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…

20 These men trouble our city. This accusation was craftily composed, to burden the servants of Christ. For on the one side they pretend the name of the Romans, then which nothing was more favourable: on the other, they purchase hatred and bring them in contempt by naming them Jews, which name was at that time infamous: for as touching religion the Romans were more like to any, then to the Jewish nation. For it was lawful for a man which was a Roman to do sacrifice either in Asia or in Grecia, or in any other country where were Idols & superstitions, I warrant you Satan did agree with himself very well, though he put on divers shapes, but that which was religion only, then which there was no other in the world, was counted among the Romans detestable. They frame a third accusation out of the crime of sedition: for they pretend that the public peace is troubled by Paul & his company. In like sort was Christ brought in contempt, & even at this day the papists have no more plausible thing wherewith they may bring us to be hated,¹ than when they cry that our doctrine tendeth to no other end but to procure tumults, that at length there may follow a filthy confusion of all things. But we must valiantly contemn this filthy & false infamy as did Christ and Paul, until the Lord bring to light the malice of our enemies, and refute their impudency.

20 These men trouble our citie. This accusation was craftily composed, to burdē the seruants of Christ. For on the one side they pretend the name of the Romans, then which nothing was more fauourable: on the other, they purchase hatred and bring them in contempt by naming thē Iewes, which name was at that time infamous: for as touching religion the Romans wer more like to any, then to the Iewish nation. For it was lawful for a man which was a Romane to do sacrifice either in Asia or in Grecia, or in any other countrie wher were Idols & superstitions, I warrant you Satan did agree with himself very well, though he put on diuers shapes, but that which was religion only, then which ther was no other in the world, was counted among the Romanes detestable. They frame a third accusation out of the crime of sedition: for they pretende that the publike peace is troubled by Paul & his companie. In like sort was Christ brought in contempt, & euen at this day the paists haue no more plausible thing wherwith they may bring vs to be hated,¹