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…

9 Seeing their hearts were hardened. We do not read that Paul was heard so patiently & so favourably by the Jews at any place, as at Ephesus, at his ⟨p. 460⟩first coming. For where as others raising tumults did drive him away, he was requested by these to tarry longer. Now after that he had endeavoured by the space of three months to erect the kingdom of God among them, the ungodliness and stubbornness of many doeth show it self. For Luke saith that they were hardened: and surely such is the power of the heavenly doctrine, that it doeth either make the reprobate mad, or else more obstinate: & that not of nature, but accidentally, as they say: because when they be urged by the truth, their secret poison breaketh out. Luke addeth that they spake evil of the way before the people. For the contemners of the gospel do resist that deadlily among others which they will not embrace. And this do they to no other end save only because they be desirous (if it can be) to have all men partners in their impiety. It is well known that every ordinance is understood by this word way: but here it is referred unto the gospel of Christ. Now Luke saith that Paul departed from them, and did separate the brethren, by which example we are taught, that when we have experience of desperate and uncurable stubbornness, we must loose our labour no longer. Therefore Paul admonisheth Titus, to avoid a man that is an heretic,¹ after once or twice admonition. For the word of God is unjustly blasphemed, if it be cast to dogs and swine. Also we must provide for the weak, least through wicked backbitings and slandering of sound doctrine, their godliness be subverted. Therefore Paul did separate the Disciples, least the goats should with their stink infect the flock of sheep: Secondly that the pure worshippers of God might make profession freely.

9 Seeing their hearts were hardned. We do not read that Paul was heard so paciētly & so fauorably by the Iews at any place, as at Ephesus, at his ⟨p. 460⟩first comming. For where as others raising tumults did driue him away, he was requested by these to tarrie longer. Now after that he had indeuoured by the space of three moneths to erect the kingdom of God among them, the vngodlines and stubbornnesse of many doeth shewe it selfe. For Luke saith that they were hardened: and surely such is the power of the heauenly doctrine, that it doeth either make the reprobate mad, or els more obstinate: & that not of nature, but accidētally, as they say: bicause when they be vrged by the truth, their secret poisō breaketh out. Luke addeth that they spake euill of the way before the people. For the cōtemners of the gospel do resist that deadlily among others which they will not embrace. And this do they to no other end saue only because they be desirous (if it can be) to haue al men partners in their impietie. It is well knowen that euery ordinaunce is vnderstoode by this word way: but heere it is referred vnto the gospel of Christ. Now Luke saith that Paul departed from them, and did separate the brethren, by which example we are taught, that when we haue experience of desperate and vncurable stubbornnesse, we must loose our labour no longer. Therefore Paule admonisheth Titus, to auoide a man that is an heretike,