THE FIRST SERMON OF the punishment of Ionah . Ionah . 1. 4. 5. 6 4

But the Lord sent out a great wind into the Sea , and there was a mightie tempest in the Sea , so that the ship was like to be broken .

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Then the Mariners were afraid , and cryed euery man vnto his God , and cast the wares that were in the ship into the sea , to lighten it of them , but Ionah was gone downe into the sides of the ship , and layd downe , and was a sleepe .

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So the ship-maistr came to him , and said vnto him , what meanest thou , O sleeper ? Arise , and call vpon thy God , if so be that God will thinke vpon vs , that we perish not .

THE sinne is past , but punishment is to come : for after disobedience followeth wrath , the heauie companion of wickednesse . For although shee loue not sinne yet shee will be alwayes where wickednesse is ? yea , also full of strength like a Lyon which will not be tamed .

Hee that made the windes , commanded them , and they obey his voyce , the windes and the waters obey him , but man will not obey him . Hee saith not that a winde arose , but saith , The Lord sent great winde . Therefore we see the cause of this tempest , and so of Ionahs punishment . The iust Iudge of the whole world may not suffer sinne vnpunished , therefore hee sends , the Lord sent out a mightie winde . Then it was not by chance , nor yet by witchcraft : for the Mariners ( notwithstanding they were infidels ) were not so grosse as to ascribe it to any such cause , but rather thought it to bee sent from some reuenging power , beeing prouoked to indignation by some particular person among Psal. 107. 25 to 31 them , that had committed some hainous fact : else why did they cast lots to know him and find him out that had sinned , and whose sinnes did procure this tempest to bee sent : Though this winde had almost drowned Ionah , yet hee said , The Lord sent it : so the Lord sendeth wind to bring ships to land in safetie , and the same Lord sendeth winde to drowne , and breake , and sinke other ships , Therfore Iob said when hee was bereft of all his substance at Iob. 1. 21. once , and left as poore as might bee , that the Lord had taken them from him , who had first giuen all to him , adding also thanksgiuing euen for the persecuting hand of God , which did so molest him . If some had so much losse by tempest as Iob , and such dangers as Ionah , they would surely say with Iob , blessed bee the name of the Lord for it : But Iob. 2. 9. moe ( it is to be feared ) would say with Iobs wife , Curle God and die .

And there was a great tempest in the Sea .

First , God spake gently to him , Arise , Ionah , goe to Niniuie , then he would not goe : but seeing wordes would not serue , the Lord would take another way , and try whether that could make him obedient to his voyce . So the Lord caused a mightie tempest to arise in the Sea , like the messengers that were sent to compell folkes to come to the banquet , that seeing the commaundement could not , the tempest might beare rule . For vnlesse it be an imperious crosse wee will not yeeld : so head-strong is sinne .

Therefore it is said , that God sent out a great winde , so that there was a mighty tempest , that sinne might haue the foile , and God the victorie .

Hee that sayles to Tharshish , or whether hee is forbidden to goe , would haue as good wind as hee that sayles to Niniuie , or whither hee is commanded to goe . But he that doth one thing for another , shall receiue one thing for another , as Achab did , who hoped according to the saying of foure hundred false Prophets , to goe vp and prosper but hee went vp and perished . As surely as Ionah thought to arriue at Tarshish , so surely the Spaniards thought to arriue in England : but as Ionahs companie wondred at this tempest , so at these Spainards destruction , their fellowes at home wondred , yea were astonied , how their inuincible power could bee destroyed . But God is strong enough for them that kicke against him , and disdaineth to bee crossed of dust and ashes .

And there was a great tempest in the sea .

The ship went on roundly for a time , the Prophet sleeping , the Mariners sporting , their sayles flaunting , the waters calming , the winds guiding , so merrily sinne goes on before the tempest comes . The winde blowes not yet , therefore goe on yet a little , and yet a little more , but suddenly the tempest rushes vpon them before they are aware of it , and tumbles them vp and downe , and suddenly all is like to be vndone . Hee came to the hauen , and paide the fare , and entred the ship , and hoist vp sayles , and went on forward , and all to flie from God , but now it appeares hee fled not from him , but to him , Therefore Dauid sayth , If I take the mornings wings and flie aloft , loe , thou art there . If I goe into the neithermost depth , thy hande will finde me out : therefore whither shall I flye from thee ? So that when we thinke that we flie from God , in running out of one place into another , wee doe but runne from one hand to the other , for there is no place where Gods hande is not , and whither soeuer a rebellious sinner doth runne , the hand of God will meete with him to crosse him , and hinder his hoped fo● successe , although hee securely prophecieth neuer so much good vnto himselfe in his iourney . What had hee offended the windes , or the waters , that they bare him such enmitie ? The windes and the waters , and all Gods creatures are to take Gods part against Ionah , or any rebellious sinner : for though God in the beginning gaue power to man ouer all his creatures to rule them , yet when man sinnes , God giueth power & strength to his creatures to rule and bridle man . Therefore hee that euen now was Lord ouer the waters , now the waters are Lords ouer him .

But if Ionah had thought that God would haue brought things to passe , he durst not haue beene so bold in this enterprise . Therefore wee may see that sinne hath no eyes while it is on doing , Tush ( sayth the foole ) it is faire weather yet , while he goeth to the stockes .

