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…

Therefore he did shear his head for no other cause, save only that he might apply himself to the Jews who were as yet ignorant, & not throughly taught: as he doth testify that he took upon him the voluntary observing of the law, from which he was freed, that he might gain those who were under the law. If any man object that it was not lawful for him to make semblance of a vow, which he had not made from his hart: we may easily answer,¹ that as touching the substance of purifying he did not dissemble: and that he used the ceremony which was as yet free: not as if God did require such worship, but that he might somewhat bear with the ignorant. Therefore the Papists are ridiculous when they set from hence an example of making vows. Paul was moved with no religion to make his vow: but these men place a feigned worship of God in vows. Respect of time enforced Paul to keep the rites of the law: these men do nothing else but entangle in superstition the church of Christ, which was set free long ago. For it is one thing to bring in use again old ceremonies used long ago, and another to tolerate the same being as yet used, until such time as they may by little and little grow out of use. I omit that the Papists in vain and foolishly compare the shaving of their Priests with the sign of purifying, which God had allowed in the Law. But because we need not stand any longer to refute them, let this one thing suffice us: that Paul bound himself with a vow that he might bring those which were weak to Christ, at least that he might not offend them, which vow he knew was of no importance before God.

Therefore he did sheare his head for no other cause, saue onely that he might apply himselfe to the Iewes who were as yet ignorant, & not throughly taught: as he doth testifie that he tooke vpon him the voluntary obseruing of the law, from which he was freed, that hee might gain those who wer vnder the law. If any mā obiect that it was not lawfull for him to make semblance of a vow, which he had not made from his hart: we may easily answere,¹ that as touching the substaunce of purifiyng hee did not dissemble: and that he vsed the ceremonie which was as yet free: not as if God did require such worship, but that he might somwhat bear with the ignorant. Therfore the Papists are ridiculous when they set frō hence an example of making vowes. Paul was moued with no religiō to make his vow: but these men place a feigned worship of God in vowes. Respect of time inforced Paul to keepe the rites of the lawe: these men doe nothing els but intangle in superstition the church of Christ, which was set free long agoe. For it is one thing to bring in vse again old ceremonies vsed long ago, and another to tollerate the same beeing as yet vsed, vntill such time as they may by little and little grow out of vse. I omit that the Papists in vaine and foolishly compare the shauing of their Priestes with the signe of purifying, whiche God had allowed in the Lawe. But because we need not stande any longer to refute them, let this one thing suffice vs: that Paul bound himselfe with a vowe that he might bryng those which were weake to Christe, at least that he might not offend them, which vowe hee knewe was of no importaunce before God.