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…

This is the reason why he set this feigned God Herod, to be eaten up of worms: which he was at length enforced to grant, when he said, Behold me whom ye saluted as a God, I die miserably. Such a manifest example of horrible vengeance in a kings person, ought to terrify us not a little, from presuming to take to our selves more than we ought: and that we do not suffer our selves to be made drunk with the false commendation and flattery of men as with deadly poison.

This is the reason why he set this feigned God Herod, to be eaten vp of wormes: which he was at length enforced to grant, when he said, Behold me whom ye saluted as a God, I die myserablie. Such a manifest example of horrible vengance in a kings person, ought to terrifie vs not a little, from presuming to take to our selues more than we ought: and that we doe not suffer our selues to be made drunke with the false commendation and flattery of men as with deadly poison.

Because he gave not the glory to God. He is condemned of sacrilege not only because he suffered himself to be called god, but because forgetting himself, he took to himself the honour due to God. We do not read that the king of Babylon was thus extolled: and yet the Prophet upbraideth to him that he went about to make himself equal with God. Therefore this sacrilege is a common fault in all proud men,¹ because by taking to themselves more than they ought, they darken the glory of God: and so like giants, so much as ever they are able, they endeavour to pluck God out of his seat. Howsoever they do not usurp the title of God, neither openly boast with their mouth that they are gods, yet because they take to themselves that which is proper to God, they desire to be and to be accounted gods, having brought him under. Furthermore the Prophet pointeth out the beginning of this evil in one word, when he bringeth in Nebuchadnezzar speaking on this wise,² I will go up. Wherefore there is but one remedy, if every one keep himself in that degree wherein he is placed. Let those who are base and castaways not desire to climb higher: let kings and those who are above others, remember that they are mortal, and let them modestly submit their highness to God. And we must note that it is not enough if men give to God only half the honour which is due to him, who challengeth all that wholly which is his own: if they submit themselves but in part, whom he will have to be throughly humbled. Now forasmuch as the Scripture despoileth us quite of all praise of wisdom, virtue, and righteousness, there is no one of us that can take to himself the least jot of glory, without sacrilegious robbing of God. And it is a wonder, that seeing the Scripture pronounceth that all those make as it were open war against God, which exalt themselves, and we do all grant, that that cannot be done without our overthrow: the greatest part of men runneth notwithstanding headlong with furious boldness unto their own destruction. For there is scarce one of an hundred who being mindful of his condition, doth leave to God his glory undiminished.