A17683:309
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. That Jonah saith here that he prayed, seemeth scarce to be agreeable: because prayer to be quiet, and he confessed that he was so mollified in his mind. When as therefore the Prophet was so inflamed with wroth in his anger, how could he come into the presence of God,1 & conceive just prayers? again what is the end of prayer, but that we confess that what so ever good thing is to be wished, remaineth with God,2 and is humbly to be sought and asked of him? But Jonah doth here rather debate the matter with God and murmur against him. For he seemeth here after a sort to scold and say, that he had a just cause to run away: and again that God ought not to forgive the Ninevites. He therefore accuseth God, that he might clear and deliver himself from all blame, and this is strange altogether and far from the rule of prayer. How then must we understand this place, where he saith that he prayed? I answer, that oftentimes the faithful even with a troubled mind come unto God with a desire to pray:3 and yet their prayers are not utterly refused, although they be not allowed, nor yet please God in all points. And by this place it appeareth more evidently how the works of the godly are acceptable unto God, although ⟨p. 57⟩though they be mingled with many impurities.4 The Papists as often as they read that any work did please God, they imagine chief perfection and cleanness: and yet there is no work which is not infected with some spot, except it be purified by free pardon.5 And this is evident unto us in this prayer, which was not so rejected of God, but it obtained the name of a prayer. And yet certain it is that Jonah was not so minded as he ought, when he prayed troublesomely, as it were chiding & brawling with God, and still retaining some part of his former contumacy: because he began to like well of his running away from God. And we have said that this was a manifest sign of rebellion, when as, shaking off the the yoke, he contemned the calling of God. It is necessary therefore, that we acknowledge in this prayer of Jonah some part of godliness, and also many corruptions. This proceeded from piety, even that, all this notwithstanding, he yet directed his complaints unto God.