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…

In sum, Luke reckoneth up this as a thing worthy of praise, that they followed not the rest into voluntary exile, to avoid persecution: and yet he doth not reprehend the flight of those men, whose state was more free. ⟨p. 184⟩For the Apostles did consider what particular thing their calling had: to wit, that they should keep their standing, seeing the wolves did invade the sheepfold. The rigour of Tertullian and such like was too great, who did deny indifferently that it is lawful to fly for fear of persecution. August. saith better, who giveth leave to fly in such sort that the churches being destitute of their Pastors, be not betrayed into the hands of the enemies.

In sum, Luke reckoneth vp this as a thing worthie of prayse, that they followed not the rest into voluntarie exile, to auoid persecution: and yet he doth not reprehēd the flight of those mē, whose state was more free. ⟨p. 184⟩For the Apostles did consider what particular thing their calling hadde: to wit, that they should keepe their standing, seeing the wolues did inuade the sheepefolde. The rigour of Tertullian and such like was too great, who did deny indifferently that it is lawful to flie for fear of persecution. August. saith better, who giueth leaue to flie in such sort that the churches beeing destitute of theyr Pastours, bee not betrayed into the hands of the enemies.

This is surely the best moderation, which beareth neither too much with the flesh, neither driveth those headlong to death, who may lawfully save their lives. Let him that is disposed read the 180. Ep. to Honoratus. That I may return to the Apostles, if they had been scattered here and there with fear of persecution, even at the beginning, all men might have rightly called them hirelings. How hurtful and filthy had the forsaking of the place bin, at the present time? how greatly would it have discouraged the minds of all men? What great hurt should they have done with their example among the posterity? It shall sometimes so fall out in deed, that the pastor may also fly: that is, if they invade him alone, if the laying waste of the church be not feared, if he be absent. But and if both his flock and he have to encounter with the adversary, he is a treacherous forsaker of his office, if he stand not stoutly to it even until the end. Private persons have greater liberty.