This is that myracle which the god∣lye Page 27 and faithfull do woonder at, and wher∣at the vngodly and infidels, doe scoffe and iest. Neyther is their any doubt but that Lucian tooke occasion by this place to write and indyte his booke of true Narra∣tions, to the ende he might therby set forth the doctrine and miracles of holy scripture to ye whole world, to be derided, and iested at. But that scoffing Lucian, and wicked Ethnicke, receyued a iust rewarde of hys impietie. But let vs vnderstande, and knowe, that although this myracle of IO∣NAS (being thrée dayes, and thrée nights in the belly of the Whale) séemeth to hu∣maine reason, not onely ridiculous, but al∣so impossible: yet notwithstanding, wée ought in no wise to doubt, as concerning the veritie and truth of this matter. For first of all, this hystorie of IONAS, is con∣teyned in the Canonicall bookes of holye scripture, neyther ought we to doubt in a∣ny poynt of the authoritie of the same, for as yet it was neuer vncertaine. Looke howe great therefore the certaintie and truth of the whole summe of sacred scrip∣ture is, so great also is the certaintie and Page [unnumbered] truth of this myracle.
Furthermore, Christ himselfe the sonne of God our Lorde, commendeth vnto vs this myracle by name saying: As IONAS was in the Whales belly thrée dayes, and thrée nightes, so must the sonne of man be. &c. Euen as therefore the aucthoritie of Christ was confirmed by heauenly pro∣phecies, and myracles, as by clensing the Lepers, by restoring the Lame to lymme, by raysing the deade, and such like: euen so also the truth of this myracle of IONAS is cōfirmed by the same myracles. Wher∣fore, although the heathnish Ethnicks de∣ride our credulitie, and beliefe: yet not∣withstanding, there is nothing more cer∣taine, sure, and firme, than these myracles. Our dayly and common myracles, doe confirme somewhat the truth of this my∣racle of IONAS. As for example. Doth not the infant,* or rather that which the Greekes call Embryon, lye many wéekes aliue in the mothers wombe: and yet not∣withstanding, is neyther choked nor kil∣led, but rather, receyueth more perfite strength? These and such like are dayly Page 27 séene: and yet notwithstanding, bicause they are common, they are rather counted naturall, than myraculous. But in déede they are no lesse myracles than this which concerneth IONAS. Wherfore the same God which preserueth and quickneth, by his omnipotent power the vnperfit childe, in the mothers wombe, preserued also IO∣NAS in the Whales belly.
But this myracle hath his vse. First, as God exercised and tryed the fayth of IONAS, being as yet in the belly of the Whale, so he confirmed the same, by ma∣king the Whale to cast him a lande safe and sounde. Furthermore, it certefieth vs that in all our affliction we shall receyue the helpe of God, if we call vpon God, as IONAS did, as hereafter foloweth.
Last of all, this myracle prefigured the death, buriall, and resurrection of Christ, as Christ himselfe expoundeth the same. Wherefore by this myracle we are admo∣nished, as well of the clemency of God in aduersitie, as of the death, and the resur∣rection of Christ, that we also might con∣ceyue a hope of deliueraunce, and be cer∣tified Page [unnumbered] and surelye perswaded of our re∣surrection.
