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…

Calvin. When Jonah saith, That he prayed out of the inward parts of the Fish, he first showeth with what a fortitude of mind he was endowed. Then therefore he taketh him to a new mind, because when he was at liberty, he thought that he might after a sort mock God: he was a fugitive from the Lord: but now when he is shut up in outward miseries, he beginneth to pray, and of his own accord setteth him self in the sight of God. This is a change or alteration worthy the noting. And here hence we gather how greatly it is expedient for us, that we be drawn back with chains and be detained, shut up in fetters as it were, because when we are at liberty, immediately then we stray abroad without any measure. Jonah when he was at liberty waxed wanton as we see, but now when he perceiveth that he is fast bound by the violent hand of God, he altereth his mind, and prayeth out of the belly of the Fish. And this circumstance is also of us to be marked, for the words sound, as if he should say, that he prayed out of the very hells. But how could it be, that he then directed his prayers unto God, by whose hand he saw himself to be so severely punished? For God most severely handled him. Jonah was after a sort driven to eternal ⟨image 42⟩destruction, for the belly of the Fish, even as we shall hereafter see, was as the belly of hell, or the grave. And yet in this desperation, Jonah gathereth his spirits to him and taketh courage, & can take him self the right way unto God: this is a wonderful and almost an incredible example of faith.¹ Therefore let us learn to weigh well what here is said: that when the Lord punisheth us hardly, then is there a lawful & a fit time to pray. But we know how the greater part of people despair, and are not wont to offer their prayers unto God: but when their minds be quiet. But God himself then chiefly inviteth us unto him, when as we are brought to greatest extremity. Let us therefore remember that which Jonah telleth of himself, even that he cried unto God out of the very hells. And with all he also confirmeth, that his prayer proceeded of true faith: for he saith not simply, that he prayed unto the Lord, but also he addeth, his God. But he speaketh earnestly and very deliberately. Well:

Caluin. WHen Ionas sayth, That he prayde out of the inwarde partes of the Fish, he fyrst sheweth with what a fortitude of minde he was endewed. Then therfore he taketh him to a new minde, because when he was at liberty, he thought yt he might after a sort mock God: he was a fugitiue from the Lorde: but nowe when he is shutte vp in outwarde myseries, he beginneth to praye, and of his owne accorde setteth him selfe in the sight of God. This is a chaunge or alteration worthy the noating. And here hence we gather howe greatlie it is expedient for vs, that we be drawne backe with chaynes and be detayned, shutte vp in fetters as it were, because when we are at lybertie, immediatly then we straye abroade without any measure. Ionas when he was at lybertie waxed wanton as we see, but nowe when he perceyueth that he is faste bounde by the violent hande of God, he altereth his minde, and prayeth out of the bellie of the Fysh. And this circumstaunce is also of vs to be marked, for the wordes sounde, as if he shoulde saye, that he prayde out of the verie helles. But howe coulde it be, that he then dyrected his prayers vnto God, by whose hande he sawe himselfe to be so seuerelie punished? For God most seuerelie handeled him. Ionas was after a sorte dryuen to eternall