe. 2 they were denials; ſometimes he delays to give his anſwer, but he never denies his children. It was three days and three nights ere Jonah got out of the Whales belly: he prayed the firſt day, but came not forth till the third. The woman of Syrophenicia ſped at laſt in her ſuit, but it was after ſome repulſes. Every viſion of comfort is for an appointed time, but at laſt it will speak and not lye.
But mark yet another thing: A godly man receives an Doctr. 2 outward mercy as a fruit of prayer;We may know it. he ſees in the effect that his prayer is anſwered, and takes the mercy as the income of prayer, he heard me (ſaith Jonah) and I am delivered; ſo David, Pſal. 120.1. In my diſtreſs I cryed unto the Lord, and he heard me.
… vaſt difference then there is in the godly mans receiving Uſe 1 mercies, and others. He receives it upon prayer, and by vertue of a covenant, and p…omiſes; and as a part of Chriſts purchaſe, who makes requeſts for us in heaven: prayer aſcendeth, and grace deſcendeth. Others not ſo.
Uſe 2 And it teacheth godly Chriſtians to look after their prayers, that they may obſerve what anſwer it pleaſeth the Lord to give, as Pſal. 85.8. I will hearken what the Lord God will ſay. Praying is compared to ſowing of ſeed, and the Husbandman uſeth now and then to look to his ſowen fields. Only mark the laſt clauſe there, return not to folly: A godly man muſt keep himſelf a godly man, and do the work of a godly man, or elſe may miſs of his anſwer, at leaſt for a time, as here Jonah.
Ver. 3.4, 5, 6.
For thou haſt caſt me into the deep, in the midſt of the ſeas, and the floods compaſſed me about; all thy billows and thy waves paſſed over me. Then I ſaid, I am caſt out of thy fight; yet I will look again toward thy holy Temple. The waters compaſſed me about even to the ſoul; the depth cloſed me round about, the weeds were wrapt about my head. I went down into the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever; yet haſt thou brought my life from corruption, O Lord my God.
Amplificatio prima.Here the Prophet amplifies his prayer by the greatneſs of the danger whereinto he was brought, the fiſhes belly, the belly of hell, the deep, the midſt of the ſeas, bottoms of mountains, weeds, floods and billows. Being eſcaped out of the danger, nevertheleſs he recounteth the danger wherein he had been, as every godly man alſo will do. Nature teacheth a man to be ſenſible of preſent evils,Note. Recount old ſufferings. troubles and dangers; but grace teacheth to mind old ones, as of which he hath a ſaving uſe to make, ſo did Jacob, Gen. 32.10. with my ſtaff I paſſed over this Jordan, a poor and deſolate man; and David, I followed the Ews great with young: and Amos tells how he had been an Herdman, and had gathered Sycomore fruits, chap. 7. Uſe.Benefits accrewing thereby.
Do ſo, Chriſtian, now that thou art ſet in a large place out of thy troubles. There be theſe good uſes to be made of this recounting former evils.
1. It will keep thee humble, and low in thine own eyes; though now increaſed into two bands, mighty, high, preferred before many of thy brethren; time was when thou waſt low enough; remember and be lowly-minded, as God ſeems to ſet it down for a remedy againſt perking, Deut. 8.2. Thou ſhalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee theſe forty years in the wilderneſs, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldeſt keep his Commandments or no. It is the great ſin of many a man, that he is lifted up with preſent proſperity; though ſometime he was in a very low eſtate, yet now that he is got into a mountain,Pſal 30.6. he ſtands cracking as if he ſhould never be moved: And none muſt mind him of his old poverty or meanneſs; he that doth, doth break the peace, and ſometime it comes to daggers drawing, and much ado there is to be reconciled as friends ſhould be: Poſſibly there may be a fault in ſuch twitting a man with his ancient poverty; but yet a godly man ſhould take it well, ſo to further his humility, which it is hard to retain.
2. It will make and keep thee thankful for the comfortable change which God hath made in thy eſtate; as Jacob there confeſſed to the glory of God, and as Iſrael was required to do, Deut. 8.10 when thou haſt eaten and art full, thou ſhalt bleſs the Lord thy God. Thankfulneſs is a grace that will wither as ſoon as any flower in our Garland, and needs to be thus watered. Remember the terrors of the late wars, ſo to be thankful for our preſent peace. Remember the terrors of thy burning feaver which thou hadſt at ſuch a time, the ſleepleſs nights, tormenting fits of the Gout, or Stone, publick evils that lay upon the Church, or threatned it ſhrewdly, as in Queen Maries time, in eighty eight, in the Gunpowder-plot and others; whereof we may ſay as the Pſalmiſt, had not the Lord been on our ſide, Pſ. 1…4.1, 2.the proud waves had gone over our ſoul: bleſſed be his holy Name for ſo great deliverances.
3. It will help to bear up your faith in expectation of future deliverances, as the Apoſtle ſaid, God hath delivered from great death, and doth deliver, and we truſt alſo he will deliver, 1 Sam. 17.2 Cor. 1.9, 10. and David, He that delivered me from the Lion and the Bear, will deliver me alſo from this uncircumciſed Philiſtine; ſo one of us, God hath helped when I was as low as this comes to, this is not the firſt time that I was in want or danger: I remember ſuch and ſuch a ſtraight, I cannot well be worſe then I was at ſuch a time; and yet it pleaſed God in mercy to ſend ſeaſonable ſupply or deliverance; therefore in this caſe alſo I will not faint, nor caſt away my confidence;Eſa. 59.2. ſee Pſal. 77.10, 11, 12. Gods ear is not heavy, nor his hand ſhortned, nor is he weary of beſtowing benefits, therefore truſt in him ſtill. Still there are promiſes and a covenant of grace, and Chriſt a Mediator for me, and bowels of a Father, power, faithfulneſs, wiſdom, all divine perfections; therefore fear nothing;
And note by the way one part of the great gain of godlineſs. Godlineſs takes advantage by every thing to promote the main, which is ſanctification and ſalvation, that all ſhall work together for good to them that love God, Rom 8.18.and are called according to his purpoſe: Afflictions paſt and preſent, yea and ſins too, to be the more humble and more wary for time to come, whence we hear Jonah telling of his fleeing to Tarſus, and Paul telling how he had been a Perſecutor, &c.
Thou hadſt caſt me into the deep.
Gods own Child may be caſt into deep and great afflictions; as Jonah, Joſeph, David, Note. Saints ſometimes deeply afflicted.other holy men who without all doubt were very dear unto God; yea his own only begotten Son the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; he had one Son without ſin, but none without affliction.
And why? though he love them all well, Reaſ. yet he will not make fondlings of them: and though they be good in the main, yet they have their faults now and then, and they need correction; witneſs Jonah at this time. And they have their corruptions, which need to be more mortified, and their graces muſt be tryed and made more conſpicuous, which is not done but in the furnace of affliction: And the Devils mouth muſt be ſtopped, who will be apt to ſay as againſt Job, that they ſerve God meerly for proſperity, who yet was true to God when he was ſtript of all.