So that the ship was like to be broken .

Wee haue heard of the cause and greatnesse of this tempest , the effects follow , whereby the greatnesse of it is the better exprest . First in the ship , then in the Mariners .

The ship was like to be broken .

The ship was faire and goodly , so strong that it might haue encountred with instruments of warre , and so sure made that it might haue endured great tempestes , and made manie voyages . Yet now with one tempest , and at one voyage , it was so deformed , so weakned , in such a taking , that it was like to bee shiuered in pieces : and all because Ionah was in it . Such strife is alwayes betwixt Gods wrath , and mans disobedience . When Gods word will not turne vs , Gods winds , and other instruments of his wrath Pro 7. 22. must threaten to ouerturne vs .

Then the Mariners were afraid , and cryed euery man to his God , and cast the wares out that were in the Ship , to lighten it thereof .

The effects of this tempest in the Mariners were two .

First , they were afraid , then vsed meanes to appease the tempest , and saue themselues .

Then the Mariners were afraid .

Mariners liuing in the Sea , almost as fishes , hauing the waters as their necessariest element , are commonly men voyde of feare , venturous , and contemners of danger . Yet now seeing the tempest so vehement on a sudden , that their goodly and tall ship was tost almost to a cocke boat , and crackt so , that it was like to bee torne all to pieces , and thereby were fully perswaded it was no common nor ordinary storme , but a reuenging tempest , for some extraordinary cause , sent out vpon them by some great power prouoked : now they are afraid , they tremble for feare , like women that shrinke at euery stirre in the Whirrie , and like little children when they are frighted , least their ship breake or leake , and so sinke , and they loose their goods their ship , their liues and all .

Now these nought-fearing fellowes , these high stomaked men , which desire danger are brought downe by danger , feare and quake like a yong souldier which starteth at the sound of a Gun .

And cryed euery man vnto his God , and cast forth their wares into the Sea , &c.

The meanes which the Mariners vse to saue themselues , are diuers . First , they cry to their gods , then when that appeased not the tempest , they cast out then wares , They prayed . This is then a manifest signe , that the Heathen acknowledge there is a diuine power , seeing and gouerning the whole world : for they would not haue prayed at all , but that they were conuinced , there was a God , who beheld the affaires of men , and could in extreamest danger deliuer whom hee would . Nature conuinced them , the workes of God made them to acknowledge it . For in man , though the Lampes be wasted since Adam consulted with the deuill to bee a God , yet there is some little light left which dwelleth in darkenesse like a sparke hid in the ashes , whereby the stately and most glorious frame of the world , with all the wonderfull varietie of the singular effects of all the excellent creatures therin considered , man cannot but acknowledge there is a God . Yea his mightie power the blinded Gentiles saw so expressely in all the creatures , that they imagined it to bee impossible for one God to worke them all : therefore they thought that there were diuers Gods , as there were diuers seasons , diuers nations , diuers trades , diuers languages , diuers and sundrie kindes of all things : and so diuers nations worshipped diuers Gods , When the wicked see that all their inuentions will not bring their enterprises to passe according to their mind , but they are in extremitie and like to bee cast away for want of succour , then they flye vnto God , being driuen by compulsion as a beare vnto a stake , and they crouch and kneele , & make great shewes outwardly , of humiliation and pietie , all in hope of helpe from God , and as it were thinking to deceiue him by their hypocrisie ,

Euery one vnto his God .

This sheweth , that they were of diuers nations , for among the Gentiles euery nation had a seuerall God to worship , Chamos was the God of the Moabites , and Beelzebub the God of the Ekronites , Dagon the God of the Philistines , and the Ephesians worshipped Diana . In our necessitie 1. Sam. 5 5. Act. 19. 35. wee flie euerie one vnto his God : that is , in the time of necessitie euery one doth flye for ▪ helpe and ease vnto that which most feedeth his owne humour , or best pleaseth him , that wherein he reposeth most confidence , perswading themselues of sufficient reliefe from that : some runne to their coffers , thinking that there it is that is able to procure ease from any troubles : other some runne to their delights and wanton sports , supposing that there is no trouble so great , but they will cause them to forget it : some to their glorious attires and costly iewels , imagining they will now as well reioyce their hearts , remedying their griefe , as at other times they haue delighted others eyes , pleasing their sight : some to th daintie meates and some to their soft beds , and easie standing , hoping by those to feele reliefe . In sicknesse wee cry , Come , Phisicke helpe mee : in heauinesse wee call , Come , musicke , cheare mee : in warre , we sound , Come , souldiers , succour me : in quarrels wee say , Come , Law , defend me : euermore leauing the Creator , which is all goodnesse , and powerfull in him selfe running to the creatures , which haue no goodnesse nor power , , saue that they receiue from him : neither by their goodnesse , can doe vs good , but by his blessings .

And cryed euery man vnto his God .

They did well in that they prayed , but they prayed not well ? for they prayed every man vnto his God : that is , vnto fained Gods , gods in name , but not in nature , and gods they were that could not helpe so much as themselues .

