A17698:2198
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.
So then let us mark that here are two things contained. The one is, that our Lord showeth himself liberal towards his people in that he saith, Go too, although I could withhold my §40blessing from you; yet notwithstanding I give you leave to make your own choice of your meat and drink, howbeit with this exception, that ye take heed that you touch not any meat that is not pure and clean to you: for it behooveth you to be exercised for a time in the endeavour of dedicating your selves unto me, that ye be not tangled in the defilements of the infidels. Therefore let that proviso stand for ever, so as ye always take good §50heed to use your liberty in such sort, as ye may have no cause to blame me as though I held you too strait. For I leave you to your own likings, so they be well ruled. Now then let us understand, that here our Lord beareth with us, in that he vouchsafeth to give us the use of his creatures, not only for our need without other desire to them, but also even for our pleasure: and yet notwithstanding, that we must always take good heed,§60 that our mirth be not excessive, but rather well moderated. And for that cause is it said, Thou shalt eat there in the presence of thy God, which saying hath bin set down already heretofore. Nevertheless it is not for naught that Moses repeateth it here again. For we see how men are wedded to their own sensuality, and how they forget themselves in their eating and drinking, so that it is very hard to keep such measure as God be not offended, yea even ere we think of it. I say that even such as are not given to gluttony and drunkenness, and which have a care not only to the health of their bodies, but also the sober using of the things which God giveth them for their repast; even they (I say) fail not to commit some fault or other. So then, let us bear well in mind what is said here, where God commandeth men to eat and drink in his presence, specially at their solemn feasts when they came to Jerusalem: namely how that thereby he did warn all the faithful to have an eye to him in their eating and drinking when they were at home in their own houses.
So then let vs marke that here are two things conteined. The one is, that our Lorde sheweth himselfe liberall towardes his people in that hee sayth, Go too, although I coulde withhold my §40