John Calvin wrote in his Institutes of the Christian Religion.
“First, then, the signs are bread and wine, which represent the invisible food which we receive from the body and blood of Christ.”[1]He used wine in the Holy Communion.
“Were it not so, the Prophet would not enumerate among the mercies of God “wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine,” (Ps. 104:15.) The Scriptures would not everywhere mention, in commendation of his benignity, that he had given such things to men. The natural qualities of things themselves demonstrate to what end, and how far, they may be lawfully enjoyed.”[2]He said wine can make people happy.
“Melchizedek, as he is said to have “brought forth (obtulisse) bread and wine,” (Gen. 14:18,) they infer that it was a prelude to their mass, as if there was any resemblance between him and Christ in the offering of bread and wine. This is too silly and frivolous to need refutation. Melchizedek gave bread and wine to Abraham and his companions, that he might refresh them when worn out with the march and the battle.”[3] He said even Melchizedek gave wine to Abraham.
“If you vow abstinence from wine, as if there were any holiness in so doing, you are superstitious; but if you have some end in view which is not perverse, no one can disapprove.”[4]Calvin said total abstinence from wine is superstitious.
“For though Christ says, “Unto every one that hath shall be given;” “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things,” (Matth. 25:29, 21,) he, at the same time, shows that all additional gifts to believers are of his free benignity: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat: yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price,” (Isaiah 55:1.) Therefore, every help to salvation bestowed upon believers, and blessedness itself, are entirely the gift of God, and yet in both the Lord testifies that he takes account of works, since to manifest the greatness of his love toward us, he thus highly honours not ourselves only, but the gifts which he has bestowed upon us.”[5] Calvin said wine is a blessing from God.
[1] John Calvin and Henry Beveridge, Institutes of the Christian Religion, vol. 3 (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1845), 389.
[2] John Calvin and Henry Beveridge, Institutes of the Christian Religion, vol. 2, 295.
[3] John Calvin and Henry Beveridge, Institutes of the Christian Religion, vol. 3, 460.
[4] John Calvin and Henry Beveridge, Institutes of the Christian Religion, vol. 3, 278–279.
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