Calvin. Jonah seemeth here (as I have touched already) covertly to note that he was before this time called to the office of teaching: for that, after that sort he speaketh, as if he compiled this History together with his ordinary function. The word of God therefore began not only to come to Jonah ⟨p. 2⟩when he was sent to Nineveh, but when he was an ordinary Prophet, the Lord would also transfer his labour to other Nations. But that he was sent unto Nineveh: it might be that the Lord, weary of the obstinacy of his own people, would show an example of godly docility, in a profane and incircumcised Nation, whereby he might make the Israelites the more inexcusable. They outwardly gave honour to true piety: they boasted that they were a holy people. Circumcision was unto them a token and pledge of the covenant of God: yet despised they all the Prophets, that teaching with them might be unprofitable. It is therefore probable, that the Prophet was taken away from them, that the Ninevites with their example might augment the crime of the people of Israel, for that in three days they were converted unto God, after that Jonah preached there. But with the Israelites and their Gentiles, nothing long time he profited, when as yet sufficiently was his authority established, and that unto their profit as we have said of late. For Jonah prophesied that the kingdom of Israel as yet should continue: although they were worthy to perish, the Lord yet performed that which he had spoken by the mouth of his servant. They ought therefore to have embraced his doctrine, not only because it was of God, but also because the Lord would have it to be amiable unto them. And I truly do not doubt but that the ingratitude of the people by this means was increased, seeing that the Ninevites repented at the voice of Jonah, and that in short time: but the Israelites always continued hardened in their stubbornness. And therefore certain men more subtly then wisely, do expound this place of Math. 12. This perverse generation seeketh a sign, and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonah: thus they say, that the Gospel should be transported unto the Gentiles, even as Jonah was led away from his own Nation, and given a Teacher unto foreign and profane ⟨image 11⟩Nations.
Caluin. IOnas séemeth here (as I haue touched already) couertly to note that hée was before this tyme called to the office of teaching: for that, after that sort he speaketh, as if he compiled this Historie together with his ordinarie function. The worde of God therefore beganne not onely to come to Ionas ⟨p. 2⟩when he was sent to Nineueh, but when he was an ordinarie Prophet, the Lorde woulde also transferre his labour to other Nations. But that he was sēt vnto Nineueh: it might be that the Lord, werie of the obstinacie of his owne people, woulde shewe an example of godlie docilitie, in a prophane and incircumcised Nation, whereby he might make the Israelites the more inexcusable. They outwardlie gaue honor to true pietie: they bosted that they were a holy people. Circumcision was vnto them a token and pledge of the couenaunt of God: yet despised they all the Prophetes, that teaching with them might be vnprofitable. It is therfore propable, that the Prophete was taken awaye from them, that the Nineuites with their example might augment the crime of the people of Israel, for that in thrée dayes they were conuerted vnto God, after that Ionas preached there. But with the Israelites and their Gentiles, nothing long tyme he profited, when as yet sufficientlie was his authoritie established, and that vnto their profite as we haue sayd of late. For Ionas prophecied that the kingdome of Israel as yet shoulde continue: although they were worthy to perishe, the Lorde yet performed that which he had spoken by the mouth of his seruaunt. They ought therefore to haue embraced his doctrine, not onely because it was of God, but also because the Lorde woulde haue it to be amiable vnto them. And I truelie doo not doubte but that the ingratitude of the people by this meanes was increased, séeing that the Nineuits repented at the voyce of Ionas, and that in short tyme: but the Israelites alwayes continued hardened in their stubbornnesse. And therefore certaine men more subtilly then wyselie, doo expounde this place of Math. 12. This peruerse generation séeketh a signe, and there shall no sygne be geuen vnto it, but the signe of the Prophete Ionas: thus they saye, that the Gospel shoulde be transported vnto the Gentiles, euen as Ionas was ledde awaye from his owne Nation, and geuen a Teacher vnto forraine and prophane ⟨image 11⟩Nations.
