A17698:1998
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
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.
I told you even now, that the use of this ceremony hath ceased ever since the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And therefore we ought to be the more encouraged to serve GOD, sith we see that we be not reined in with so rough a bit, nor held so short as the Fathers of old time were. Ye see how at this day, GOD giveth us leave to eat the blood of beasts, which thing was not granted to the Jews. We know what is told us of it by the Apostles themselves. For they made not a decree of it, as the Papists understand it, neither changed they any thing in Gods word, (for that had been high treason to God): but forasmuch as they knew that our Lord Jesus Christ, had by his coming abolished the Ceremonial law: they showed that it might be lawful to eat blood, so it were done without offence to others. For their forbidding of it in the fifteenth of the Acts,1 was but for a time; and thereby they showed that it was free for every man according to conscience, to maintain peace and concord withal. In deed they counselled men to abstain from it, howbeit it that was but for a time (as I said) until the faithful were better settled in the doctrine of the Gospel.
I tolde you euen nowe, that the vse of this ceremonie hath ceased euer since the comming of our Lorde Iesus Christ. And therefore we ought to bee the more incouraged to serue GOD, sith wee see that wee bee not reined in with so rough a bitte, nor held so short as the Fathers of olde time were. Yee see howe at this day, GOD giueth vs leaue to eat the bloud of beastes, which thing was not graunted to the Iewes. Wee knowe what is tolde vs of it by the Apostles themselues. For they made not a decree of it, as the Papistes vnderstande it, neither chaunged they any thing in Gods word, (for that had beene high treason to God): but forasmuch as they knewe that our Lord Iesus Christ, had by his comming abolished the Ceremoniall lawe: they shewed that it might bee lawful to eate bloude, so it were done without offence to others. For their forbidding of it in the fifteenth of the Actes,1 was but for a time; and thereby they shewed that it was free for euery man according to conscience, to maintaine peace and concorde withall. In deed they counselled men to absteyne from it, howbe it that was but for a time (as I said) vntil the faithfull were better setled in the doctrine of the Gospell.