A17683:343
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 I come to the matter it self. Jonah declareth that a Gourd or Cucumber or an Ivy was prepared of the Lord. There is no doubt but contrary to the accustomed manner this herb suddenly sprung up, that it might cover the Both of Jonah. And this is my Judgement. But we ⟨p. 67⟩know that as often as God dealeth contrary to the order of Nature, yet he cometh unto Nature it self. This is not perpetual: but we shall find for the most part, that God so worketh that he both exceedeth the course of Nature, and yet goeth not quite from nature. Even as when he in the desert would gather together quails on a heap, and give flesh to his people, he raised up the East wind. How often have the winds blowed, and yet never brought together such a multitude of birds? This was therefore a miracle,1 but yet God would not reject altogether the helps of Nature. For then he used the wind, but yet that wind could not naturally bring those birds with it. So in this place I doubt not but that God chose an herb which quickly might mount to such an height and yet he went beyond the accustomed course of nature. In this fence therefore it is said that God prepared Kikijon, and made it to come up over the head of Jonah, whereby it might be a shadow for his head and might deliver him from his grief. But that afterward there is said, that A worm was prepared, 2here also we see even that those things which seem to happen by fortune or chance, are not withstanding governed by the secret providence of God. If any man say that here is showed not what commonly cometh to pass, but what was once done: I answer that although God at that time would set out an example notable and worthy to be remembered, yet is this perpetually true, that even the very bitings of worms are governed by the will and determination of God. So that neither herb nor tree without his will can wither, even as Christ saith. That two Sparrows light not on the ground without the decree of the Father. And thus much as touching the worm.
Now I come to the matter it selfe. Ionas declareth that a Gourde or Cucumer or an Iuye was prepared of the Lord. There is no doubte but contrarie to the accustomed manner this herbe sodainely sprong vp, that it might couer the Boothe of Ionas. And this is my Iudgement. But wée ⟨p. 67⟩