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…

So that Satan did not only go about to bury the power of God, but also to blaspheme the same. But we know that Moses did not strive with the enchanters by Magic, but did that only which God had enjoined him. Furthermore the Egyptians had mystical divinity, wherewith they coloured their doting inventions, and monstrous abominations, as if they would prove that they went mad not without reason: as the Papists, whereas they delude and mock men like stage players; in their mass and other foolish rites, yet they invent mysteries, that they may persuade men that there is nothing there but that which is divine. The common sort of Priests cannot climb so high: but those which amongst them will be accounted more cunning, do omit no rite, how foolish and childish soever it be, affirming that there is some spiritual mystery in every of them. There is extant concerning this matter a most foolish mingle mangle, which they call the Rational of divine offices. But forasmuch as Sacrificing Priests alone did use such dotings amongest themselves, it is not to be thought that Moses spent any time in these, whose bringing up was princely: But that he was taught in liberal arts.

So that Satan did not only go about to burie the power of God, but also to blaspheme the same. But we know that Moses did not striue with the enchaunters by Magike, but did that only which God had enioined him. Furthermore the Egyptians had mysticall diuinitie, wherewith they coloured their doting inuentions, and monstrous abhominations, as if they wold proue that they went mad not without reason: as the Papists, whereas they delude and mocke men like stage players; in their masse and other foolish rites, yet they inuent mysteries, that they may perswade mē that there is nothing there but that which is diuine. The cōmon sort of Priests cannot climb so high: but those which amongst them wil be accounted more cunning, doe omit no rite, how foolishe and childish soeuer it bee, affirming that there is some spirituall mysterie in euerie of them. There is extant concerning this matter a most foolish mingle mangle, which they call the Rationall of diuine offices. But forasmuch as Sacrificing Priests alone did vse such dotings amongest themselues, it is not to bee thought that Moses spent any time in these, whose bringing vp was princely: But that hee was taught in liberall artes.