Euery one to his God ,

Euerie of these mariners did now in their extremitie call vpon his God , euery one vpon that God , which hee thought most highly of , and whome hee had in his prosperitie reposed most confidence in . Now while none could helpe but one , they cried to many , and by this meanes while they sought to lay the tempest , they stirred it more : for their prayers being idolatrous , were so wicked , that the Lord had vtterly destroyd them , if his mercy had not bene wonderfull ouer all his workes . They prayed Psal 14 4 15. much like the Papists , which in extremitie crie out , some to one Saint , some to another , some to saints of this place others to Saints of that place , thinking as these Mariners did , if one will not helpe , another will .

They cryed . &c.

They prayed , and their prayers did beate the skye , though they could not lay the tempest . They were not as many of vs bee when wee pray vnto God , without a sence of their danger , or without great desire to obtaine their requests . What an hypocrisie is this that is common among vs , to haue vehement speeches , and loud cries , and long prayers , without liuely affection within ?

They cryed .

Here is a distinction of crying to bee obserued : The righteous cry , and as well when they are in prosperitie , as when they be in calamitie , though many nothing so feruently : but the vngodly then onely , when the hand of God is vpon them , and then also like beares without their prey , alwayes much doubting , sometimes disparing of helpe although they cry for it . And therefore blessed is hee that hath the Lord for his God : and let them know that cry without faith , without confidence in God , they doe but cry in vaine . Let not the wauering minded man , think to receiue any good of the Lord . Iam. 2. 7

And cast the wares that were in the ship into the sea

Here is the second meanes which they vsed to helpe themselues . Now the Mariners are content to cast their wares into the Sea , in hope of some furtherance to saue their liues thereby : for though many will venture their liues for riches , yet they rather part withall their riches , then with their liues . But they cast them out to appease the tempest , or lighten their ship : but it was sin that procured danger , and being cast away , would haue saued all : which being retained , the tempest abating not , the shippe is not the safer , though it bee the lighter . If I regard wickednesse Psal. 66. 18. 1. Co. 13. 3. Cast away sin , or thou castest away all . in my heart , saith Dauid , the Lord will not heare mee . And Paul saith , Though I cast my life into the fire , if I haue no charitie , if I retaine malice in my heart , it profiteth mee nothing : if I cast not away sinne , I cast away all Some will giue to the poore , and yet vse extortion and vsurie to get money by : but God saith to such , that if they regard wickednesse in their heartes , it profiteth nothing , though they part with all that they haue , and bestowe it vpon neuer so good actions , they doe but as the Mariners did , cast all away , their desire nothing satisfied : for though they thinke themselues beneficiall to the poore thereby , and hope for reward therefore , yet God will accept of them but as hypocrites , hee will no●● of their oblations , hee abhorreth their very prayers . Pro. 15. 8 , vntill they haue humbled themselues , and reformed their owne heartes before him from such vncleannesse .

They cast out the wares into the sea .

They would faine haue laid the tempest , that thus readily loose the wares , and cast out their very tackling into the sea : but the sea will not be satisfied , the waters must wash Ionah 1. 11. 15. the sinner , or there is no safetie , nay the danger is greater , the sea continually more and more troublesome , vexing them . But Ionah was no sooner cast into the Sea , but all was quiet , the winds are calme , and the sea ceaseth from her raging . O that iustice were executed , and hee that troubleth the ship were in the sea ! He that troubleth , not hee that against all reason is thought to trouble : then should all bee safe , yea peraduenture Ionah too .

And they cast the wares that were in the ship into the sea .

Obserue here , that oftentimes many are punished for one mans sinne , as all the host of Israell were punished for the sinne of Achan , and here all the Mariners and owners of Ios. 7. 5. 12. Many punished for ones sinne , therefore suffer sinne in none . ship or wares for Ionahs sin , &c. to the ende that men may learne thereby to admonish one an other when they see them doe amisse , with loue , and not to say with Caine , Am I the keeper of my brother ? for hee that is not carefull to keepe his brother from sinne , is not carefull to keepe himselfe either from sinne or from sorrow : therefore let vs take heed , that a wicked one be not found amongst vs vnadmonished . I would there were not many worse then Ionah among vs . Wil you know what I thinke of you ? I thinke you are worse then Infidels , Turks or Pagans , that in this wonderfull yeare of wonderful mercies are not thankful beleeue not in God , trust not in him , glorifie not his name : but like Pharaohs sorcerers , who seeing the great workes of God which Moses wrought passing their skill , confessed , saying , Surely , this is the finger of God : for you confesse it is the great worke of God ( as must needs ) but where are the fruites it Exo. 8. 19 hath brought forth in you ? The captaine saith , I haue done nothing : the souldier saith , I stirred not : but the Lord sent out a mighty tempest vpon them , and after that they escaped our handes , the Lord stretched out his mightie arme against them , and Pharap is drowned in the sea , so that he neuer attained the land of promise which he gaped for , and made full account to possesse . Further , herein we may note , Mans extremitie Gods opportunity that extremitie is Gods opportunite : for when the wind had almost ouerturned all , & the waters had almost drowned all & destruction had almost deuoured all , then , and notafore , was Gods opportunitie to set forth his glorie . First , they vsed prayer vnto the diuine powers for assistance : then they vsed such ordinary meanes as they knew best in such a time , by casting out their wares to lighten the ship of them , which order is necessary to be vsed of all Christians in their necessitie : First , to seeke for aide & assistance at the hands of God & then to vse all such good means to Innecessity first pray then vselawfull meanes helpe themselues , as God shall enable them to , trusting that of his goodnes he will blesse their endeuours , or else may they goe ouer all the earth to seeke helpe & haue none , for there is no other way . God indeed is the last refuge , but he is also the first refuge which is to bee sought vnto : for hee will haue vs to acknowledge that man liueth not by bread onely , & a horse is but a vaine thing to saue a man , and except the Lord keepe the citie , the watch-man waketh but in vaine , no meanes can helpe without his blessing , But then he will not haue vs carelesse & negligent to vse lawful meanes : for hee neuer or very seldome worketh without meanes , when the meanes may be vsed by vs . Danger then we haue seen made them to feare , but feare astonished them not , but gathered their wits together , for they vsed means with wisedome to saue themselues . But when the Lord sendeth calamitie vpon many of the vngodly , they haue so guiltie a conscience , that whilest they feele the great hand of God , they are euen distraught of their wits , and madeas it were sencelesse , that they know not what they doe : yea when troubles come , it makes them like a headlesse Bee , which buzzeth about she knowes not whither , or like the Swallow , which by compulsion of the wind , flieth backward and forward till it fall into the Sea : or like Came , whose head was fraught with feares , so that he knew not whither Gene. 4. to goe , doubting to be slaine of euery one whom hee saw But whatsoeuer befalleth the child of God , hee hath euer matter of consolation , and some moderation of minde to beare it withall , expecting a ioyfull issue of all , Therefore blessed is he that hath the Lord for his God .

But Ionah was gone downe into the sides of the ship , and layd downe , and was fast a sleepe .

They prayed vnto their gods , and their gods were now deafe while they were tossed , and Ionah is gone to sleepe when hee should haue beene better occupied . We come hither to heare the word , and here we fall asleepe but it were farre better we were away : for wee sleepe when we should heare , and so sleeping sinne , and sleepe in sinne : therefore let them now giue eare that are asleepe , for wee are come to Ionahs sleeping : not that we should sleepe with him , but by his sleeping to be warned of our securitie , and wee shall see him waked , that wee may learne to wake with him . Ionahs fast sleeping is noted , to declare the occasion of the ship-maisters speech to Ionah : but chiefly to note the dead securitie of Ionah in his sinne , for as much as though the mariners cryed for feare , and cast out their goods , nay the very senslesse shippe seemed to feele the anger of God , and to cry to Ionah by rowling and cracking , yet Ionah was not once moued thereat , but lay still fast a sleepe . So by Ionah his sleeping , wee see the nature of all the sonnes of Adam . when they listen to the Serpent , they are like changelings , they are cast into a dead sleepe : for when they forget God and his word , and bid conscience adiewe , they sleepe in sinne , and that to death , like one sicke of the Lethargie .

Ionah signifieth a Doue : Ionah therefore was nowe indeed Ionah : I meane , like the Doue which Noah sent forth of the Arke : for as the Doue being gone out of the Arkecould finde no rest for the sole of her foote , till shee returned into the Arke againe : so when Ionah rose vp from the presence of the Lord , he could find no rest for his minde , neither by Sea nor land , vntill hee returned againe vnto the Lord . For the cause of Ionahs going downe to sleepe was , it seemeth , to ease his minde , for it was disquieted he felt it grieuously troubled , the conscience of his sinne tormented it : Therefore now , O that Ionah could sleepe till the tempest were past : but it will not be , for the tempest is sent purposely to wake him .

And he was fast a sleepe .

See how little Ionah is ashamed of his sinne : all the world smarted for it , and yet hee sleepes : as if hee should say , Neither the windes blowing , nor the waters roaring Ionah sleeps while al else stirre . nor the ship reeling , nor the wares casting , nor the Mariners crying , with all the stirre , could moue him , waken him from his sleepe , or raile him from his sinn . Now Ionah might say , I was a sleepe , and all might haue perished for mee , if one God had not helped more then all the rest : for Ionah slept , but God waked , and called to the windes and the waters , saying , Tosse him , but you shall not drowne him : feare him , but you shall not kill him : whip him , and when you haue whipt him , send him to mee , that I may send him to Niniuie . Ionah was fast a sleepe , when the windes ouer him were blowing , the waters vnder him tossing the shippe about him reeling , the Mariners by him crying , the wares in ouer-boord casting , In all the stirre Ionah felt nothing , but slept , as if there were no stirring Yet wee goe farre beyond Ionah in securitie , for the Lord causeth the tempest to blow downe houses beside vs , the heauens to thunder ouer vs , the earth quake vnder vs , the water to ouer-flow the land about vs the fire to consume all that wee haue before vs , the ayre with cold ready to kill vs , and all things in an vproare round about against vs thereby , alwayes crossing vs one way or another , and all to put vs in mind of our duetie , the neglect whereof is the cause of all these troubles which the Lorde doth send vs : but wee sleepe more deadly then Ionah in our negligence , voyd of feeling , because wee consider not what wee haue done , wee looke not backe on our sinne yet euery crosse should cause vs to examine our selues throughly , and leaue no sinne vnviewed , that wee might liuely feele our wickednesse , and so duely repent it , and soone finde release of our miseries : therefore if wee sleepe still , and will not bee wakened , God will deale more roughly with vs then hee did with Ionah , for the Lord caused a Whale to swallow him , and afterward to cast him vp againe , but we shal be swallowed of that serpent which neuer restoreth againe .

Hee should haue beene their teacher , if hee had not bin asleepe , hee should haue taught them to pray aright , if he had had any good feeling in him . But all this while wee read not that Ionah once condemned his thoughts , nor so much as once said to himselfe , Ionah , take heed what thou doest , thou knowest how God may handle thee vpon the waters ? though thou flie , hee can ouertake thee : though thou hide thy selfe , he will find thee out : though thou giue thy selfe to sleepe , hee shall giue thee no rest , and awake thee to thy greater woe . How should wee be strong , if a Prophet , and such a Prophet ●s was the figure of Christ , In Ionahs sleepe two things . 1. Most secure in greatest things . Acts. 12. 21. 22. Dan. 4. 27. 30. Dan. 5. 4. 5. Luke 12 19. 20. could not withstand this one temptation , but suffer himselfe to bee led away so farre , that when he should runne , hee lay still , and when hee should cry , he held his peace , and when he should zealously bestirre himselfe , hee is fast asleepe ?

In Ionah his sleeping , we obserue two things : the first is , that when wee thinke ourselfe most at rest , then wee are in greatest danger : when ship-wracke is most likely ▪ then Ionah is a sleepe , when Herod is vaunting , then he is stricken : when Nabuchadnezzar is in his greatest pride , then he is turned out : when Balthazar is banquetting , the hand writ his condemnation : when the rich man saith vnto his soule , Thou hast enough , then his soule is taken from him : when the Philistines are sporting , then the roofe is falling : so destruction ouertaketh sinners when they least Iudg. 16 25. 30. Suddenly destroyed . thinke of it , like a Leopard which is taken while hee sleepeth , or a bird when she singeth : therefore suspect thy pleasures like a bait .

The second note , is the nature of sinne , which is here expressed ( while it is a doing ) to be not bitter , but sweete , not 1. Sin pleasant whiles it is in doing . 2. Kings 5. 27. 30. Gehezies briberie . Gen. 9. 21 Noahs wine . Dauids adultery . 2. Sam. 11 〈◊〉 . 4. Pro. 10. 24. 33. painefull , but pleasant , like a harlot which sheweth nothing but her brauery and beautie . Adam swallowed the forbidden fruite with pleasure , Gehezie lyed for gold with gladnesse , Noah dranke his wine with mirth , Dauid committed whoredome with delight : so sinners go on merrily till wrath ouer-takes them at vnawares , like the foole , I wil sit a little longer , and fold my hands together a little , yet a little and a little longer , till pouertie come as an armed man and Gods iust iudgements as the whirle-winde suddenly , vnresistably : then though thou hast gotten gold with Gehezie , or honours with Haman . or Naboths vineyard with Ahab , or all the delights of the world , if thou haue not an assurance of thine owne saluation , if sinne be still pleasant , if it bee not bitter in thy belly , though it bee sweete in thy mouth , deceiue not thy selfe , beleeue God , thy hope is but doubting , thy strongest confidence but a vaine trust .

Then the Ship-maister came vnto him and said , what meanest thou , O sleeper ? arise and call vpon thy God .

Here Ionah is taken napping : sinne hath brought him asleepe , and now the ship-maister wakens him . The Mariners may doe him more good then the tempest . Whom sinne should waken , perill can not waken : the windes are not loude enough , nor the waters rough enough , therefore A Prophet wakened by a Pagan the ship-maister must waken him : else all shall bee indangered . If the windes will not waken him , let the waues waken him : if the waues will not waken him , let the Manners waken him : if he will not be wakened , let him perish in his sleepe , and die in his sinne .

Now marke who is a sleepe , and who wakens him . Ionah is a sleepe , and the Mariners waken him , an Israelite , So God often shames his seruants an Infidell : what a thing is this , that he which is the sonne of Abraham , who is wiser then a thousand Mariners , is now wakened and told his dutie by a Mariner ? This is a shame for Ionah , that hee which had taught Princes , should now be told his dutie by Mariners : hee that long hath and should still wake others , needes oftentimes to be wakened by others : and he that should reprooue sinners , is often reproued of sinners . And thus the Lord sometimes shameth his seruantes , and doth vexe them with a foolish nation , as he reproued Abraham by Amalech , and Balaam Gen. 20. 9 Num. 22. 28. by an Asse .

Now wee might aske Ionah , saying , Why didst thou write that thou fledst from God , or that when thou hadst most neede to pray , thou didst sleepe ? If thou hadst not thus layed open thine owne shame , thou mightest haue beene reckoned as one of the best Prophetes : therefore why didst thou so ? Ionah did it to this end , that in him we may see the reward of disobedience : for as Paul sayth , Whatsoeuer is written , is written for our instruction : and Ionah would neuer haue written it had it not beene for our sakes . If he haue done thus much for vs , which way shall we requite him ? That which hee would haue vs to doe for him , is this , to be warned by him , to suppresse all euill motions not suffering them to take effect as he did .

