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…

8 The Sadducees say. Though Luke maketh mention of 3. points wherein these sects did dissent: yet shortly after he bringeth them to 2. because ⟨p. 529⟩there is like respect to be had of spirits & of Angels. Therefore he saith that the Pharisees did confess both: to wit, that the dead shall rise again, and that humane and angelical spirits are immortal. And here Luke declareth in what sense the Apostle professed himself to be a Pharisee: not because he did subscribe to all their inventions, but only in the resurrection of the dead. We know how sharply Christ reproveth their errors, therefore it had been good that some exception had bin added, least any man might think that Paul was one with them in all things. Now though the Sadducees did deny the resurrection, yet may we not think that they were altogether like to the Epicures.¹ For they did confess that the world is governed by the providence of God, and that every man is rewarded for his works. In this point they were sounder then the Epicures. But they did dote too grossly, when they included the rewards of righteousness, & the punishments of wickedness in this life. For that I may omit the scripture, experience doeth teach, that as well the godly as the ungodly are either punished with many miseries, or else gently dealt withal: and that the wicked do oftentimes live in wealth and pleasures, when as the worshippers of God are oftentimes miserably tormented, as it is Psalm. 73.² Therefore whosoever esteemeth the judgement of God by the present estate of men, whether it be good or bad, he must needs fall away from faith at length unto Epicurish contempt of God.

8 The Sadduces say. Though Luke maketh mention of 3. points wherein these sects did dissent: yet shortly after he bringeth them to 2. because ⟨p. 529⟩there is like respect to be had of spirits & of Angels. Therefore he saith that the Pharisees did confesse both: to wit, that the dead shall rise againe, and that humane and angelicall spirites are immortall. And here Luke declareth in what sense the Apostle professed himselfe to bee a Pharisee: not because he did subscribe to all their inuentions, but only in the resurrection of the dead. We know howe sharply Christe reproueth their errours, therefore it had been good that some exception had byn added, least any man might thinke that Paul was one with them in all thinges. Now though the Saduces did denie the resurrection, yet may we not thinke that they were altogether like to the Epicures.