A paraphrasticall explication of the twelve minor prophets. Viz. Hoseah. Joel. Amos. Obadiah. Jonah. Micah. Nahum. Habakkuk. Zephaniah. Haggai. Zechariah. Malachi. / By Da. Stokes. D.D.

CHAP. II.

1. JOnah, in the time of his abode within the Whale, considering the miraculous secu∣ritie that he had, being scarce out of the very mouth of one danger, (of being swallowed up by the sea) and yet presently in the middest of another (in the bellie of a vast, and mon∣strous Fish) did not forget, to make his humble and yet confident prayer to the Lord his God, a kind of Prophetical assurance of his deli∣verie from the Fish, as well as from the Sea.

2. And he framed his prayer to this purpose, I cried unto the Lord, out of that (a) fearful affliction of mine, that streightly compassed me about on every side: and by the life yet left in my bodie, with some degree of inward repose and quiet in my soul, I quickly, and easily perceived, that he had accepted and answered my prayer. Yes, O my Gracious and Mer∣ciful God, Out of the innermost parts of the Whale, wherein I lay as in a kind of Grave, or a

shadow of darknesse like Hell it self for the time: Even thence I cried, and thou wert plea∣sed to give ear to the voice of my groaning in my importunate prayer.

3. Though what relief could I then, in any reason, have expected, when thou hadst cast me into the innermost receptacles, and bo∣some of the vast Seas: where the overflowing of the waters circled me about, and (which was more terrible unto me) my accusing thoughts, in reflection upon thy heavy displeasure, and my rebellious sin,

were like so many waves, and surges that passed over me

, and afflicted my heavy soul. So that(c) what the Royal Prophet once speak in a figure, I find in a more literal, and both sensible and spiritual way made good upon me.

4. How could I then but take up those other words of the same Prophet, wherein (betwixt hope and discomfort) he complains, (d)

that he was cast out of thy sight

, like one out of thy remembrance, and care, and providence. But in this bitter conflict, my faith, and repose in the mercy of God, at last, got the victorie, and then I altered my sad tone, and with some chearfulnesse delivered the hope, that I had to escape this peril, and live to present my hearty

thanks once again in thy holy Temple of Jeru∣salem,

5. All this while my danger continued, and made me recal another passage of the Psalmist, where he saith, (d)

that the waters beset him on every side, to the hazard of his life.

His words might he mine, when I was walled about with the great abysse, and a multitude of weeds (all which strengthened, and collected into one bundle) which seemed ready to wrap about my head, and confine me to my last unquiet bed.

6. For me thought that I went down to the lowest parts of those rocks and promontories, that peep out, like mountains in the sea, and that the earth had barred me out, and excluded me wholly from ever seeing the firm land a∣gain. Yet out of the depth of this miserie, didst thou preserve me alive, O just and powerful Lord, and my most merciful God.

7. When, in the middest of these difficulties, I was ready to faint, and dispair of recoverie, I forgot not to humble my self before God, And my prayer found admittance unto thee, O Lord, and accesse into thy holy Temple.

8 They that perverslie wait upon idols for succour, which are but meer vanities, what do they but, in effect, wilfully relinquish that mercy,

and favour, that is offered to them from hea∣ven?

9. But I will present my self before thee, O God, with the sacrifice of praise and thansgi∣ving, and I will pay my vows unto thee, from whom onely, we may securely hope for mercy, and deliverance.

10. According to this prayer from a peni∣tent, and faithful heart, the Lord upon the third day, commanded the Whale to cast up Ionah upon the drie land (as the grave delive∣red up (f) our Saviour upon the third day, in the garden of Ioseph of Arimathea: and (by his power, and mercie) shall deliver us all, at last, being able to retain us no longer then the great day of the Resurrection, and that gene∣ral Spring, when all the bodies of the Saints shall budd out of the earth (g) incorruptible, though they were sown in corruption.)

Notes

• (a)

  Emphasis est & in Pronomine & in Nomine cum duplici termi∣natione f••m.
• (c)

  Psal. 42. 9.
• (d)

  Psal. 31. 14. & v. 24,
• (d)

  Psal. 69. 1.
• (f)

  Mat. 12. 40.
• (g)

  1 Cor. 15.