Today’s Readings Podcast Description

When ceremonies multiply without measure, what becomes of the simplicity Christ intended for his Church? In these sections Calvin shows how human constitutions have heaped rite upon rite until the people are buried under a mass of observances that obscure rather than reveal the Saviour. Augustine already lamented that the free Church of God had grown more burdened than the Jews under the law; the bondage of later ages is greater still. God trained Israel with many figures because they were under tutors, but he has given the new people a simpler worship in spirit and in truth. A few clear, easy, and significant ceremonies may help the weak; a multitude that stupefies and separates from doctrine only leads souls away from Christ. Works invented by men cannot procure righteousness, and trad ...