A17683:323
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. Here we see how greatly Jonah chafed and waxed hot in his zeal. For certainly this prayer cannot be attributed to faith: as certain men think, that Jonah mounted up even into heaven in the mind, when so he prayed, as if he feared not death, but having put of all fear, free and at liberty, might offer him self unto God. But I do not think that the affection of Jonah was not so lofty. There is no ⟨image 71⟩vers. 2 doubt in deed, as we have already said, that he yet retained some spark of godliness in him: and I say that this thing was sufficiently proved but o•s by the word of praying. For if Jonah had burst out into the voice of a desperate man, this surely had been no prayer. When as therefore he prayed, notwithstanding he so spake, it followeth that this was not the voice of desperation, but of to much anger or indignation wherein Jonah doth not moderate himself▪ Finally, this prayer proceeded of a godly & holy zeal: but Jonah in the manner it self, or in going forward doth offend: for he was even paste himself▪ when he preferred death before life, saying: Thou Lord take me away. First, it can not be without fault, that he is so headlong carried to the desire of death.1 For it is not in us to pass out of this world, but as long as God retaineth, and keepeth us in this stay, wherein he hath placed us, with quiet minds we ought to abide. Who so therefore he be that with so great ardency maketh haste to death,2 without do able he offendeth God. Paul saw that death were to be wished to him self: but again, when he perceived that his labour was profitable to the Church, he was intent with his lot, and preferred the good pleasure of God before his desire: and so was he ready both to live & dye unto God.3 But Jonah contrary, Now (saith he) take away my soul: this is one fault: another is, when as he desired to dye, because God would spare the Ninevites. Although he was touched with some sorrow, yet ought he not to •a•e gone, or rather to have burst out thus far, that in the loathing of his life, he should wish after death. But here hence we learn, when once men let lose the rain to unadvised zeal, whether they are carried.