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…

30 When the multitude was gathered. This was the most lawful kind of dealing to admit the whole multitude unto the reading of the Epistle. For if there fall out any controversy in the doctrine of faith, it is meet that the judgement be referred over unto the learned and godly & to such as are exercised in the Scripture: and chiefly to the pastors rightly ordained. Notwithstanding because it belongeth to all alike to know for a surety what they must hold, the godly and learned teachers must make known to the whole Church, what they have set down out of the word of God. For there is nothing more unfitting for holy and Christian order, than to drive away the body of the people from common doctrine as if it were a herd of swine: as they use to do under the tyranny of popery. For because the Pope & the horned bishops did think ⟨p. 379⟩that the people would never be obedient enough, until they were brought into gross ignorance, they imagined that this was the best summary of faith, to know nothing but to depend wholly upon their decrees. But on the contrary there must be a mean observed, that lawful governments may continue, and that on the other side, the people may have that liberty which unto them belongeth, least they be oppressed like slaves.

30 When the multitude was gathered. This was the most lawfull kinde of dealing to admit the whole multitude vnto the reading of the Epistle. For if there fall out any controuersie in the doctrine of faith, it is meet that the iudgement bee referred ouer vnto the learned and godly & to such as are exercised in the Scripture: and chiefly to the pastors rightly ordained. Notwithstanding because it belongeth to all alike to know for a suertie what they must hold, the godly and learned teachers must make known to the whole Church, what they haue set downe out of the worde of God. For there is nothing more vnfitting for holie and Christian order, than to driue away the bodie of the people from common doctrin as if it were a heerd of swine: as they vse to do vnder the tyrannie of popery. For because the Pope & the horned bishops did think ⟨p. 379⟩that the people woulde neuer bee obedient ynough, vntill they were brought into grosse ignorance, they imagined that this was the best summarie of faith, to know nothing but to depend wholy vpon their decrees. But on the contrarie there must be a meane obserued, that lawfull gouernments may continue, and that on the otherside, the people may haue that liberty which vnto them belongeth, least they be oppressed like slaues.