Two and twenty lectures upon the five first chapters of Jeremiah With prayers annexed,…Tvvo and tvventie lectures vpon the fiue first chapters of Ieremiah With prayers annexed,…
Two and twenty lectures upon the five first chapters of Jeremiah With prayers annexed, at the end of every lecture: by Master John Calvin. Which being faithfully collected form him as he uttered them in Latin, in the schools of Geneva, were afterwards translated into French: and now newly turned out of French, into English, with a table at the end, containing the sum and scope of every lecture.Tvvo and tvventie lectures vpon the fiue first chapters of Ieremiah With prayers annexed, at the end of euery lecture: by Master Iohn Caluin. Which being faithfully collected form him as hee vttered them in Latine, in the schooles of Geneua, were afterwards translated into French: and now newly turned out of French, into English, with a table at the end, containing the summe and scope of euery lecture.
John Calvin 1509–1564London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Nathanael Newbery, 1620
[12], 45, 48-315, [19] p. · 118k words · STC 4466 · ESTC S107291
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.
Good Christian Reader, if (as Solomon saith) thou wouldest be truly wise for thy self,12or hast a purpose to show mercy to thine own soul, in any thing; then manifest it in this one thing (absolutely needful for thee,3 if hitherto thou have neglected it) viz. Be sure, before thou leave this thy natural life; that God (by the ministry of his holy word) hath breathed into thy dead soul,4 a supernatural and spiritual life. For in the grave whither thou goest, there will be neither time, nor place for thee, to have this work of works effected, Joh. 12.35. 5Thy life is in length but like a span; and every step thou steppest, for ought thou knowest;6 there is but a step between thee and death.7 Seeing therefore by Gods especial appointment, thou art once to step out of this world (how soon thou knowest not) it being also thy last step: it standeth thee upon, whilst life and liberty lasteth, wisely to foresee, that then thou steppest surely, 2. Pet. 1.10. 8For if thou diest, and after descendest into the grave,9
with loud and strong cries, unto God in the heavens, that for the passion and death of Christ, he will be pleased to grant thee grace, that his word may now so sink into thine ears,
comfort, and good conscience, wait till the last day; for the appearance of the Lord of glory, thy Lord and thy God, the man Christ Jesus. For it is not sufficient for thee only to know the word, to be the word of Gods grace;
GOod Christian Reader, if (as Salomon saith) thou wouldest bee truly wise for thy selfe,12or hast a purpose to shew mercy to thine owne soule, in any thing; then manifest it in this one thing (absolutely needfull for thee,3 if hitherto thou haue neglected it) viz. Be sure, before thou leaue this thy naturall life; that God (by the ministery of his holy word) hath breathed into thy dead soule,4 a supernaturall and spirituall life. For in the graue whither thou goest, there will be neither time, nor place for thee, to haue this worke of workes effected, Ioh. 12.35. 5Thy life is in length but like a span; and euery step thou steppest, for ought thou knowest;6 there is but a step betweene thee and death.7 Seeing therefore by Gods especiall appoyntment, thou art once to step out of this world (how soone thou knowest not) it being also thy last step: it standeth thee vpon, whilest life and liberty lasteth, wisely to foresee, that then thou steppest surely, 2. Pet. 1.10. 8For if thou diest, and after descendest into the graue,9 a naturall man; so thou risest at the last day, and then wofull will thy condition be:10 for thou shalt neuer see the face of God to thy comfort. His wrath is now reuealed from heauen, against all vngodlinesse,11 and vnrighteousnesse of men: Alas! How much more then? Psa. 77.7⟨image 5⟩Needfull therefore it is for thee now;12 euen now whilest the day of saluation lasteth, to lift vp thy heart with thine hands,13 with loud and strong cryes, vnto God in the heauens, that for the passion and death of Christ, he will be pleased to grant thee grace, that his word may now so sinke into thine eares,14 that thence it may soake as the raine of righteousnesse, into the furrowes of thine heart; toa illuminate, tob regenerate, toc season, andd sanctifie, thy whole man, soule and body, 1. Thess. 5.23. that thereby (as by the Spirit of the Lord) thou being cast as into ae new mold, andf transformed into the same image, from glory to glory; thou mayest with patience,21 comfort, and good conscience, wait till the last day; for the appearance of the Lord of glory, thy Lord and thy God, the man Christ Iesus. For it is not sufficient for thee onely to know the word, to bee the word of Gods grace;22 vnlesse by sound euidences, thou also discernest, that it hath been a word of grace vnto thee:23 nor barely affirme it to be the word of faith:
