Having observed that the sword of God is the test which discriminates

between his true worship and that which is false and vitiated, we thence

readily infer that the whole form of divine worship in general use in the

present day is nothing but mere corruption. For men pay no regard to

what God has commanded, or to what he approves, in order that they may

serve him in a becoming manner, but assume to themselves a license of

devising modes of worship, and afterwards, obtruding them upon him as a

substitute for obedience. If in what I say I seem to exaggerate, let an

examination be made of all the acts by which the generality suppose that

they worship God. I dare scarcely accept a tenth part as not the random

offspring of their own brain. What more would we? God rejects,

condemns, abominates all fictitious worship, and employs his Word as a

bridle to keep us in unqualified obedience. When shaking off this yoke, we

wander after our own fictions, and offer to him a worship, the work of

human rashness; how much soever it may delight ourselves, in his sight it

is vain trifling, nay, vileness and pollution. The advocates of human

traditions paint them in fair and gaudy colors; and Paul certainly admits

that they carry with them a show of wisdom; but as God values obedience

more than all sacrifices, it ought to be sufficient for the rejection of any

mode of worship, that it is not sanctioned by the command of God. [Neccessity of Reforming the Church, from Vol 1 of Calvin's Tracts pp. 202-3]