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…

23 Tumult about that way. Concerning this word Way let the readers understand thus much, that it is here taken for that which the Latins call Sect: the Greek Philosophers call it Heresies or heresy. But because in the Church of God, where the unity of faith ought to reign, there is nothing more odious or detestable, than for every man to choose at his pleasure that which he will follow: I think that Luke did fly that name which was for good causes infamous among the godly, and that after the Hebrew phrase he put way in stead of Ordinance. And as touching the sum of the matter, we see how wonderfully the Lord did exercise his servant. He did hope when he did address himself for his journey, that the Church would be quiet after his departure, and lo there ariseth an uproar at a sudden, where he did least fear. But in Demetrius it appeareth what a hurtful plague covetousness is. For one man for his own gains sake is not afraid to trouble a whole City with sedition. And the crafts men, who were as firebrands kindled by him, and do spread abroad the fire every where, do teach us what an easy matter it is to cause filthy men and those whose belly is their God, to commit all manner wickedness: especially if they live only by gains evil gotten, and the hope of gain be taken from them. Moreover in this history we see a lively image of our time. Demetrius and his band raise a tumult: because if superstition whereby they were wont to get gains be taken away, their craft will fall to ground. Therefore they fight as if it were for their life: least Demetrius go without his fat pray, and the rest want their daily living. What zeal doeth at this day prick forward the Pope, the horned Bishops, the Monks, and all the rabblement of the popish clergy? Yea what fury doeth drive them, so sore to resist the Gospel? They boast that they strive for the Catholic faith: neither did Demetrius want an honest colour, pretending the worship of Diana.

23 Tumult about that way. Concerning this word Way let the readers vnderstand thus much, that it is heere taken for that which the Latines call Sect: the Greeke Philosophers call it Heresies or heresie. But because in the Church of God, where the vnitie of faith ought to reigne, there is nothing more odious or detestable, than for euerie man to choose at his pleasure that which he will followe: I thinke that Luke did flie that name which was for good causes infamous among the godlie, and that after the Hebrew phrase hee put way in steede of Ordinance. And as touching the summe of the matter, wee see howe wonderfully the Lorde did exercise his seruaunt. Hee did hope when hee did addresse himselfe for his iourney, that the Church would be quiet after his departure, and loe there ariseth an vprore at a sodaine, where hee did least feare. But in Demetrius it appeareth what a hurtfull plague couetousnesse is. For one man for his owne gaines sake is not afraide to trouble a whole Citie with sedition. And the craftes men, who were as firebrandes kindled by him, and doe spread abroad the fire euerie where, doe teach vs what an easie matter it is to cause filthie men and those whose belly is their God, to commit all manner wickednesse: especiallie if they liue onely by gaines euill gotten, and the hope of gaine be taken from them. Moreouer in this hystorie wee see a liuely image of our time. Demetrius and his bande raise a tumult: because if superstition whereby they were wont to get gaines be taken away, their craft will fall to grounde. Therefore they fight as if it were for their life: least Demetrius goe without his fatte pray, and the rest want their daily lyuing. What zeale doeth at this day pricke forwarde the Pope, the horned Byshoppes, the Munkes, and all the rablement of the popish cleargie? Yea what furie doeth driue them, so sore to resist the Gospell? They boast that they striue for the Catholike faith: neither did Demetrius want an honest coloure, pretending the worship of Diana.