A commentary upon the whole Old Testament, added to that of the same author upon the whole New Testament published many years before, to make a compleat work upon the whole Bible. Vols. 2-4. Wherein the divers translations and expositions, literall and mysticall, of all the most famous commentators both ancient and modern are propounded, examined, and judged of, for the more full satisfaction of the studious reader in all things, and many most genuine notions inserted for edification in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. A work, the like unto which hath never yet been published by any man, yet very necessary, nor only for students in divinity; but also for every Christian that loveth the knowledge of divine things, or humane, whereof this comment is also full. Consisting of IV parts. I Upon the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses. II Upon the historical part, from Joshua to Esther. III Upon Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomons Song. IV Upon all the prophets both great and small. By John Mayer, doctor of divinity.

CHAP. IV.

HEre Jonah his weaknesse is again laid open, in that he was offended and * 1.1 greatly vexed in seeing his prophesying of destruction to Nineveh not to take effect. If it be demanded, how did he know that Nineveh should not be de∣stroyed within 40 dayes, when as this time was not yet expired: for his sit∣ting without the city to see, argueth that the time spoken of was not yet come? Sol. The same God, who had commanded him to threaten it, revealed now his wil before those days were ended, most probably soon after his threat∣ning upon the Ninevites repentance that he would now spare them. But was Jonah angry because the people repenting were spared? this had been great in∣humanity in him, and altogether mis-becoming a Prophet of the Lord, who one would think should rather have rejoiced to see so good an effect of his prophesying, and gone amongst them to instruct them further in the fear of the Lord, and to stir them up to goe on according to this good beginning? Sol. It was not their being saved from destruction that vexed him, but that hereupon men would have him in derision, as being no true but a false Prophet, so that hereafter there would be danger, as he conceived, of peoples contemning and sleighting of prophesies to his great dishonour, from whom they came. But if by revelation from God, he knew now that Nineveh should bespared, why did he sit upon some hill without the City expecting the event? Sol. He knew not but that the Ninevites repentance might be momentary, they within the time limited returning with the swine to wallow in the mire again, because this is a thing common with many, being in present danger to repent for 2 or 3 dayes, and then to fall to sinning again, when the danger is over, as Pha∣raoh and Ahab, and Esa. 50. And because Jonah was angry in the respect before said, God did but gently reprove him, Doest thou well to be angry Jonah?

For his prayer made now, I pray thee (O Lord) was not this my saying when I * 1.2 was yet in my country? In which words he addresseth himself to God in the way of supplication, yet he expostulateth with him for his being offended at his fleeing away to Tarshish, as if the Lord were more to blame then he: but both this and the words following, take away my life, came from his passion and di∣stemper of spirit, as we read of the like before touching Elijah, which blind∣eth * 1.3 the eye of reason for the time, for which the Lord bare with them both, and spared them. It is not set forth as exemplary to us, that we in time of dis∣content [Note.] and danger, or disgrace, as weary of our lives, might doe the like; but to shew what infirmities be in the best, that he who standeth may take heed lest he fall, and not be high minded for any grace conferred upon him above other men. The next words are the same with Joel 2. 13. and seem to be bor∣rowed thence.

And the Lord prepared a gourd that it might be a shadow over his head. Jonah ha∣ving * 1.4 made him a booth to sit in, whereby he might be somewhat shadowed from the heat of the Sun, but not sufficiently, the Lord out of his mercy pro∣vided this shadowing also for him, aiming yet herein at another end, as is by and by shewed. About the word rendred gourd much contention hath anci∣ently been, it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying either a gourd or ivy, or a kind of tree that in a short time groweth up with broad leaves, like the leaves of a vine, and thick, and so most fit to shadow him that sits under it, and it differs here∣in from a gourd or ivy, that they grow not erect without a supporter, this upon a stiffe stalk standing erect by it self without any thing to support it, but for any name, whereby to expresse it in other languages, there is none, for which Jerome rendred it, Ivy, and saith in an Epistle of his written long after, when controversie arose about his translation, that in the Syriack and Punick tongue it is called Elceroa, which kind of tree groweth here and there in Pale∣stine upon sandy and light ground, and it is a tree which cometh of a seed be∣ing cast into the ground, and growing up in two or three dayes, but the Lord by his power made it to grow up in one night.

God prepared a worm, &c. As God made a gourd suddenly to grow in a night, * 1.5 so having stood a day he made it suddenly to wither, giving us herein an em∣blem of the vanity of worldly things wherein we delight, that we may not [Note.] set our hearts upon them which are so transitory. When the gourd was wi∣thered, * 1.6 Jonah his vexation was renewed, because now both the wind and Sun smote him exceedingly. Then the Lord said, Art thou grieved for the gourd for which thou labouredst not, but it came up in a night and withered in a day, and should not I avoid, as a thing that would be grievous to me, if I * 1.7 should do it, to destroy Nineveh, wherein are sixscore thousands that cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much cattle? It may seem strange here, that omitting to speak of their repentance, he speaks of these things, as if he were chiefly moved hereby, whereas it was said before, that because Nineveh repented, God repented and did not bring upon it the evill threatned. But it is to be understood, that he speaks not here of their repen∣tance, because it was spoken of before, although that were the main reason why they were spared, and the considerations here spoken of but additionall, whereby God yet sheweth his care over little children, that have actually done neither good nor evill, notwithstanding their originall corruption, for which he might justly cast them into hell fire, yea and other inferiour creatures also, the very beasts, that men in a good way might not be doubtfull, but stedfastly beleeving that he will much more tender their good and preservati∣on from evill.

Notes

• * 1.1

  V. 1, 2.
• * 1.2

  V. 2.
• * 1.3

  1 King. 19.
• * 1.4

  V. 6.
• * 1.5

  V. 7.
• * 1.6

  V. 8.
• * 1.7

  V. 9, 10, 11.