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…

15 Men why do ye those things. They begin with a reprehension, as the matter did require: that done, they show to what end they were sent. Afterward they preach concerning the only God, and show that he was unknown to the world. Lastly, that they may more strongly pluck out of their hearts the deceits and sleights of the Devil, they teach that this ignorance was without excuse. Therefore the first part of the sermon is a reprehension, wherein the men of Lystra are condemned, for worshipping mortal men preposterously in steed of God. Though the reason which they allege seemeth to be cold. For it were an easy matter to gather thence, that it is not unlawful to worship those who are delivered from humane miseries by death. By this means all the superstitions of the Gentiles should stand untouched which were wont to count none gods but those who were dead. With the same colour also have the Papists coloured their idolatry, who worship rather the dead mens bones, stones and wood, then living men in whose nose thrills is breath. I answer that Paul and Barnabas drew this argument from the matter which was now in hand, We be miserable men: therefore you do falsely and filthily imagine us to be Gods, & worship us as gods. If idolatry be handled generally, this shall be a perpetual reason to condemn it, & shall alone be sufficient enough, that the perfect and whole worship of godliness is due to god alone, & that therefore it is profaned, so soon as it is in any point given to creatures, whether they be angels, or men, or stars. ⟨p. 338⟩But occasion shall oftentimes be offered, that many things may be spoken against one kind of Idolatry, which do not appertain unto another neither are agreeable to the same: and yet shall they be of no small force for the matter which is in hand, as Paul and Barnabas, by confessing that they be mortal men, subject to divers calamities, had a fit reason to reprove the fury and madness of the people.

15 Men why doe yee those things. They begin with a reprehension, as the matter did require: that done, they shew to what end they were sent. Afterward they preach concerning the only God, and shew that he was vnknowen to the world. Lastly, that they may more strongly pluck out of their hearts the deceites and sleights of the Diuell, they teach that this ignoraunce was without excuse. Therefore the first part of the sermon is a reprehension, wherein the men of Lystra are condemned, for worshipping mortall men preposterously in steed of God. Though the reason which they alleage seemeth to be colde. For it were an easie matter to gather thence, that it is not vnlawfull to worship those who are deliuered frō humane miseries by death. By this meanes al the superstitions of the Gentiles should stand vntouched which wer wont to count none gods but those who were dead. With the same colour also haue the Papists colored their idolatrie, who worship rather the dead mens bones, stones and wood, then liuing men in whose nose thrilles is breath. I aunswere that Paul and Barnabas drewe this argument from the matter which was now in hand, We be miserable men: therefore you do falsly and filthily imagine vs to be Gods, & worship vs as gods. If idolatrie bee handled generally, this shalbe a perpetual reason to condemne it, & shall alone bee sufficient enough, that the perfect and whole worship of godlines is due to god alone, & that therefore it is profaned, so soone as it is in any point giuen to creatures, whether they be angels, or men, or stars.