A practical exposition of the historical prophesie of Jonah delivering sundry brief notes in a cursory way concerning the mind of the Holy Ghost in the several passages. Imprimatur. June 5. 1665.

Ver. 16.

Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vowes.

This is the Mariners thankfulnesse for the great mer∣cy of deliverance: and it hath three Clauses. 1. For in∣ward worship, they feared the Lord exceedingly: 2. For outward worship, They offered a sacrifice unto the Lord. These for the present. 3. For the future they made vowes,] bound themselves to the service of the true God.

For the first of these: twice before it was said, that [unspec 1] the Mariners were a fraid, vers. 5. and 10. once for the storm that was so dangerous to them; another time for that they heard Jonah tell of the God of the Hebrews to be his master, and that he had declined his service: And now again they fear exceedingly when the storm is over, Jonah being cast into the Sea: A signe their fear of God was a work of grace in them: why? they fear the Lord and his goodnesse, as Hos. 3.5.

One would have thought it should have been said, That they rejoyced exceedingly, namely to see the Sea qui∣et, the danger past, and themselves set in safety: na∣turall men use to be frolick in such escapes, and poure out their hearts unto pleasures: it is a matter of ordina∣ry observation: But,

Grace teacheth a man not to rest in the works of God which are joyous and comfortable, [Note.] but to look up unto God himself; to fear him, that is, by a part for the whole, to perform all worship to him, of Faith, Love, Joy, Desire, Zeal, other gracious affections,

and actions that are sutable. So the fear of God is said to be the beginning of wisdome; that is, an Introduction to all religious affection and behavior: Timor initialis, as the schooles say; neither altogether ingenuous and Child-like as in setled Christians, nor altogether slavish as in natural men, who are only terrified with their sins and Gods judgments; Felix for example; but of a mix∣ture of these, as useth to be in time of conversion; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a fear joyned with an holy reverence toward the great God, and it continues ever with a Christian once converted, to bring the work of grace to perfection, 2 Cor. 7.1. perfecting hol••ness in the fear of God.

Such fear (in all likelihood) possessed the hearts of these Mariners; namely, that now presently, upon the casting of Jonah into the Sea, such a calm followed: Oh the great Power, and Holiness, and Justice, and Mercy, of the God of the Hebrews! how is he to be feared above all o∣ther Gods! who can do as he alone! therefore him alone will we fear and serve all our dayes. So say we at the end of a great Plague; or of a great fit of sicknesse: or escap∣ing a danger by Land or Water, Fire, War, other terrible matters: Oh feare the Lord, ye his Saints: for there is no want to them that fear him, Psal. 34.9.

[Use.] It serves to reprove all gracelesse people, who never fear God that afflicteth, neither in the danger, nor af∣ter the danger, to be the better for any of their afflicti∣ons. Possibly they are afraid while the danger last∣eth; for the pain, or the losse they may sustain, and especially the losse of their lives; it may be, it is Ma∣gor-Missabib, fear round about; they are ready to dye for fear before the evil comes near them; sometimes more afraid then hurt; but for God in whose power their breath is, and who can cast both Body and Soul into Hell, him they fear not; though that be the only gracious fear commanded in Luk. 12.4, 5.

1. For departing from evil, as did Job, Joseph, and the [unspec 1] Midwives of Egypt: what fear of God is in those that live in the constant practice of one sin or other, drunk∣ennesse or what ever it be? sin is the greatest enemy that God hath, and yet numbers make a trade of is, ac∣cording to the humor of each; walk in the way of the wicked, or sit in the seat of the scornfull; though they have been in great danger of life or estate, yet on they go in a tract of sinning. The danger is past, and they make account they live to do all their abominati∣ons.

2. For the beginning of wisdome; Numbers have no [unspec 2] signe of the fear of God in them. Sapientia dicitur quasi sapida scientia: but Numbers have no savor of God and Religion: Mercies, Afflictions, Ordinances, all passages of Providence, have no more savor then the white of an Egg: no heart to Prayer or other duty, or to accept a good motion that is made for edification. These Mariners that feared the Lord, offered him sacri∣fice: but where are these mens sacrifices? great and precious mercies are received: but what return do they make in way of thankfulnesse?

