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…

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 ⟨p. 113⟩in order: to make a difference between good and evil, least any thing be dissolved unadvisedly.

They were filled with zeale. I had leiffer keepe the greeke woorde still (especially seing it is common ynough otherwise) then to translate it Emulation or indignation. For hee speaketh generally of the peruerse and violent force, wherewith hypocrites are carried and inflamed to maintaine their superstitions. Wherby it appeareth, what account God maketh of zeale, and what praise it deserueth, when as it is not gouerned by reason and wisedome: that is, when it is not lead and guided by the Spirite of God. Wee see at this day those men mooued and stirred with diuellish furie, who will be counted the most deuout of al men: who rage horriblie to shedde innocent blood. Neuerthelesse let vs note, that he speaketh not in this place of an vnaduised or blinde zeale, which was in many of the Iewes, as Paule affirmeth, but wee vnderstande rather a whot and vnbridled violence. For although the wicked bee accused of their owne consciences, because they wittingly resist godlinesse: yet doe they disceiue themselues with a false shewe of zeale, because it is lawfull to preuent new thinges. So at this day almost in all poperie, they boast onely of zeale, whereas notwithstanding they are zealous for their bellie. But admit we grant that that is true which they pretende, how can this excuse the heate of their crueltie, whereunto they are enforced by their blindnesse? as if this were a chiefe vertue, to grant libertie to their wrath, to bee auenged of that which displeaseth them. But this was former