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…

Moreover, the frowardness of mans nature is depainted out unto us as in a table: admit we grant that the Jews were hated every where for good causes, yet why are the Grecians rather displeased with Sosthenes a modest man, then with the authors of the tumult, who troubled Paul without any cause namely, this is the reason: because when men are not governed with the spirit of god, they are carried headlong unto evil as it were by the secret inspiration of nature: notwithstanding it may be, that they bare Sosthenes such hatred, thinking he had lodged wicked men to raise sedition.

Moreouer, the frowardnes of mans naure is depainted out vnto vs as in a table: admit we graūt that the Iewes wer hated euery where for good causes, yet why are the Greciās rather displeased with Sosthenes a modest mā, then with the autors of the tumult, who troubled Paul without any cause namely, this is the reasō: bicause when men are not gouerned with the spirit of god, they are caried headlong vnto euil as it wer by the secret inspiratiō of nature: notwithstāding it may be, that they bare Sosthenes such hatred, thinking he had lodged wicked mē to raise sedition.

Neither did Gallio care for any of these things, This looseness must be imputed not so much to the sluggishness of the deputy as to the hatred of the Jewish religion. The Romans could have wished that the remembrance of the true God had bin buried. And therefore when as it was lawful for them to vow their vows, and to pay them to all the Idols of ⟨p. 448⟩Asia and Grecia: it was a deadly fact to do sacrifice to the god of Israel. Finally, in the common liberty of all manner superstition, only true religion was accepted. This is the cause that Gallio winketh at the injury done to Sosthenes. He professed of late that he would punish injuries if any were done: now he suffereth a guiltless man to be beaten before the judgement seat. Whence cometh this sufferance, save only because he did in heart desire that the Jews might one slay another, that their religion might be put out with them. But for as much as by the mouth of Luke, the spirit condemneth Gallio his carelessness, because he did not aide a man which was unjustly punished: let our magistrates know that they be far more inexcusable, if they wink at injuries & wicked facts, if they bridle not the wantonness of the wicked, if they reach not forth their hand to the oppressed. But & if the sluggish are to look for just damnation, what terrible judgement hangeth over the heads of those who are unfaithful & wicked, who by favouring evil causes, & bearing with wicked facts, set up as it were a banner of want of punishment, and are fans to kindle boldness to do hurt?