A17683:163
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.
And again, while other ⟨image 19⟩men do cry unto false Gods: he yet either despiseth, or at the least neglecteth the true God, towards whom he knew him self to be a rebel and disobedient. Hitherto tendeth the comparison or Antithesis. But in the mean time we see, how that in perils, men are constrained to call upon God. For although a certain perseverance, or sense of the Divine essence be engendered in our hearts, so that every man, will he, •yll he, perceiveth that there is a certain Godhead: yet by our malice choke we that light, which should shine in us: For willingly do we reject all cares, and heaviness, and wish good unto our selves: as though tranquility wer• unto men the principal benefit or chiefest goo•. Hereby cometh it to pass, that every man desireth without fear and •are to live, and therefore naturally all men desire to be secure and safe. Now security bringeth forth contempt, from hence therefore cometh it is pass that no Religion almost appeareth in the world•, where God▪ leaveth us in idleness. Fear compelleth unwilling man to come unto God. Wickedly ••dly; saith one, that fear is the cause of Religion, and was the original cause why men thought that there were Gods: also it is altogether contrary to common sense and experience. But Religion, which was either well wye extincted, or at the least overwhelmed in the hearts of men, is raised and stirred up by dangers. Of this matter Jonah bringeth for the notable example, when he saith: That the Shipmen cried unto their Gods. We know how rude that kind of men be: therefore gladly would they drive from them selves all feeling of gladness: and in very deed they shifts of all fear, and mock even God him self, as long as they may. That they therefore cry unto the Gods: certainly, very urgent necessity extorted this at their hands. And hereby gather we how profitable it is for us to be disquieted by fear: because if we were in safety, immediately a dead steeple would reap upon us, as it is too well, or more ⟨p. 11⟩then enough known. And seeing that no man almost of his own accord cometh to God, we have need of prickings forward. But God earnestly or sharply pricketh us forward, when he layeth any dangers against us, whereby we are constrained to fear.