Therefore let no godly man miſdeem his eſtate, becauſe Uſe 1 he ſuffers ſuch and ſuch evils.Ecc. 9.1. None can know love or hatred by all that is before him; there be other tryals to know it, but affliction is no tryal. And mark how Jonah profeſſeth his faith in God, even now when he thus amplifies his affliction. The beſt employment certainly in ſuch a ſad condition, is, to find out the ſins which occaſioned the breach, and thoſe ends which God aimes at. This is our part to look unto, and let God alone to do his part which will be for good in the end. No Artiſt muſt have his work eſteemed by ſome particular piece of it.
Neither miſdeem the eſtate of others who are ſo deep Uſe 2 in ſuffering, as if they were ſmitten and rejected of God; which hath been the practice of unbelievers, Eſa 53.3. or as if they were worſe then others, which is expreſly cenſured by our Saviour, Luke 13.1, 2, 3, 4. There is ſuch a cenſorious humor abroad, but ye ſee by this place how it is condemned: And ye ſee how David was wary not to offend this way, Pſal. 73.15. if I ſay, I will speak thus (condemning the godly becauſe of afflictions) behold I ſhould offend againſt the generation of thy children. And our rule is, to let every one ſtand or fall to his own Maſter, and who are thou that judgeſt another mans ſervan?
Two things would be minded in theſe matters of proſperity and adverſity.
1. A godly man is never the worſe, nor in more danger for all his adverſity. Gold is gold though it be in the fire, Jonah is Jonah though he be in the Whales belly; only the godly ſhould clear up his evidences at ſuch a time, that he is indeed a godly man: Recount the old grounds he went upon and former experiences, and fortifie againſt unbelief, which in hard times is apt to be ſtirring; and prepare for greater tryals then as yet he hath endured, and God may juſtly bring him unto: Old tryed blades may be put to more hardſhip then tender ones ſhall be.
2. A wicked man is never the better, nor in more ſafety for all his proſperity. Droſs is droſs though it be laid up in a ſilken bag. The Mariners eſcaped the ſtorm, and Jonah was caſt into the ſea; the only way for ſome in proſperity, is, to ſtudy this matter of godlineſs. If thou repent and become a ſincere worſhipper, all will do well, both proſperity and adverſity:Aug de civit. Dei, lib. 1. it much avails not what a man ſuffers, but who it is that ſuffers; and in the likeneſs of ſufferings there is great unlikeneſs in them that ſuffer. Oh the great force of godlineſs!
Thou hadſt cast me into the deep. It might be objected, the Mariners caſt forth Jonah into the ſea; how then doth he impute it unto God? Anſw. 1. It was by the appointment of Jehovah, that the Mariners caſt Jonah into the ſea; God by lot ſo deſigned him to be caſt forth. 2. In all the doings of men God hath an overruling hand, not only to permit what they do, but order all to the good of his Choſen; as for Job, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; and as in the paſſion of Chriſt, all was done according to the determinate will and counſel of God.
A godly man in all the doings of men againſt him looks up to the hand of God appointing the affliction; thou haſt caſt me into the ſea; the Lord hath bid Shimei to curſe, Note. Look from men to God who afflicteth. Amos. 3.6. Eſa. 10.5. Reaſ.there is no evil in the City but the Lord hath done it. Aſhur was the rod of his wrath, and the ſtaff of indignation in his hand. A rod or ſtaff moves not but by the motion of another; nor the battel-axe.
This the godly man conſiders, becauſe he is well grounded in the doctrine of Gods providence, how it reacheth to all things, ſmall as well as great, evil as well as good, particulars as well as the general, contingent as well as natural and neceſſary, and voluntary actions as well as fortuitous: and, how the Lord leaves the evil to the Agents, but reſerves the ſimple act to himſelf, and works out his own moſt holy and righteous ends which they never think of, as Joſeph told his brethren, Ye meant it to evil, but God meant it for good, Gen. 50.20.
Which is utterly againſt the courſe of many who look Uſe; 1 only to the inſtrument of their ſmart and ſuffering in any kind, and wreak their diſpleaſure there; murmure, rail, or repine, it may be ſwear and curſe, becauſe ſuch and ſuch have damnified them, or otherwiſe ſtood in their light. Yet we read no ſuch word come out of Jonahs mouth againſt his Mariners: no, thou haſt caſt me forth, and David was dumb becauſe the Lord did it, Pſal. 39.9.
Oh but it is meer malice that leads my Adverſary to ſay and do what he doth;Ob. Sol. but the Mariners were fair conditioned men. Anſw. 1. I ſuppoſe it was meer malice that led Shimei to rail at David, yet he eſpyed the hand of God in the buſineſs. And meer covetouſneſs led the Chaldeans and Sabeans to plunder Job as they did; yet he ſaid, the Lord hath taken away. God is ſtill righteous, who ordains thee a puniſhment, whatever the inſtruments be. 2. The more malicious thine Adverſary is, the more teſtimony of innocency thou haſt in thine own boſom, and ſo an argument of comfort, 2 Cor. 1.12. our rejoycing is this, even the teſtimony of our conſcience. David took comfort that his enemies perſecuted him without cauſe, and ſo may others, John 15.25.
Uſe; 2 Learn then O Chriſtian, by an holy abſtraction to look farther and higher then the wrong dealings of men; acknowledge God who hath let looſe their tongues and hands; it is he that permits them, or elſe they could not ſtir a whit: he that ordained thee a puniſhment, or if thou wilt, a chaſtiſement, for thy earthlineſs, dulneſs in Religion, unmortified Paſſions, or other evils. True, the lot did not paſs upon thee as it did upon Jonah, but in the affliction there was the determinate counſel of God ſo ordering: therefore ſay, Shall I not drink of the Cup which my Father hath put into my hand? ſhould I ſpurn againſt the pricks, either in doing or ſuffering?
God Note. times ſome. Gods afraid of utmoſt wrath.Out of the belly of hell cryed I; that is, out of a deep ſenſe of the wrath and diſpleaſure of God for my ſins; a good ſoul ſometimes apprehends the wrath of the holy Lord God as due unto him for his ſins: The pains of hell get hold on him, he ſuffers the terrors of God with a troubled mind. God ſeems to ſet him up as a Butt, againſt which he will ſhoot all the envenomed arrows of his.
Jonah here hath not only Gods waves and billows paſſing over his head, thy billows and thy waves, but (as it were) the devils billows and waves. In the bottom of the ſea he is very near to the place of the damned; only he is not adjudged thither finally, nor faſtned there: ſo it hath been the caſe of ſome deſerted ſouls to conceive …hey were half in hell already; very fire-brands, veſſels of wrath, reſerved to the judgment of the great day: My God, Pſal. 22.1.my God, why haſt thou forſ…ken me? why ſtandeſt thou afar off? &c.
Reaſ. Thus can the ſenſe of ſin work, where there is not a preſent ſenſe of mercy. And this is the force of a gu…lty Conſcience, yea or of a tender Conſcience, where the Spirit of comfort doth not preſently do his office; as it is ſometimes ſuſpended by the diſpenſation of Gods grace, for Diſcipline to be uſed among his Children; We need the witneſs of his Spirit together with our ſpirits, to let us know we are his Children; foreignand that our Conſciences bear us witneſs in the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 8.16. and chap. 9.1.
But what then?Despair two-fold. do godly men fall into deſpair ſometimes? Anſw. Deſpair is either total and final as in Cain and Judas, or only partial and temporary, as in Heman and ſome other godly men. And godly men in their greateſt deſpair can pray for mercy, as here Jonah out of the Whales belly, which he calls the belly of hell: and they ſhall find mercy as he, delivered out of all; yea more, they had ſome mixture of comfort while they were in the belly of hell. Jonah remembred God when his ſoul fainted in him, verſe 7. and even then he would look again toward his holy Temple, ver. 4.
All for the inſtruction of godly men, who ſee by this Uſe 1 how ſtrictly and circumſpectly they need to walk, leſt the terrors of God fall upon them; and if they be not caſt into hell, yet ſhall be made to believe ſo: God ſometimes holds them by one leg to hang over hell, as if he meant to throw them in, when they grow looſe or idle in their courſe, and eſpecially if they grow ſcandalous. Take heed, Heb. 10.31. 1 Pet. 4.17.it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; and judgment begins at the houſe of God, who never meant to make fondlings of his own children.
And if it be ſo, what will become of the ſinner and the wicked? Uſe 2 where ſhall they appear? how ſhall they be caſt into the belly of hell for ever, for all their impenitency and infidelity? what other can be the fruit of all that ſecurity and hardneſs of heart, which poſſeſſeth many of our people? It is an horror to think what their end will be. He that thinks deeply, would think it an horrible miſchief to be three days and three nights with Jonah …n a Whales belly, with weeds and noyſomneſs. But what miſery will ye think it to be for ever with devils, in the place where the worm dyes not, and the fire goes not out?
I ſaid, I am caſt out of thy ſight, and my ſoul fainted within me.
He that before made nothing of it to flee from the preſence of the Lord, now complains that he is caſt out of his ſight; and he that before was ſo hardy as to go directly againſt the word of the Lord, now tells how his ſoul fainted within him. No courage will hold out with a man which is not well founded in dependance on God, Note. and in obedience to him. Self-will and ſelf-confidence will ſooner or later leave a man in the ſuds, and in the mire. Peter who relied too much on his own ſtrength, had cauſe afterward to weep bittely.
I ſaid I am caſt out of thy ſight.
Note. A good ſoul is ſometime jealous of Gods love to it: Oh I have rejected God, and God hath rejected me; I doubt he will be no more grea…ous, but hath ſhut up his loving kindneſs in everlaſting diſpleaſure; and Job ſaid, He counteth me for his enemy.
Reaſ. Which comes to paſs, partly by the weakneſs of faith which is in a Believer; I believe, Lord help my unbelief: Partly by the guiltineſs of ſome ſin hitherto not repented nor pardoned, or the ſenſe of pardon not yet come to his underſtanding; Partly by the tenderneſs of his Conſcience, loth to part with ſo great a good as the favour of God is; reckoning and ſaying, In thy preſence is fulneſs of joy, and the loving kindneſs of God is better then life, Pſal. 16.11. and 63 3.
Uſe. 1 For want of which tenderneſs of ſpirit, it is that vain and carnal Chriſtians never doubt of the love of God toward them. They conclude it upon weak and inſufficient grounds, and in the ſame preſumption go on confidently, without fear or care to make ſure their Election: brag how they are aſſured of Gods love to them, wonder at them that are of a troubled or diſtreſſed ſpirit, cry out upon the Miniſtery that hath been a means to wound them, or courſes that have made them ſo melancholick; So the fool rageth and is confident. Prov. 14.16.Idle and formal Chriſtians get more aſſurance (ſuch as it is) then they that take moſt pains for it. A tender-hearted Chriſtian comes drugling after almoſt out of breath, and much ado to keep up his ſpirit, when the other went before fearleſly, and holds on in a flaunting faſhion, too fine to laſt alway. Our rule is, to work out our ſalvation with fear and trembling. Take heed,Phil. 2.12. there have been thoſe who have puffed or raged in proſperity, and yet have fainted in adverſity,
Let the exhortation be to good and diſcreet Chriſtians; Uſe. 2 2 Pet. 1.10: Heb. 10.carefully follow the great buſineſs of making ſure your Calling and Election, grow up more and more to the full aſſurance of faith, as in things indifferent, ſo about the love of God; let every one be fully perſwaded in his own mind: Rom. 14 6.what is wanting to a weak faith, get it ſupplyed by a conſcionable uſe of the means of grace, ſuch as the Word, Sacraments, Prayer, Covenant, Promiſes, all the grounds of confidence which God hath given to work us to ſtrong conſolation, Heb. 6.18. Eſpecially take heed of a ſcandalous ſin, which gaſheth conſcience deeply; and of caſting thy ſelf out of Gods ſight by relinquiſhing duty, as here Jonah did: ſuch may thank themſelves for their deſertions, ſad eclipſes and jealouſies that ariſe in them; how ſhould it be otherwiſe?
My ſoul fainted within me. Note.
A good ſoul ſometimes hath his fainting fits in reſpect of faith and comfort; ſo had Baruch, Jer. 45.3. I fainted in my ſighing; ſo the Church, Lam. 5.17. for this our heart is faint. And not only for corporal wants and dangers, as thoſe that fainted for thirſt, or for the ſword; but for ſpiritual conſiderations, Pſal. 84.2. my ſoul longeth, Amos 8 1…. Ezek. 21.7, 15.yea even fainteth for the living God, and 119.81. my ſoul fainteth for thy ſalvation.
The reaſon is. 1. The greatneſs or tediouſneſs of an Reaſon. 1 affliction is apt to tire out the ſpirits of Gods children, who can bear no more, or no longer; and if God come not timely to help, he would fail utterly, Eſa. 57.16 Jonah was almoſt ſpent by lying ſo long in the Whales belly. 2. Where the guilt of ſin and the wrath of God meet together in a ſoul, uſually it makes foul weather, that it comes ſo far as to fainting.Pro. 18.14. A wounded spirit who can bear? And this is Jonahs caſe at this time; we may hear afterward, that he fainted for the heat of the Sun: J…n. 4 8.but that was nothing to this, where ſin intervenes and makes the ſorrow far more intolerable
Uſe 1 Teaching us wiſely and mercifully to conſider them that are of a poor spirit, and ready to faint in the ſight of their ſins, or fear of Gods diſpleaſure; ſome are of a tender ſpirit, and ſhould be handled tenderly. Rough ſpeaking or doing would even quite over-ſet them and bring them to a deſpairing faintneſſe. In ſuch caſes we ſhould note and be tender, and pour in oyl to heal their wounds; ſo did Chriſt, Eſa. 50.4. he spoke a word in ſeaſon to him that was weary; and it hath been ſaid, nothing doth ſo diſcover a man to be ſpiritual, or according to the mind of Chriſt, as the gentle handling of another mans wounds.
Uſe 2 But let theſe careful ſouls help themſelves by ways and means which the Lord hath appointed.Help againſt fainting fits. As againſt bodily faintings we get hot waters and other helps, ſo ſhould we againſt theſe faintings of ſpirit: As thus;
1. Get thy faith ſtrengthned as much as may be. Faith is a ſpecial reviver of the ſoul in evil times, Pſ. 27.13. I had fainted unleſs I had believed to ſee the goodneſs of the Lord in the land of the living; as how? becauſe it draws vertue from Chriſt and from his interceſſion, who is a quickning Head: and from the promiſes and covenant which alſo have an enlivening power; and it gives the poor ſoul a view of heaven to fetch life again, 2 Cor. 4.16, 17, 18. for which cauſe we faint not; but though our outward man periſh, yet the inward man is renewed day by day; for our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen; thoſe temporal, theſe eternal.
2. Wait upon God in the diligent uſe of his Ordinances: Cant. 2.theſe are the flagons which ſtay a ſoul that is ſick of love to Jeſus Chriſt; and ſee Eſa. 40.29, 30, 31. he giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaſeth ſtrength; Even the youths ſhall faint and be weary, and the young men ſhall utterly fa…l: But they that wait upon the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength, they ſhall mount up with wings as Eagles; they ſhall run and not be weary, and they ſhall walk and not faint. Chriſtians, ye converſe daily in Ordinances; adde diligence and good conſcience, and your faintings will wear off by little and little. No ſuch Cordials as the Word and Sacraments well improved.
3. Pray and it ſhall be done. God is he that ſendeth this faintneſs into the ſoul, and it is he that muſt take it away, Levit. 26.36. I will ſend a faintneſs into their hearts; and he that wounds muſt heal again. He that caſt Jonah into the Whales belly, and into the fainting fits, did ſet all at rights again.
I will look up again toward thy holy Temple; I remembred the Lord, and my prayer came in unto thee, unto thine holy Temple.
Here Jonah amplifies his prayer by the hope he nouriſhed amidſt his great danger: he was not without ſome hope, even when he fainted moſt, and thought himſelf caſt out of Gods ſight: And all theſe three days and nights he was well employed. A good ſoul at loweſt hath ſome working toward God for comfort and deliverance, and ought to be well employed during the time of his affliction.
Yet I will look again toward thy holy Temple; that is, Heaven.
A good ſoul from the belly of hell can look toward heaven, as here Jonah. No diſtance of place,Note. Out of hell ſe… heaven. nor lowneſs of condition can hinder this proſpect. Steven amidſt the ſtones looked up and ſaw the heaven open, and Jeſus ſtanding on the right hand of God. Moſes in Pharaohs wrath and threats ſaw him that is inviſible, and endured all. Micaiah ſaw God on a throne, and was hardned againſt his meeting of wicked Ahab.
Reaſ. 1 All from the nature of faith, which is the evidence of things not ſeen. Heb. 11.1.By faith Abraham ſaw the day of Chriſt, and rejoyced. By faith he and the old Believers embraced the promiſes. By faith Paul and his fellow Apoſtles looked not at things ſeen which are temporal, but at things not ſeen which are eternal: and, They walked by faith, not by ſight; that is, ſpiritual encouragements, not carnal.
Uſe. A good memen…o for a Saint in low condition, whether by ſickneſs or otherwiſe. Upward, upward; below all is black and uncomfortable, but upward all is clear and joyous: Make uſe of thy faith to carry thee far above all theſe tumults, fogs and confuſions; why a ſword by the ſide, and not defend againſt a thief? why faith in the heart, and not ſtrengthned by it in threatning evils? why as heartleſs and comfortleſs, as he that hath no faith to ſupport himſelf? Remember how David rated away his unbelief,Pſal. 42. Why art thou caſt down O my ſoul? and remember how our Saviour chode Peter for fearing,Mat 14 31. Why didſt thou doubt, O thou of little faith?
Ob. Sol.Oh but I have ſomething ſticks by me that is of an higher importance; my ſins, which are many and great. Anſw. So had Jonah; at this time he had greatly ſinned againſt God in refuſing the ſervice impoſed, and ſaid he was caſt out of his ſight: but mark the adverſative, Yet I will look toward thy holy Temple; he would not ſeal his diſobedience with unbelief and impenitency, one ſin to another. They ſay Judas did worſe by deſpairing then in betraying his Maſter. And mark the word again; he had converſed with God formerly, and found comfort while he held on in a courſe of duty; but now upon this baulk made, the ſweet communion was interrupted: therefore he ſaith, again; ſo thou, though thy ſins be many and great, yet return; yea though they be relapſes, yet again come to thy God by repentance; there is a promiſe for healing our backſlidings. Hoſ. 14 4.Though man will not pardon faults by recidivation, yet God will, Jer. 3 1. thou haſt played the harlot with many lovers, yet return again to me, ſaith the Lord. And if comfort come not preſently, yet look again as Jonah here: at thy firſt looking thou mayeſt miſſe of mercy, but look again, it will come at laſt; at the laſt looking rain came according to the prayer of Elias.
When my ſoul fainted within me, I remembred the Lord.
A Believer finds a good remedy againſt his fainting fits,Note. Remedy againſt fainting fits. to remember the Lord. Where note, Firſt, there is an head-remembrance which ſtands chiefly in ſpeculation, as that there is a God, that he is able to help us in miſery, that he ſees and knows our eſtate and can put forth mercy and power for our relief; If thou wilt, thou canſt make me whole. Secondly, there is an heart-remembrance; when we look upon God as our God and truſt in him, and caſt our ſelves upon his care and love, to do for us according to our need; whether for ſoul, body or eſtate.2 Tim. 1.12. I know wh…m I have believed, the deſire of our heart is to the rememb…ance of thy name.
Oh but David remembred God, and was troubled,Ob. Sol. Pſal. 77.3. Anſw. David was now under a temptation, as appears by ver. 10. I ſaid it is my infirmity. But I ſay more, there is ſomething in God which may trouble even a good ſoul; namely his juſtice, his diſpleaſure at ſin, his revence for ſin, ſometimes upon his own children; and theſe arm his other Attributes againſt the ſoul of a ſinner, viz. his holineſs, his power, his wiſdom, his ſoveraignty, his providence and government; all terrible, where the guilt of ſin lies upon the ſoul; which poſſibly might be Davids caſe at this time, mine, or thine.
But let weak believers take this inſtruction: Uſe, when ye find theſe fainting fits coming, or already come upon you, remember the Lord, and ſtay your hearts on him; remember him in that form, & in thoſe relations, as he ſtands to a Believer. Remember him as the Lord in covenant, as the Lord thy righteouſneſs, as the Lord merciful and gracious, as the Lord pardoning iniquity, tranſgreſſion and ſin, as the Lord that bears a moſt watchful eye of care and providence over thy perſon and eſtate; that remembers his covenant, and thy frailty; and knows when a deliverance will be moſt ſeaſonable: Though a Mother forget her Child, yet will not I forget thee, ſaith the Lord; yea though we forget duty as Jonah did at this time, yet will he remember to be gracious. And though we know not what to do for our own deliverance in any kind, yet he knows well enough and will do it for us: he knows to deliver the righteous out of trouble.
My prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy Temple.
Note. Good prayers uſe to come up before God, and get a merciful conſideration; as Jonahs, Salomons, Hezekiahs, Cornelius, others. The reaſon is, Chriſt takes the prayers and preſents them to his and our Father, Rev. 8.3, 4. It is one chief part of his Prieſtly Office, interceſſion as well as ſatisfaction, and he will be ſure to do it to the uttermoſt; he appears for us, and makes requeſts in our behalf.
Uſe 1 An encouragement to be much and often in prayer. Is it not a ſpeedy way? Every good husband will inſiſt in the way wherein he may thrive apace: and ſo ſhould a Chriſtian in the way of praying. Audience in prayer is one of the priviledges which belong to a Believer; and one of Gods Attributes is, that he is a God hearing prayer.
Uſe 2 And it teacheth a Believer when he hath made his prayer to the God of his life and mercy, to reſt aſſured he ſhall prevail one way or other; as here, My prayer came into thy Temple; and elſewhere, We know we have the Petitions we ask of him, and he will ſpeak peace to his people. For why? it is his promiſe, Ask and ye ſhall receive, ſeek and ye ſhall find, &c.
Ver. 6.8, 10.
Thou haſt brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. They that obſerve lying vanities, forſake their own mercy. But I will ſacrifice unto thee with the voice of thankſgiving, &c.
Here the Prophet amplifies his prayer by the effect it had, namely his deliverance out of that great danger;Parts. Thou haſt brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. And this is farther illuſtrated. 1. By the contray in Idolaters, who miſſe of mercy becauſe they ſeek not to the true God, v 8. 2. By the thankfulneſſe he means to ſhew for the deliverance, v. 9. 3 By the particularizing of the deliverance, and how it was effected, v. 10.
Thou haſt brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.
There be many in this company that may truly ſay, Note. God hath brought up my life from corruption: at ſuch a time I was very likely to die, I had one foot in the grave, I had made my Will and bid farwel to all the world; yet it pleaſed God to add more time to, my days; I am yet in the land of the living among old friends and neighbours; and the time that remains in the fleſh, I ought, and partly have promiſed to ſpend in the ſervice of God, better then formerly. But
Whether do I ſpeak thoſe words in way of hearty and Uſe. 1 real thankfulneſſe, or only in form?Examine whether delivered in mercy. have I ſerious purpoſes indeed to improve this life of mine for the ſervice and glory of God? or, do I now think of thoſe vows and purpoſes, to perform them effectua…ly? If I do, do I put forth my beſt and trueſt endeavours to bring them into act? when Jonah had eſcaped his great danger, he went and did the meſſage though to as great a danger. When Hezekiah had been ſick and recovered, he ſet to praiſe the Lord all the days of his life. Now theſe examples are written for our inſtruction to do the like; as bad examples are to be avoided, ſo good examples are to be followed.
Whether by general mercy, or special.And if we do not, the deliverance out of danger will prove only a common mercy that comes of the general providence of God, whereby he ſaves man and beaſt, and his Sun ſhines and rain falls on good and bad. True, Jehovah raiſed thee out of thy great fit of ſickneſs, or ſome other miſchief; but thou canſt not yet ſay, the Lord my God: and yet that is the only right receiving of mercies, when one is able to ſay, Thou haſt brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. There is a vaſt difference between theſe two, Saved by the true God, and ſaved by the Lord my God. Conſider the word eſpecially in 1 Tim 4.10. he is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe.
And let all fall cloſely upon this point, to make it ſure Uſe. 2 to our own ſouls, The Lord my God; My Lord, and my God, ſaid Thomas; my Redeemer, ſaid Job; he loved me and gave himſelf for me. I pray what think ye? is it not great difference to ſay, A good ſumme of Gold and Silver; and, This is my Gold and Silver? even ſo is it here. A man may be poor enough, though he ſee heaps and treaſures of money; ſo in ſpiritual treaſure. Know the only happineſs ſtands in the appropriation, my God; Bleſſed are the people that have the Lord for their God, Pſal. 144.15.
In theſe Ordinances therefore the main deſign of Chriſtians ſhould be to make Chriſt ſure to their ſouls, and ſo be able to ſay, my God, my Saviour, my Redeemer. Him we preach as the chief matter of our pains-taking, and in his Name we make offers of the favour of God to be thy God, and thine,2 Cor. 6.1. and thine; Now receive not the grace of God in vai…; be ſure to do this buſineſs, which is the main buſineſs to be done;Heb. 12.29. and if it be not done, this thy God will one day prove a conſuming fire, who though he hath brought up thy life from corporal corruption, yet not from eternal.
But come we now to the illuſtration from the contrary: Idolaters miſs of mercy, becauſe they ſeek not the true God; They that obſerve lying vanities, forſake their own mercy Jehovah brought up Jonahs life from corruption, Jehovah heard his prayer and delivered him, of Jehovah is ſalvation; the true God did all, but the idol-gods can do none of theſe things, they are vanities and teachers of lies, Hab. 2 18.and will deceive all thoſe that truſt in them and call upon them.
But I comprehend under the name of lying vanities.Lying vanities, what.
1. The idols of the Gentiles which the Mariners prayed unto, every one to his god. Had not Jonahs God delivered them, they had been all drowed in the ſea; none could ſave as the God of Jonah and of the Hebrews, who is alſo the God of us Chriſtians.
2. Thoſe carnal reaſonings wherewith Jonah was ſwayed to leave Nineve and flee to Tarſus, whereof he tells us in chap. 4 2. and now he recants all, profeſſing to adhere to the true God only. Such carnal reaſonings we all have, and are to exalt high thoughts againſt the obedience of Chriſt. 2 Cor. 10.5.Religion with many is meaſured by meer policy, credit, multitude, thriving in the world, and the like; lying vanities all of them as to the ſoul, and in Gods matters.
Yet farther, all ſuperſtitions are lying vanities; that is, humane inventions put for Gods worſhip, Pſal 40.4. They turn aſide to lyes: And all Aſtrological predictions in Moon-prophets, who tell of lucky and unlucky dayes, Jer. 10.2. And all forms of Religion in hypocrites, they compaſs God about with lyes, Hoſ. 11.12. And all good things of this life in worldlings, who purſue them immoderately and inordinately; Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Eccl. 1.2.And all luſts in profane perſons called deceitful luſts, Eph. 4.22. and we read of deceivablneſs of unrighteouſneſs in them that periſh, 2 Theſ. 2.10.
Now accordingly as theſe vanities are obſerved more or leſs,what the obſerving of them. ſo mercy is forſaken. Profane and impenitent perſons obſerve theſe lying vanities totally and finally, and ſo they altogether loſe the mercy of God, having their portion in this life; Pſal. 17.14.but godly Chriſtians who obſerve them but a little, and only for a while, do miſs of ſome mercy they might enjoy; as we ſee in this terrible balk which Jonah made.
Why their own mercy.But why is it called their own mercy? Anſw. Becauſe it belonged to them, it was tendered to them, they might have had it, they ſhould have taken it, and not let it go for the beſt advantage in the world. So the Jews are called the children of the Kingdom; Mat. 8.12.that is, thoſe that belonged primarily to the Church and favour of God. But ſee the like oppoſition in Luke 16.10, 11, 12.
