The lectures or daily sermons, of that reverend divine, D. John Calvin, pastor of…The lectures or daily sermons, of that reuerend diuine, D. Iohn Caluine, pastor of…

But as much as concerneth the builder of Nineveh, it is certain that City was first builded by Assur: I know not whether it were augmented by Ninus. I leave this therefore in the plain field, because I will not contend about a doubtful matter, but certain it is the first beginner of this City by the testimony of Moses was Assur. As much as toucheth the greatness of the City:¹ although profane writers had never spoken word thereof, yet this testimony of Jonah ought to satisfy us. But when he is commanded to arise and go to Nineveh: the Lord giveth now some hope of profit, even as also effectually he wrought by the hand of his servant Nahum: when he remained at home, he prophesied against Nineveh: but by another advise, and to another end. For because the people then were miserably afflicted, and saw the Empire or Monarchy to flourish in Assyria, they might have despaired, had they not been comforted. Nahum therefore showeth that God will be Judge against the Ninevites: and although for a time he do nourish them and comfort them: yet the horrible vengeance of the which he preached, he declared to be even ready to fall upon them. Nahum therefore was not given as a Teacher to the Ninevites, but only a foreshewer of Gods vengeance to fall upon them: that the Jews by this comfort ⟨p. 4⟩might fortify their faith, when they perceived that the Lord had not altogether rejected them, but that he once would revenge their injuries. The care of Jonah was otherwise. For he was sent into the very City, that he might move the Ninevites to repentance. Now, whereas the Lord spake plainly of the greatness of the City, by this meane• he would arm his servant with constancy, least he might be terrified with the gorgeousness, riches, and force of that City.

But asmuch as concerneth the buylder of Nineueh, it is certaine that Citie was first buylded by Assur: I know not whether it were augmented by Ninus. I leaue this therefore in the playne fielde, because I wyll not contende about a doubtfull matter, but certaine it is the fyrst beginner of this Citie by the testimony of Moyses was Assur. Asmuch as toucheth the greatnesse of the Citie:¹ although prophane wryters had neuer spoken worde therof, yet this testimony of Ionas ought to satisfie vs. But when he is commaunded to aryse and goe to Nineueh: the Lorde geueth nowe some hope of profite, euen as also effectuouslie he wrought by the hande of his seruaunt Nahum: when he remayned at home, he prophecied against Nineueh: but by another aduise, and to another ende. For because the people then were myserablie afflicted, and sawe the Empyre or Monarchie to florishe in Assyria, they might haue dispayred, had they not bene comforted. Nahum therefore sheweth that God wyl be Iudge against the Nineuits: and although for a tyme he doo nourishe them and comfort them: yet the horrible vengeaunce of the which he preached, he declared to be euen readie to fall vpon them. Nahum therefore was not geuen as a Teacher to the Nineuits, but onely a foreshewer of Gods vengeaunce to fall vpon them: that the Iewes by this comfort