A17683:8
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.
THE first view of this small book may move you right honourable Sir, to deem the same of small price if you measure (as the common forte of men do) the inward excellency by the outward appearance. Which thing I confess, at the first did some thing stay me from either the publishing or the exhibiting thereof unto any man: much less durst I presume to present the same unto the sight of any honourable personage. But when I more deeply considered the wisdom of godly men in our age, which judge not the conscience all together by the coat, nor the book by the binding, I then endeavoured without casting any moe doubts, to make that common to others, which first I privately red for mine own commodity. And truly if there be any thing that first moved me thereto, the ignorance together with the vanity of many of our own people was one, who being utterly unskilful of God and godliness, do yet apply their minds to the vain delights of this flattering world, quite forgetting ⟨image 3⟩both the justice of God which daily hangeth over them, and death which continually followeth and suddenly striketh them, yea, and eternal destruction which gapeth wide for them, and hopeth in the end to swallow them. It grieved me to see what baits are laid for them by the world, death, and hell, (as pride of life, and contempt of gods word) of purpose to entangle both their souls and bodies. As touching pride of life, I need not speak much thereof, it is to manifest. What man •eeth it not?1 who is he almost that is not infected with it? what nation is void of it? do not heaven and earth and all creatures groan and grieve at it? do not all good men bewail it, preachers cry out of it, and God ready to punish it? yes verily. As for contempt of gods word, is it not in most places found. Are not the ministers contemned, their preachings discredited, and their ministry scorned by papists and Ruffians, and old cutters, called lusty and tall fellows, who can swear out a matter at a pinch, and blaspheme the sacred name of God most horribly? Are not profane Comedies and tragedies (most of them being monstrous lies) with great pomp celebrated, when the holy word of God the food of our souls (being preached) ought with reverence to be heard?2 it is certainly true.