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…

Which were with him. He meaneth those which were most familiar; and the nighest linked in friendship with the chief Priest, whose counsel he was wont to use: and whom he had, being as it were gathered and culled out of the whole order, not for judgement, or discretion, but for the love of his faction: as they did then contend among themselves shamelessly, like mortal enemies. Furthermore Luke saith again, that the Sadducees did bear the greatest swing at that day: to the end we may know that the government was then confused with horrible wasteness: when as such a sect could bear rule. But God suffered the Synagogue to be drowned in such extreme reproach, after that he had separated his Church from it, to the end they might have the less excuse, who despising the gospel, did continue in such a sink of filthiness. In the mean season what did enforce and drive forward those swine, who were touched with no care of the life to come, save only mere ambition, and desire to keep that lordship and preeminence, which they had gotten?

Which were with him. Hee meaneth those which were most familiar; and the nighest lincked in friendship with the chiefe Priest, whose counsell hee was wont to vse: and whom he had, being as it were gathered and culled out of the whole order, not for iudgement, or discretion, but for the loue of his faction: as they did then contend among themselues shamelesly, like mortall enimies. Furthermore Luke saith againe, that the Sadduces did beare the greatest swinge at that day: to the ende wee may knowe that the gouernment was then confused with horrible wastnesse: when as such a sect could beare rule. But God suffered the Synagogue to be drowned in such extreame reproch, after that hee had separated his Church from it, to the ende they might haue the lesse excuse, who dispising the gospel, did continue in such a sinke of filthinesse. In the meane season what did enforce and driue forward those swine, who were touched with no care of the life to come, saue onely meere ambition, and desire to keepe that lordship and preheminence, which they had gotten?

They were filled with zeal. I had liefer keep the greek word still (especially seeing it is common enough otherwise) then to translate it Emulation or indignation. For he speaketh generally of the perverse and violent force, wherewith hypocrites are carried and inflamed to maintain their superstitions. Whereby it appeareth, what account God maketh of zeal, and what praise it deserveth, when as it is not governed by reason and wisdom: that is, when it is not lead and guided by the Spirit of God. We see at this day those men moved and stirred with devilish fury, who will be counted the most devout of all men: who rage horribly to shed innocent blood. Nevertheless let us note, that he speaketh not in this place of an unadvised or blind zeal, which was in many of the Jews, as Paul affirmeth, but we understand rather a hot and unbridled violence. For although the wicked be accused of their own consciences, because they wittingly resist godliness: yet do they deceive themselves with a false show of zeal, because it is lawful to prevent new things. So at this day almost in all popery, they boast only of zeal, whereas notwithstanding they are zealous for their belly. But admit we grant that that is true which they pretend, how can this excuse the heat of their cruelty, whereunto they are enforced by their blindness? as if this were a chief virtue, to grant liberty to their wrath, to be avenged of that which displeaseth them. But this was former