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…

7 All these men &c. The second point of the accusation is this, that they violate the majesty of the Empire of Rome. A great and grievous crime: yet too impudently forged. Paul and Silas sought to erect the kingdom of Christ which is spiritual. The Jews knew well that this might be done without doing any injury to the Roman empire. They knew that they meant nothing less, than to overthrow the public estate, or to take from Caesar his authority. Therefore the Jews catch at the pretence of treason, that they may oppress the innocent with the envy of the crime alone. Neither doth Satan cease at this day to blear mens eyes with such smokes and mists. The Papists know full well, and they be sufficiently convict before God, that that is more than false which they lay to our charge, That we overthrow all civill government: that Laws and judgements are quite taken away: that the authority ⟨p. 413⟩of Kings is subverted by us: and yet they be not ashamed to the end they may make all the whole world offended with us, falsely to report that we be enemies to public order. For we must note, that the Jews do not only allege that Caesars commandments were broken, because Paul and Silas durst presume to alter & innovate somewhat in religion: but because they said there was another king. This crime was altogether forged. But if at any time religion enforce us to resist tyrannical edicts and commandments, which forbid us to give due honour to Christ, and due worship to God: we may then justly say for our selves, that we are not rebellious against kings: for they be not so exalted, that they may go about like Giants to pull God out of his seat and throne. That excuse of Daniel was true, that, He had not offended the king, whereas notwithstanding he had not obeyed his wicked commandment: neither had he injured mortal man, because he had preferred God before him. So let us faithfully pay to princes the tributes which are due to them, let us be ready to give them all civill obedience: but if being not content with their degree, they go about to pluck out of our hands the fear & worship of god, there is no cause why any should say that we despise them: because we make more account of the power and majesty of God.

7 All these men &c. The second point of the accusation is this, that they violate the maiestie of the Empire of Rome. A great and grieuous crime: yet too impudently forged. Paul and Silas sought to erect the kingdome of Christ which is spirituall. The Iewes knewe well that this might be done without doing any iniurie to the Romane empire. They knewe that they meant nothing lesse, than to ouerthrow the publike estate, or to take from Caesar his authoritie. Therefore the Iewes catch at the pretence of treason, that they may oppresse the innocent with the enuy of the crime alone. Neither doth Satan cease at this day to bleare mens eyes with such smokes and mysts. The Papists know fulwell, and they bee sufficiently conuict before God, that that is more than false which they lay to our charge, That we ouerthrow al ciuill gouernment: that Lawes and iudgements are quite taken away: that the authoritie