3. For perfecting holinesse in the fear of the Lord: how doth this agree to those, who fall back from the good way of God, either into Heresie or Profanesse or Worldly-mindednesse? or those that stand at a stay in Religion? A round of dutyes there is, and that is all: the space of many years makes no difference in their profession, unlesse it be for the worse: they would be troubled if they thrived no better in their outward estate; but for the estate of their Souls, they minde no thriving.

4. For fearing the Lord exceedingly, as did these Mari∣ners: Numbers profess to fear God, but they fear men more, Losses, Troubles, Dangers, Persecutions: ex∣cessive fear surpriseth them, that they are taken off

from duty, and the way of God; the fear of man is a snare, and catcheth many unto Atheism: Or, they fear the Lord, and the gods of the Land, as did the mungrel Sama∣ritans, 2. King. 17.33.

5. The fear of God hath a dash of holy joy with it, as Psal. 2.11. rejoyce unto him with trembling: fear him as a glorious God, but rejoyce in him as a loving Father, reconciled and tenderly affected in Christ. So the Childe fears his Father, and the wife her Husband. But numbers mind no such relation between God and them: or care not to have it: or presume to have it, but get no comfort by it in a dark houre: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 their fear is an heavy passion of unbes••efe.

[unspec 2] For the Second: They offered a sacrifice unto the Lord.

Outward worship must be added unto inward. As we must glorifie God with the Spirit, so also with the body: for both are God's, and both are bought with a price. And the same God made both Soul and body, and de∣serves to be served with both, commands and expects it.

What kinde of sacrifice these Mariners offered to the Lord, we read not, nor is it materiall to know. Only this: they had Learned by tradition of their neighbours, and by the neighbourhood of the Jews, that thank-offerings would do well in way of gratitude for deli∣verance: and so did all the Gentiles round about: therefore so do they.

Our lesson is: In way of thankfulnesse for mercies received we must use holy expressions of Loyalty and duty to our good God: not only fear him, with other internal vertues as before, but with outward worship and service. Christians also have their sacrifices of righteousnesse appointed for them, as was prophesied Deut. 33.19.

But what are they? Answ. 1. A mans whole self,

with all powers of Soul and Body, Rom. 12.1. Present your selves a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2. Holy and hearty prayers, Pro. 15.8. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomina∣tion to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 3. Hearty praises, with voice and life, Heb. 13.15. By Christ let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continu∣ally. 4. Works of love to the poor members of Jesus Christ, Ver. 16. With such sacrifices God is well-pleased. 5. Releif and comfort to good Ministers who need assistance, Phil. 4.18. An odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. 6. Suffering in the cause of God, Ch. 2.17. If I be offered upon the sacrifice of your faith, I joy and rejoyce with you all. 7. All parts of the publick or private worship of God, 1 Pet. 2.5. A spiritual Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 8. All dealings with men carried in a loving and righteous manner, Psal. 4.4. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

Whereby we see that none hath cause to say he wants [Use. 1] a way and means to shew his thankfulness to God for great mercies and deliverances he hath received. Le∣vitical sacrifices are ended in Christ; and he is loth to offer sacrifice in a blind manner, as these Mariners did; and I desire to testifie my thankfulness for escaping such a danger, or receiving such a mercy; but what should I offer?

Answ. He hath shewed thee O man what he requireth, and what he will accept as a gratuity, Mic. 6.8. and the Map now delivered shews a great Bed-roll of Christian sacrifices: Peruse, and see if one way or other thou canst not offer a sacrifice to the Lord; only find the Al∣tar of an holy heart, and a sacrifice will quickly he had; Out of the abundance of the heart will come forth much good.

A man possibly hath not wealth to distribute among the poor, or is not called to suffer for the truth and way of God; cannot entertain Ministers, cannot build and endow Hospitals, repair Bridges, do other works of bounty as our fore-fathers were wont to do. Shall he therefore be wholly excused of offering to the Lord? No, the poorest and meanest Christian that is, out of a gracious heart is able to pray, praise God, live holily, deal righteously, converse to the Edification one of another: Calves of the lips, spiritual sacrifice, a body pre∣pared and fitted to do service, and a mind with medita∣tions and affections.

