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…

19 Whether it be right. Let us remember to whom they make this answer. For this council did undoubtedly represent the Church: yet because they do abuse their authority, the Apostles say flatly that they are not to be obeyed. And (as men use to do in an evident matter) they refer over the judgement unto their adversaries, for a reproach unto them. Furthermore it is worth the noting, that they set the authority of God against their decrees. Which thing should be done out of season, unless they were the enemies of God, who notwithstanding were otherwise the ordinary Pastors of the Church. Moreover the Apostles express a farther thing also, to wit, that the obedience which men use toward evil and unfaithful Pastors, howsoever they hold the lawful government of the Church, is contrary to God. This question doth the Pope answer pleasantly, because he saith that all those things are divine oracles whatsoever it hath pleased him to blunder out unadvisedly. By this means the danger of contrariety is taken away. But the Bishops can challenge no more at this day, than God had given then to the order of the Priests. Therefore this is a toy too childish, That they can command nothing but that which is agreeable to the commandment of God. Yea rather the thing it self declareth evidently, that there shall be no conflict then, if they suffer their vain and unbridled lust to range freely, having vanquished and renounced the doctrine of Christ. Therefore by what title soever men be called, yet must we hear them only upon this condition, if they lead us not away from obeying God. So that we must examine all their traditions, by the rule of the word of God. We must obey princes and others which are in authority: yet so, that they rob not God (who is the chief king, Father, and Lord) of his right, and authority. If we must observe such modesty in politic government, it ought to be of far more force in the spiritual government of the Church. And least according to their wonted pride, they think that their authority is ⟨p. 94⟩abated, when God is extolled above them, Peter draweth them away from such pleasant flattering of themselves, telling them that this matter must be determined before the judgement seat of God, for he sayeth plainly, Before God:

19 Whether it be right. Let vs remember to whom they make this answere. For this councel did vndoubtedly represent the Church: yet because they do abuse their authoritie, the Apostles say flatly that they are not to be obeyed. And (as men vse to do in an euident matter) they referre ouer the iudgement vnto their aduersaries, for a reproch vnto them. Furthermore it is worth the noting, that they set the authoritie of God against their decrees. Which thing should be done out of season, vnlesse they were the enemies of God, who notwithstanding were otherwise the ordinarie Pastors of the Church. Moreouer the Apostles expresse a farther thing also, to wit, that the obedience which men vse toward euill and vnfaithful Pastors, howsoeuer they holde the lawfull gouernement of the Church, is contrarie to God. This question doth the Pope aunswere pleasauntly, because he saith that all those thinges are diuine oracles whatsoeuer it hath pleased him to blunder out vnaduisedly. By this meanes the daunger of contrarietie is taken away. But the Bishops can chalenge no more at this day, than God had giuen then to the order of the Priestes. Therefore this is a toy too childish, That they can commaund nothing but that which is agreeable to the commaundement of God. Yea rather the thing it selfe declareth euidently, that there shall be no conflictt then, if they suffer their vaine and vnbridled lust to raunge freely, hauing vanquished and renounced the doctrine of Christ. Therefore by what title soeuer men be called, yet must we heare them onely vpon this condition, if they leade vs not away from obeying God. So that we must examine all their traditions, by the rule of the worde of God. We must obey princes and others which are in authoritie: yet so, that they robbe not God (who is the chiefe king, Father, and Lord) of his right, and authoritie. If we must obserue such modestie in politique gouernemente, it ought to bee of farre more force in the spirituall gouernement of the Church. And least according to their wonted pride, they thinke that their authoritie is