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…

25 Neither is he worshipped with mans hands. The same question which was answered of late concerning the temple, may now be objected touching ceremonies. For it seemeth that that may be translated unto the worshippings of the law of Moses, which Paul condemneth in the ceremonies of the Gentiles. But we may readily answer that the faithful did never properly place the worship of God in ceremonies: but they did only count them helps wherewith they might exercise themselves according to their infirmity. When they did slay beasts, offered bread and drink offerings, light torches and other lights, they knew that godliness was not placed in these things, but being holpen by these, they did always look unto the spiritual worship of God, and they made account of it alone. And God himself saith plainly in many places that he doth not pass for any external or visible thing, that ceremonies are of themselves of no importance, and that he is worshipped no other wise but by faith, a pure conscience, by prayer and thankfulness. What did the Gentiles then? To wit, when they erected images, they offered incense, they set forth plays, and laid their cushions before their idols, they thought they had fulfilled the offices of godliness excellent well. Not only the philosophers, but also the poets do sometimes deride the folly of the common people, because they did disorderedly place the worship of God in the pomp and gorgeousness of ceremonies. That I may omit infinite testimonies, that of Persius is well known, Tell me ye Priests to sacred rites, what profit gold doth bring? The same which Venus puppets fine, Certes no other thing. Why give not we to Gods, that which the blear eyed issue could, Of great Messala never give, from out their dish of gold? Right justly deemed a conscience clear, and heavenly thoughts of mind. A breast with mildness such adorned, as virtue hath assigned. Let me in temples offer these, Then sacrifice the Gods shall please. ⟨p. 428⟩And undoubtedly the Lord caused profane men to utter such speeches, that they might take away all colour of ignorance. But it doth plainly appear that those who spake thus, did straightway slide back again unto common madness: yea that they did never throughly understand what this meant.

25 Neither is he worshipped with mans hands. The same question which was answered of late concerning the temple, may now be obiected touching ceremonies. For it seemeth that that may be translated vnto the worshippings of the lawe of Moses, which Paul condemneth in the ceremonies of the Gentiles. But we may readily answeare that the faithfull did neuer properly place the worship of God in ceremonies: but they did only count them helpes wherewith they might exercise themselues according to their infirmitie. When they did slea beasts, offred bread and drinke offereringes, light torches and other lights, they knew that godlinesse was not placed in these thinges, but being holpen by these, they did alwaies looke vnto the spirituall worship of God, and they made account of it alone. And God himselfe saith plainely in many places that he doth not passe for any externall or visible thing, that ceremonies are of themselues of no importaunce, and that hee is worshipped no other wise but by faith, a pure conscience, by prayer and thankefulnesse. What did the Gentiles then? To wit, when they erected images, they offered incense, they set foorth plaies, and laid their coushins before their idols, they thought they had fulfilled the offices of godlinesse excellent well. Not only the philosophers, but also the poets doe sometimes deride the follie of the cōmon people, because they did disorderedly place the worship of God in the pompe and gorgeousnes of ceremonies. That I maye omit infinite testimonies, that of Persius is wel knowne, Tell me yee Priests to sacred rites, what profite golde doth bring? The same which Venus puppets fine, Certes no other thing. Why giue not we to Gods, that which the bleare eyde issue could, Of great Messala neuer giue, from out their dish of gold? Right iustly deemde a conscience cleere, and heauenly thoughts of minde. A breast with mildnes such adornde, as vertue hath assingde. Let me in temples offer these, Then sacrifice the Gods shal please.