A sermon preached at the funeral of reverend Mr. Will. Whitaker, late minister of…

The Prophet begins this Book with the heads of a ⟨p. 2⟩Sermon of Repentance, which he prefixeth as a Preface to his other Prophecies, both of mercy, and judgement. And that fitly, Repentance being the only preparative for Mercy, and the only means to escape Judgement. He enforceth his Exhortation to repentance, from the consideration of Gods displeasure against their Fathers, Verse 2. and from the hope of his former favour to them, Verse 3. and that they should not imitate their Fathers in contemning of God, Verse 4. for though their Fathers dye, and the Prophets that admonished them were all dead, yet the Word is permanent in all ages, and the truth of it appeared in the effects, which are yet to be seen, Verse 5, 6.

I find a threefold Interpretation of the words; and though the last I shall name, is that which I conceive to be the right, yet I will not conceal the other two, and I shall tell you anon, why. Some take these words to be Gods insulting over the Jews, as if he should say, Now bethink your selves what befell your Fathers, are they not all extinct, and destroyed? to which the Jews as it were answer, What do you tell us of our Fathers? what difference is between them and the Prophets that preached against them, are they not both dead? to which God as it were replies, though they are both dead and gone, yet his word did not want its effects upon their fathers. This Exposition is received by many, and those that are most ancient.

I find a threefold Interpretation of the words; and though the last I shall name, is that which I conceive to be the right, yet I will not conceal the other two, and I shall tell you anon, why. Some take these words to be Gods insulting over the Jews, as if he should say, Now bethink your selves what befell your Fathers, are they not all extinct, and destroyed? to which the Jews as it were answer, What do you tell us of our Fathers? what difference is between them and the Prophets that preached against them, are they not both dead? to which God as it were replyes, though they are both dead and gone, yet his word did not want its effects upon their fathers. This Exposition is received by many, and those that are most antient.