Six sermons preachedSixe sermons preached

We have heard how busy Satan is to hinder the course of preaching, by persuading Jonah (with such reasons as seemed strong unto flesh and blood) that he should not go to preach at Nineveh. I have long preached unto the Jews, which are the chosen people of God, and seeing they will not hear me, it is in vain to preach unto these Gentiles, which never heard of God or godliness, and therefore will esteem my words the less. Thus Jonah is loath to loose his labour, and puts in a doubt where he needs not, because he considered not the great power of God in mens hearts. The Ninevites are heathen people, & therefore (saith Jonah) why should I venture my self among them? for seeing mine own countrymen kick against my words, and cannot abide to hear the word, which cometh from the Lord to reprove sin, then how much more shall I be despised ⟨p. 110⟩by these, and persecuted to death. Thus flesh and blood standeth staggering when it should do any good: but when it goeth about to do any mischief, it never thinketh nor considereth why or wherefore it should sin, when as it should be sorry for it before it be committed, even as soon as it is thought upon. When God commands us to do any thing that is holy and good, then we look one upon another as though we cared not who did that, like Peter when he was commanded by our Saviour to take up his cross, he asketh, what shall John do? ¹as if he were unwilling, & would rather that John should do it then he.

We haue heard how busie Sathā is to hinder the course of preaching, by perswading Ionah (with such reasons as seemed strong vnto flesh and blood) that he should not go to preach at Niniuie. I haue long preached vnto the Iewes, which are the chosen people of God, and seeing they will not heare me, it is in vaine to preach vnto these Gentiles, which neuer heard of God or godlines, and therefore will esteeme my words the lesse. Thus Ionah is loath to loose his labour, and puts in a doubt where he needs not, because he considered not the great power of God in mens hearts. The Niniuites are heathen people, & therefore (saith Ionah) why should I venture my selfe among them? for seeing mine owne countrimen kicke against my words, and cannot abide to heare the word, which commeth from the Lord to reproue sinne, then how much more shall I be despised ⟨p. 110⟩