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…

For though those who pass the common people in wit, be enforced to confess that bare ceremonies are in no estimation: yet it is unpossible to pull from them this persuasion, but that they will think that they be a part of the divine worship. Therefore the more diligently they give themselves to such vanities, they do not doubt but that they do the duties of godliness well. Therefore because all mortal men from the highest to the lowest do think that GOD is pacified with external things, and they will with their own works fulfil their duty towards him, that doth Paul refute. There is also a reason added, because seeing he is Lord of heaven and earth, he needeth nothing because seeing that he giveth breath and life to men, he can receive nothing of them again. For what can they bring of their own, who being destitute of all good things, have nothing but of his free goodness? yea who are nothing but by his mere grace: who shall forthwith be brought to nought, if he withdraw the Spirit whereby they live. Whereupon it followeth that they are not only dull but too proud if they thrust in themselves to worship God with the works of their own hands. For whereas he sayeth that alms and the duties of love are sweet smelling sacrifices, that must be distinguished from the matter which we have now in hand, where Paul doth only entreat of the ceremonies, which the unbelievers put in place of the spiritual worship of God. By life and breath is mean the life which men live so long as the soul and body are joined together. Touching the end of the sentence though some Greek books agree in this reading, cata panta Through all things: yet that seemeth to me more agreeable which the old interpreter hath; ca•ta panta, And all things: because it is both plainer, and doth also contain a more perfect and full doctrine. For thence we do better gather that men have nothing of their own. And also certain Greek copies agree thereto.

For thogh those who passe the common people in wit, be inforced to confesse that bare ceremonies are in no estimation: yet it is vnpossible to pull from them this persuasiō, but that they will think that they be a part of the diuine worship. Therfore the more diligently they giue themselues to such vanities, they doe not doubt but that they doe the duties of godlinesse wel. Therfore because all mortall men from the highest to the lowest do thinke that GOD is pacified with externall things, and they will with their owne workes fulfill their dutie towards him, that doth Paul refute. There is also a reason added, because seeing he is Lord of heauen and earth, he needeth nothing because seeing that hee giueth breath and life to men, hee can receiue nothing of them againe. For what can they bring of their owne, who being destitute of all good thinges, haue nothing but of his free goodnes? yea who are nothing but by his meere grace: who shal forthwith be brought to nought, if he withdraw the Spirit whereby they liue. Whereuppon it followeth that they are not onely dull but too proude if they thrust in themselues to worship God with the workes of their owne hands. For whereas hee saieth that almes and the duties of loue are sweete smelling sacrifices, that must be distinguished frō the matter which wee haue now in hand, where Paul doth only intreat of the ceremonies, which the vnbeleeuers put in place of the spirituall worship of God. By life and breath is meane the life which men liue so long as the soule and body are ioyned togither. Touching the end of the sentence though some Greeke bookes agree in this reading, cata panta Through all things: yet that seemeth to me more agreeable which the old interpreter hath; cata panta, And all things: because it is both plainer, and doth also containe a more perfect and ful doctrin. For thence we do better gather that men haue nothing of their owne. And also certaine Greeke coppies agree thereto.