A17683:148
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…
The lectures or daily sermons, of that reverend divine, D. John Calvin, pastor of the Church of God in Geneva, upon the prophet Jonah, by N.B. student in Divinity. Whereunto is annexed an excellent exposition of the two last epistles of S. John, done in Latin by that worthy doctor, August. Marlorate, and englished by the same N.B.The lectures or daily sermons, of that reuerend diuine, D. Iohn Caluine, pastor of the Church of God in Geneua, vpon the prophet Ionas, by N.B. student in Diuinitie. Whereunto is annexed an excellent exposition of the two last epistles of S. Iohn, done in Latin by that worthy doctor, August. Marlorate, and englished by the same N.B.
London: printed by J. Charlewood for Edward White, 1578
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Calvin. Now declareth Jonah that he sought lurking holes, that he might convey him self from the obedience of God: ⟨image 14⟩not that he deceived him self with so manifest madness, as though he should not be subject unto God, if he were on the other side the Sea: but he would as it were flee the light of this present life, when he went into a strange Region. Neither is it any doubt, but that he was not only of a troubled mind, but plainly astonied, when he undertook such a devise.
Caluine. NOwe declareth Ionas that he sought lurking hooles, that he might conueigh him selfe from the obedience of God: ⟨image 14⟩not that he deceyued him selfe with so manifest madnesse, as though he shoulde not be subiect vnto God, if he were on the other syde the Sea: but he woulde as it were flée the lyght of this present lyfe, when he went into a straunge Region. Neyther is it any doubte, but that he was not onely of a troubled minde, but plainelie astonied, when he vndertooke such a deuise.
The question is, why Jonah so fled from the commandment of God. The Jews, as they coldly trifle in matters Divine, say that he feared, if he should come to Nineveh, that he should be destitute of the spirit of prophecy: as though the like danger were not, if he passed the Seas: this is to frivolous and childish. And again they feign a matter of no weight or importance, seeing other reasons weighty enough, do yield them selves of their own accord unto us. For this was strange and unaccustomed, the Prophet to be taken away from the elect people, and sent to profane Nations. When Peter was sent to Cornelius, 1although he had been admonished before of the future calling of the Gentiles, yet he doubteth, and stayeth until by a vision, as it were with violence, he were constrained. What therefore might come in mind to Jonah? if only for one man, the mind of Peter was so quailed, that be thought it to be a fantasy, where he was sent to be a teacher to Cornelius: when Jonah was sent to Nineveh, to a City so populous, what might he think with him self? Therefore the novelty of the matter without doubt might greatly shake the mind of the holy Prophet, and make him, that void of counsel, he might flee or convey him self else whether. This thing also distrust might cause. For what hope had he, that that people could be converted, which did even triumph in the licentiousness thereof. For he had first tried the hardness of the elected people: he was faithfully occupied in doing of his duty: he had pretermitted nothing whereby he might establish the worship