A17683:317
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.
We see therefore that Jonah had an eye unto that manner of preaching which he should use in Nineveh, whereof we have spoken before. And hereby it appeareth that Jonah gave more to the Ninevites then he had. For he thought that he was sent from God, only that the Ninevites might understand that they must perish: but he brought salvation unto them. This he in some part either suspected in him self, or knew it. For be retained that principle: that God could not put off from him his mercy, because he remaineth always one. But he came abroad to execute the office enjoined him,1 certainly he had nothing else before his eyes, but the utter destruction of the City of Nineveh. But in the mean time, God used his labour and ministry to a better end and success. But there is no doubt but that Jonah him self exhorted the Ninevites to repentance: but his heart was as it were shut up that it should not admit them the mercy of God. We see that Jonah was in his afflictions prevented, so ⟨p. 58⟩that he could not offer salvation to the Ninevites, and yet was it offered from God by his hand. Now then we understand how the Lord oftentimes worketh by is servants: with his hand he leadeth them as blind men, whether they little think. So when the Lord stirreth up any of us, we shall be sometime of small faith, we shall think that either our labour shall be unprofitable, and without fruit, or at the least, that small shall be our success. But the Lord will declare that success which we could never look for. And such was the example of Jonah, for when he came to Nineveh, he had none other purpose, but to testify the destruction of the City: but the Lord would have him to be the Minister of salvation, unknown to him self. Well the Lord then adorned the doctrine of Jonah with this excellent success, when as yet he was unworthy of so great honour, because after a sort he had shut up the passage to the blessing of God, as we have already said.
We sée therefore that Ionas had an eye vnto that manner of preaching which he shoulde vse in Nineueh, whereof we haue spoken before. And hereby it appeareth that Ionas gaue more to the Nineuits then he had. For he thought that he was sent from God, onely that the Nineuits might vnderstande that they must perishe: but he brought saluation vnto them. This he in some parte eyther suspected in him selfe, or knewe it. For be retayned that prnciple: that God could not put off from him his mercie, because he remaineth alwayes one. But he came abroade to execute the office inioygned him,