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…

17 With the Jews and religious men. It was an ordinary thing with Paul wheresoever the Jews had Synagogues, there to begin, & to offer Christ to his own nation. After that, he went to the Gentiles, who having tasted of the doctrine of the law, though they were not as yet thoroughly nuzzled up in true godliness, did notwithstanding worship the god of Israel, & being desirous to learn did not refuse those things which they knew were taken out of Moses & the prophets: and because such aptness to be taught was an entrance unto faith, yea was a certain beginning of faith, the spirit vouchsafeth them an honourable title, who being only lightly sprinkled with the first rudiments, drew nearer unto the true God: for they be called religious. But let us remember that they be distinguished from others by this mark, that all the religion of the world may be brought to nought. Those are called worshippers of God spiritually, who gave their name to the god of Israel: religion is attributed to them alone, therefore there remaineth nothing else for the rest, but the reproach of Atheism, howsoever they toil and moil in superstition. And that for good considerations, for of whatsoever pomp the Idolaters make boast, if their inward affection be examined, there shall be nothing found there but horrible contempt of god: and it shall appear that it is a mere feigned colour wherewith they go about to excuse their Idols.

17 With the Iewes and religious men. It was an ordinarie thing with Paul wheresoeuer the Iewes had Synagogues, there to begin, & to offer Christ to his owne nation. After that, he went to the Gentiles, who hauing tasted of the doctrine of the law, though they were not as yet thorowly nousled vp in true godlines, did notwithstanding worship the god of Israel, & beeing desirous to learne did not refuse those thinges which they knew were taken out of Moses & the prophets: and because suche aptnes to be taught was an entrance vnto faith, yea was a certain beginning of faith, the spirit vouchsafeth them an honorable title, who being only lightly sprinkled with the first rudiments, drew neerer vnto the true God: for they be called religious. But let vs remember that they bee distinguished from others by this marke, that all the religion of the world may be brought to nought. Those are called worshippers of God spiritually, who gaue their name to the god of Israel: religion is attributed to them alone, therefore there remaineth nothing els for the rest, but the reproch of Atheisme, howsoeuer they toyle and moile in superstition. And that for good cosiderations, for of whatsoeuer pompe the Idolaters make boast, if their inward affection be examined, there shalbe nothing found there but horrible contempt of god: and it shall appeare that it is a meere feigned colour wherwith they goe about to excuse their Idols.