Two sermons, of Jonahs punishmentTwo sermons, of Ionahs punishment

The lot fallen upon Jonah the justice of God (both manifesting the truth incorruptly, and chastising his disobedient servant severely) did appear: but with all singular mercy shined, and the mariners minds were mollified, in that they sacrificed him not to Satan, but much more, that he by that means truly repented. In so much that the old idolatrous mariners presently by him were converted, and he cast into the Sea, was not drowned; swallowed of the Whale, and three days continuing therein, perished not, but miraculously was preserved, and most graciously cast on land safe: and lastly, crying against Nineveh, that sinful City, had his preaching so mightily prevailing, that he wonderfully humbled them all. This mercy was marvellous, this goodness of God to Jonah most glorious. For the Ninevites hearing; Yet forty days, and ⟨image 22⟩¹Nineveh shall be overthrown, first as the mariners had before done, believed the word of God, though they never heard it before. If we heard the word of God preached as the mariners and Ninevites did, with trembling harts in the sense of Gods Majesty, it would not be but we should feel the power of it lively, and filled with all joy in believing speedily, but uneffectuall and fruitless is preaching, because there is nothing almost but unreverent and senseless hearing. And why should God teach the heedless to learn? Why should he give pearls to dung-hill cocks, nay to very swine? But they believed the word as soon as they heard it, though they never heard it before what doth that argue: Surely it showeth, that the foolish and simple are more diligent and ready, both to hear and receive the word of God, then those that are wise in their own conceit, or also in the view of the world. What saith Christ? The poor receive the Gospel. What saith Paul? Not many rich, not many wise. For though we have ²knowledge, if our knowledge be like the Pharisees, that is in show of sincerity only, in counterfeit holiness, and hollow-hearted friendship through hypocrisy, it had bin better for us that we had bin ignorant, for it will but leave us, the more inexcusable, it will be found insufficient to save us, but sufficient the more fearfully to condemn us because we know our masters will and do it not. There fore as Peter said to Simon Magus, Thy money perish with thee:

The lot fallen vpon Ionah the iustice of God (both manifesting the truth incorruptly, and chastising his disobedient seruant seuerely) did appeare: but with all singular mercie shined, and the mariners mindes were mollified, in that they sacrificed him not to Sathan, but much more, that hee by that meanes truely repented. In so much that the old idolatrous mariners presently by him were conuerted, and hee cast into the Sea, was not drowned; swallowed of the Whale, and three daies continuing therein, perished not, but miraculously was preserued, and most graciously cast on land safe: and lastly, crying against Niniuie, that sinfull Citie, had his preaching so mightily preuailing, that hee wonderfully humbled them all. This mercie was maruailous, this goodnesse of God to Ionah most glorious. For the Niniuites hearing; Yet fortie daies, and