but by good proof to find, that it hath been the means to breed a saving faith in thee. Nor yet only to say, that it is able to save souls:1 but that it hath been Gods powerful instrument to save thee. For the truth is, the word of God was notg inspired from God, nor written byh holy men of God, toi us, andk for us, to the end it should standl stranger-like, aloof off from us; but rather by admitting it to dwell and inhabit richly, and plenteously in us, Colos. 3.16. it might at length impart of that heavenly virtue that is in it,7 unto us. We commonly esteem men so far forth good,8 as they have extended of their good things unto us: and those things good,9 that have communicated of their goodness ⟨image 5⟩unto us.10 Now if there be any thing under heaven good, which also is able to make us good, it is the good word of God. But we shall but coldly, and faintly commend it for good; unless we know by good experience, that it hath communicated of its goodness unto us; what good (I pray you) doth that meat or drink do us, which we receive not into us? But where the stomach craveth, and receiveth these; the effects will soon be discerned.11 I tasted a little honey (saith Jonathan) and mine eyes have been enlightened. Sampson drinking (in his excessive thirst) of the water of Lehi; his spirit revived.12 The like befell the poor affamished Egyptian. Oh that we could come to the good word of God, but with the one half of that hungry and thirsty appetite, wherewith (for the most part) we come to these good creatures of God: we come to these indeed; we take these; we receive these;13 and the goodness that is in these, we make it our own. And if through any defect in nature, we feel them any way defective in their nature and properties to us; we are ready by and by to say, all is not as it should be with us. Do we so strongly and mainly press toward these, whose virtue at the best, being perishable,14 can but sustain a perishable life: and can we not be at quiet with our selves, unless we feel in our selves, that our natures are thereby cheered and refreshed?15 And shall we not much more press forwards, to take, and receive into us, as with violence, the good word of God, which is fitted and framed by God himself, to sustain us spiritually? Let us draw near unto it then, with knowledge, desire, and faith,16 as the poor woman in the Gospel, drew nigh to Christ.
but by good proofe to find, that it hath been the meanes to breed a sauing faith in thee. Nor yet onely to say, that it is able to saue soules:1 but that it hath been Gods powerfull instrument to saue thee. For the truth is, the word of God was notg inspired from God, nor written byh holy men of God, toi vs, andk for vs, to the end it should standl stranger-like, aloofe off from vs; but rather by admitting it to dwell and inhabite richly, and plenteously in vs, Colos. 3.16. it might at length impart of that heauenly vertue that is in it,7 vnto vs. We commonly esteeme men so farre foorth good,8 as they haue extended of their good things vnto vs: and those things good,9 that haue communicated of their goodnesse ⟨image 5⟩vnto vs.10 Now if there be any thing vnder heauen good, which also is able to make vs good, it is the good word of God. But we shall but coldly, and faintly commend it for good; vnlesse we know by good experience, that it hath communicated of its goodnesse vnto vs; what good (I pray you) doth that meat or drinke doe vs, which we receiue not into vs? But where the stomacke craueth, and receiueth these; the effects will soone be discerned.11 I tasted a little honey (saith Ionathan) and mine eyes haue been enlightened. Sampson drinking (in his excessiue thirst) of the water of Lehi; his spirit reuiued.12
