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…

13 Here may we see an evil conscience: for being destitute of right & reason, they break out into open tyranny, the hatred whereof they had assayed to escape. Therefore he doth first declare that they were convict, that it may appear that they did war against God wittingly & willingly like Giants. For they see a manifest work of his in the man which was healed, and yet do they wickedly set themselves against him. In as much as they know that Peter and John were men unlearned and ignorant, they acknowledge that there was somewhat more than belongeth to man, in their boldness: therefore they are enforced to wonder whether they will or no. Yet they break out into such impudency, that they fear not to seek some tyrannous means to oppress the truth. When as they confess that it is a manifest sign, they condemn themselves therein of an evil conscience. When they say that it is known to all men, they declare that passing over God, they have respect unto men only. For they bewray their want of shame thereby, that they would not have doubted to turn their back, if there had been any colour of denial. And when they ask what they shall do, they make their obstinate wickedness known unto all men. For they would have submitted them selves unto God, unless devilish fury had carried them away to some other purpose. This is the Spirit of giddiness and madness, wherewith God doeth make his enemies drunk. So when they hope shortly after that they can by threatenings bring it about, that the fame shall go no farther, what can be more foolish? For after they have put two simple men to silence, shall the arm of God be broken?

13 Here may we see an euill conscience: for being destitute of right & reason, they break out into open tyranny, the hatred wherof they had assaied to escape. Therfore he doth first declare that they were conuict, that it may appeare that they did war against God wittingly & willingly like Gyants. For they see a manifest worke of his in the man which was healed, and yet do they wickedly set themselues against him. In as much as they knowe that Peter and Iohn were men vnlearned and ignorant, they acknowledge that there was somewhat more than belongeth to man, in their boldnesse: therefore they are enforced to wonder whether they will or no. Yet they breake out into such impudencie, that they feare not to seeke some tyrannous meanes to oppresse the truth. When as they confesse that it is a manifest signe, they condemne themselues therin of an euil conscience. When they say that it is knowne to al men, they declare that passing ouer God, they haue respect vnto men onely. For they bewray their want of shame therby, that they would not haue doubted to turne their backe, if there had beene any colour of deniall. And when they aske what they shall doe, they make their obstinate wickednesse knowne vnto al men. For they would haue submitted them selues vnto God, vnlesse diuellish furie had carried them away to some other purpose. This is the Spirit of giddines and madnesse, wherewith God doeth make his enimies drunke. So when they hope shortly after that they can by threatnings bring it about, that the fame shall goe no farther, what can bee more foolish? For after they haue put two simple men to silence, shall the arme of God be broken?