What meanest thou , O sleeper ? Arise .

As if they should say , O retchlesse , altogether carelesse , quite sencelesse man , art thou dead , that thou wakest not , or benumd , that thou feelest not , or deafe , that thou hearest nothing , or carest thou not whether thou liue or die ? Haue not the windes nor waters raging , nor our loude cryes so long thundring wakened thee ? Canst thou sleepe in all this stirre ? Doe not our troubles , nor labours , nor losses , nor the common daunger mooue thee ? What meanest thou ? Why doest thou not come and labour with vs in this daungerous time ? Is this a time to sleepe in , when we are all in perill of our liues ? Shall wee cry and thou hold thy peace ? Shall wee labour , and thou rest ? Shall wee cast away all our goods , and thou lye sleeping , caring for nothing ? This is no time to sleepe , it is a time to pray vnto thy God for his assistance , and to vse the meanes that may saue our liues : vp , arise , helpe what thou canst , Ionah hearing this , did not snap like some currish Dogs , and bite him that wakened him : neither did he as in publike dangers most are wont , sit still , deuising with himselfe , to shift for himselfe , neglecting others , but hee ariseth , he thanked him that waked him .

Many of you come to heare the Word , and here you fall a sleepe when you haue most neede to be waking , but I am glad , I haue now gotten a text to waken you , for Against sleepers . now . I cannot reade my text but I must say , What meanest thou , O sleeper ? Arise . But I pray you , haue I not wakened you , and yet you sleepe againe ; If you marke not what is sayd vnto you , you are a sleepe , though your eyes bee open : but if you wereas wise as Ionah , you would not sleepe heere in the sight of all the people , but would rather get you to sleepe in some corner , for Ionah went vnder the hatches to sleepe , and would not sleepe in the sight of the Pro. 28 23. Luke 12. 37. 45. 46. Mark . 14 37. Mariners . If you were as wise as Ionah , you woulde thanke him that wakened you , as no doubt Ionah did . Salomon sayth , that hee which reprooueth , shall haue more fauour of a wise man then hee which flattereth . The Lord Iesus sayth , Woe be vnto that seruant , that when his maister commeth he shall find sleeping : canst thou not watch one houre , sayth hee to Peter ? Can you not wake while I speake to you ? You woulde all bee found in the Church when the Lorde commeth , but you would not bee found sleeping in the church . You are watched ( I see you not below ) and none of you can steale a nap and not bee espied , but when your eyes bee most shut , and see least , then most eyes be vpon you : and I can as well stand in the pulpit vnseene , as you can sit and sleepe there and not be espied . I maruaile how you can sleepe , hauing so many eyes looking on you , so many clamours in your eares , and God himselfe speaking vnto you . Shall I continue iogging till you bee wakened ? How long shall I preach afore I can conuert the vsurer , the extortioner , the drunkard , or the blasphemer , seeing I speake thus long , & cannot conuert you from your sleeping ? What would you doe if I reade some Homilies vnto you , whereas you cannot wake while I preach vnto you , and speake against you ? if you should see a traytor sleepe on the hurdle , or if you should see men sleepe with meate in their mouthes , would ye not maruell ? Yet euen so do you , while I denounce the great iudgements of God against you , and while I am feeding some of you , you fall asleepe , and so I preach in vaine . There is a Country whereof it is said , that it is night with them , when it is day with vs . I thinke that Countrie bee here , for how many are here that haue lost their eyes and their eares since they came hither ? If all of you were , as many of you bee ( I meane a sleepe ) the strangers which come hither to heare , would thinke that you were all dead , and that I preached your funerall Sermon : therefore for shame leaue your sleeping . What meanest thou O sleeper ? Arise sleepe no more , and I will waken you no more .

Arise & call vpon thy God , if so be he will thinke vpon vs &c. This is another meanes which they vse , Ionah being wakened , to appease the tempest , now that they see they cannot themselues allay the windes , nor asswage the waters , they desire , they exhort Ionah , to try what hee can doe by calling vpon his God , Arise call vpon thy God . &c.

After that the ship-master had wakened Ionah hee bids him call vpon his God , as if hee had said , Watch and pray : hee speakes like a Saint , yet hee is an Infidell he said not , Call vpon our gods : but call vpon thy God . The ship-maister would not call vpon his God : but ( saith he ) Call vp on thy God and it may be he will helpe vs if hee had said Call vpon our God , when he said , call vpon thy God : and if he had said , He will helpe vs , when he saide , if so hee will helpe vs then hee had shewed some sparke of faith . Because he wanted helpe & comfort , he bids him arise , and because he was fearefull , hee bids him pray . It may be ( saith he ) he will think vpon vs , that we perish not . As if he had said , Ionah , we know that thou hast a God as well as wee , and therefore we say , Call vpon thy God , for now euerie God is to bee tried , therefore if euer thou didst pray in thy life fall to it now . Thus Sathan leades men a blind way with zeale , in hope of some reliefe being in trouble . They called vpon them for helpe , which were neither willing to assist them , nor able to heare them , and when they perceiued by woefull experience , that there was no kind of succour to bee had that way , they flie to God , and then Sathan laboureth to vndermine that confidence and expectation of helpe , and to place in stead thereof doubtfulnesse and infidelitie . Thus Sathan will be sure to lose nothing by this bargaine any way . Ionah ( say they ) call vpon thy God , for if hee cannot helpe vs , we are all vndone and lost for wee haue called vpon all our gods , we haue laboured hard to amend our state , wee haue cast away our goods to lighten the ship , but all in vaine , for wee are now ! it the better , like the woman which had spent all her substance Luke . 8. 43. about Physicke , yet all could not helpe her till Christ came . So the Papistes while they are well , they pray not euery Saint and Angell for succour against the troublesome times , but in extremitie , or at the point of death none of them can helpe , so that then they are faine to flye vnto God or bee destitute , as like Idolaters , as one flye is like another : they are like the heathen , which worship Iuno , Venus , Neptune , Pallas , Iupiter , and the rest : some hold on the one , and some on the other . Some say , If Iohn bee with mee , I care not for all the pettie gods because I holde him chiefe : so another saith , If Saint Gabriel bee with mee , I care not for the rest : and some raise great disputations , whether this Saint or that Saint , this Angell or that Angell be better : whether our Ladie of Bullen , or our Lady of Rome bee surest : whether Saint Iames of Callis , or Saint Iames of Compostella bee strongest : and so like beggers which run from doore to doore , they run from one Saint to another . If one God will not helpe , another will , thinke these , as though the Gods were contrarie one to another , and where the one bids the other forbids . So some thought that Venus was a friend to the Troianes , and Pallas was not their friend ; as fooles thinke of Witches , one strikes , another heales .

Call vpon thy God .

They bid him call vpon his God , before they knewe him Infidels desire the faith full to pray for them . but the faithfull would not worship a false God , though they may bee helped by him . By the example of these mariners , if they thought that their God was the true God ( & why els did they worship him : ) we may learne the substance of euery temptation that doth vndermine vs , namely , that it will bid vs doe this euill , that good may come Sin alwaies promiseth , good . of it : Marke whensoeuer thou art motioned to euill , if it doe not promise thee some goodnesse to come of it . But the seruants of God ought not to doe that which is euill , though they were sure to gaine all things that can bee wished by so doing : for they haue learned their lesson , and how to answere Sathan at such times : Why temptest thou me , Sathan ? for it is written , Thou must not doe euill that good may come of it : and this is the armour called Rom. 3. 8 Scriptum est , wherewith the Lord ouercame the deuill in the wildernesse .

Heere also wee may see the difference betweene the faithfull and Infidels : for , Call vpon thy God , saith the ship-master and the rest .

The Mariners bid Ionah pray to his God in their behalfe : but Ionah sayth not to the mariners , Pray to your gods in my behalfe . And this is also manifest , that a Papist will say vnto a Protestant , and one that liues well , Pray for me : but a Protestant if he be any thing zealous , will not The truely faithful desire not infidels to pray for them . say vnto a Papist , Pray thou for me : knowing that when a Papist doth pray , hee doth it to Idols , Saints , or Angels , or at least without faith , and therefore their prayers are abhominable in the sight of God , and therefore they will not bid them doe it , because they will not doe euill , to the intent that good may come of it : whereby it is manifest , that our religion is the true religion , our aduersaries themselues being iudges And so Pharao sayd to Moses , Pray for me : but Moses said not to Pharao , pray for me , Saul said to Samuell , pray thou for mee : but Samuell said not to Saul , Exod. 18 , 27 &c. Pharao desireth Moses , Moses not Pharao 1. Sam. 15. 25. Pray thou for mee : therefore the Mariners had neede of Ionah to pray for them : but Ionah had no neede of ignorant Idolaters to pray for him . And why shoulde not all pray to Ionahs God , & Pharao pray to Moses God , seeing God hath sayd , call vpon mee in trouble , and I will heare thee : Call vpon thy God ( say they . ) When they had cryed & saw no helpe , they distrusted their Gods , they thought they would not helpe : indeede they could not : therefore they ran to another whom they knew not , hoping to bee helped by him , because they thought some God there was that could doe it . So the Papists run from one God to another , from S. Dominick to S. Francis : and why should they run from S. Dominick to S. Francis , but that they mistrusted Dominick ? they thinke he will not heare them , and so they goe forward : but in the end the vnknowne God is thought to be the best : yet the Lorde taught not Peter one prayer and Iohn another , but taught them al one praier vnto one onely God , and to wait still vpon him , praying still , with assurance he will be a helpe in due time .

If peraduenture hee will thinke vpon vs that we perish not .

This if , perhaps , and peraduenture , cost Adam Paradise . God sayd to Adam , If thou doest eate of this tree , thou shalt surely die . Then Euah reported these words , thus : least peraduenture we die . The serpent seeing her in such a mind so carelesse or forgetfull of the commandement , hee came and quite changed the matter , and said , You shall not dye . Thus sinne creepes vpon vs , while doubt fulnesse remaineth in vs : so God saith , You shall bee saued : the trembling flesh saith , Peraduenture I shall , &c then commeth Sathan , and he saith , Thou shalt die : so that if you will aske what is the faith of sinners , or if you would haue it defined , it is this : peraduenture yea , peraduenture The sinners faith . no : if you will aske mee whereupon this faith is grounded : it is vpon ifs and ands : this is the faith of the vngodly , to say , If so bee God will helpe vs : for they can not assure themselues of any helpe . But we may not doubt of our God , and say , It may bee , or , If peraduenture : for we may freely pray to our God with confidence , and may say , Our God , and the God of Ionah will surely helpe vs and hath helped vs . But yet let vs know that we haue sinned like Infidels , and doe deserue to bee punished like the Egyptians .

