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…

25 By this craft. Demetrius doeth in this place filthily bewray his malice. It is lawful for a man in some measure to provide for his priva•• profit: but to trouble common peace for a mans own gain, to overthrow equity and right to give over a mans self, to do violence & commit murder, to extinguish that of set purpose which is just and right: that is too great wickedness. Demetrius confesseth that this is the state of the cause, because Paul denieth that those are Gods which are made with mens hands. He doth not inquire whether this be true or no: but being blinded with a desire to get gain, he is carried headlong to oppress ••ue doctrine. The same blindness doth drive him headlong to seek violent remedies. Also the craft men, because they be afraid of poverty and hunger, run headlong as violently, for the belly is blind and deaf, so that it can admit no equity. For which cause every one of us ought more to suspect himself, when the question is touching our own gain & profit, least the same covetous desire which made these men so mad, take away all difference of justice and uniustice, of that which is filthy and that which is honest.

25 By this craft. Demetrius doeth in this place filthily bewray his malice. It is lawful for a man in some measure to prouide for his priua•• profite: but to trouble common peace for a mans owne gaine, to ouerthrow equitie and right to giue ouer a mans self, to do violence & commit murder, to extinguish that of set purpose which is iust and right: that is too great wickednes. Demetrius confesseth that this is the state of the cause, because Paul denieth that those are Gods which are made with mens hands. He doth not inquire whether this be true or no: but being blinded with a desire to get gain, he is carried headlong to oppresse ••ue doctrin. The same blindnes doth driue him headlong to seek violent remedies. Also the crafte men, bicause they be afraid of pouertie and hunger, run headlong as violently, for the belly is blind and deaf, so that it can admit no equitie. For which cause euery one of vs ought more to suspect himselfe, when the question is touching our owne gaine & profite, least the same couetous desire which made these men so mad, take away all difference of iustice and vniustice, of that which is filthie and that which is honest.