A17683:349
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.
But certainly, even thus is it wont to be, when the minds of men are once blinded with some preposterous affection: although the Lord thunder or lighten from heaven, they will not hear: at least, they will not cease violently to run on, even as here Jonah doth. When as we see therefore an example of such contumacy in so holy a man, how much more ought each of us to fear? let us therefore betimes learn to keep in and quench our affections, and at the very beginning to bridle them, least if it shall come to pass, that they burst out any long while, we be also at the length, even to the last hour obstinate & unreformable. I do well (saith Jonah) to be angry even to the death, God objected only unto his servant Jonah, the vice of anger: Now Jonah so far kotchelleth him self in his madness, that he saith, that desperation is without sin: I (saith he) do not offend, ⟨p. 69⟩although I despair, yea although with a raging fury, I give over my self unto death, yet I do not offend.
But certainelie, euen thus is it wont to be, when the mindes of men are once blinded with some preposterous affection: although the Lorde thunder or lyghten from heauen, they wyll not heare: at least, they wyll not cease violentlie to runne on, euen as here Ionas doth. When as we sée therfore an example of such contumacie in so holy a man, howe much more ought eache of vs to feare? let vs therefore betymes learne to kéepe in and quenche our affections, and at the verie beginning to brydle them, least if it shall come to passe, that they burst out any long whyle, we be also at the length, euen to the last howre obstinate & vnreformeable. I do wel (sayth Ionas) to be angrie euen to the death, God obiected onelie vnto his seruaunt Ionas, the vice of anger: Now Ionas so farre kotchelleth him selfe in his madnesse, that he sayth, that desperation is without sinne: I (sayth he) doo not offend, ⟨p. 69⟩although I despayre, yea although with a rageing furie, I geue ouer my selfe vnto death, yet I doo not offende.
Who would have said that this could have come to pass, or fallen out in that holy Prophet? But by this so notable an example we are admonished, what furious brute beasts the affections of our flesh be. Nothing therefore is better then to restrain them, before they gather any more strength, then they ought. For always, when any man hath cherished his sins, this contumacy and obstinacy will follow. But to be wroth or angry even to the death, is so to loth life, that of our own accord we give over our selves unto death. Yet it was not the purpose of Jonah to kill him self, but although he abstained from such violence, he yet with settled mind wrought his own death, because he submitted not himself unto God, but with a blind motion or affection was carried away. Now it followeth.