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…

Therefore we see how shamefully this orator did lie. And seeing all Pauls adversaries sing the same song, we see that they be blinded with hatred and malice, and that they treacherously betray the state of their country: neither do they pass what befall them so Paul may die the death. Where Erasmus translateth it, Many things are well done, the old interpreter seemeth to come nearer unto Paul his meaning, who sayeth, that catorthomata are wrought, which signifieth as much as reformations or dressings. Therefore Tertullus commendeth the industry of Felix, because he had cleansed Judea from many corruptions, and he restored many things, which would otherwise have decayed. To wit, to the end he may the more greedily seek to purchase the favour of the nation (which he knew was otherwise offended with him) by the death of one man.

Therefore we see how shamefullie this oratour did lie. And seeing all Pauls aduersaries sing the same song, we see that they bee blinded with hatred and malice, and that they trecherously betray the state of their countrie: neither doe they passe what befall them so Paule may die the death. Where Erasmus translateth it, Many thinges are well done, the olde interpreter seemeth to come nearer vnto Paule his meaning, who saieth, that catorthomata are wrought, which signifieth as much as reformations or dressings. Therefore Tertullus commendeth the industrie of Felix, because he had cleansed Iudea from many corruptions, and he restored many things, which would otherwise haue decayed. To wit, to the ende he may the more greedily seeke to purchase the fauour of the nation (which he knew was otherwise offended with him) by the death of one man.

5 For we found this man. Tertullus doth aim at a double mark. The first is this, that Paul may be delivered to the Jews, because they be very skilful in matters which concern the worship of God and the Law of Moses. But and if he deny this, he layeth to his charge a crime worthy of death, because he procured contention among the people. They knew that the Romans did hate nothing more: therefore they urge that the sorest against Paul. This doeth Tertullus amplify when he sayeth, that Paul had moved the Jews throughout the whole world. But I wonder why he addeth that he is the author or chief of the sect of the Nazarites: which we know was rather a praise than a dispraise among the Jews. I think that they mean not those who according to the old and lawful custom of the Law did consecrate themselves to God: but those troublesome murderers, who did also vaunt and boast that they were zealous men. Some think that Nazarites are here put for Christians: which may very well be. But if we like the former exposition better, he doeth craftily lay to Paul his charge that he was one of that sect which the Romans did hate. For where as these zealous men would above all other have been counted for notable observers of the Law, they