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…

Yea it shaketh and overthroweth all humanity. Therefore Paul purgeth himself of this crime: yet so, that he denieth that Ananias is to be counted a priest of God, who hath corrupted & perverted all the order of the church. But here riseth a question, whether we ought not to obey a ruler, though he exercise tyranny. For if that man be not to be deprived of honour, which executeth his office amiss, ⟨p. 526⟩Paul offended in robbing the high priest of his honour. Therefore I answer that there is some difference between civil magistrates, & the prelates of the church. For though the exploiting of earthly or civil rule be confused or perverse: yet the Lord will have men to continue still in subjection. But when the spiritual government doth degenerate, the consciences of the godly are at liberty, and set free from obeying unjust authority: especially if the wicked and profane enemies of holiness do falsely pretend the title of priesthood to overthrow the doctrine of salvation, and challenge to themselves such authority, as that they will be thereby equal with God. So it is not only lawful for the faithful at this day to shake off from their shoulders the popes yoke, but they must do it of necessity: seeing they cannot obey his laws, unless they forsake God, 6 And when Paul knew that the one part were of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, he cried out in the Council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: I am judged of the hope and resurrection of the dead. 7 And when he had thus said, there was a dissension among the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude was divided, 8 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither Angel, neither Spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 9 And there was a great cry: and the Scribes of the Pharisees sect arose, and strove saying, we find no evil in this man, but if the Spirit or an Angel have spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Yea it shaketh and ouerthroweth all humanity. Therfore Paul purgeth himself of this crime: yet so, that he denieth that Ananias is to be counted a priest of God, who hath corrupted & peruerted al the order of the church. But here riseth a question, whether we ought not to obey a ruler, though he exercise tyrāny. For if that mā be not to be depriued of honor, which executeth his office amisse, ⟨p. 526⟩Paul offēded in robbing the high priest of his honor. Therfore I answere that there is some difference betweene ciuil magistrates, & the prelates of the church. For thogh the exployting of earthly or ciuil rule be cōfused or peruerse: yet the Lord wil haue men to continue stil in subiection. But when the spiritual gouernment doth degenerate, the consciences of the godly are at libertye, and set free from obeying vniust authoritie: especially if the wicked and prophane enimies of holines doe falsly pretend the title of priesthood to ouerthrow the doctrine of saluation, and challenge to themselues such authoritie, as that they will be thereby equal with God. So it is not only lawful for the faithfull at this daye to shake off from their shoulders the popes yoke, but they must do it of necessity: seeing they cannot obey his lawes, vnlesse they forsake God, 6 And when Paul knew that the one part were of the Sadduces, and the other of the Pharisies, hee cryed out in the Councell, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisie, the sonne of a Pharisie: I am iudged of the hope and resurrection of the dead. 7 And when he had thus saide, there was a dissention among the Pharisies and Sadduces, and the multitude was deuided, 8 For the Saduces say there is no resurrection, neither Angel, neither Spirite: but the Pharisies confesse both. 9 And there was a great crie: and the Scribes of the Pharisies sect arose, and stroue saying, we finde no euill in this man, but if the Spirit or an Angell haue spoken to him, let vs not fight against God.