2. His successful preaching consequent upon it —
[The effect of Jonah's preaching stands perhaps unrivalled from the foundation of the world. The large and populous city instantly received the word, and, though Gentiles by na- ture, began to call upon Jehovah ; so that, from the king upon his throne to the very meanest of his subjects, they all humbled themselves before him in sackcloth and ashes : nor did they cease from their cries, till the wrath of God was averted from them.
And must not this event lead our minds to Jesus, who is no less " a light to lighten the Gentiles, than he is the glory of his people Israel?" His ministry among the Jews indeed was attended with small success, though ultimately " they shall be again engrafted on their own stock :" but how rapid, how ex- tensive, has been the effect of his word among the Gentiles ! Many myriads have already turned from idols to serve the living and true God : and in due season the whole Gentile world shall flock to his standard "=, and " all flesh behold the salvation of God."]
,^ But notwithstanding this honour put upon Jonah, it will be proper to notice,
II. His inferiority to him whom he typified —
- Though we are disposed to cast a veil over the infirmities of God's servants, yet the peculiarity of
'■Jonah's character, no less than the very words of the text, requires that his inferiority to the Saviour should be strongly marked. We may observe it,
■'■' i. In his office and character —
[Jonah was indeed a prophet of the Most High God ; but he had as great corruptions as could well consist with a converted state. The whole of his conduct, from first to last, indicated a proud, peevish, discontented, uncharitable, and rebellious disposition ; so that it is even a great stretch of cha- I'ity to believe that he had any piety at all. But the blessed Jesus was free from every species and degree of sin ; and was no other than the Messiah himself, even the very Son of God, " Jehovah's Fellow," " the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person." Methinks, therefore, he did not arrogate much to himself, when he said, " Behold, a greater than Jonas is here."]
2. In his manner of executing his office —
c Isai. xi. 10. VOL. XI. c c