Newes from Niniue to Englande, brought by the prophete Ionas vvhich newes in plainlye published in the godly and learned exposition of Maister Iohn Brentius folovving, translated out of Latine into Englishe by Thomas Tymme minister.

BVT the LORDE prepared a great Fishe to swallowe vppe IONAS.* 1.1

THis sentence comprehendeth few wor∣des, but if we cōsider, and marke them well, they bring vnto vs great comfort,

and consolation in al aduersities and trou∣bles. For wheras the Text sayth, not sim∣plie, that IONAS was cast into the sea, and deuoured of the fish, but that the Lord prepared a fishe, which swalowed vp IO∣NAS: it manifestlye declareth, that the clemencie and prouidence of the Lorde is so great, in preseruing his people, and de∣fending his Church, that he will suffer no hurt, or harme to happen vnto them, vn∣lesse he haue appoynted, and prouided a meane and waye before, by the which hée may preserue and deliuer them: the which thing both the examples and promises of scripture doe testifie. Among examples, let this which we haue here of IONAS, be the first. For although the Lorde was angrye with IONAS for his disobedi∣ence: yet notwithstanding, bicause he ac∣knowledgeth him, not onely for a member of his Church, but also for a Prophete be∣loued of him, he prepareth for him a lod∣ging, or guest Chamber in the sea, before he was cast into the same. For he woulde neuer haue suffered the Mariners to cast IONAS into the sea, vnlesse he had fore∣séene,

and prouided first a meane, by the which hée might preserue him in the sea, and deliuer him againe. Another example we haue in the Israelites, who were op∣pressed many yeares, vnder the cruell ty∣rannie of Pharao in Aegypt: and yet not∣withstanding, they were the people or Church of God. But vnlesse God had foresene and prouided a way, by the which he might deliuer them, from so cruell ty∣ranny, he would neuer haue suffred them to haue come into Aegypt, and to haue béene there afflicted. For that he had pro∣uided such a meane before his people went into Aegypt and were there afflicted, it is euident by the fiftene of Genesis,* 1.2 where it is fayde vnto Abraham. Thy séede shall be a straunger in a lande that appertey∣neth not vnto them. And shall serue them, and they shall intreate them euill foure hundred yeares. But afterward they shall come out with great substaunce. Here we may sée that God had appoynted a meane to deliuer them out of affliction before they were afflicted.

An other example we haue in the Ci∣tizens

of Hierusalem. For it was appoin∣ted, that within a hundred yeares or there aboutes after the death of Ezechias, Hie∣rusalem should be destroyed of the Babi∣lonians, & the Citizens caried into capti∣uity. But before this thing came to passe, y^e lord prepared Cyrus to be their deliuerer, of whom Esay prophecied,* 1.3 the said Cyrus being yet vnborne, and promised deliue∣rance to his church, before affliction came.

For of so great prise is the Church or Congregation of the Lorde vnto him, that he winketh not at the aduersaries, but pu∣nisheth them in the ende, and deliuereth his Church from all trouble and vexation. And therefore also the Prophete Ieremie prophecied the certaine time of the deliue∣rance of the people out of Babilon, saying that they shoulde be set frée the seuenth hundreth yeare.

But the speciall example is of Christ Iesus the sonne of God, for he suffered the most shamefull death of the Crosse. But before he tooke vpon him our humaine na∣ture, and was borne of the virgin, the pro∣phets preached of his death, resurrection,

and kingdome. As wée maye reade in the thrée and fiftie Chapter of Esay, and in many other places.* 1.4 For God so loued his onely begotten sonne, that he woulde not haue suffered the Iewes so cruelly to haue put him to death, vnlesse he had before ap∣poynted and determined how to saue and deliuer him.

But some man will say: I graunt in déede that this hapned to Christ the sonne of God, to IONAS likewise, and to other Prophetes, and holy men. [Obiect.] But I am so abiect, base, and contemned, that he hath no care, respect, or regard vnto me. Again, my sinnes and offences are so heynous, that God careth not what euill happeneth vnto mée, his wrath is so kindled against me. We are truely contemned,* 1.5 if we con∣sider our corporall estate, and our sinnes no doubt doe prouoke the wrath of God a∣gainst vs. But he which reiecteth sinners for their sinne, he also receyueth sinners through repentaunce. And although as touching our corporall estate, we are ab∣iect, and subiect to death: yet notwithstan∣ding, if we be of the Church of Christ,

then are we in the sight of God an excel∣lent treasure. Wherefore, we must séeke by all meanes to come to repentance, and to be members of the Church of Christ, The which thing we shall bring to passe, when we acknowledging our sinnes, em∣brace Iesus Christ, by a true fayth, and walke by this fayth, in inuocation and cal∣ling vpon God, and in good workes, which God hath commaunded. In so doing, all the promises of the care and prouidence of God mentioned in holy scripture pertaine vnto vs.* 1.6 I liue sayth the Lorde, and will not the death of a sinner, but rather that hée turne from his wickednesse, and liue. The Lorde is nigh vnto all those that are of a contrite heart,* 1.7 and an humble spirite. Moreouer,* 1.8 the Lorde is nigh vnto all those that call vpon him. And our sauiour Christ sayth.* 1.9 All the heares of your heade are numbred.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The text.
• * 1.2

  Gene. 15.
• * 1.3

  Esay. 44. and .45.
• * 1.4

  Esay. 53.
• * 1.5

  Respond.
• * 1.6

  EZech. 33.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 33.
• * 1.8

  Ier. 3. lamen
• * 1.9

  Math. 10.