A17683:282
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.
God truly by the preaching of his word, worketh not equally, that is, keepeth not always one order or rule, but when it seemeth good unto him, so effectually toucheth he the harts of men, that the good success that the word shall have, passeth all mans imagination▪ even as in this place a worthy example of the same is set before us. For who would have said, that a profane king who lived alway as him listed, In whom no true and sincere religion did reign, in one moment could so be tamed? And more, laying aside all glory of his kingdom, would prostrate himself in the dust and put on sackcloth? We see therefore that God not only speaketh by the mouth of Jonah, but also thereto addeth efficacy unto his word. But this is to be called to mind which Christ spake,1 The Men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgement against this people, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold a greater then Jonah is here? Daily Christ uttereth the voice of his Gospel: for although he be not after a visible manner conversant here among us, yet, he it is which by his Ministers doth speak. If we contemn this doctrine, how shall our obstinacy and hardness of hart be excusable, when the Ninevites which never tasted any true doctrine of piety, which were endued with no knowledge in Religion, so soon were converted at the preaching of Jonah. But that their repentance was serious we gather by this, that the preaching of Jonah was very sharp. For he denounced destruction to that most mighty City, and this might by and by have brought the Kings mind unto madness and fury. That therefore so gently and with so small ado he was humbled, for certainty is a most rare alteration and change. We have therefore a notable example of repentance, that the King could so soon forget himself and his dignity, and in such sort that laying aside his precious Ro•be•, he put Sackcloth upon him. Now as touching ⟨image 58⟩Fasting and Sackcloth, it is certain and true that Repentance consisteth not in these outward things, as we may see in Joel. For God careth not for Ceremonies. And whatsoever is glorious in the eyes of men, the same is frivolous in his sight: for he requireth the sincerity of the heart.
God truly by the preaching of his word, worketh not equally, that is, kéepeth not alwayes one order or rule, but when it séemeth good vnto him, so effectually toucheth he the harts of men, that the good successe that the word shal haue, passethe al mans imagination euen as in this place a worthie example of the same is set before vs. For who would haue sayd, that a prophane king who lyued alway as him listed, In whome no true and sincere religion dyd raigne, in one moment coulde so be tamed? And more, laying aside al glory of his kingdome, would prostrate himselfe in the dust and put on sackcloth? We see therfore that God not onely speaketh by the mouth of Ionas, but also therto addeth efficacy vnto his word. But this is to be called to minde which Christ spake,