So shall we sensibly feel the saving and sanctifying1⟨image 6⟩virtue thereof to be infused into us to our everlasting consolation and comfort. And then shall our hearts and mouths be enlarged to speak all the good,2 of this good word of God, that can be devised. Yea, we shall not only praise it, but also with David, the man of God, we shall highly prize it; far above all earthly profits, or delights, Psal. 119.72.103. Then we shall be able with him again and again, to profess how entirely we love it, vers. 97. yea, how greatly we delight in it, vers. 174. yea, what joy and felicity we take in it, vers. 14.162. yea, how incessantly our thoughts and meditations are taken up about it: namely, before break of day, ver. 147 throughout the day, vers. 97. in the night. vers. 55. yea, at midnight, vers. 62. Let us not then (as the manner of some is) permit the word of God, barely to harbour in our houses: but let us endeavour rather, to harbour it within the closet of our hearts.3 And oh happy we! that ever it was our hap, to lodge within us so honourable and gracious a guest; that will every way be so beneficial unto us,4 as in our greatest distractions, to counsel us; in our deepest distresses, to comfort us: and when we are to seek of our way; to direct us, directly to that haven of happiness,5 where there shall be mirth without mourning; fellowship with God, and all his saints, without parting; where we shall be ever prest to do his will without fainting; and that, time without ending. As for those thata neglect so great salvation, that have the word,b but love it not: that read it, but will not bec reformed by it: thatd despise it,e reject, and scorn it: To say no more, their damnation sleepeth not: God cannot, nor will not put up, such indignities at the hands of sinners, Isa. 5.24. Jer. 5.13.14. and 6.10.11⟨image 6⟩unless they meet him, and that speedily,11 by true and unfeigned repentance. And if thou say, Oh that I could! I wish thee often to read these holy Sermons of repentance, penned by the holy Prophet Jeremiah, for that purpose. For if repentance be a wounding of the heart, proceeding of faith, which seeketh unto God for mercy: then hath Jeremiah, like a skilful master-builder in these present Chapters, and those that follow, laid the ground-work of such a repentance out for thee. And if thou say, how shall I understand, unless I have a guide?12
So shall we sensibly feele the sauing and sanctifying1⟨image 6⟩vertue thereof to be infused into vs to our euerlasting consolation and comfort. And then shall our hearts and mouthes be enlarged to speake all the good,2 of this good word of God, that can be deuised. Yea, we shall not only praise it, but also with Dauid, the man of God, wee shall highly prize it; farre aboue all earthly profits, or delights, Psal. 119.72.103. Then we shall be able with him againe and againe, to professe how entirely we loue it, vers. 97. yea, how greatly we delight in it, vers. 174. yea, what ioy and felicity we take in it, vers. 14.162. yea, how incessantly our thoughts and meditations are taken vp about it: namely, before break of day, ver. 147 throughout the day, vers. 97. in the night. vers. 55. yea, at midnight, vers. 62. Let vs not then (as the manner of some is) permit the word of God, barely to harbour in our houses: but let vs endeauour rather, to harbour it within the closet of our hearts.3 And oh happy wee! that euer it was our hap, to lodge within vs so honourable and gracious a guest; that will euery way be so beneficiall vnto vs,4 as in our greatest distractions, to councell vs; in our deepest distresses, to comfort vs: and when we are to seeke of our way; to direct vs, directly to that hauen of happinesse,5 where there shall bee mirth without mourning; fellowship with God, and all his saints, without parting; where we shall be euer prest to doe his will without fainting; and that, time without ending. As for those thata neglecte so great saluation, that haue the word,b but loue it not: that reade it, but will not bec reformed by it: thatd despise it,
Accept (I pray thee, for the present) of this, which God of his goodness hath here sent unto thee, by giving him access into thy Chariot, closet, or other retired places: and if thou entreat him friendly, and makest thy gain by him of this little; the Lord peradventure may hereafter trust thee with more.
Accept (I pray thee, for the present) of this, which God of his goodnesse hath heere sent vnto thee, by giuing him accesse into thy Chariot, closet, or other retired places: and if thou entreat him friendly, and makest thy gaine by him of this little; the Lord peraduenture may hereafter trust thee with more.
