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…

28 He read Isaiah. The reading of the Prophet showeth that the Eunuch did not worship a God unadvisedly according to the understanding of his own head, whom he had feigned to himself, but whom he knew by the doctrine of the law. And surely this is the right way to worship God, not to snatch at bare and vain rites, but to adjoin the word thereunto: otherwise there shall be nothing but that which cometh by chance and is confused. And certainly the form of worshipping prescribed in the law, differeth nothing from the inventions of men, save only because God giveth light there by his word. Therefore those which are Gods scholars, do worship him aright only, that is, those who are taught in his school. But he seemeth to loose his labour when he readeth without profit. For he confesseth that he cannot understand the Prophets meaning, unless he be holpen by some other teacher. I answer, as he read the prophet with a desire to learn, so he hoped for some fruit, and he found it indeed. Therefore why doth he deny that he can understand the place which he had in hand? For because he manifestly confesseth his ignorance in darker places. There be many things in Isaiah which need no long exposition: as when he preacheth of the goodness and power of God, partly that he may invite men unto faith, partly that he may exhort and teach them to lead a godly life. Therefore no man shall be so rude an idiot, which shall not profit somewhat by reading that book, and yet notwithstanding he shall peradventure scarce understand every tenth verse. Such was the Eunuchs reading. For seeing that according to his capacity he gathered those things which served to edification, he had some certain profit by his studies. Nevertheless though he were ignorant of many things, yet was he not wearied, so that he did cast away the book. Thus must we also read the scriptures: we must greedily and with a prompt mind receive those things which are plain and wherein God openeth his mind: as for ⟨p. 202⟩those things which are yet hid from us, we must pass them over, until we see greater light. And if we be not wearied with reading, it shall at length come to pass that the scripture shall be made more familiar by continual use.

28 Hee read Isaias. The reading of the Prophet sheweth that the Eunuch did not worship a God vnaduisedly according to the vnderstanding of his owne head, whom he had feigned to himselfe, but whom hee knew by the doctrine of the law. And surely this is the right way to worship God, not to snatch at bare and vaine rites, but to adioyne the word thereunto: otherwise there shall bee nothing but that which commeth by chaunce and is confused. And certainly the fourme of worshipping prescribed in the law, differeth nothing from the inuentiōs of men, saue only because God giueth light there by his word. Therfore those which are Gods scholers, do worshippe him aright only, that is, those who are taught in his schoole. But hee seemeth to loose his labour when he readeth without profite. For he confesseth that he cannot vnderstande the Prophetes meaning, vnlesse he be holpen by some other teacher. I aunswere, as he reade the prophet with a desire to learne, so hee hoped for some fruite, and he found it indeed. Therefore why doth he denie that he can vnderstand the place which he had in hand? For because he manifestly confesseth his ignorāce in darker places. There be many things in Isaias which need no long exposition: as when hee preacheth of the goodnesse and power of God, partly that he may inuite men vnto faith, partly that he may exhort and teach them to lead a godly life. Therfore no man shall bee so rude an idiote, which shall not profite somewhat by reading that booke, and yet notwithstanding hee shall peraduenture scarce vnderstand euery tenth verse. Such was the Eunuches reading. For seeing that according to his capacitie hee gathered those thinges which serued to edification, he had some certain profite by his studies. Neuerthelesse though he were ignorant of many things, yet was he not wearied, so that hee did cast away the booke. Thus must wee also reade the scriptures: we must greedily and with a prompt mind receiue those thinges which are plaine and wherein God openeth his minde: as for