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…

40 Having beaten them, they commanded. He sayeth that Gamaliel his counsel was allowed: yet the Apostles are beaten, and forbidden to preach. Hereby we gather how great the rage of the enemies was, who being now pacified or at least mitigated, do yet notwithstanding rage immoderately. And it appeareth also what evil success those doubtful counsels have, wherein men alone are respected, and the trueth of God set aside. Gamaliel obtaineth thus much, that the lives of the Apostles may be saved, but in the mean season, the son of God is blasphemed & slandered in their person. The truth of the Gospel is buried in eternal silence, so much as in the enemies lieth. God surely doth by this means wonderfully spread abroad his word: yet that counsel ceaseth not to be evil. Which we must note for this cause, because most men at this day do think, that they do not a little obey God, if they save the lives of those men which come in hazard for the doctrine of the Gospel, or somewhat appease the enemies who are otherwise bloody: in the mean season they are not afraid to drive them unto the wicked denial of Christ, the confessing of whom is far more precious in the sight of God, then the life of all men. But what could they do, who casting away all care of godliness, go about to redeem Gods favour with the duty of courtesy?

40 Hauing beaten them, they commaunded. He saieth that Gamaliel his counsel was allowed: yet the Apostles are beaten, and forbidden to preach. Hereby wee gather how great the rage of the enimies was, who being now pacified or at least mitigated, doe yet notwithstanding rage immoderatlie. And it appeareth also what euill successe those doubtfull counsels haue, wherein men alone are respected, and the trueth of God set aside. Gamaliel obteineth thus much, that the liues of the Apostles may be saued, but in the meane season, the sonne of God is blasphemed & slaundered in their person. The truth of the Gospel is buried in eternall silence, so much as in the enimies lyeth. God surely doth by this meanes wonderfully spread abroad his worde: yet that counsel ceaseth not to be euill. Which we must note for this cause, because most men at this day doe thinke, that they doe not a little obey God, if they saue the liues of those men which come in hazard for the doctrine of the Gospel, or somewhat appease the enimies who are otherwise bloodie: in the meane season they are not afraide to driue them vnto the wicked deniall of Christ, the confessing of whom is farre more precious in the sight of God, then the life of all men. But what could they doe, who casting away all care of godlinesse, go about to redeeme Gods fauour with the dutie of courtesie?