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…

Behold on the other side a certain Physician called George Brandata worse than Stancarus, because his error is more detestable, and because he hath in his mind more secrete poison. For which cause these also are the more worthy to be reproved, at whose hands the ungodliness of Seruetus hath found such favour of such a sudden. For although I am persuaded, that they are far from those perverse and sacrilegious opinions: yet they should have taken better heed and not have suffered this fox craftily to creep into their company, because such plagues will never be wanting; neither will Satan ever cease to bring abroad into the forefront such champions as have given over themselves to serve him, that he may trouble the beginnings of the Gospel, it is for you to be continually in a readiness: and to the end you may prevent greater evils, you must set down a right and godly manner of government, which is the faithful keeping of holy peace. For as it is manifest that purity of doctrine is the soul of the Church: so we may full well compare Discipline unto the Sinews, wherewith the body being bound and knit together doth maintain his strength. Now on the other side the ungodliness of other enemies ought to sharpen your study and earnestness, I mean the preachers of Antichrist of Rome, who to the end they may ⟨image 6⟩deceive the ignorant do continually with shrill voice sound out the name of the Church. There is no controversy amongst us about the Church, but all grant that the authority thereof ought to be reverenced of all the children of God: save only that they under false colour of honour do make the shadowish name of the Church, subject to their lusts: we do so reverence the Church from our heart, that we account it great wickedness to profane the sacred name thereof. That I may omit other godly ministers of pure and sound doctrine, I my self have again and again heretofore in many places handled this question: when mention is made of the Church, whose head is the son of God: and which he, who is the fountain of life eternal, doth always quicken by his spirit: how ridiculous a thing it is to bring forth a body without an head, and secondly a dead carcass. The hireling flatterers of the Pope, do cry out that they have the Church.

Beholde on the other side a certaine Phisition called George Brandata worse than Stancarus, because his errour is more detestable, and because hee hath in his minde more secrete poison. For which cause these also are the more worthie to be reprooued, at whose hands the vngodlinesse of Seruetus hath found such fauour of such a suddaine. For although I am perswaded, that they are farre from those peruerse and sacriligious opinions: yet they should haue taken better heede and not haue suffered this foxe craftilie to creepe into their companie, because such plagues wil neuer be wanting; neither will Sathan euer cease to bring abroad into the forefront such champions as haue giuen ouer themselues to serue him, that hee may trouble the beginninges of the Gospel, it is for you to bee continually in a redinesse: and to the ende you may preuent greater euils, you must set downe a right and godly manner of gouernment, which is the faithfull keeping of holie peace. For as it is manifest that puritie of doctrine is the soule of the Church: so wee may full well compare Discipline vnto the Sinowes, wherewith the bodie being bounde and knitte togither doth maintaine his strength. Now on the otherside the vngodlinesse of other enimies ought to sharpen your studdie and earnestnesse, I meane the preachers of Antichrist of Rome, who to the end they may