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…

12 Disputing with any man. Paul had no need to deny any of these things if he had done them: because he might have answered for himself that it was well done. He had bin one of the Scribes which disputed daily: neither were they forbidden either by the Law or by custom, but that they might assemble themselves together to be taught. Yea to this end there were in diverse places of the City Synagogues, wherein they met together. Moreover he knew that both Christ and also his Apostles had done the same thing. Also he might easily have turned back upon his adversaries the crime which they did object to him, who did daily use the very same things. But because he aimeth at no other thing at this present, but to refute the false accusations of his adversaries, and to prove that importunate men had unadvisedly molested him for no cause: he entreateth not of the lawfulness of the fact (as they say) but only of the fact. And he standeth chiefly upon this point to refute that slander, because he was burdened to be a raiser of tumults. Therefore he concludeth that he was falsely and unjustly accused: because the adversaries had never proved those things which they had alleged. This ought to have been sufficient to discharge him, seeing he was thus burdened with wicked lies, whereas there rested ⟨p. 543⟩in him not the very least suspicion that could be devised.

12 Disputing with any man. Paule had no neede to denie any of these things if he had done them: because hee might haue answered for himselfe that it was wel done. He had bin one of the Scribes which disputed daily: neither were they forbidden either by the Law or by custome, but that they might assemble themselues togither to bee taught. Yea to this end there were in diuerse places of the Cittie Synagogues, wherin they met togither. Moreouer hee knewe that both Christ and also his Apostles had done the same thing. Also he might easily haue turned backe vppon his aduersaries the crime which they did obiect to him, who did dayly vse the very same things. But because he aimeth at no other thing at this present, but to refute the false accusations of his aduersaries, and to proue that importunate men had vnaduisedly molested him for no cause: hee intreateth not of the lawfulnesse of the fact (as they say) but onely of the fact. And hee standeth chiefely vppon this point to refute that slaunder, because hee was burdened to bee a raiser of tumultes. Therefore hee concludeth that hee was falsely and vniustly accused: because the aduersaries had neuer prooued those thinges which they had alleaged. This ought to haue beene sufficient to discharge him, seeing hee was thus burdened with wicked lies, whereas there rested