The words are a doctrine, They that obſerve lying vanities, Doctr. Reaſ. forſake their own mercy. The reaſon is, mercy is baſely undervalued, and vanities preferred before it. Though it be a precious mercy, a ſoul ſaving Mercy, undeſerved, free, rich, the fountain of all good in earth and heaven; though it be renewed in a coſtly way of Chriſts bloud, which is more then the creation of man and the world; though it be publiſhed and offered in the miniſtery, Take it, it is your own, be reconciled to God and all ſhall do well; though God be very patient after many of your refuſals, yet ſtill vanities ſhall be obſerved, and purſued as the chief good: A juſt forfeit, the Lord will not endure the diſparagement of his mercy;Luke …4.21. the King was angry when the Gueſts would not come to his Supper, ſaying, Not one of them that were bidden ſhall taſte of my Supper.
Uſe 1 Terror to ſ…nd Profeſſors.Which may ſerve for great terror to many: Oh that they might be convinced of their great folly, and humbled, and work wiſely hereafter for the welfare of their poor ſoul!
1. Here is extream folly ſhewed, thus, Mercy is magnified in general, but forſaken when it comes to particulars in the practice; and when the main ſtroke is to be ſtruck, it is left as no good bargain; as if the ſalvation of a ſoul were not indeed a thing to be ſtood upon; never is it weighed well till the day of judgment, when it will be too late. Chriſt and his ſalvation are liked well, and preſumed on, but loſt for trifles: and loſt with a kind of wilfulneſs; it is not ſaid here that they loſe mercy, but forſake it.
2. Theſe vanities will one day be ſeen to be altogether unprofitable, that they cannot profit nor deliver, becauſe they are vain, 1 Sam. 12 21. Vain to have had pleaſure in this life, or ſcraped wealth together, or climbed up to honors, or to have ſo drudged about the world, as if Religion were no calling for a Chriſtian. Then they will ſay, What hath pride profited us, or any of the other? when the ſoul is loſt, and the ſhame and miſery comes, Rom. 6.21. Rev. 6, 16.they will call the mountains to fall upon them, and the hills to cover them: Oh hide us from the preſence of the Lamb.
3. What a confounding lye will it appear, when theſe vanities appear in their own colours? when the man finds himſelf diſappointed of his hopes, and mercy loſt too: no full contentment by his luſts and pleaſures, when moſt fully enjoyed; no ſolidity in all his cavils and carnal reaſonings; mercy pleaded to the loſing of mercy, as here by Jonah. At that day mercy will be found to be the portion of good ſouls only, who love and fear God; and at that day it will appear to have been limited wi…h certain conditions, which at preſent are overlooked, and altogether neglected. Theſe conditions for receiving mercy were delivered warily by good Preachers, though others could daube and skin them over. And they were told what a mortal variance there is between mercy and theſe lying vanities, but would not lay it to heart.
Oh that now men and women were aſhamed, as one day they muſt be! now it would be to ſome purpoſe; they might be converted and ſaved, as the Propheſie went of Converts in the latter days, Ezek. 16.63. they ſhall be aſhamed of their doings; but in that great day it will be too late, it ſhould have been done before-hand.
Uſe 2 Chriſtians, be exhorted to be tender and chary of the mercy of God toward you,Work wiſely to find mercy one day. and do not exchange it for vanities. Ye ſee it may be forgone and forſaken, and the way how it comes about; beware of lying vanities; no wiſe man will let go his Land for points and counters: and conſider withall,
1. This mercy is ſuch a thing, as the worſt among us Mot. 1 do ſeem to crave and magnifie; Oh they hope God will be merciful to them; and if he ſhould not be merciful at laſt, they were in a ſad caſe: Oh, mercy is all in all; what ſhould a ſinner do without mercy? it is our life, it is our ſalvation, it is our all. The more ſhame, if poor creatures let it go ſo ſlightly, as 'tis to be feared many do.
Mot. 2 2. Conſider the qualities of this mercy: It is infinite, it is tender, it is free, it is rich and abundant, and every way worth the keeping. The mercy of the moſt loving man or woman is cruelty in compariſon. Gods mercy is the only ſaving way to raiſe up ſinners:Luke 1.77, 78 He gives knowledge of ſalvation to his people by the remiſſion of their ſins, through his tender mercy, or the bowels of his mercy. Now who of us would loſe a dear friend for a few pins or points? Beware of this extream foolery.
Mot. 3 3. Mercy coſt the Lord dear, before he could make it your mercy, or you could call it your own mercy. Though it be free in reſpect of his love ſo ordering a way of reconciliation, yet it is not free in reſpect of Chriſt and his ſufferings. It coſt him great drops of bloud, ſcourges, fears, ſorrows, manifold indignities; he found it no eaſie matter to procure mercy for ſinners. And ſhould it now be prodigally ſquandred away, and all for trifles? what, ma…e a great purchaſe by expending a great ſumme of money, and idly forfeit it again?
Mot. 4 4 What a terror one day will it be, to have it as your own mercy and let it go? to have it merited, offered, ſealed, applyed, rejoyced in, yet loſt when all is done?Heb. 6.5. to taſte of the powers of the world to come, and yet fall away, and loſe all for a little eaſe, or wealth, or other vanity? what Boy hath a bird in his hand, and lets him fly away in hope to catch him again? Oh who can pity or help that ſoul which thruſts away his own mercy?
5. Worldly comforts are not our own in compariſon, Mot. 5 nor worthy to be owned; they are but clouts, and accidentals to ſpeak off, they are eaſily and quickly put off, forfeited, loſt, conſumed, remembred with bitterneſs when they are gone. Riches take them wings, and fly toward heaven; Prov. 23.5.Pleaſures many time end in pain, Honors go out with a ſnuff. And at beſt, theſe things give not contentment as they promiſed. There is a lye in my right hand, ſaith the Idolater, Eſa. 44.20. in my eye, ſath the wanton; in my heart ſaith, the covetous; in my courſe of life, ſaith the profane, or the hypocrite.
6. If good things be ſuch lying vanities, what ſhall we Mot. 6 ſay of luſts, of will-worſhips, ſtar-gazings, and the like? how will theſe lye, and deceive, and do a miſchief? what will be the end of groſs and ſtaring ſins in many? ſhall they find mercy at the hands of God? it is impoſſible. God reſerves mercy for them that make a better uſe of it: for veſſels of mercy, in this life veſſels of his praiſe, and by grace fitted for glory.
Laſtly, for carnal reaſonings, let all godly men take Mot. 7 heed by Jonahs example, who was almoſt drowned in Gods mercy, when it was perverted to declining of duty. Ye ſee how he fared; beware of halting a little, or for a while.
Ver. 9.10.
I will ſacrifice unto thee with the voice of thankſgiving, I will pay that that I have vowed; ſalvation is of the Lord. And the Lord ſpake unto the fiſh, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
Of ſacrificing to the Lord we ſpake on chap. 1.16. as alſo of making vows. And on v. 17. we ſpake of the powerful and preſent providence of God, how it reacheth to all the creatures, even the fiſhes of the ſea. Therefore the leſs is to be ſpoken now.
