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…

Now he saith: I beseech thee O Lord, was not this my speech. Here Jonah declareth evidently why he took it grievously, that Nineveh should be delivered from subversion: even because by this means he should be taken for a false and lying Prophet. But this may seem absurd, that the Prophet set more by, or made more account of his own fame, then of the glory of God. For in this doth the glory of God chiefly shine, that he is appeased, so soon as men repent: and also in that he offereth himself to be a father unto them. Ought Jonah to have preferred his estimation before the glory of God? I answer that the Prophet so was not addicted to him self, but that always the study of the glory of God obtained the highest degree in his mind: this is certain. But he joined his ministry with the glory of God, and worthily: because it depended upon his authority. Jonah when he entered into Nineveh, he cried not as a private man, but professed that he was sent from God.

Now he sayth: I beseech thee O Lorde, was not this my speach. Here Ionas declareth euidentlie why he tooke it greeuouslie, that Nineueh shoulde be delyuered from subuersion: euen because by this meanes he shoulde be taken for a false and lying Prophet. But this maye seeme absurde, that the Prophet set more by, or made more accoumpt of his owne fame, then of the glorie of God. For in this doth the glorie of God chieflie shine, that he is appeased, so soone as men repent: and also in that he offereth himselfe to be a father vnto them. Ought Ionas to haue preferred his estimation before the glorie of God? I aunswer that the Prophet so was not addicted to him selfe, but that alwayes the studie of the glorie of God obtained the highest degrée in his minde: this is certaine. But he ioygned his ministerie with the glory of God, and worthely: because it depended vpon his authority. Ionas when he entred into Nineueh, he cryed not as a priuate man, but professed that he was sent from God.

Now if the preaching of Jonah be found false, the reproach redoundeth upon the very author of his calling, that is upon God. There is no doubt therefore but that Jonah took it grievously that the name of God should be laid open to the reproaches of the gentiles, as though he should make them afraid of nothing and again, speaking dissemblingly, should by and by open hell and by and by heaven. And there is nothing more against the glory of God, then such dissimulation We see then why Jonah was carried away with so great sorrow: he respected not himself, but because he saw an occasion given or a door laid open to wicked blasphemies, if God should alter his determination, or if he should not be constant in his word: here hence I say came that so great