[Use. 2] Offer these and it shall suffice: The Jew that was not able to bring a Bullock, must bring a pair of ••ur∣tle-doves or two young Pigeons; so the Christian, let him do his best and it will go for currant. Only with this Caution, he that is able to offer a great sacrifice, shall not be excused by a less. Cursed be the deceiver, who hath a male in his flock and sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupt thing, or offers the torn, the lame, or the sick, shells of outward service, or old age that is now able to do nothing for God; or meerly good meaning, with∣out doing what might and ought to be done, as some do flatter themselves; all such are deceivers, and draw a curse upon themselves instead of a blessing. These Mariners offered what they could, but so do not these.

[unspec 3] For the third, they made vows. Not only in the pre∣sent did these Mariners worship the Lord, but meant to worship him for time to come, and thereunto bound themselves by vows; so Naaman the Syrian, Hereafter I will serve no God but the God of Israel.

[Note.] This is the right use of afflictions, and of escaping out of them; not only be Religious for a time, but for ever. Many can seem to be Religiously affected while they are under Gods rods, or when they are newly got

out of his hands, but in a little space grow as bad as ever; it may be more hardened, as iron that hath been heated and cold again.

Take heed of dodging with the God of Heaven. [Use.] He looks for plain and honest dealing of those he de∣livers, or to whom he vouchsafes mercy. It is a con∣dition upon deliverance from enemies, To serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, Luke 1.74, 75. The mercy lasteth alway, and so must the du∣ty: and no reason can be alledged for ceasing from that duty. Go then, and learn what means to hear for the time to come, to pray continually, to receive Sa∣craments often, even untill Christ come.

They made vows. What, we read not, nor matters it. But to our purpose;

1. The main matter of Christian Vows is, that we bind our selves to the Lord in a Covenant that shall [unspec 1] never be broken; as Presper said, Seipsum voveas, seip∣sum reddat; he that will vow to the Lord, let him de∣vote himself, and render himself to his Majesty: and David said, I have sworn that I will keep thy Command∣ments; not Counsels, but Precepts are the grounds and bounds of a Christians vows: Therefore not Monkish, nor any other will-worship.

2. The entrance into a lawful vow is at our Bap∣tism, [unspec 2] where we promised to be the Lords; to believe, to obey, to renounce all his and our enemies, imply∣ed in that phrase, Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that is, dedicated, devoted, set apart for his service and glory; relinquishing all o∣thers, as a good Wife to cleave to her Husband alone.

3. The vow of Baptism is renewed many times af∣terward, either at a Sacrament of the Lords Supper, or in the time of danger; and it ought to be Religiously remembred and observed, as Psal. 66.13, 14. I will pay

that my vows which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble. Whether these Ma∣riners kept their vows, we know not; but are sure that we ought to keep ours.

[Use.] Remember, and make Conscience of performing these vows; be as faithful in keeping them, as thou seemdst Religious in making them. Remember the fears, and pains, and cares of those sad hours, and what religious affections were then stirring; mind all those passages, and now reduce all into act: Now is the time, now and ever. Take heed, it will be no safe mocking of God; Be not deceived, God is not mocked: All the mocking would return upon thine own soul, to thy eternal damnation.

Where for better performance, remember that clause, not to put off the paying of vows, Eccl. 5.4. When thou hast vowed a vow to God, defer not to pay. This delay is it which marres abundance of good purposes and resolutions; while we think there is time enough, the motion dies, and no good effect follows. A de∣ceitful heart, a subtle Devil, a flattering or encumbring world, vain or wicked Companions draw quite another way.

Notes

• Parts.
• Psal. 111.10.
• Cl. Alex.
• Jer. 20 3.
• Signes of not fearing God.
• Prov. 29.25.
• Adde outward worship to in∣ward. 1 Cor. 6.20.
• Note. Express thank∣fulness in good actions.
• None but may so express.
• Mal. 1.14.
• 2 King 5 17.
• Esa. 42, 23.
• Vows of Chri∣stians, what they are.
• Ps. 119.106.
• Gal. 6.7.