An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

First, Because God in these administrations, doth chiefly regard his own honour and greatness, not our deserts. Now because God is a great God, therefore his mercy is great mercy; his comforts are great comforts: Though thou art not worthy to have such, yet it beseemeth Gods glory and greatness to give such. Wonder not then at the supports and comforts which Gods people may have, even in the Whales belly, where there seemeth to be no hope: For, consider who it is that giveth them, from what fountain they flow, even the Lord Christ, the fountain of all fullness, for his people; and then you will say, Our cruce is too little to receive all the oil he could create for us. So that the afflicted soul hath this encouragement in prayer; Lord, I ask no more then a great God is able to give; though I am unworthy to receive it, yet thou art worthy to be exalted, as the great God, who can as easily give great comforts as little comforts. God can as easily give an Ocean as a drop.

First, Because God in these administrations, doth chiefly regard his own honour and greatnesse, not our deserts. Now because God is a great God, therefore his mercy is great mercy; his comforts are great comforts: Though thou art not worthy to have such, yet it beseemeth Gods glory and greatnesse to give such. Wonder not then at the supports and comforts which Gods people may have, even in the Whales belly, where there seemeth to be no hope: For, consider who it is that giveth them, from what fountain they flow, even the Lord Christ, the fountain of all fulnesse, for his people; and then you will say, Our cruce is too little to receive all the oyl he could create for us. So that the afflicted soul hath this encouragement in prayer; Lord, I ask no more then a great God is able to give; though I am unworthy to receive it, yet thou art worthy to be exalted, as the great God, who can as easily give great comforts as little comforts. God can as easily give an Ocean as a drop.

Secondly, It belongs to the faithfulness of God in his Promises, to make comforts abound, where sufferings. For, by what reason God out of his faithfulness ¹will give any support at all, by the same reason he will double and treble his consolations as need requireth. It is a rule among the Schools, Sicutse habet simpliciter ad simpliciter, ita magis ad magis, & maximum ad maximum. Now then, as God hath promised and engaged to support under sufferings, so also as these do abound, his comforts must abound; otherwise, his people would be overcome by their temptations, which is against his Promise. For as such a degree of heat will not warm cold water, unless it be made more intense; so neither will comfort simply, unless made more and increased, serve against grievous afflictions. An ordinary boat would not be like the Ark, when that deluge of waters did overflow: This support, this joy thou hast now, would not serve, if God should exercise thee with greater trials. The widows food of Sarepta might have served her in an ordinary way, but when the famine came, and no supply could be had, then her stock would quickly be spent. Therefore urge God, and say, Lord, if thou bringest me in a wilderness, thou wilt provide Manna for me; by what reason thou givest me any comfort, give