Note. Difference of godly and ungodly.But for farther edification note thus: There is much difference between the purpoſes of the godly and the wicked in regard of afflictions. 1. The wicked purpoſe well while under the rod, and in great danger; the godly when they have now eſcaped; viz. Jonah was now got out of ſhipwrack, and ſaith he will ſacrifice and pay vows: but of the Mariners we hear no more. A man hereby may gueſs ſomething of the frame of his heart 2. The wicked make vows, but the godly ſay they will pay their vows. In caſe of revenge perhaps, or of ſome wickedneſs, a wicked man will do it becauſe he hath vowed it, as he ſaith; but in caſe of religiouſneſs he will take more leiſure; and think of it ten times or an hundred times, before he will do it once. There is another tryal of your hearts.
I will ſacrifice with the voice of thankſgiving.
So David ſometimes, I will offer unto th…e bullocks and lamb…, and tell of all thy wondrous works: Come children, I will tell you what he hath done for my ſoul; I will not hide his righteouſneſs, and his doings from the great Congregation; I will praiſe the Lord among the faithful, and in the aſſembly.
Note. …ſe expreſſions of thankfulneſs.A godly man ought to be thankful for mercies, and to uſe expreſſions of his thankfulneſs. Indeed the marrow of thankfulneſs lies in the heart and they are hypocrites who are all in good words: but where the heart is right, and inditing a good matter, the tongue may well be allowed to be the pen of a ready writer; yea, muſt interpret the mind in way of thankfulneſs.
Of this ſee ſomething in Pſal. 37.30, 31. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wiſdom, and his tongue talketh of judgement. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his ſteps ſhall ſlide. Eph. 4 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the uſe of edifying, that it, may miniſter grace to the hearers. Col. 4.6. Let your speech be alwayes with grace, ſeaſoned with ſalt, that ye may know how ye ought to anſwer every man.
Which ſerves to reprove the barrenneſs of good ſpeech that appears in ſome of the godly, Uſe. Reproof. thankful for …he mercies of God, prize them, meditate on them, magnifie the love from which they come, and mean to follow on in a way of real thankfulneſs according to their calling; but fail in this, that they utter not the voice of thankſgiving when and where it concerns them ſometime to teſtifie their gratitude, or ſpeak to the edification of others.Mat. 12.35. A fault, and ſhould be mended: A good man out of the treaſure of his heart ſhould bring forth good things; not only actions, but ſpeeches. How elſe ſhall the lips of the righteous feed many? or how ſhall Idolaters be confronted, profane perſons brow-beaten, or religious friends edified, excited unto the like thankfulneſs, provoked to be active as well as our ſelves? but a meer dulneſs muſt lie upon our ſpirits, to be very little ſerviceable in our generation, or in the place of our abode.
I confeſs there is too much tattle among ſome that profeſs the beſt things; either for cenſoriouſneſs, or running over Town and Country in diſcourſe, ſuch as it is, and it were well if ſome talked leſs, except it were to the purpoſe,foreign for edifying in godlineſs. Take heed, Chriſtians of both ſexes, and remember this voice of thankſgiving: either hold your peace, or ſpeak things better then ſilence; that is, things uſeful in one kind or other.
I will pay that that I have vowed.
Note. Fulfil gracious promiſes.A godly man is careful to do for God as he hath promiſed; as he hath engaged by his word, ſo he remembers to anſwer his engagement. Now and then he runs in debt with God by promiſing, and is ſo honeſt as to pay his debts; as Jonah here, ſo David in Pſal. 119.106. I have ſworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgment.
Reaſ. 1 The reaſon is, 1. God commands to be as honeſt in performing, as we ſeemed religious in promiſing▪ Vow, Reaſ. 2 and pay to the Lord your God, Pſal. 76.11. 2. God expects the performance of lawful vows and promiſes; as from Reaſ. 3 Jacob, G… 5.1. 3. A good ſoul feels it ſelf bound with a bond to do as he hath ſaid; I have spoken, and cannot go back, Reaſ. 4 ſaith Jepihah; ſee Num. 30.3. 4. As it feels a bond tying, ſo it finds a grace enabling, and putting on to the performance. Believers are a willing people, each of them ſaith; Thy law is within my heart; Pſal. 110.3, 40, 8.I will ſing and give praiſe, and offer ſacrifice.
Uſe 1 What Chriſtians then are they who are free in their vowing, but ſlack in their performing? for inſtance, the ſick promiſes of ſick men, who in danger of death talk of great matters if they may recover, but upon recovery do little or nothing as they ſaid: the Miniſter and other neighbours can ſee no amendment, and their own conſciences tell them they have but dodged with God; and God who is greater then their conſciences, knows they did but flatter with their double hearts and tongues: al was ſelf, and the getting out of his hands. So they live to increaſe their ſin, and his wrath for ſin; if they had dyed of that ſickneſs, they had had leſs guilt upon their foul ſouls, and leſs puniſhment to be endured in hell.
Uſe 2 Take heed▪ and receive the word of exhortation: If there be any truth in thy heart, ſhew it by paying what thou haſt vowed. Upon recovery, or eſcape, or receiving of a child, or whatever drew forth thy vow, remember and be ſure to do it. Jonahs example is here recorded for thy imitation; Go, and do thou likewiſe. Luke 10 37.Thou ſayeſt thou art honeſt; now every honeſt man will pay his debts ſo far as he is able; and ſo wilt thou if honeſt indeed.
And it is well known, that the thing vowed is fit to be done: As for example,
1. Thy whole ſelf, dedicated and devoted to God in Baptiſm; and the vow is afterward renewed in affliction, or at the Lords Supper, or at a Faſt, Neh. 9. ult. and it is a mercy that thou art engaged to God as one of his family, of which he takes care, and on which he hath ſetled many high priviledges; and thou expecteſt all thoſe benefits. But remember, covenants uſe to be reciprocal, and bind both parties; ſo here, If God muſt be bound, thou muſt not be looſe.
2. All the obedience which poſſibly thou canſt yield unto God; to be loved with all thy heart, and all thy ſoul, and all thy mind, and all thy ſtrength. We place not lawful vows in Counſels, but Precepts; all to be done conſcionably, and in an entire manner, not luſt with the heart, &c. And it will be both thy ſincerity and ſafety, to aim at an univerſal obedience, Pſal. 119.6. Then ſhall I not be aſhamed when I have respect to all thy Commandments.
What remains but that every one remember his vow, and pay it to the Lord his God? And if any mean indeed to do it, let us have no more delays as formerly. When thou haſt vowed a vow to God, defer not to pay it, Eccl. 5 4. Dely breeds danger. One place ſhall conclude this point, Deut. 23.21, 22, 23. When thou ſhalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou ſhalt not ſlack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will ſurely require it of thee, and i… would be ſin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou ſhalt keep and perform, even a free-will offering according as thou haſt vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou haſt promiſed w…th thy mouth.
