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…

Therefore there was in Paul wonderful force of the Spirit, who standing amidst such beasts, which sought to pull him too and fro, stood firm in the sound sincerity of the Gospel: and did valiantly withstand and endure, as well the dogged malapertness of the former sect, as the pride and crafty cavillings of the other. And hereby we see more plainly, what small agreement there is between the heavenly wisdom and the wisdom of the flesh. For though the whole multitude were offended with the gospel: yet the Philosophers were captains and standardbearers in assaulting the same. For that did principally appear in them, which Paul himself speaketh of the wisdom of the flesh, that,¹ It is an enemy to the cross of Christ: so that no man can be fit to learn the principles of the Gospel unless he first abandon the same.

Therefore there was in Paul wonderful force of the Spirit, who standing amidst such beastes, which sought to pull him too and fro, stoode firme in the sound synceritie of the Gospel: and did valiantly withstand and endure, as well the dogged malapertnes of the former sect, as the pride and craftie cauillings of the other. And hereby we see more plainly, what small agreement there is betweene the heauenly wisedome and the wisedome of the flesh. For though the whole multitude were offended with the gospel: yet the Philosophers were captaines and standerdbearers in assaulting the same. For that did principally appeare in them, which Paul himselfe speaketh of the wisedome of the flesh, that,¹ It is an enimy to the crosse of Christ: so that no man can be fit to learn the principles of the Gospel vnlesse he first abandon the same.

1. 11. Cor. 1.11.

Other some said. Luke setteth before us two sorts of men: which both were far from godliness: and yet the one sort is worse than the other. Those who are desirous to hear that again which they call new, first they are moved not with any right desire to learn, but with vain curiosity. Secondly they think unhonourablie of the word of God, in that they count it profane novelty. Yet because they give ear, and that being in doubt, until they may know farther of the matter, they are not quite past hope. But the rest who proudly refuse that which is offered, yea condemn it reproachfully, do shut the gate of salvation against themselves. For this railing did proceed from monstrous pride, what meaneth this Babbler? Because they neither vouchsafe to hear Paul, & also reproachfully refuse him, as if he were some common jester. Moreover they do not loath his doctrine through rash zeal: but do openly tread under foot that which is brought unto them concerning religion, though as yet they know it not: because these are ashamed to learn any thing of a base and obscure fellow, who had hitherto professed themselves to be teachers of all the whole world.