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…

1 And as they spake. Hereby it appeareth how watchful the wicked be: because they are always ready at an inch to stop the mouth of the servants of Christ. And undoubtedly they came together as it were to quench some great fire. Which thing Luke signifieth, when as he saith that the ruler or captain of the temple came also, and he addeth moreover that they took it grievously that the apostles did teach. Therefore they came not upon them by chance, but of set purpose: that according to their authority they might restrain the apostles & put them to silence. And yet they have some show of law & equity. For if any man did rashly intrude himself, it was the office of the high priest to repress him: & also in like sort to keep the people in the obedience of the law & the prophets, & to prevent all new doctrines. Therefore when they hear unknown men, & such as had no public authority, preaching unto the people in the temple, they seem according as their office did require, & they were commanded by God to address themselves to remedy this. And surely at the first blush it seemeth that there was nothing in this action worthy of reprehension: but the end doth at length declare that their counsel was wicked, & their affection ungodly. Again it was an hard matter for the Apostles to escape infamy and reproach, because they being private & despised persons, did take upon them public authority. To wit, because when things are out of order, many things must be assayed contrary to the common custom: & especially when we are to avouch & defend religion & the worship of God. & the ringleaders themselves do stop always, & do ⟨p. 86⟩abuse that office against God, which was committed unto them by god. The faithful champions of Christ must swallow up & pass through this ignominy in popery. For a thousand summers will go over their heads, before any reformation or amendment will wax ripe amongst them for the better. Therefore Luke standeth upon this point, when as he saith that they were grieved, because the resurrection was preached in the name of Christ. For hereupon it followeth that they did hate the doctrine before they knew the same. He expresseth the Sadducees by name, as those which were more courageous in this cause. For they were almost a part of the Priests:

1 And as they spake. Hereby it appeareth how watchful the wicked be: because they are alwaies ready at an inch to stop the mouth of the seruants of Christ. And vndoutedly they came together as it were to quēch some great fire. Which thing Luke signifieth, when as hee saith that the ruler or captain of the temple came also, and hee addeth moreouer that they tooke it greeuously that the apostles did teach. Therfore they came not vpon thē by chaunce, but of set purpose: that according to their authoritie they might restrain the apostles & put them to silence. And yet they haue some shew of law & equitie. For if any man did rashly intrude himself, it was the office of the high priest to represse him: & also in like sort to keep the people in the obedience of the law & the prophets, & to preuent all new doctrines. Therfore when they heare vnknowen men, & such as had no publik authority, preaching vnto the people in the tēple, they seeme according as their office did require, & they were commanded by God to adresse themselues to remedie this. And surely at the first blush it seemeth that there was nothing in this action worthie of reprehension: but the end doth at length declare that their counsell was wicked, & their affection vngodly. Againe it was an hard matter for the Apostles to escape infamie and reproch, because they being priuate & despised persons, did take vpon thē publike authority. To wit, because when things are out of order, many things must be assaied contrary to the cō mon custome: & especially when we are to auouch & defend religion & the worship of God. & the ringleaders thēselues do stop alwayes, & doe