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 Jonah saith not simply, that each man cried unto God, but also addeth, Unto his God. Even as therefore this place teacheth, that by necessity men are constrained to seek God: so also on the other side he showeth that the same men, unless they be governed by the celestial doctrine, and then also by the spirit of God, do err in the seeking of God. There shall be therefore in men a certain study, but it shall be erroneous, because no man can keep the right way, except the Lord direct them by his word and spirit, as is aforesaid. Both these things do we gather out of the words of the Prophet. The Shipmen feared, being rough fellows, and almost as hard as iron, which like a Cyclop tontempne God, They feared (saith he) and cried unto God: but they cried not, having faith for their directrix or guide, and hence came it to pass that each man cried to his own God. When we read this, let us first of all consider, that we ought not to wait, till God violently constrain us, but must prevent this last extremity that we of our own accord may seek him. For what profited it these Mariners or other Sailors, that once they cried unto God? for it is credible that a little after they revolted to their profane negligence: when they had escaped that peril, afterward they laughed at God, and all Religion also was of them contemned. And so is it accustomed to happen to men profane, which never submit them selves unto God, except they be thereunto compelled. Therefore let every one of us of his own accord offer him self unto God, yea, ⟨image 20⟩even while we be out of danger, and do enjoy chiefest quietness. For if we imagine that any pretence of unadvisedness, or of error, or folly may be objected of us, we are far deceived, because no excuse shall be admitted, seeing that experience doeth teach that the knowledge of God is naturally grafted: and again, this principle to be engraven in all men, that God governeth our life, that he only may deliver us from death, that it is his proper office to succour us and to help us. For how can it come to pass that these Mariners cried unto God? Came there thither any new Teacher which might preach unto them of godliness, and which in order might show God to be the deliverer of mankind? No verily: But already this thing, as I have said, by nature was imprinted in their hearts.

But Ionas sayth not simply, that each man cryed vnto God, but also addeth, Ʋnto his God. Euen as therefore this place teacheth, that by necessitie men are constrayned to séeke God: so also on the other side he sheweth that the same men, vnlesse they be gouerned by the celestiall doctrine, and then also by the spirite of God, doo erre in the séeking of God. There shall be therefore in men a certaine study, but it shall be erroneous, because no man can kéepe the right waye, except the Lorde dyrect them by his worde and spirite, as is aforesayde. Both these thinges doo we gather out of the wordes of the Prophete. The Shipmen feared, being rough fellowes, and almost as harde as yron, which lyke a Cyclop tontempne God, They feared (sayth he) and cried vnto God: but they cryed not, hauing faith for their directrix or guide, and hence came it to passe that each man cryed to his owne God. When we reade this, let vs first of all consider, that we ought not to wayte, tyll God violentlie constraine vs, but must preuent this last extremitie that we of our owne accorde maye séeke him. For what profited it these Marriners or other Saylers, that once they cryed vnto God? for it is creyble that a lytle after they reuoulted to their prophane nelygence: when they had escaped that peryll, afterward they laughed at God, and all Religion also was of them contempned. And so is it accustomed to happen to men prophane, which neuer sbmitte them selues vnto God, except they be therevnto compelled. Therefore let euerie one of vs of his owne accorde offer him selfe vnto God, yea,