Two sermons preached by Master Henry SmithTvvo sermons preached by Master Henry Smith

There are three things that moved me to take this story in hand above all others. First, because you know the story, and therefore can the better conceive of the matter, as I go forward with it. Secondly, because it is brief, and doth contain a great deal in a little. Thirdly, because it is most agreeable for the time and state of this sinful age wherein we live, and therefore most convenient for us. It is manifest that Jonah lined in a very troublesome time, namely, in the time of Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel, a wicked King, though not he that is called the Jeroboam that made Israel to sin. For of this second Jeroboam, in whose time he prophesied, it is written, 2. King. 14. 24. he departed not from any of the sins of Jeroboam that made Israel to sin; which commendeth the holiness of Jonah, in that he in the middest of the corruption wherewithal the people were overflown, was uncorrupted and unspotted, and called to be a Prophet amongst the people of God. For he had prophesied in Israel before he was sent to Nineveh, as the word also doth argue; which layeth open and magnifieth the great love of God, in that he sent a Prophet ¹to admonish this ungodly people, when as he should have sent a thunder-bolt to terrify them, or rather utterly to destroy them; so that there mercy stepped before judgement.

There are three things that mooued mee to take this story in hand aboue all others. First, because you know the story, and therefore can the better conceiue of the matter, as I goe forward with it. Secondly, because it is briefe, and doth containe a great deale in a little. Thirdly, because it is most agreeable for the time and state of this sinful age wherein we liue, and therefore most cunenient for vs. Jt is manifest that Ionah lined in a very troublesome time, namely, in the time of Ieroboam the soune of Ioash King of Israel, a wicked King, though not hee that is called the Ieroboam that made Israel to sinne. For of this second Ieroboam, in whose time he prophecied, it is written, 2. King. 14. 24. he departed not from any of the sinnes of Ieroboam that made Israel to sin; which commendeth the holinesse of Ionah, in that he in the middest of the corruption wherewithall the people were ouerflowne, was vncorrupted and vnspotted, and called to be a Prophet amongst the people of God. For he had prophecied in Israel before he was sent to Niniuie, as the word also doth argue; which laieth open and magnifieth the great loue of God, in that he sent a Prophet