A17683:335
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.
Thou hast pronounced nothing rashly. Now how can it be that, the thing which God would have to be published in his name and commandment, should now be to no purpose or frustrate, and that the event should not be according? When as Jonah therefore respected the commandment of God, if he could not by and by rid himself of all perplexity. This therefore was the cause why as yet he stayed, even for that although the vengeance of God was not as yet suspended, he notwithstanding thought that his preaching had not been in vain, and therefore that the destruction of Nineveh was at hand. Well: this was the reason ⟨p. 65⟩why he still waited after the time prefixed, as though the matter had still been doubtful.
Thou hast pronounced nothing rashly. Nowe howe can it be that, the thing which God woulde haue to be published in his name and commaundement, shoulde nowe be to no purpose or frustrate, and that the euent shoulde not be according? When as Ionas therefore respected the commaundement of God, if he coulde not by and by rydde himselfe of al perplexitie. This therefore was the cause why as yet he stayed, euen for that although the vengeaunce of God was not as yet suspended, he notwithstanding thought that his preaching had not bene in vaine, and therefore that the destruction of Nineueh was at hande. Well: this was the reason ⟨p. 65⟩why he styll wayted after the tyme prefixed, as though the matter had still bene doubtfull.
But now that the thing may be more plain, we must note, that the counsel of God was more secrete, then that Jonah might understand, yea even in the very parts of his calling. For God when he threatened destruction to the Ninevites, would speak conditionally. For what were the fruit of the word, unless that condition were adjoined thereto, even that if the Ninevites repented, they should be safe? There needed no Prophet: but that God would thereby provide for their safeguard, for God could without him, have executed that condemnation, which the Ninevites had deserved. If any man will reply, that a Preacher was sent unto them, that they might be the more inexcusable, this were a very could reason. For God had exercised all his other punishments, without any such damnation: I mean against profane Nations. For this was the peculiar gift of the Church, that the Prophets denounced the punishments that were at hand. But as concerning other people, God by the thing it self declared him self to be their Judge: but sent them no Prophets that might warn them.