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…

Gave themselves to nothing else. The two vices which Luke reciteth, do almost always go together. For it falleth out seldom, that those who are desirous of novelties, are not also babblers. For that saying of Horace is most true, Fly a demander of questions, for the same is also a blab. And surely we see that curious men are like rent Barrels. Furthermore both vices came of idleness: not only because the Philosophers spent whole days in disputing: but because the common sort was too much set upon novelty: neither was there any crafts man so base there, which would not thrust in himself to set in order the state of Grecia. And surely that which Luk saith here is witnessed by all writers both Greek & Latin, that there was nothing more light, covetous, or froward than that people. Wherefore there could never be any certain government set down in that City, which was notwithstanding the mistress of sciences. Therefore in principal power, they had notwithstanding no long liberty: neither did they ever cease off from attempting things & making many hurliburlies, until they brought themselves & all Grecia to utter ruin. For when their state was decayed, yet did not they forsake their boldness. Therefore Cicero doth laugh at their folly, because they did no less fiercely set forth their decrees then, than when they were lords over Grecia. Now though there were small hope to do any good among curious men: yet Paul did not neglect the opportunity, if peradventure he might gain some of a great company to Christ. Neither was this any small praise for the Gospel, in the most noble place of the City, and as it were in a common Theatre, to refute and openly to reprove, all forged and false worshippings; which had reigned there even until this day.

Gaue themselues to nothing else. The two vices which Luke reciteth, do almost alwaies go togither. For it falleth out seldome, that those who are desirous of noualties, are not also bablers. For that saying of Horace is most true, Flie a demander of questions, for the same is also a blab. And surely wee see that curious men are like rent Barrels. Furthermore both vices came of idlenes: not only because the Philosophers spent whol dayes in disputing: but because the common sort was too much set vpon noualty: neither was there any crafts man so base there, which would not thrust in himself to set in order the state of Grecia. And surely that which Luk saith here is witnessed by al writers both Greeke & Latin, that there was nothing more light, couetous, or froward than that people. Wherefore there could neuer be any certaine gouernment set downe in that Citie, which was notwithstanding the mystres of sciences. Therfore in principal power, they had notwithstanding no long liberty: neither did they euer cease off from attempting things & making many hurliburlies, vntil they brought themselues & al Grecia to vtter ruine. For whē their state was decaied, yet did not they forsake their boldnes. Therefore Cicero doth laugh at their folly, because they did no lesse fiersely set forth their decrees then, than whē they were lords ouer Grecia. Now though there were smal hope to do any good among curious mē: yet Paul did not neglect the opportunity, if peraduenture he might gain some of a great cō panie to Christ. Neither was this any small praise for the Gospel, in the most noble place of the Citie, and as it were in a common Theatre, to refute and openly to reproue, all forged and false worshippings; which had reigned there euen vntill this day.