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…

They rejoiced over the works. This speech is taken out of Jesaias, yea out of the Prophets, who in like sort upbraid unto the Jews that they were delighted in their own inventions. And surely it is wonderful madness, when men arrogate unto themselves any thing in Gods matters. I take this rejoicing to be that solemn dancing whereof Moses speaketh in the two and thirtieth Chapter of Exodus. Yet Stephen toucheth a common vice, wherewith Idolaters are infected. For although it be altogether unlawful for men to attempt any thing in religion which God hath not appointed: yet do they invent every thing unadvisedly, and setting light by the word of God, they make choice of the works of their own hands. But Stephen showeth that whiles they take such pleasure in this liberty, they displease God so much the more. But if we will have God to allow our worship, we must abstain from the works of our hands, that is from our own inventions For all that which men invent of themselves, is nothing else but sacrilegious profanation. The Idol is properly so called reproachfully, as it were a thing nothing worth, because no reason doth suffer man to make God.

They reioyced ouer the workes. This speech is taken out of Iesaias, yea out of the Prophets, who in like sort vpbraide vnto the Iewes that they were delighted in their owne inuentions. And surely it is wonderfull madnesse, when men arrogate vnto themselues any thing in Gods matters. I take this reioycing to bee that solemne daunsing whereof Moses speaketh in the two and thirtith Chapter of Exodus. Yet Stephen toucheth a common vice, wherewith Idolaters are infected. For although it be altogither vnlawful for men to attempt any thing in religion which God hath not appointed: yet doe they inuent euery thing vnaduisedly, and setting light by the word of God, they make choise of the workes of their owne handes. But Stephen sheweth that whiles they take such pleasure in this libertie, they displease God so much the more. But if we will haue God to allow our worship, we must abstaine from the works of our hands, that is from our owne inuentions For all that which men inuent of themselues, is nothing else but sacrilegious profanation. The Idol is properly so called reprochfully, as it were a thing nothing worth, because no reason doth suffer man to make God.