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…

11 Furthermore when the multitude had seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, Gods being made like to men are come down to us. 12 And they called Barnabas Jupiter: and Paul Mercury, because he was the captain of the speech. 13 And Jupiters priest, which was before their city, bringing Bulls & crowns unto the gates, would have done sacrifice with the multitude.

11 Furthermore when the multitude had seen what Paul had doone, they lifted vp their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, Gods being made like to men are come downe to vs. 12 And they called Barnabas Iupiter: and Paul Mercurie, because hee was the captaine of the speech. 13 And Iupiters priest, which was before their citie, bringing Bulles & crownes vnto the gates, would haue done sacrifice with the multitude.

11 Furthermore, the multitude. This history doth abundantly testify how ready & bent men are unto vanity. Paul uttered not that word abruptly, arise: but he added it as it were a conclusion to the sermon made concerning Christ. Yet the people ascribe the praise of the miracle unto their idols, as if they had heard no word of Christ. In deed it is no such wonder, that the barbarous men fell unto superstition, which they had learned from their childhood, so soon as they saw the miracle. But this vice is too common every where, & it is so bred in us, to be perverse and wrong interpreters of the works of god. Hence come such gross dotings of superstitions in popery, because catching rashly at miracles, they take no heed to doctrine. For which cause we must take the better heed, & be the more sober, least we happen with the sense of the flesh to corrupt (whereunto we are so bent) the power of god, which shineth & appeareth to us for our salvation. And no marvel if the Lord would have only a few miracles wrought, & that for a short time: least through the lust of men they should be drawn unto a far contrary end: because it is unmeet that he should set his name to be mocked of the world: which must needs be, when that which is proper to him is translated unto Idols, or the unbelievers corrupt his works, to invent corrupt worshipping: while that setting the word aside, they catch at every divine power which they feign.