What time Jonah exercised the office of a teacher, may after a sort be gathered out of the 14. Chapter of the second Book of the Kings. For certain it is that this was he, whom the holy scripture in that place doth name: because expressly he is called the son of Amittai. For there it is said that Jeroboam the son of Joas enlarged the bounds of the kingdom, from the entrance into Hemath, unto the Sea of the wilderness, according to the word of Jonah the servant of God, the son of Amittai, which was borne in Geth. It followeth therefore, that then or a little before, this Jonah prophesied. And certain it is, that not only was he sent unto the Ninevites, but among the people of Israel also he held the room of a Prophet or Teacher. And the same thing which I say, seemeth he to grant at the beginning of this Book, even that he was an ordinary Prophet in Israel, because he beginneth with a Conjunction copulative. &c. saying: And the word of the Lord came to Jonah. So also sometime speaketh the holy Chose: But I do not doubt ⟨image 10⟩but Jonah signifieth that he was called from his accustomed office, and a new prophecy enjoined him. viz: that he might denounce unto the Ninevites their destruction even at hand, as hereafter we shall perceive. Now therefore it is to be holden that Jonah taught among the Israelites, and this to be commanded him by the Lord, that he should go down to the Ninevites. But of this commandment in due order we shall see more: it is sufficient to hold this that he was not at that only time created a Prophet, when he was appointed a Teacher to the Ninevites. But that he was then sent to the Ninevites, when as long time he had bestowed his labour in the service of God and his Church. This book is partly Historical, and partly instruction, or didascalye•. For he declareth what came to pass unto him after that he would fly from the calling of God: and afterward, also what was the effect or end of his Prophecy: and all this is one part. But in the mean time he showeth what kind of doctrine he was commanded to deliver, or carry to the Ninevites: In the end he writeth a song of thanksgiving. Therefore this later part containeth the doctrine, and is not a simple narration only, Now I come to the words.
WHat tyme Ionas exercised the office of a teacher, maye after a sorte be gathered out of the 14. Chapter of the seconde Booke of the Kings. For certaine it is that this was hee, whome the holye scripture in that place doth name: because expressie hée is called the sonne of Amittai. For there it is sayd that Ieroboam the sonne of Ioas enlarged the boundes of the kingdome, from the entrance into Hemath, vnto ye Sea of the wildernesse, according to the worde of Ionas the seruaunt of God, the sonne of Amittai, which was borne in Geth. It foloweth therefore, that then or a lytle before, this Ionas prophecied. And certaine it is, that not onely was he sent vnto the Nineuites, but among the people of Israel also he helde the roome of a Prophete or Teacher. And the same thing which I saye, seemeth he to graunt at the beginning of this Booke, euen that he was an ordinarie Prophete in Israel, because he beginneth with a Coniunction copulatiue. &c. saying: And the worde of the Lorde came to Ionas. So also sometyme speaketh the holie Chosse: But I do not doubte ⟨image 10⟩but Ionas signifieth that he was called from his accustomed office, and a new prophecie enioyned him. viz: that he might deuounce vnto the Nineuites their destruction euen at hande, as hereafter we shall perceyue. Nowe therefore it is to be holden that Ionas taught among the Israelits, and this to be commaunded him by the Lorde, that he shoulde goe downe to the Nineuites. But of this commaundement in due order we shall sée more: it is sufficient to holde this that he was not at that onely time created a Prophete, when he was appointed a Teacher to the Nineuites. But that he was then sent to the Nineuites, when as long tyme he had bestowed his labour in the seruice of God and his Church. This booke is partlie Historicall, and partlie instruction, or didascalye•. For he declareth what came to passe vnto him after that he woulde flye from the calling of God: and afterwarde, also what was the effect or ende of his Prophecie: and all this is one parte. But in the meane tyme he sheweth what kinde of doctrine he was commaunded to delyuer, or carie to the Nineuites: In the ende he wryteth a song of thanksgeuing. Therefore this later parte containeth the doctrine, and is not a simple narration onely, Nowe I come to the wordes.
