A17683:345
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 in that he saith, that he prayed, as he said a little-before, he only useth that Hebrew word, which signifieth to wish. He wished (saith he) in his heart that he might die. It is therefore credible that Jonah was so overwhelmed with sorrow, that he lifted not up his mind any more unto God: and that we see that he was not forsaken and uncared for of God. Now by and by it followeth.
Nowe in that he sayth, that he prayed, as he sayde a little-before, he onelie vseth that Hebrew word, which signifieth to wish. He wished (sayth he) in his harte that he might die. It is therefore credyble that Ionas was so ouerwhelmed with sorrowe, that he lyfted not vp his mynd any more vnto God: and that we sée that he was not forsaken and vncared for of God. Now by and by it followeth.
vers. 9 The text. ¶And God said unto Jonah: Doest thou well to be angry in thy self for the Gourd? and he said: I do well to be angry even to the death.
vers. 9 The text. ¶And God saide vnto Ionas: Doest thou wel to be angrie in thy selfe for the Gourde? and he saide: I do wel to be angrie euen to the death.
Calvin. Here we see that thus God kept himself close for a time, and yet forsook he not his servant: even as he oftentimes looketh backward upon us, that is, while we think that he hath forgotten us, he yet marketh what is done with us to the end that he may succour us in time: And therefore oftentimes when we are falling down he withdraweth us, and setteth us up, before we think that he is near us. Such was the case when he began to speak unto Jonah. For as we have said, dolour had so choked the mind of the holy Prophet, that he could not any more be lift up unto God. Now therefore with himself he desired to dye: and yet God forsaketh him not. This is a rare example and show of the inestimable mercy of God, which he vouchsafeth unto his people, although they yet do cast themselves down headlong: even as Jonah here rushed into desperation and was not careful for any remedy. But God waited not till he was sought unto, but he prevented that miserable Jonah, yea and the destruction which he began to bring upon himself: saying: Doest thou well to be so angry for the Gourd? As if he should say, that Jonah was to vehemently troubled and disquieted for so small a matter.