A17683:289
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.
Whereby it followeth that their blockishness is the more filthy, which endeavour to pacify and please God with their frivolous inventions, as do the Papists which will needs thrift upon God, I know not what trifles and toys, and think each of them a sacrifice good enough and therefore obstinately do they contend. They need not therefore any other judge then this profane king, which declared that there was another manner of true repentance, even that men should be changed in mind and soul,1 and turn the whole manner of their life into better. And therefore he saith: Let every man be converted from his wicked way, and from the rapine which is in their hands. In this last clause is set down the kinds of wickedness, by Synecdoche by part for the whole. For the Rapines were not only to be amended in the Ninevites: for it is probable that they were infected with other vices also: In that so populous a City, Drunkenness did also reign, and also Riot, ⟨image 61⟩Pride and Ambition and Lechery. There is no doubt therefore but that Nineveh was stuffed with innumerable sins: but the king by part noteth here the principal vice, well: Let every man convert from his wicked way, and from his Rapine. It is as much as if he should show that the thief and principal virtue consisteth in Equity & Justice: that is, when men live among them selves mutually without any wrong or injury. And I would to God, that the same doctrine were of force at this day amongst all those which usurp, and falsely take upon them the name of a Christian. For the Papists while they heap Sacrifice upon Sacrifice, they pass over Love and Charity, and in all their perfection of life, almost Equity hath no place. Let them learn therefore at the mouth of a profane King, what God chiefly requireth of men, and approveth in their whole life, even that they abstain from Rapines, and from every wicked act. Now therefore we know why, from Rapine, was added. Now we know that this King being yet a Novice, and scarce even lightly touched with the rudiments of piety, after the preaching of Jonah, according to the small measure of his understanding & faith, gave yet commandment to his subjects to repent of their old life, & to lead a new.
Wherby it followeth that their blockishnesse is the more filthie, whiche endeuour to pacifie and please God with their friuolous inuentions, as doo the Papists which wyll néedes thri•t vppon God, I know not what tryfles and toyes, and thinke eache of them a sacrifice good inough and therefore obstinatly doo they contende. They néede not therefore anye other iudge then this prophane king, which declared that there was another maner of true repentaunce, euen that men should be chaunged in minde and soule,