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…

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.

But nowe that the thing maye be more plaine, we must note, that the counsayle of God was more secrete, then that Ionas might vnderstande, yea euen in the very parts of his calling. For God when he threatned destruction to the Nineuits, would speake condicionally. For what were the fruite of the worde, vnlesse that condition were adioyned thereto, euen that if the Nineuits repented, they shoulde be safe? There néeded no Prophet: but that God woulde therby prouide for their safegarde, for God coulde without him, haue executed that condempnation, which the Nineuits had deserued. If any man wyll replie, that a Preacher was sent vnto them, that they might be ye more inexcusable, this were a verie could reason. For God had exercised al his other punishmentes, without any such dampnation: I meane against prophane Nations. For this was the peculiar gifte of the Church, that the Prophets denounced the punishmēts that were at hande. But as concerning other people, God by the thing it selfe declared him selfe to be their Iudge: but sent them no Prophets that might warne them.

Therefore as touching the counsel of God, when he commanded the Ninevites to be terrified by that so precise Preaching, a condition sure was included. But Jonah was to literal a Doctor, that I may so speak: because he comprehended not that which he ought, even that as yet there was place of Repentance, and that the City should be safe, if the Ninevites repented from their wickedness. Then when as Jonah snatched up but the half part, it is no marvel though as yet he be of a doubtful mind, and dare not yet determine what should come to pass: God had not revealed unto him what he would do, for Jonah had nothing before his eyes, but the end or event of his preaching. Now let us proceed.