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. IV.

1. IN the mean time Ionah (instead of rejoy∣cing, and blessing God for his mercy to∣ward the sad, and penitent Ninivites) discove∣red his great anger, and impatience, and too much respect, and tendernesse of his own ho∣nour, and credit, which he would not have blemished with the wellfare of the Gentiles, against whom he had prophesied. And a strange thing this must needs seem to be, that a Pro∣phet should take it ill, that his Prophesie was seconded with their repentance, or that their repentance should be crowned with so much mercie, and deliverance. Specially, after him∣self had suffered so much for his disobedience and backwardnesse to prophesie to them: and been delivered out of the verie jaws of death, upon his own penitent, and humble supplica∣tion

in his own behalf. For this, though it may be thought to show his tender love to his own people, that, by this repentance, and successe at Nineve, were convinced of what the obsti∣nacie of the Iews deserved at Ierusalem; yet is it an evident Argument of great weaknesse in the Prophet, and great mercie in God, that would pardon such a fault to a weak servant of his, who seemed now to envie that favour to the Gentiles, which God had long before showed himself willing to bestow, though it were to the irritation of the Iews.(a)

2. But Ionah would be like his name, (b) grieved and murmuring where he should not; and displeased with that which pleased God. Nor was this enough, unlesse he made it appear in his very prayer also, where he venters to expostulate with God, and to frame his prayer after this manner. Why didst thou make me a Preacher, or rather a false Prophet to Ninive? Is not this the verie (c) thing, that made me so loath to undertake that office, when I was in Iudaea? Is not this the onely reason, that moved me to fly from thence to Tharsis, that I might be far enough from this unwelcom employment? For I said within my self, and I

knew, that I had reason enough to say, that thou art a gratious God, merciful and slow to anger, and of so great kindnesse, that thou quickly repentest thee of any evil, which thou threatnest to bring upon sinners, if they are ready to repent them of their sins.

3. Now therefore I pray thee, O Lord, rid me of my life, which is a burden, and punishment unto me heavier then death. While I foresee the punishment that I may well think will fall upon my own countrie-men for their im∣penitence, which is now made fowler, by the repentance, and conversation of the Heathen, that knew not the goodnesse, or pleasure of God so well as they did. Therefore I am likely enough for this businesse at Ninive, to be hated by the Israelites, as well as mocked, and derided by the Ninivites, that will look upon me, as one quite out in his Prophesie.

4. Yet the gratious Lord answers not the Prophet according to the heat of his passion, or the errour of his judgement, but in great mercy and meeknesse proposeth this question, Whether he thought, that he had just cause to be angry with him for sparing so great a City upon their true repentance? Which every good man should rather beg by his prayers, then any way be troubled to see it done.

5. But Ionah (having little to answer in his

own defense, amd being willing to see, what would be the final event of this businesse) with∣out any reply left the City, and sitting toward the East-side of it, made himself a little booth there, that he might rest under the shadow of it. while he expected, what would at last become of Ninive, after the 40 daies were expired. Whe∣ther the Citizens would so long persevere in their repentance, and, if they did not, whether Justice would then be showed upon them, whom God seemed now willing to spare, upon their present conversion, and reformation of life.

6. Now, (when the thin slight materials of Jonah his booth began to wither, and fade with heat) the Lord prepared a gourd, (or some shrub, that used to grow in those parts) to come over Ionah, like a Canopie, to shadow, and de∣fend his head from the heat of the Sun, which seemed not a little to afflict him. And with this refreshment under the gourd Ionah was much delighted.

7. But that ease and pleasure was not long to be indulged unto him. For the next day, be∣times in the morning, God prepared also a worm, which by gnawing at the lower parts of his gourd, and so extracting the moisture, was the cause, that it quickly withered away.

8. Moreover at the rising of the Sun, God

sent a soft and (d) still wind the East, that had little, or no motion, or cooling quality, which was the thing that Jonah desired. Be∣sides this warm breath, the son also, with some violence of heat, did beat upon the head of Jonah, and became so troublesom, that it made him ready to faint, and show himself wearie of his life, plainly professing, that it was better for him now to die, then to live. Which seems to be spoken in a passion, as if he thought it an injurie, to be deprived of that benefit of the gourd, which was gratiously afforded him for a time: and considered not that this variety of means might be used, to bring him to the acknowledgement of the truth of Gods judg∣ments, and the sight of his own offences, and demerites.

9. Therefore God said unto Jonah. Is this well done of thee, to discover so much anger, and disturbance of thy self, for a poor little gourd? To which question he gives a rash impa∣tient answer, confessing that he was (e) ex∣treamly angry, even unto death, and did well to be so.

10. Whereupon the Lord said again. Art

thou so affected at the withering of a poor vile gourd of a daies continuance, which neither for the coming up, nor the growth of it, is any way beholden unto thee?

11. And shall not I (the creator, and pre∣server of all things: whose property it is to have mercy upon me, above all my crea∣tures) shall not I be touched with compassion of so great, and populous a City as Ninive? wherein, beside much cattle, there are more then a hundred, and twenty thousand innocent chil∣dren: so simple, and weak, that they cannot distinguish between their right hands and their left: and therefore cannot be thought, by any fault of theirs to call for this heavy destruction upon them. Yet were they all ready to perish in the punishment of their Parents sins, had not they timely repented. What must you then guesse of the number of men, and women of fuller growth, that have appeased my wrath by amendment of life? Which being done, their death, and ruine should not be rashly, and uncharitably desired, to make you seem the truer Prophet: who was not to threaten any people, but with this implicite condition [if they forsook not their sins.]

Notes

• (a)

  Deut. 32. 21.
• (b)

  Dolens, & murmurans ut columba, i. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (c)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 verbum: & rem sigrificat, & causam,
• (d)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 silentem, i. sine m••tu, & frigore.
• (e)

  Verb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ••nterdum ad a••xesin usurpatur.