A17683:215
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 also Jonah addeth that, The Shipmen vowed vows to God. This appertaineth to giving of thanks, or is a part of thanksgiving. For we know that in vows always this hath been the intent, not only of the holy Fathers, but also of superstitious Hypocrites, both to bind them selves to God, and also to give him thanks, and testify that they owe unto him or stand bound unto him both for the preservation of their lives, and also for any other benefit that happened unto them. And this was the continual course in vowing vows, in all ages. Therefore when as now the shipmen made vows unto God, certainly they renounced their Idols. First they cried out to their gods, but now they understand that they brayed in vain, and without profit: for that rashly they cast abroad their voices in the air. Now therefore they direct their vows to the true God, because they know that their lives be in his hand. And hence is it easy to be collected,1 how foolishly the Sophisters heap together at this day all the places of ⟨image 39⟩Scripture which entreat of Vows, or where any mention is made of Vows. For they think, when we condemn their wicked vows, that we are utterly overwhelmed, and vanished with their vain collection of that very word, Vow. And yet none of us ever denied, neither do deny,2 but that it is lawful to make a vow, so that it be done by the prescription of the law and the gospel: that is, so that men do not rashly obtrude unto God, whatsoever cometh in their mind, but do vow that which is acceptable unto him: and again, have with them a right & just end of their vows, even that they may thereby testify their thankfulness in the sight of God.3 But in common vows there be most palpable corruptions, as there is also in all the Popes Religion: because they do confusedly vow this or that to God,4 and never respect what the Lord requireth or alloweth: As one man for certain days abstaineth from eating of flesh. Another man combeth not his head for a certain time. And another wandereth in some pilgrimage. We know that all these things are refused of God. Again, admit, they vow nothing but that which is allowed of God, yet is that also very prosperously done, because they will needs by this manner bind God unto them. And always that devilish opinion of Desert or Merit sticketh in their minds.