If so be he will , &c.

Thus if commeth in like a little leauen , which sowreth the whole lumpe of dow , and like the moth , which eateth the whole wedding garment , and this same littletheef hath stolen away all the Papists faith . Therefore with them wickednesse lyeth sicke in bed , and calleth to euery one that commeth by , Call vpon thy God , and pray for me if so bee hee will looke vpon vs and helpe vs : and so their hope when the tempest commeth , is either an easelesse horrour , or a comfortlesse doubting

If so he will thinke vpon vs .

Our God thought vpon vs in the time of trouble : he thought vpon vs , and layd the tempest when our enemies called vpon their Gods , Saints and Angels But what doe wee meane , beloued , when mercie is come , to send for iudgement ? for though we bee saued with Israel , wee deserue to be plagued with Pharao , because wee are not thankefull for this , namely , that the Lorde hath thought vpon vs in our distresse ; for hee trauelleth with mercie , and laboureth till hee bee deliuered , hee goeth laden like a Bee , but wants a hiue . There are two hands , a hand to giue , & a hand to receiue : Gods hand to giue , and mans hand to receiue : the hand of God is a bountifull and a mercifull hand , a hand loden with liberalitie , full of gracious gifts : therefore let vs stretch foorth the good hand to receiue it thankefully to embrace it , chearefully to entertaine it , and carefully to keepe it , let vs receiue it by the hand of faith , the hand of loue , and the hand of prayer for who so commeth with his hand , shall be filled , and who so commeth without it , shall goe emptie away , because they haue despised the wayes of God : for when I instructed them , they would not heare , and what I taught them , they would Pro 1. 24 25. not learne , saith the Lord . Ionah wakened thus , and thus exhorted to call vpon his God , soone no doubt perceiued his danger , and partly with the horrour for his sinne , partly for feare of the deserued , and thus threatned drowning and other punishments , without question was grieuously vexed . For hee could not but see , that the very dumbe creatures were bent against him for his disobedience : the wind blowes , as though it would ouerturne , all the waters roare as though they would drowne all , the ship tumbles as though shee were weary of all , and albeit the Mariners had cryed , and cast out the wares , as though they would loose all , yet the tempest rageth still , their danger is greater then euer .

Wherefore now one might haue saide to Sathan , Sathan , thou perswadedst him to flie from his defence for his safetie , and madest him beleeue that hee would come safe to Tarshish , and there liue at libertie and ease , enioying all temporall benefits at his pleasure , but now thou hast brought him into the prison of the ship , and it is tost thus by this tempest likely to destroy him thou leauest him in the greatest danger , and reioycest that Ionah quaketh at the tempest , and hath his heart a king for feare of the danger thus threatned due to rebellion : yea , seekest also to drowne him , and that also in hell , howsoeuer thou pretendest a desire to preserue him from troubles , and procure him many pleasures , with much securitie : O most wretched and deceitfull lyer , he that trusteth his enemie , and he that beleeueth thee , shall euer bee deceiued . And now might Ionah say , Beware by mee , for thus hath the tempter deceiued me , he hath allured mee with flattring fantasies , and perswaded me , that it was but an easie thing to flie from the presence of the Lord , that seeth alwayes all things , and from whom no man , no nor secret lurking in any mans heart can be hid , but all are alwaies in his presence . Hee made me beleeue that light could bee brought out of darknesse , that good may come of euill ? for he assureth mee , that if I would set forth toward Tharshish : I should not onely shun the presence of the Lord , but should liue at ease like one vnknowne , both for my vocation , and also for my behauiour in the execution thereof , and so I might creepe into a familiaritie with these people , and enioy the benefite of thy societie . Otherwise if I went to Niniuie as the Lord commanded , they would hate and persecute mee , yea , and so I should end my life in miserie , both because they being Gentiles , and I a Iewe , they cannot abide mee , for the one holdeth the other in contempt : and also because of my message , namely , a prophecie of destruction , grounded vpon a reproofe of their vile and sinfull pleasures , Which message , Sathan perswaded mee , would be so hainously taken , that no death nor torment that they could deuise for mee , would bee thought sufficient , and so I should bee sure neuer to escape their hands aliue if I went : as though the eternall and most glorious God , which sent me thither , were not able to defend mee from all euill when I came thither , as well as hee did Daniel in the Den of Lyons , and Christ in the wildernesse among the sauage beastes . And when Sathan had thus perswaded mee . I beleeued him , and so tooke my iourney to flye from the presence of the Lord if I could haue performed my intention . But the Lord hath beheld the stubbournnesse and disobedience of my heart , and therfore followeth mee with great displeasure : hee hath sent out this tempest vpon the sea , whereby wee are like to be ouer whelmed , and so neere as we are to the water , so neere we are to death by all likely-hood .