A17683:319
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 when we find nothing, by and by all faith which we first conceived of the grace of God, vanisheth away. And here then the Lord himself revoketh & calleth us back unto him, and testifieth that he is therefore favourable & merciful unto us,1 because he is of great mercy. As if he should say: I in my self have sufficient cause why I am exorable unto you and why I also do embrace you and take you into my favour. The only goodness of God is therefore to be respected, when we desire to have him merciful unto us, or when we have any need of pardon, as if he should say that he is not induced or moved with any respect of our worthiness, nor yet doth seek any of our merits, that therefore he should be prove unto mercy, when we have offended, or should take us into his favour: but that therefore he doth yet, because his goodness is immensurable & infinite. Now there is also added, Slow to anger. This slowness to anger declareth that God provideth for the safeguard of mankind, yea even when they are oppressed with sin, although therefore every day, miserable men do provoke upon themselves the wrath of God, yet ceaseth he not to provide for their safeguard: therefore is he slow to anger, that is, the Lord doth not strait way, lay upon men such punishment as they deserve which so provoke him. Well: now we see what is the sum of the words. Now let us return to that saying, that Jonah was withdrawn from his office because he knew that God was slow to anger and merciful, and full of favour: For he brought in this reason, either God will change his nature, or else he will spare the Ninevites if they repent: but it may be that they will repent, and then it followeth that my preaching shall be vain. And surely God will not be contrary to himself, but will show forth an example of his goodness and mercy when he shall forgive this people. Again, let us note that we do wickedly, when as without Judgement ⟨p. 63⟩we follow our zeal. For there is some blind fury, which then carieth us away. Therefore although a thousand absurdities do come in our head, when God commaū death any thing, yet are our eyes to be closed, as it were, and always we ought to follow on in the course of our vocation: because he will so moderate all events, that they all shall tend to his glory. It is not our part here to be to curious:
Now when we finde nothing, by and by al fayth which we first conceyued of the grace of God, vanisheth awaye. And here then the Lord himself reuoketh & calleth vs backe vnto him, and testifyeth that he is therfore fauorable & mercifull vnto vs,