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…

25 I am not mad. Paul is not angry neither doeth he sharply reprehend Festus for his blasphemous speech: yea he speaketh unto him with great submission. For it was no place for reprehension, and it became him to pardon the ignorance of the man, seeing he did not set himself face to face against God. Also he had respect unto his person. For though he were unworthy of honour, yet was he in authority. And yet for all that he doeth not therefore give place to his ⟨p. 571⟩blasphemy, but he defendeth the glory of the word of God. Whereby we do also see, that not caring for himself, he did only take thought for his doctrine. For he doeth not vaunt of his wit, he doeth not labour in defence of his wisdom: but he is content with this defence alone, that he teacheth nothing but that which is true and sober.

25 I am not madde. Paul is not angrie neither doeth hee sharpely reprehende Festus for his blasphemous speech: yea hee speaketh vnto him with great submission. For it was no place for reprehension, and it became him to pardon the ignorance of the man, seing hee did not set himselfe face to face against God. Also he had respect vnto his person. For though hee were vnworthie of honour, yet was hee in authoritie. And yet for all that hee doeth not therefore giue place to his ⟨p. 571⟩blasphemie, but hee defendeth the glorie of the word of God. Whereby wee doe also see, that not caring for himselfe, hee did onelie take thought for his doctrine. For he doeth not vaunt of his wit, hee doeth not labour in defense of his wisedome: but hee is content with this defense alone, that hee teacheth nothing but that which is true and sober.

Furthermore the truth is set against all manner fallacies and fraud: sobriety against all manner frivolous speculations, and thorny subtleties, which are only seeds of contention. Paul doeth in deed refute Festus his error: yet we may gather by this which is the best manner of teaching, to wit, that which is not only clean from all fallacies and deceit, but also doth not make the minds of men drunken with vain questions, and doth not nourish foolish curiosity, nor an intemperate desire to know more than is meet: but is moderate and good for sound edification.