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…

We preach to you. An argument drawn from contraries. For here they show that the end of their coming was quite contrary: to wit, that they might remove superstitions, which had hitherto reigned. For it is all one as if they had said, Doth the miracle move you? Then give credence to our words. And the sum of our embassy is, that all feigned Godheads, wherewith the world hath hitherto been deceived, may be done away & perish. And this is a general doctrine, whereby they do not only appease the present madness, but also reprehend all manner superstitions, and whatsoever was contrary to, or disagreeing with the rule of godliness. For without doubt they call all that vain which men have invented to themselves of their own brain, And we must mark this definition, that all religion is vain, which departeth and degenerateth from the pure and simple word of God. There is no express mention made in deed of the word, because they spake to the Gentiles. But because God is no otherwise rightly worshipped, then according to his appointment, it followeth out of Paul his words, that so soon as men depart from that worship which God hath commanded and doth allow, they are wearied foolishly and vainly, with a vain and unprofitable labour. For that religion wherein God hath not the preeminence is nothing worth, nether hath it any truth or soundness. And this was the cause, that sincere and perfect godliness was never found, neither did it ever flourish in the more part of the world. For they stood only about the removing of the old Idolatry: and the other thing was in the mean season foreslowed, to bring men unto the true God alone, after that they had forsaken Idols. They turned in deed the name of an Idol sometimes, into the name of God: but under that colour they did nevertheless cherish the old errors, which they should have endeavoured to redress. So the priests of France begat the single life of great Cybele. Nuns came in place of the vestal virgins. The church of all Saints succeeded Pantheo, or the church of all Gods: against ceremonies were set Ceremonies not much unlike. At length came in the multitude of gods, who they thought would be lawful and tolerable if they had once decked them with the titles of Saints. Corruptions are not by this means purged, neither are the stables both profane and full of filth turned into the temple of God:

We preach to you. An argument drawen from contraries. For heere they shew that the end of their comming was quite contrary: to wit, that they might remoue superstitions, which had hitherto reigned. For it is all one as if they had said, Doth the myracle moue you? Then giue credence to our wordes. And the summe of our ambassage is, that al feined Godheads, wherewith the world hath hitherto been deceiued, may be done away & perish. And this is a general doctrine, wherby they do not only appease the present madnes, but also reprehend all maner superstitions, and whatsoeuer was contrary to, or disagreeing with the rule of godlinesse. For without doubt they call all that vaine which men haue inuented to themselues of their owne brain, And we must mark this definition, that all religion is vaine, which departeth and degenerateth from the pure and simple worde of God. There is no expresse mention made in deed of the worde, because they spake to the Gentiles. But because God is no otherwise rightly worshipped, then according to his appointment, it followeth out of Paul his words, that so sone as mē depart from that worship which God hath commaunded and doth allow, they are wearied foolishly and vainely, with a vaine and vnprofitable labour. For that religion wherin God hath not the preheminence is nothing worth, nether hath it any truth or soundnes. And this was the cause, that sincere and perfect godlines was neuer found, neither did it euer floorish in the more part of the world. For they stood only about the remouing of the old Idolatrie: and the other thing was in the meane season foreslowed, to bring men vnto the true God alone, after that they had forsaken Idols. They turned in deed the name of an Idol sometimes, into the name of God: but vnder that colour they did neuerthelesse cherish the old errors, which they should haue indeuoured to redresse. So the priests of Fraunce begat the single life of great Cybele. Nunnes came in place of the vestall virgins. The church of al Saints succeeded Pantheo, or the church of all Gods: against ceremonies were set Ceremonies not much vnlike. At length came in the multitude of gods, who they thought wold be lawfull and tollerable if they had once decked them with the titles of Saints. Corruptions are not by this meanes purged, neither are the stables both profane and ful of filth turned into the temple of God: