An oversight, and deliberation upon the holy prophet JonahAn ouersight, and deliberacion vpon the holy prophete Ionas

Of this text we learn, first how horrible and wicked the perverseness of our nature is, seeing Jonah (I can not tell upon what love towards him self,) is angry: and not with man, but with God, that would ⟨image 176⟩favour of mercy, the sorrowful Ninevites. Seeing there was such imperfection and infirmities in the holy Saints, how much need have we to see what lieth in us miserable and wretched sinners?

Of thys text we learne, first how horrible and wycked the peruersenes of oure nature is, seyng Ionas (I can not tel vpon what loue towards him selfe,) is angrye: and not wyth man, but with God, that wold ⟨image 176⟩fauoure of mercy, the sorowful Niniuites. Seyng ther was suche imperfeccion and infyrmities in the holye Sayntes, how much nede haue we to see what lyeth in vs myserable and wr•tched synners?

Out of this text also we learn what difficulty & hardness is in the office of preaching, if it be truly and well done: continually whether it happen and come to pass that he speaketh, or it come not to pass, the preacher standeth in danger of obloquy and contempt: We may see an example hereof in Jonah that preached by the word of God, the destruction of Nineveh: which if it had come so to pass, they would have called Jonah a cruel tyrant, and ⟨p. clxvii⟩seeker of blood. And now that he seeth the city spared, he feareth least he should be accounted a false prophet: not only among his own countrymen the Israelites, but also among the Gentiles, and then all his preaching should be taken for a mockery. This contempt so sore feareth Jonah, and is therewithal so troubled, that he offendeth God grievously. I may accommodate y• same fortune unto my self and others right well. When we speak for a reformation of the church, schools, and policies, In to the church we wish to be put such ministers as can & would teach the doctrine of the apostles, and that they should not be known by their vestments,