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 Do that which we say to thee. The Elders seem (as I said even now) to be fallen unto a foolish pampering through too much love of their nation. But the manifest judgement of that thing dependeth upon the circumstances, which are hid from us at this day: yet they knew them well. The whole body almost did consist upon Jews, so that they needed not to fear the offending of the Gentiles. For in other regions this was the cause of departure, because every man was wedded to his own custom, & would prescribe a law to others. Furthermore they had at Jerusalem many things which might provoke them to keep the ceremonies of the law, so that ⟨p. 502⟩they had a greater excuse, if they did more slowly forsake them. And though their zeal were not void of fault, yet as it was an hard matter to reform it, so it could not be don at a sudden. We see how this superstition was scarce in long time pulled from the apostles: & because new disciples came daily unto the faith, the infirmity was nourished in all together. And yet notwithstanding we must not deny but that ignorance was coupled with obstinacy, which the Elders did nevertheless tolerate, least they should do more hurt by using violent remedies. I leave it indifferent whether they did pass measure or no.

23 Doe that which we say to thee. The Elders seeme (as I said euen now) to be faln vnto a foolish pāpering through too much loue of their natiō. But the manifest iudgement of that thing dependeth vpon the circumstances, which are hid frō vs at this day: yet they knew thē wel. The whol body almost did consist vppon Iewes, so that they needed not to feare the offending of the Gentiles. For in other regions this was the cause of departure, because euery man was wedded to his own custome, & would prescribe a law to others. Furthermore they had at Ierusalē many things which might prouoke them to keepe the ceremonies of the law, so that ⟨p. 502⟩they had a greater excuse, if they did more slowly forsake them. And thogh their zeale wer not void of fault, yet as it was an hard matter to reform it, so it could not be don at a sodain. We see how this superstitiō was scarce in long time pulled from the apostles: & bicause new disciples came daily vnto the faith, the infirmitie was nourished in all together. And yet notwithstanding we must not deny but that ignorance was coupled with obstinacie, which the Elders did neuerthelesse tollerate, least they shuld do more hurt by vsing violent remedies. I leaue it indifferent whether they did passe measure or no.