A17683:286
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 if any man will object, that there is nothing to be gone about in the worship of God, not mentioned in the word, or contrary to the word: easy also is the answer,1 that the King of Nineveh by this, invented not any kind of pacifying of God, neither would he by this means worship God, but had respect unto the end whereof I spake. And that end very well agreeth unto the word of God, and the prescript rule thereof. Therefore the king of Nineveh trieth here nothing strange & unknown to the word of God, when he referreth all things to the scope, even that he with the people might come forth humbly before the judgement seat of God, and with earnest penitency and repentance, may desire pardon. This answer then is plain enough. When as therefore Jonah addeth, that the King commanded both the people, & the beasts to put on Sackcloth: let us know, that if any man will snatch up this naked example to imitate it, he should be nothing else but a Jester: because always this reason is to be observed, that the King sought helps wherewith he might drive both himself and his, unto true repentance. And good reason it is, that we take heed in the imitation of this: for the nature of man is prone unto a foolish zeal. And for the most part we are almost like Apes: but it is diligently to be looked unto, with what spirit they were led, whom we covet to imitate, least that we being content with the outward appearances, do neglect that which is principal, or chief. Afterward Jonah addeth, And they cry strongly, or in fortitude unto God. This must be restrained unto the men (& not unto the beast) for it would not agree unto brute beasts. Well: the men and the beasts abstain from meat and drink: and then the men cry unto God. This cry could not spring, ⟨image 60⟩but of the fear of God, and the perseverance and knowledge of godliness. Therefore as I have said it ought not confusedly to be drawn as well to brute beasts as men. But that the King of Nineveh commanded the people, in fortitude, to cry unto God, it is worthy the noting: for here hence we gather that he was in deed throughly terrified. For here is no mention of the common crying, but he addeth, in Fortitude, as if one should say, with open throat, and in French we say, A force, or forte, or term, with force strongly, or firmly.
Nowe if any man wyll obiect, that there is nothing to be gone about in the worshippe of God, not mencioned in the worde, or contrarie to the worde: easie also is the aunswer,