The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

but concerning the use we must know this, that it is indifferent and left in the liberty of the godly for a short time: so far as it was not contrary to the confession of faith. We must note the shortness of time whereof I speak, to wit until the plain manifestation of the Gospel: because some learned men are grossly deceived in this point, who think that circumcision doeth yet take place among the Jews: whereas Paul teacheth that it is superfluous when we are buried with Christ by baptism. It was better and more truly said in the old proverb, that The synagogue was to be buried with honour.¹ Now it resteth that we declare how far forth the use of circumcision was indifferent. That shall easily appear by the manner of the liberty. Because the calling of the Gentiles was not as yet generally known,² it was meet that the Jews should have some prerogative granted them. Therefore until it might be better known that the adoption was deducted from the linage & kindred of Abraham unto all the Gentiles: it was lawful so far as edification did require, to retain the sign of difference. For seeing that Paul would not circumcise Titus, and doeth avouch that the same was well done, it followeth that it was not lawful to use this ceremony always and without choice. Therefore they were to have respect unto edification, and unto the public commodity of the Church. Because he could not circumcise Titus, unless he would betray the doctrine of the Gospel, and lay himself open to the slanders of the adversaries: he abstained from the free use of the Ceremony, which he did use in Timotheus, when he saw that it was profitable for the Church. Hereby it doth easily appear what horrible confusion doth reign in popery. There is there an huge heap of Ceremonies, and to what end, but that they may have in stead of one veil of the old temple an hundred: God did abrogate those ceremonies which he had commanded, that the trueth of the Gospel might shine more clearly: men durst take upon them to bring in new, and that without keeping any measure. After this came in a wicked surmise, that all these serve for the worship of God: at length followed the devilish confidence of Merit. Now, forasmuch as it is evident enough that such Ceremonies are neither veils nor sepulchres wherewith Christ is covered:

but concerning the vse wee must knowe this, that it is indifferent and left in the libertie of the godly for a short time: so far as it was not contrary to the cōfession of faith. We must note the shortnes of time whereof I speak, to wit vntill the plaine manifestation of the Gospel: because some learned men are grossely deceiued in this point, who think that circumcision doeth yet take place among the Iewes: whereas Paul teacheth that it is superfluous when we are buried with Christ by baptisme. It was better and more truly said in the old prouerbe, that The synagogue was to be buried with honour.