Salvation is of the Lord. Or, Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, Note. God the Author of our ſalvation.Pſal. 3.8. Or, He is the God of our ſalvation, Pſal. 68.19. God is the Author of ſalvation to his people.
1. Temporal ſalvation, as here Jonah; the good man confeſſeth with the voice of thankſgiving, that this his eſcape out of the ſea and Whale is meerly of the goodneſs of God; none could do it but God alone, nor for us when we are ſick or otherwiſe grievouſly afflicted. God is, and beſide him there is no Saviour, Eſa. 40.11. namely out of bondage in Egypt, out of the captivity of Babylon, and other dangers.
2. Spiritual and eternal ſalvation, as to all the Elect; who were never in a Whales belly, but in a worſe caſe by far, Heb. 5.9. Chriſt became the Author of ſalvation to them that obey him. Mat. 1.21.He is Jeſus, and ſaves his people from their ſins; from the damnation of their ſins, from the curſe of the Law, the wrath of God, and the brimſtone of hell.
Uſe. Which inſtructeth unto thankfulneſs, as here we ſee in Jonah, now delivered from death, who bleſſeth God for his deliverance.Pſal. 68.19. Say thou alſo, Bleſſed be the Lord who loadeth us daily with benefits, even the God of our ſalvation. 1. They are ſweet and precious benefits; health out of ſickneſs, freedom from priſon and other comfortable changes. 2. There is plenty of them, a load of benefits with great variety, and to our great contentment. 3. Their continuance, daily benefits, and more every day, and night, and hour, and moment of our lives. 4. The extent of them, or how far they reach us; that is, all the people of God, and all the creatures in general. God is a great Benefactor and Houſe-keeper, and ought accordingly to be magnified. Remember, and do. Theſe are raviſhing and filling meditations to them that ſhall duly conſider the courſe of providence.
But eſpecially to them that are heirs of eternal ſalvation. Think what it is to have Chriſt for a Saviour, and what it is to have eſcaped thoſe helliſh enemies, and damned miſchiefs which befal Reprobates:Luke 1.46. Say with Mary, My ſoul doth magnifie the Lord, and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour; Say as Paul, Eph. 1.3.Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Christ, who hath bleſſed me with all spiritual bleſſings in heavenly places in him; and as Peter, Bleſſed be God who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten me again unto a lively hope by the reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, &c. 1 Pet. 1.3.Theſe are good forms of thankſgiving: but the matters are infinitely precious, and highly to be prized.
2. It ſerves to comfort good and thankful ſouls; as the Uſe 2 bleſſed Virgin rejoyced in God her Saviour. Comfort.There is comfort in an outward deliverance, ſuch as 88. or 1605. but much more in a spiritual, from ſin and Satan, and all thoſe woful torments; ſo the joy ſhould be heartier, and purer, and enlarged abundantly toward the Author, Pſal. 32.11. Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous, be glad and ſhout for joy, Phil. 4.4.all ye that are upright in heart. Not ſimply the gift, but the Giver, to be highly magnified; Rejoyce in the Lord alway, and again I ſay rejoyce. Theſe are good diſcriminations from carnal joy, ſo to look to the benefit, and by it to the Founder; as David, when he had ſung the works of God, concluded, My meditation of him ſhall be ſweet.Pſal. 104.34.
3. It ſerves to help our faith in dangers, and againſt Uſe. 3 temptations: Truſt in this God of ſalvation, Confidence.both for ſoul and body; we may well caſt all our care on him, to ſecure both. And we need not doubt in the leaſt, though hell raiſe many ſtorms, and the world as many, and our own unbelieving hearts caſt doubts now and then, yet fear nothing: he hath both deviſed and wrought ſalvation for us, and keeps it ſafely for us, 1 Pet. 1.5.
Laſtly, a ſoul that hath any ſad thoughts and cares about Uſe 4 his ſalvation, ſees hereby whether to look and turn, and where to ſpeed of ſalvation; look to Jehovah who is complete in all his Attributes, Promiſes, Relations, Ordinance, Diſpenſation; eſpecially in Chriſt the Mediator between God and man, and a moſt loving Saviour to diſtreſſed ſouls.
The Lord ſpake unto the fiſh, and it vomited out Jonah upon dry land.
The voice of the Lord is powerful and mighty in operation; ſee Pſal. 29.3.
Note. Gods voice very powerful. 1.1. This is utteted of the written word of God, Heb. 4.12. In the hand of the Spirit it is able to convince of a bad eſtate, to convert, to confirm, to comfort, to recover out of great falls, and in fine to ſave a ſoul; yea, by hundreds and thouſands, Act. 2.
2. It is true alſo of the creation and providence of God; he makes and upholds all things by the word of his power; Heb. 1.3.by the word of the Lord the heavens were created, and all the hoſts of them: he ſends forth his word, and they are made, and at his word they return to their duſt.
Specially his providence to his Church and Choſen: Thou art our King O God, Pſal. 44.4.command deliverance for Jacob. He ſpake to Eſau and Laban, and they refrained from Jacob; he ſpake to the ſpirit of Cyrus, and he ſent back the captivity of Judah; he ſpake to the feavers in way of rebuke, and they left the ſick perſons; Speak the word only, and my ſervant ſhall be healed. Here he ſpake to the fiſh, and Jonah came to dry land.
Uſe 1 Pſal. 29.9.Worthily therefore in his Temple doth every one speak of his glory, as a moſt fit Object of our admiration and adoration. None among the gods is to be compared to the Lord, none of them is like unto our God: holy and reverend is his Name; Oh for hearts lifted up in his praiſes, and raviſhed with his glories!
Uſe 2 And Oh for hearts to truſt in him amidſt all our dangers and difficulties! It is as eaſie for him to deliver if he pleaſe, as for us to let fall a word; to reſtrain an enemy, to heal a diſeaſe, to ſupply our wants, to Comfort our hearts: Only believe, All things are poſſible to him that believeth.
So in thoſe main truths of the Goſpel.
1. That Chriſt roſe again from the dead the third day, as here did Jonah; the ſame God that ſpake to the fiſh, and Jonah got to dry land, did ſpeak to death and the grave, and Chriſt got into the land of the living. Remember thy Type, and how it was anſwered; As Chriſt roſe again by his own power, ſo alſo by the power of his Father.
2. That we alſo ſhall riſe again at the laſt day;Ezek. 37.1. we believe the reſurrection of the dead. Why? God will speak to dry bones, and they ſhall come bone to bone, and …ive, and ſtand up, and be a great army. If we believe the Scriptures and the power of God, we will never ſtick to believe this Article.
3. That collapſed Churches ſhall be raiſed again, as there, Judah in captivity. Apply it to the Churches of Bohemiah, and other now fallen.
4. That diſtreſſed conſciences ſhall be relieved in due time: God will ſpeak peace to his people, and will revive the ſpirit of the contrite ones.
5. That broken Trades and Eſtates ſhall be reſtored when God pleaſeth; he will reſtore the years of the Locuſt and Caterpillar: Only if we believe and obey, Eſa. 1.19, 20. If ye be willing and obedient, ye ſhall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuſe and rebel, ye ſhall be devoured with the ſword, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.