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…

And by this it appeareth how foolishly the Papists brag and boast of the titles of honour, in that not the common sort, or any private men, but the priests them selves did in times past divide the Jewish church by deadly dissension.

And by this it appeareth how foolishly the Papists brag and boast of the titles of honour, in that not the cōmon sort, or any priuate men, but the priestes them selues did in times past diuide the Iewishe church by deadly dissention.

Wherefore there is no cause why we should be afraid stoutly to resist the pride of the Pope and of all his adherents, with whom we have the same combat, which the prophets and apostles had with the priests of their time. And as the reverence of the church did not keep back holy men, but that they did molest the tyranny of the wicked priests, so we must not be terrified with vain visors, under which the Papists do vainly boast: seeing they have notwithstanding cast from them the doctrine of godliness. It is certain, that the people were then divided into three sects: but Luke doth only make mention of the pharisees and Sadducees, omitting the Essenes: because it was most fit for his purpose thus to do. And though this be the common opinion concerning their names, that the former took their name of separating, because they withdrew themselves from the company of other men, by reason of their feigned holiness: and that the second sort took their name of righteousness, as if they were called Zeduchim: notwithstanding for mine own part as I have said elsewhere, I am rather of their mind, who s•y that the pharisees took their name of interpreting. For Phrus signifieth exposition: whereupon also interpreters are called phruschim: & we know that the pharisees being not content with the natural doctrine of the law & prophets, did put in many inventions, which they said they received of the fathers.

Wherefore there is no cause why we should be afraid stoutly to resist the pride of the Pope and of all his adherents, with whom we haue the same cumbate, which the prophetes and apostles had with the priestes of their time. And as the reuerence of the church did not keep back holie men, but that they did molest the tyranny of the wicked priestes, so we must not be terrified with vaine visures, vnder which the Papists doe vainly boast: seeing they haue notwithstanding cast from them the doctrine of godlines. It is certaine, that the people were then diuided into three sects: but Luke doth only make mention of the pharisies and Sadduces, omitting the Essenes: because it was most fit for his purpose thus to do. And though this be the cōmon opinion concerning their names, that the former took their name of separating, because they withdrew themselues from the company of other men, by reason of their feigned holines: and that the second sort took their name of righteousnes, as if they were called Zeduchim: notwithstanding for mine owne part as I haue said elswhere, I am rather of their mind, who sy that the pharisies took their name of interpreting. For Phrus signifieth exposition: wherevpon also interpreters are called phruschim: & we know that the pharisies being not content with the natural doctrine of the law & prophets, did put in many inuentiōs, which they said they receiued of the fathers.