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…

21 And when the chief priest came. The chief Priest calleth all the council together now, least if giving the honour to his own sect, he omit others, & be not able to bear the burden. Therefore he is enforced by fear to call the multitude together, notwithstanding they observe diligently and straitly the form of law. The elders are called, who did govern, that nothing may be done, but according to the sentence and authority of the council. Who would not have hoped for a moderate end, seeing they began thus. And surely they pretend what colour they can, least they seem to oppress the truth violently and tyrannously. But when they hear that the Apostles teach in the temple, howsoever they know that they came not out by deceit of man, but miraculously, yet they hold on still in their purpose, where appeareth together with the ungodliness of behaviour, & contempt of God, horrible fury & want of reason. Therefore the beautiful colours of right and equity do never so cover hypocrites, but that they do at length bewray their wickedness. They must needs certainly gather by all circumstances that it is the work of God, that the prison was opened, yet they do not doubt openly to rage against god. These things are also meet for our time. We know how proudly the Papists boast of that maxim of theirs: That lawful councils must be obeyed, because they represent the church. Moreover they call those lawful councils, and they will have them so accounted, wherein nothing is wanting touching the external form. And such a council was this whereof Luke speaketh in this place: and yet notwithstanding we know that it was gathered, to put out the name of Christ. For although the priests did then creep in unto honour, by subtlety or by inordinate suit to win the favour of men, or by other wicked policies, or whether they burst in unto the same by bribery, or murder, yet the dignity of the priesthood did continue as yet, until Christ was revealed. There was in the assembly of the elders a representing of the Church: but whereas the truth of God is not sought, all outward appearance is nothing else but a mere visor. Therefore it is in vain for the Papists to cover their abominations with the shadow of this buckler.

21 And when the chief priest came. The chiefe Priest calleth all the councell together now, least if giuing the honour to his owne sect, he omit others, & be not able to beare the burthen. Therfore he is enforced by feare to cal the multitude together, notwithstanding they obserue diligently and straitly the forme of law. The elders are called, who did gouerne, that nothing may be done, but according to the sentence and authoritie of the councel. Who would not haue hoped for a moderate end, seeing they began thus. And surely they pretende what colour they can, least they seeme to oppresse the truth violently and tyrannously. But when they heare that the Apostles teache in the temple, howesoeuer they know that they came not out by deceit of man, but myraculouslye, yet they hold on still in their purpose, where appeareth togeather with the vngodlines of behauiour, & contempt of God, horrible furie & want of reason. Therefore the beautifull colours of right and equitie do neuer so couer hypocrites, but that they do at length bewray their wickednes. They must needes certainly gather by all circumstaunces that it is the work of God, that the prison was opened, yet they do not dout openly to rage against god. These things are also meet for our time. We know how proudly the Papists boast of that maxime of theirs: That lawfull councels must be obeied, because they represent the church. Moreouer they call those lawfull councels, and they will haue them so accounted, wherein nothing is wanting touching the externall fourme. And such a councell was this whereof Luke speaketh in this place: and yet notwithstanding we know that it was gathered, to put out the name of Christe. For although the priestes did then creep in vnto honor, by subtiltie or by inordinate sute to winne the fauour of men, or by other wicked policies, or whether they burst in vnto the same by bribery, or murther, yet the dignitie of the priesthood did continue as yet, vntill Christe was reuealed. There was in the assembly of the elders a representing of the Churche: but whereas the truth of God is not sought, all outwarde appearance is nothing els but a meere visure. Therefore it is in vaine for the Papistes to couer their abhominations with the shadowe of this buckler.