Preface

Mv explicit acknowledgiiicnts of help in the couiposition of this volume, are due to Calvin; whose ()ininentiirios on the Minor Projthets, as well as his otlur works, it would be y)resuniptioii in me to praise. 1 have no doubt, also, that traces will appear of my haviniT read Principal Fairbairn’s book on Jonah. I have a distinct recollection of derivintr much pleasure and profit from the perusal of it at the time of its publication. But as that is now about seventeen years ago, I am unable to specify my obligations.

Some of my readers may think that I have — to use the language of an intelligent friend — “taken Jonah’s lpart too much.” I can scarcely think that I have. It is a tacit tribute of honour that we pay to and Apostles, as still living powers in the Church, when we deny them the benefit of the maxim, Dr mortuis nil nisi Jxmun). But for that we ouirht to be all the iv Preface.

more careful to do them no injustice. And when I think of his wonderful prayer in the depths, — of his perfect candour with the mariners, — of his magnanimity in prescribing his own death as the means of their deliverance, — and of his perfect candour with God also, in laying open to Him to the last even all that was wrong in his startling and most sinful state of mind, I cannot help thinking that the memory of Jonah deserves more of esteem and affectionate reoard than has fallen to his lot. To the last we find his gracious Lord “not silent to him;” so that we see the prophet not left to “become like them that go down into the pit.” And though Jonah has closed the book of his prophecy without telling us what effect the Lord’s gracious remonstrance had in respect of bringing him to a better frame of mind, — thus, in manifest humility, I think, consenting to disappear from our view as under a cloud, — Divine charity, “believing all things,” will have little difficulty in believing that Jonah’s silence, like that of Job, would have its meaning expressed by the protestation: — “Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.”

I wish my book had been greatly better than it is. For one thing, it would have allowed me to say something on what I hold to be the yet unexhausted resources, in respect of variety, and versatility, and literary construction, — of the kind of expository exercise of which

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this tbrms, in so far, a .s])uciiiun. Hut I forlxui-. Smli as it it is, I ilcsire to leavi’ the voluinc with him who, by His ministry witliiii tlir veil, can lender it of sweet smellinij;- savour unto (Jod, and lpy I lis ministry of the Spirit in the heart, can render it a savour of life unt<» life to tlif r-ader.

H. M.

EDLVBCRf.H, Ut Jnne 1S66.

There beincj a constant demand for Dr. Huofh Martin’s Works and this one having become scarce, the Publisher has reprinted it, and will shortly reissue Dr. Martin’s work entitled •’ The Shadow of Calvary.”

July 11 $9.