A17698:2197
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.
But now let us mark, that whereas Moses saith, Let them buy whatsoever they have a mind unto: his meaning therein is not to give men leave ⟨p. 567⟩to play the gluttons at their pleasure, as though there were no measure nor modesty to be observed. A certain sect of Heretics called the Manichees, which scorned Gods Law & the Prophets, alleged this present text & such other like, to show that the God of the old testament as they blasphemously termed him, was a God of disorder, and such a one as kept no good rule. For why, said they; he laid the bridle upon his peoples neck, and bad them eat whatsoever §10they liked, and so his meaning was to make them drunkards and gluttons, by encouraging them to eat and drink after that fashion. But the true God (said they) will have folk to be sober, whereby a man may see that the Law was not given from heaven. But we see how this text was corrupted by their malice, yea even by their shameful malice, in blaspheming without any colour of truth, seeing that the lusts of men were restrained afore §20by the same Law. I told you yesterday how it was Gods will to bridle his people, by restraining them from the eating of all sorts of meats without exception, wherein he meant to have a trial of their sobriety. Sith it is so: it is a foul shame to allege this text as a placard for the setting of all lusts at liberty. The word Liking, Longing, or Listing, ought rather to be restrained to the things that were Lawful, and which God had given them leave to deal §30with. As if it had bin said, Those that have a mind to eat of any kind of meat which is Lawful for them to eat, let them buy it and make an offering thereof unto God. And when the Priests have taken their rights thereof, let them eat the residue themselves.
But now let vs marke, that whereas Moses sayth, Let them buy whatsoeuer they haue a minde vnto: his meaning therein is not to giue men leaue ⟨p. 567⟩to play the gluttons at their pleasure, as though there were no measure nor modestie to bee obserued. A certeine sect of Heretikes called the Manichees, which skorned Gods Law & the Prophets, alledged this presēt text & such other lyke, to shew that the God of the olde testament as they blasphemously termed him, was a God of disorder, and such a one as kept no good rule. For why, sayd they; hee layd the bridle vpon his peoples necke, and bad them eate whatsoeuer