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…

Wherefore there could no sinister suspicion rest in his speech, seeing that (without having any respect of himself) he saith, that he did utterly offend in those things whereby he gate the praise of all the people. Therefore he condemneth his very zeal of madness, which others did honour. Whereby it appeareth how filthy the ambition of those men is, who are ashamed simply to confess if they have offended through ignorance or error. For although they do not altogether excuse the same, yet they go about to lessen or paint these things, for which they ought humbly with sorrow and tears to crave pardon. But though Paul might have retained the same of a courageous man, yet he confesseth that he was a mad man. For the participle which Luke useth importeth thus much, that he compelled many to blaspheme. By this we know that there was great corruption even in the very first fruits of believers, seeing that having first professed themselves to be disciples of Christ, and being afterward discouraged with fear or stripes, they did not only deny him, but also spake evil of his blessed name. Though the very denial it self containeth an horrible blasphemy.

Wherefore there could no sinister suspition rest in his speech, seeing that (without hauing any respect of himselfe) he saith, that he did vtterly offend in those thinges whereby he gate the prayse of all the people. Therefore hee condemneth his verie zeale of madnesse, which others did honour. Whereby it appeareth how filthie the ambition of those men is, who are ashamed simply to confesse if they haue offended thorow ignorance or error. For although they doe not altogether excuse the same, yet they goe about to lessen or paint these thinges, for which they ought humbly with sorrow and teares to craue pardon. But thogh Paul might haue retained the same of a couragious man, yet hee confesseth that he was a mad man. For the participle which Luke vseth importeth thus muche, that he compelled many to blaspheme. By this wee know that there was great corruption euen in the very first fruites of beleeuers, seeing that hauing first professed themselues to bee disciples of Christe, and being afterwarde discouraged with feare or stripes, they did not onelye denie him, but also spake euill of his blessed name. Though the very deniall it selfe containeth an horrible blasphemie.