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…

34 Luke showeth now after what manner God brought to nought that fury of the wicked. They were purposed to put the Apostles to death: Gamaliel standeth up amidst them, to break off that mad consultation. Furthermore, he noteth the circumstances, to the end we may know how it could be, that one man could prevail so much against so many. He sayeth he was a Pharisee, which sect was in great estimation as we know. He sayeth that he was in price or honoured amongest the people: And they feared the people. Hereby it cometh to pass that they are the more afraid to do any thing contrary to ⟨p. 121⟩his mind. So God doeth oftentimes set sudden terrors against his enemies (when they look not for them) to stay their violence. Furthermore Gamaliel commandeth the Apostles to go aside, least they should be the more emboldened by his words. For we must not think that he spake thus, because he did allow the doctrine of the Gospel, or that he meant to defend the same: but because he saw all the rest inflamed with fury, he being a man moderate and courteous, doeth with sober speech temper that excess. But if we consider all things well, this judgement and opinion is unmeet for a wise man. I know that many count it as an Oracle: but it appeareth sufficiently hereby that they judge amiss, because by this means men should abstain from all punishments, neither were any wicked fact any longer to be corrected. Yea all helps of life were to be refused, which we cannot prolong one moment. Both things are true, that no endeavours of men can destroy that which is of God: and that that which is of men, is not so strong that it can stand. But he gathereth amiss hence, that men must sit still and say nothing in the mean season. We must rather mark what God commandeth us to do: and he will have us to restrain wickedness. To this end hath he appointed Magistrates, and armed them with the sword. To this end hath he set Elders over his Church, to bring the froward in order, and that they may not suffer sin licentiously to rage without punishment. Therefore it is gathered amiss, that we must refrain from punishing because God is sufficient of himself, to take away evils. Although his whole counsel is such. Gamaliel willeth the Scribes and Elders, to take heed that they make not open war against God.

34 Luke sheweth nowe after what manner God brought to nought that furie of the wicked. They were purposed to put the Apostles to death: Gamaliel standeth vp amidst thē, to break off that mad consultation. Furthermore, hee noteth the circumstaunces, to the ende wee may knowe how it could be, that one man could preuaile so much against so many. Hee saieth hee was a Pharisee, which sect was in great estimation as we knowe. Hee saieth that hee was in price or honoured amongest the people: And they feared the people. Heereby it commeth to passe that they are the more afraide to doe anye thinge contrary to