A17683:220
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. The last Lecture we began to expound the last verse of the first Chapter, where Jonah said that A Fish was prepared of the Lord. We said that it could not otherwise he, but that Jonah, when as he was in the belly of that Fish, did feel most grievous torments, as though now he were appointed to eternal death, so long I say as he was deprived of the taste of Gods grace. Which thing again more evidently shall be declared in his Canticle or Psalm. But now one question is to be handled of us, ⟨image 41⟩whither God created at that time the Fish which received Jonah. For so much that saying (that: God prepared a Fish) seemeth to infer. For if the Fish had at that time swam in the Sea, the Prophet might have used another word, as thus: The Lord caused that the Fish should Occur, or: the Lord Sent a Fish, for so the scripture is wont to speak. But here, the Fish is said to be prepared. But this doubt may be resolved thus, that although God created not the Fish at that time, yet did he dispose the same to this use: because we know that this was not done naturally, that a Fish should swallow Jonah: 1and again, should three days and three nights keep him unperished in his belly. I therefore refer that which here is spoken of (that a Fish was prepared) unto the conservation of Jonah. And certain it is, that there be some such Fishes which are able to swallow men whole. And Guleielmus Rondeletus, who writ a book of the Fishes of the Sea, by probable reason, gathereth that it was a Fish called Lamia. He saw that Fish whom he saith to be of so large a belly and broad mouth, that easily may swallow one man: and faith also, that sometime there was found in the belly of that Fish Lamia, an armed man. Therefore as I said, either a Whale, or a Lamia, or some Fish unknown unto us, may devour a whole man: but he which so is swallowed up, liveth not in the belly of the Fish. Therefore Jonah, that he might note the miracle, saith that this Fish was prepared of the Lord, because he was received into the belly of the Fish, as into a friendly harborough or lodging. For there although he rested not in mind, yet in body he was as safe as if he had walked on the land. When as therefore contrary to the order of Nature, the Lord preserved his Prophet there, no marvel it is, if he say that the Fish was prepared of the Lord.