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…

There is nothing more bold to cause trouble than unlearned men. And at that day the government of the Church was so decayed, that religion was not only subject to sects, but also miserably mangled and torn in pieces. Therefore Paul nameth his master least any man may think that he had not been nuzzled up in learning, and therefore had he forsaken the worship of the fathers. As many men who are not trained up in learning, forget their nature and grow out of kind. But Paul sayeth chiefly that he was well taught in the Law, that the Jews may understand, that it was not through ignorance (as it falleth out oftentimes) that he causeth such ado, and doeth counterfeit their monsters.

There is nothing more bolde to cause trouble than vnlearned men. And at that day the gouernement of the Church was so decayed, that religion was not onely subiect to sectes, but also miserablie mangled and torne in peeces. Therefore Paul nameth his master least any man may thinke that he had not beene nousled vp in learning, and therefore had hee forsaken the worshippe of the fathers. As many men who are not trained vp in learning, forget their nature and growe out of kinde. But Paul saieth chiefely that he was well taught in the Law, that the Iewes may vnderstande, that it was not through ignorance (as it falleth out oftentimes) that hee causeth such adoe, and doeth counterfaite their monsters.

¹It is to be doubted whether this be that Gamaliel of whom mention is made before. Scholars are said to sit at their masters feet: because forasmuch as they be not as yet of strong and sound judgement, they must bring such modesty and aptness to be taught, that they must make all their senses subject to their masters, and must depend upon their mouth. So Mary is said to sit at Jesus his feet,² when she giveth ear to his doctrine. But and if such reverence be dew to earthly masters, how much more ought we to prostrate our selves before the feet of Christ, that we may give ear to him when he teacheth us out of his heavenly throne? This speech doeth also put boys and young men in remembrance of their duty, that they be not stout nor stubborn, or that they be not puffed nor lifted up against their masters through some foolish confidence, but that they suffer themselves quietly and gently to be framed by them.