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…

39 They refused and were turned away. He saith that the fathers rejected Moses: and he showeth the cause also, because they gave themselves rather unto the superstitions of Egypt: which was horrible and more than blind fury, to desire the customs and ordinances of Egypt, where they had suffered such grievous things of late. He sayeth that they were turned away into Egypt in their hearts, not that they desired to return thither bodily, but because they returned in mind unto those corruptions, which they ought not so much as to have remembered, without great detestation and hatred. It is true in deed, that the Jews did once speak of returning: but Stephen toucheth not that history now. Furthermore he doth rather express their stubbornness, when he sayeth that they were turned away. For after that they had taken the right way, having God for their guide and governor, they start aside suddenly: as if a stubborn unbroken horse not obeying his rider, should frowardly run backward.

39 They refused and were turned away. Hee saith that the fathers reiected Moses: and hee sheweth the cause also, because they gaue themselues rather vnto the superstitions of Aegypt: which was horrible and more than blind furie, to desire the customes and ordinances of Aegypt, where they had suffered such grieuous thinges of late. Hee saieth that they were turned away into Aegypt in their heartes, not that they desired to returne thither bodily, but because they returned in mind vnto those corruptions, which they ought not so much as to haue remembred, without great detestation and hatred. It is true in deede, that the Iewes did once speake of returning: but Stephen toucheth not that historie now. Furthermore he doth rather expresse their stubbernesse, when he saieth that they were turned away. For after that they had taken the right way, hauing God for their guid and gouernour, they start aside sodainly: as if a stubberne vnbroken horse not obeying his rider, shoulde frowardly run backward.

40 Make us. Though the Jews be turned back diverse ways, yet Stephen maketh choice of one notable example above all the rest, of their filthy and detestable treachery: to wit, when they made themselves a Calf, that they might worship it in stead of God. For there can no more filthy thing be invented, than this their unthankfulness. They confess that they were delivered out of Egypt: neither do they deny that this was done by the grace of God and the ministry of Moses: yet notwithstanding they reject the author of so great goodness together with