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…

18 They reasoned with him. Luke addeth now that Paul had a combat with the Philosophers: not that he set upon them of set purpose, forasmuch as he knew that they were even borne only to brawl and cavil: but he was enforced to enter such a conflict contrary to his purpose: ⟨p. 420⟩as Paul himself commandeth godly teachers to be furnished with spiritual weapons, wherewith they may valiantly defend the truth, if any enemies set themselves against it. For it is not always in our choice to make choice of those with whom we will deal:¹ but the Lord doeth often suffer stubborn and importunate men to arise, to exercise us, that by their gainsaying the truth may more plainly appear: Neither is it to be doubted but that the Epicures, according to their wonted frowardness, did trouble the holy man: and that the Stoics trusting to their sub till quips and cavils, did stubbornly deride him: yet the end shall show that he did not dispute sophistically, neither was he carried away unto any unprofitable and contentious disputation: but did observe that modesty which he himself commandeth elsewhere: and thus must we do that by refuting meekly and modestly vain cavillings, we may utter that which is sound and true: and we must always avoid this danger, that ambition or desire to show our wit, do not inwrap us in superfluous and vain contentions. Furthermore Luke maketh mention of two sects, which, though they were the one contrary to the other, had notwithstanding their contrary vices. The Epicures did not only despise liberal arts: but were also open enemies to them. Their philosophy was to feign that the Sun was two foot broad, that the world was made ex atomis, or of things which were so small that they could not be divided or made smaller: & by deluding men thus, to blot out the wonderful workmanship which appeareth in the creation of the world: if they were a thousand times convict, they were as impudent as dogs. Though they did in a word confess that there be gods: yet they did imagine that they were idle in heaven, and that they were wholly set upon pleasure, & that they were blessed only because they were idle. As they did deny that the world was created by God, as I have said of late: so they thought that mans affairs were tossed to and fro without any governing, & that they were not governed by the celestial providence.

18 They reasoned with him. Luke addeth nowe that Paul had a combate with the Philosophers: not that he set vpon them of set purpose, for asmuch as he knew that they were euen borne only to braule and cauill: but hee was inforced to enter suche a conflict contrary to his purpose: