A17683:182
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.
Now riseth a question, whether this was a lawful mean to find out the truth: whether, when they were ignorant for whose offence the tempest arose, it were lawful to ••ye unto lots. Certain men have been too superstitious in the condemning of lots, because precisely they affirmed all lots to be wicked: From hence was the name given to the Lot prophets, and they thought that these Diviners by lot differed little from Magicians and Enchanters. But this thing took his beginning of error, because we know that it was at some time permitted to cast the lot. And Solomon truly, as it were of a politic order speaketh,1 when he saith: The lots are cast into the lap, but the disposition thereof is of the Lord. Solomon there speaketh not in that place of arts Magical, but saith, when the lots are put in, they come not forth by chance, but by the providence of God.2 When Matthias was to succeed in the place of Judas, it was done by lot. And did the Apostles rashly use that name? And again, the holy ghost had a stroke in the election. There is therefore no doubt, but that God allowed of that lot. Even as also when Joshua tried out the matter by lot,3 for that the cause of the wrath of God was unknown: and yet it appeared evidently that God was displeased with his people. Joshua perplexed in that obscure •are, casteth lots: and so is Achan brought forth with ⟨image 26⟩his sacrilege. No man dare condemn that lot. Therefore sufficiently appeareth that which I have said, that they were superstitious, which without any exception condemned all kind of lots. But this is with all to be marked, that confusedly, or without any difference, lots are not to be used.
Now ryseth a question, whether this was a lawful meane to fynde out the truth: whether, when they were ignoraunt for whose offence the tempest arose, it were lawfull to ••ye vnto lottes. Certaine men haue bene too superstitious in the condempning of lottes, because precisely they affirmed all lottes to be wicked: From hence was the name geuen to the Lot prophetes, and they thought that these Diuiners by lotte differed lytle from Magicians and Inchaunters. But this thing tooke his beginning of error, because we knowe that it was at some tyme permitted to cast the lotte. And Salomon truely, as it were of a politike order speaketh,