Exposition of Jonah, Title page – Dedication
A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION OF THE Hiſtorical Propheſie OF JONAH: Delivering ſundry brief Notes in a Curſory way concerning the mind of the Holy Ghoſt in the ſeveral Paſſages.
Hard things exerciſe the Reader, Plain things nouriſh him.
Imprimatur.
June 5. 1665.
LONDON: Printed by L. Miller for John Chandler, Bookſeller in Reading. 1666.
To the Right Worſhipful my much honored Friend, The Lady Cecilia Knollys, All Health and Happineſs in the Lord.
IT is a very comfortable priviledge (good Madam) vouchſafed to ſincere and faithful Chriſtians, that being planted in the houſe of the Lord, Pſal. 92.14.they ſhall ſtill bring forth fruit in old age; when other trees grow doddick and paſt fruit-bearing, theſe trees of Righteouſneſs (by a ſingular bleſſing from God) ſhall be able to yield the fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5 21.for the honor of God who planted them, and for the good of that Chriſtian community whereof they are members. They are more in prayer, and more in magnifying the grace whereby they ſtand; more in their meditations of God and the things of God; more in their preparations for death, and for an entrance into the everlaſting Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt; more in imparting experiences of the gracious dealings of God with themſelves and others, for helping the troubled ſpirits of their brethren; more free in Alms-deeds and all good uſes, according to ability; more mortified to the world, and to their paſſions; more profitable to the Church in whoſe proſperity they rejoyce, and grieve in the adverſity: and better redeem the time whereof they ſee ſo little remaining.
Though they be infeſted with their infirmities of old age, and with divers incumbrances of the world, yet even in old age they mind the doing of good, yea more good then they were wont to do; as willing to the uttermoſt (while they may) to ſhew forth the praiſes of Him who hath called them out of darkneſs into his marvellous1 Pet. 2 9. light. The recompence of reward draws nearer and nearer, and in little time will be fully in their poſſeſſion; therefore for the inch of time that remains in this tabernacle, they will work as faſt as they can, with all faithfulneſs, carefulneſs, and chearfulneſs.
And this their priviledge ſtands upon ſundry unmoveable grounds, as, The eternal love and counſel of God, who enables them to perſevere and be fruitful; The meritorious interceſſion and powerful grace of Jeſus Chriſt,John 15.5. in whom they are as branches in their Vine: The effectual working of Gods bleſſed Spirit, who is promiſed to abide with them for ever: 14.16.The immortal and incorruptible ſeed of the word, 1 Pet. 1.13.whereof they are born again, and cannot periſh for ever: The faithful and ſtedfaſt Covenant of grace,Jer. 32.40. which as it engageth God never to depart from them, but do them good, ſo it warrants them freſh abilities, that they ſhall never depart from their God, together with promiſes in particular; and divers helps both to hold out to the end, and to bring forth fruit ſtill in old age.
This I write (good Madam) to comfort you in this your age, and againſt the many infirmities which accompany it. The Lord adde unto your days abundantly, and give you yet to ſee the peace of his Jeruſalem. Many good fruits you have born already, and we rejoyce in ſeeing them; your love to the Houſe and Ordinances of God, which ſometimes you frequent with danger to your health; your love to godly Miniſters, whom you eſteem worthy of double honour; the religious ordering of your Family; the careful obſervation of the Lords Day, which with many is almoſt out of requeſt; the large proviſion you make weekly for poor people, with other good fruits, which will abound to your account in that great day of Jeſus Chriſt.Phil. 4.17. Go on (good Madam) and never be weary in well-doing,Gal. 6.9. in due time you ſhall reap if you faint not; and (according to the premiſſes) you ſhall be ſure in this holy way never to faint; for, the way of the Lord is ſtrength to the upright, Prov. 10.29.and the whole ſtream of the Scriptures runs for your encouragement.
At this time I make bold to preſent your Ladyſhip with theſe brief and plain Meditations, and pray your acceptance, as from one who deſires to acknowledge the grace of God in you, and to help you along to the end of your courſe with much joy and aſſurance, humbly taking my leave in preſent, and unto death remaining
Your Ladyſhips obliged, William Jemmat.