But before I take my leave of thee, as the sum of all: let me entreat thee (as thou tenderest thine own welfare) to lay up in thy heart, these six lessons, which the word of God teacheth thee, according as I find them laid down by a learned Divine.
But before I take my leaue of thee, as the summe of all: let me entreat thee (as thou tenderest thine owne welfare) to lay vp in thy heart, these sixe lessons, which the word of God teacheth thee, according as I find them laid downe by a learned Diuine.
1 The word of God teacheth thee, that thou being by creation made righteous, art by the fall of Adam, and by thine own transgression, become sinful, Eccles. 7, 31. Gen. 6.5.
1 The word of God teacheth thee, that thou being by creation made righteous, art by the fall of Adam, and by thine owne transgression, become sinfull, Eccles. 7, 31. Gen. 6.5.
3 The word of God teacheth thee, that thou haste cause to be troubled for this, more than for all worldly crosses, and to be humbled and cast down in thy self before God for it, Act. 16.50.
3 The word of God teacheth thee, that thou haste cause to bee troubled for this, more than for all worldly crosses, and to be humbled and cast downe in thy selfe before God for it, Act. 16.50.
4 The word of God teacheth thee, that thou being laden with thy sins, and weary of them, art not to sink down in despair of Gods goodness; but to rely upon his mercy in Christ Jesus, Ezra. 10.2.
4 The word of God teacheth thee, that thou being laden with thy sinnes, and weary of them, art not to sinke downe in despaire of Gods goodnesse; but to relie vpon his mercy in Christ Iesus, Ezra. 10.2.
6 The word of God teacheth thee, that all true believers have a constant care and endeavour, both to learn and know the will of God,1 and to obey it in all things, Luk. 1.74.75. Tit. 2.11.12.
6 The word of God teacheth thee, that all true beleeuers haue a constant care and endeauour, both to learne and know the will of God,1 and to obey it in all things, Luk. 1.74.75. Tit. 2.11.12.
These points the word of God teacheth: and these if we learn and believe, as the word teacheth them; we shall in the end be saved. And thus with my humble prayers to God that it may be so,
These poynts the word of God teacheth: and these if we learne and beleeue, as the word teacheth them; wee shall in the end be saued. And thus with my humble prayers to God that it may be so,
LECTURES UPON THE FIVE FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE PROPHECY of Jeremiah.
LECTVRES VPON THE FIVE FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE PROphecie of Ieremiah.
The author
John Calvin 1509–1564
ReformersGeneva
French reformer and pastor at Geneva; author of the Institutes of the Christian Religion.
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The like befell the poore affamished Egyptian. Oh that we could come to the good word of God, but with the one halfe of that hungry and thirsty appetite, wherewith (for the most part) wee come to these good creatures of God: we come to these indeed; we take these; we receiue these;
and the goodnesse that is in these, we make it our owne. And if through any defect in nature, we feele them any way defectiue in their nature and properties to vs; we are ready by and by to say, all is not as it should be with vs. Doe wee so strongly and mainly presse toward these, whose vertue at the best, being perishable,
can but sustaine a perishable life: and can we not be at quiet with our selues, vnlesse we feele in our selues, that our natures are therby cheered and refreshed?
And shall we not much more presse forwards, to take, and receiue into vs, as with violence, the good word of God, which is fitted and framed by God himselfe, to sustaine vs spiritually? Let vs draw neere vnto it then, with knowledge, desire, and faith,
reiect, and scorne it: To say no more, their damnation sleepeth not: God cannot, nor wil not put vp, such indignities at the hands of sinners, Isa. 5.24. Ier. 5.13.14. and 6.10.11
by true and vnfained repentance. And if thou say, Oh that I could! I wish thee often to read these holy Sermons of repentance, penned by the holy Prophet Ieremiah, for that purpose. For if repentance be a wounding of the heart, proceeding of faith, which seeketh vnto God for mercy: then hath Ieremiah, like a skilfull master-builder in these present Chapters, and those that follow, laid the ground-worke of such a repentance out for thee. And if thou say, how shal I vnderstand, vnlesse I haue a guide?
