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…

28 The chief Priest layeth two crimes to the charge of the Apostles. For he accuseth them of contumacy or stubbornness, because they obeyed not the decree of the Council. In the second member he bewrayeth an evil conscience, or at least he showeth that he handled rather a private business then any public cause. For he complaineth that the Apostles will cause the Priests and the Scribes to be hated for the death of Christ. Behold therefore, what that is which nettleth them, because they fear the revenge and punishment of wicked murder. He pretendeth at the first doctrine: but we may gather out of the end, that he was not so careful for doctrine. In the mean season he accuseth the Apostles of sedition: for he taketh that for a thing which all men for the most part did grant: that Christ was put to death justly. Notwithstanding this is the principal point of the accusation, that they did not obey the commandment of the Priests. It was an heinous offence not to obey the chief Priest: how much more heinous was it then to despise the whole order? But the chief Priest doeth not consider what is his duty toward God and the Church: he abuseth his authority tyrannously, as if the same were not under any laws. As the Pope dealeth with us at this day. For seeing that he taketh to himself an unbridled authority & government, he feareth not to condemn us for Schismatics, so soon as he seeth us refuse his decrees. For he catcheth at these sentences. He which despiseth you, despiseth me:¹ & thereupon he concludeth that we will rebel against God. But if he will be heard as the ambassador of Christ, he must speak out of the mouth of Christ.

28 The chiefe Priest layeth two crimes to the charge of the Apostles. For hee accuseth them of contumacie or stubbornnesse, because they obeyed not the decree of the Councell. In the second member he bewrayeth an euill conscience, or at least he sheweth that he handeled rather a priuate businesse then any publike cause. For he complaineth that the Apostles will cause the Priestes and the Scribes to be hated for the death of Christe. Beholde therefore, what that is which netteleth them, because they feare the reuenge and punishment of wicked murder. Hee pretendeth at the first doctrine: but we may gather out of the ende, that hee was not so carefull for doctrine. In the meane season hee accuseth the Apostles of sedition: for he taketh that for a thing which all men for the most part did graunt: that Christ was put to death iustlie. Notwithstanding this is the pincipall point of the accusation, that they did not obey the commaundement of the Priestes. It was an haynous offence not to obey the chief Priest: how much more haynous was it then to despise the whole order? But the chiefe Priest doeth not consider what is his dutie towarde God and the Church: he abuseth his authoritie tyrannously, as if the same were not vnder any lawes. As the Pope dealeth with vs at this day. For seeing that hee taketh to himselfe an vnbrideled authoritie & gouernment, he feareth not to condemne vs for Schismatikes, so soone as he seeth vs refuse his decrees. For hee catcheth at these sentences. He which despiseth you, despiseth me: