John Trapp on Jonah 3:1

CHAP. III.

Verſe 1. AND the word of the Lord came unto Ionah the ſecond time.] Ionah is a ſinner, but not a caſt-away. God layes him not by as a broken veſſel, treads him not to the dung-hill, as unſavoury ſalt: but receives him upon his return by repentance, and reſtores him to his former employment, gives him yet a name, and a nail in his houſe; yea ſends him a ſecond time on his meſſage to Nineveh; and counting him faithfull puts him again into the miniſtery, who was before a runagate, a rebel, &c. But he obtained mercy, &c. 1 Tim. 1.13. as did likewiſe the Apoſtles, after that they had baſely deſerted our Saviour at his paſſion; and Peter after he had denied him. See Ioh. 20.22, 23. and 21.15, 16, 17.Quem poenite; peccaſſe, poenè eſt innocens. Sen Agam. The poenitent are as good as innocent. Return ye back-ſliding children (ſaith the Father of mercies) and I will heal your back-ſlidings, Ier. 3.22. The Shulamite returning, is as lovely in Chriſts eye as before: and all is as well as ever betwixt them, Cant. 6.4. There is a naturall Novatianiſme in the timerous conſcience of convinced ſinners, to doubt and queſtion pardon for ſinnes of Apoſtaſie and falling after repentance: But had they known the gift of God, and who it is that ſaith to them. Be of good cheer, thy ſinnes are forgiven thee, they would have conceived ſtrong conſolation.