Sermon of Master John Calvin, on the history of Melchizedek Wherein is also handled,…Sermon of Maister Iohn Caluin, on the historie of Melchisedech Wherein is also handled,…

And herein we may see the deceit of the Pope and of his shavelings: for, when they handle the law of tithes in their Canons, they take it as if it were transferred to them after that Jesus Christ had put an end unto the priesthood of Levi. All these are very leasings, falsifying the holy scripture, & wickedly corrupting the same. For we see to the contrary, as hath been before showed, that it is long ago sithence, that it was not known what the paying of tithes was by virtue of the law of Moses▪ and they were always paid either to the Emperor, or to some other particular great men. But now sith the thing hath bin so ordained (so therein be no abuse, and to make men believe contrary to all truth, that it came from the holy scripture: but to be taken for a politic law.) Let us hold that rule which Saint Paul setteth down:¹ to wit, That we muzzle not the mouth of the Ox when he travelleth to feed us: and therefore it standeth with a far greater reason, that they which preach the doctrine of the Gospel, ordained in so excellent an estate, should not be abridged and deprived of their maintenance, but be very well waged. Now as I have already said, when tithes and such like are bestowed unto a good use: we must not so straightly look into the matter, as to ask the cause why it is ⟨p. 73⟩so, as many fantastical fellows will, who at this day could be contented to turn the whole world upside down saying, O, it is no time now to pay tithes, for seeing the thing hath been so long abused, it is no reason it should any longer continue. Then must we by their saying scrape out all: for they think that Christianity consisteth in changing the colour of the Sun and the Moon. But if there be any thing that is to be amended, as I have said, as if the Papists have brought in any false opinion, let that be utterly abolished. But in the mean while, let us hold us unto all good ordinance: to wit, let the tithes and all such things that are for the maintenance of the poor, and the Ministers: let these things be reduced unto their lawful use, and let not unsatiable wide gullets devour all. Let them not consume them upon their superfluities, in pomps, drunkenness, and other dissoluteness:

And herein wee may see the deceit of the Pope and of his shauelings: for, when they handle the lawe of tithes in their Canons, they take it as if it were transferred to them after that Iesus Christ had put an end vnto the priesthood of Leuy. All these are very leasings, falsefying the holie scripture, & wickedly corrupting the same. For we see to the contrary, as hath been before shewed, that it is long ago sithence, that it was not knowne what the paying of tithes was by vertue of the lawe of Moses and they were always paide either to the Emperour, or to some other perticuler great men. But now sith the thing hath bin so ordeined (so therin be no abuse, and to make men belieue contrary to all truth, that it came from the holy scripture: but to be taken for a politike law.) Let vs hold that rule which Saint Paul setteth downe: