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…

7 Many and grievous crimes. So long as Paul lived under the Law his integrity was well known and famous. Again when he was converted to Christ, he was a singular pattern of innocency. Yet we see how he is subject to many slanders, cruel & false accusations. And this is almost always the estate of the servants of Christ: wherefore they must be the more courageous to pass valiantly through evil report and good report: neither let them think it strange to be evil reported of where they have done good.

7 Manie and greeuous crimes. So long as Paule liued vnder the Lawe his integritie was well knowne and famous. Againe when hee was conuerted to Christ, he was a singular patterne of innocencie. Yet wee see howe he is subiect to many slanders, cruel & false accusations. And this is almost alwaies the estate of the seruants of Christ: wherfore they must be the more couragious to passe valiantly through euill report and good report: neither let them thinke it strange to bee euill reported of where they haue done good.

In the mean season they must do their endeavour, that they may not only have a clear conscience before God, but that they may be very well able to defend themselves before men, when they have time and place. For Paul doth not fail in his cause: but courageously setteth the defence of his innocency against their false crimes. Furthermore let us note that the wicked can never be bridled, but they will speak evil of good men, and will impudently slander them: for they resemble the nature of Satan, by whose spirit they are led. Therefore where as we be commanded to stop the mouth of the wicked, it must not be so taken, as if he shall be free from all backbiting, whosoever shall behave himself uprightly: but that our life may answer for us, and may wipe away all blots of false infamy. So we see the adversaries of Paul, though they had a favourable judge, yet their slanders were all in vain, seeing he did defend and avouch his innocency by his deeds. And yet it is likely that they wanted not false witnesses, neither were they slack in suborning them: but because the Lord giveth his servants invincible strength, so that the brightness of honesty doeth drive away their vain clouds: they are ashamed, and at length they depart from the judgement seat with this infamy, that they were false accusers. But the defence of Paul doeth show what things the Jews laid principally to his charge. The first crime was ungodliness against God, that he overthrew the Law and polluted the Temple: the other, rebellion against Cesar, and the Roman Empire, because he raised tumults everywhere. He was holpen by the singular grace of God to answer and refute both, who maketh the innocency of his as bright as the morning.