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…

33 They were cut in sunder. The Priests ought to have been thoroughly moved though they had had harts of iron: but they burst. Whence we gather, that no reasons can prevail with the reprobate, to bring them unto the obedience of Christ. For unless God speak within, the outward doctrine shall be able to do nothing else but to beat the ears. The Apostles were able so to overcome their enemies, that they should not have had one word to say: but their fury was so untamed and unbridled, that they do rather go mad. Yet we must therewithal note the force of the word: because although the reprobate are not thereby changed, that they may become better, yet it pierceth into their harts, so that it urgeth their consciences. For thence springeth their fury, because they saw themselves urged by their judge. They would gladly mock all the Gospel: as they attempt whatsoever they can, that they may count it as nothing: but there is in the same a certain hidden majesty, which driveth away mightily all their delicacy. And chiefly when they are cited by the sound of the trumpet to appear before the judgement seat of GOD, then appeareth their madness and rage.

33 They were cut insunder. The Priestes ought to haue beene thorowly moued though they had had harts of yron: but they burst. Whēce we gather, that no reasons can preuaile with the reprobate, to bring thē vnto the obedience of Christe. For vnlesse God speake within, the outward doctrine shall be able to doe nothing els but to beat the eares. The Apostles were able so to ouercome their enemies, that they shoulde not haue hadde one worde to say: but their furie was so vntamed and vnbrideled, that they do rather goe madde. Yet wee must therewithall note the force of the worde: because although the reprobate are not thereby changed, that they may become better, yet it pearceth into their harts, so that it vrgeth their consciences. For thence springeth their furie, because they saw themselues vrged by their iudge. They woulde gladly mocke all the Gospell: as they attempt whatsoeuer they canne, that they may count it as nothing: but there is in the same a certaine hidden maiestie, which driueth away mightilie all their delicacie. And chieflie when they are cited by the sounde of the trumpet to appeare before the iudgement seat of GOD, then appeareth their madnesse and rage.