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…

Festus doeth grant that there was learning packed in Pauls speech, nevertheless because the Gospel is hidden from the unbelievers,¹ whose minds Satan hath blinded, he thinketh that he is a brainsick fellow which handleth matters intricately. So that though he cannot mock and openly contemn him, yet he is so far from being moved or inwardly touched, that he counteth him a man which is frenzy, and of mad curiosity. And this is the cause that he cannot away to mark what he sayeth, least he make him mad also. As many at this day fly from the word of God, least they drown themselves in a Labyrinth: and they think that we be mad, because we move questions concerning hidden matters, and so become troublesome both to our selves and also to others. Wherefore being admonished by this example, let us beg of God, that he will show us the light of his doctrine, and that he will therewithal give us a taste thereof, least through obscurity and hardness it become unsavoury, and at length proud loathsomeness break out into blasphemy.

Festus doeth graunt that there was learning packed in Paules speech, neuerthelesse because the Gospell is hidden from the vnbeleeuers,¹ whose mindes Sathan hath blinded, hee thinketh that hee is a brainsicke fellowe which handleth matters intricarlie. So that though hee cannot mocke and openly contemne him, yet hee is so farre from being mooued or inwardly touched, that hee counteth him a man which is frensie, and of madde curiositie. And this is the cause that he cannot away to marke what hee saieth, least hee make him madde also. As manie at this day flie from the worde of God, least they drowne themselues in a Labarinth: and they thinke that we be madde, because wee mooue questions concerning hidden matters, and so become troublesome both to our selues and also to others. Wherefore being admonished by this example, let vs begge of God, that hee will shewe vs the light of his doctrine, and that he will therewithall giue vs a taste thereof, least through obscuritie and hardnesse it become vnsauourie, and at length proude loathsomnesse breake out into blasphemie.

1. 12. Cor. 4.3.