2. The sentiments contained in the reproof —
[We are amazed to hear such sentiments proceed from the mouth of a heathen mariner : but we are convinced, that there are much stronger notices of truth remaining in the heart of fallen man, than is commonly supposed. There was not indeed in these people any distinct knowledge of Jehovah : but there was a belief in a superintending Providence, who ordered every thing according to his own sovereign will, and was able to interpose effectually in behalf of those who sought him ; yea, moreover, that even though we sought him only in our extremity, there still was reason to hope that he would hear our cry, and vouchsafe to us the desired deliverance. What god the ship-master had an eye to, we do not know: but sup- posing him, though under some mistaken name, to be looking to Jehovah, his views are precisely such as were avowed and inculcated by the Prophet Joel, when he said, "Rend your heart, and turn unto the Lord your God : for who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind himb?" This we consider as encouraging to those who go forth to convert the heathen : we consider it as shewing, that, however obscured by superstition, there are in the minds of the most ignorant heathen some notices of truth, which, if duly improved by an instructor, will greatly facilitate the admission of other truths, which can be known only through the medium of a special revelation. The existence and attributes of a Supreme Being are here acknowledged ; and the duty of his intelligent creatures to call upon him is also declared : and whoever diligently improves these more obvious truths, will, we doubt not, be gradually guided into all truth. But when we behold a prophet of the Lord, who should have been a teacher of others, himself thus reproved by a heathen mariner, we blush for him ; and blush also for ourselves, well knowing, how much we ourselves need to have these truths impressed more forcibly on our own minds, and how rarely they operate on us to the extent that they did on those uninstructed mariners.]
With these feelings it will be profitable to us to consider the reproof,
II. As applicable to ourselves —
We are not indeed altogether in the situation of Jonah; yet we approximate more nearly to it than may at first sight be imagined.
We are all in some degree sleeping in the midst of danger —
" Joel ii. 13, 14.