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 this similitude seemeth not in all points to agree to the matter. For Jonah sorrowed not for the Gourd, but only had respect to him self, and therefore he took it grievously that the comfort wherewith he was delighted, was taken away from him: Therefore when it was discommodity that so compelled Jonah unto anger, the similitude seemeth not well to be applied, when as God thus reasoneth: Thou wouldest have the Gourd to be pitied, and should not I spare this great City. Nay, he was not careful for the Gourd. For if all the Gourds in the world had there withered, he had never been touched with any sorrow: but because he felt extreme danger, being parched with the exceeding heat of the Sun, therefore is he angry. I answer, that although Jonah, privately had regard to himself, yet very well doth this similitude agree. For God keepeth men unto the use whereto he hath appointed them. Jonah sorrowed for the loss of the Gourd, even because he was deprived of his shadow.

But this simylitude séemeth not in all poyntes to agrée to the matter. For Ionas sorrowed not for the Gourde, but onelie had respect to him selfe, and therefore he tooke it gréeuouslie that the comfort wherewith he was delyghted, was taken awaye from him: Therefore when it was discommoditie that so compelled Ionas vnto anger, the similitude seemeth not wel to be applyed, when as God thus reasoneth: Thou wouldest haue the Gourde to be pittied, and shoulde not I spare this great Citie. Nay, he was not carefull for the Gourd. For if all the Gourdes in the worlde had there wythered, he had neuer bene touched with any sorrowe: but because he felte extreame daunger, being parched with the excéeding heate of the Sunne, therefore is he angrie. I aunswere, that although Ionas, priuatelie had regarde to himselfe, yet verie well doth this similytude agrée. For God kéepeth men vnto the vse whereto he hath appointed them. Ionas sorrowed for the losse of the Gourde, euen because he was depriued of his shadowe.

But God createth not men in vain, and therefore it is no marvel, though he would have them safe. We see therefore that Jonah was properly taught by this figure, how unkindly he dealt toward the Ninevites. For certainly he was but one only man, therefore when as he would have so great consideration of him self and the Gourd only: how cast he of all care of so great and so populous a City? Ought not this to have come into his mind, that it is no marvel if God have a care for so many thousand men, being the Father and maker of them? For although the Ninevites were estranged from God, yet in as much as they were men, God, as he wholly is the father of all mankind,