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…

He killed James. Undoubtedly the cruelty of this mad man was restrained and bridled by the secret power of God. For assuredly he would never have been content with one or two murders, and so have abstained from persecuting the rest, but he would rather have piled up martyrs upon heaps, unless God had set his hand against him, and defended his flock. So when we see that the enemies of godliness being full of fury, do not commit horrible slaughters, that they may mix and imbrue all things with blood, let us know that we need not thank their moderation and clemency for this, but because when the Lord doth spare his sheep, he doth not suffer them to do so much hurt as they would. This Herod was not so courteous, that he would stick to win peace or the peoples favour with the punishment of an hundred men or moe.

Hee killed Iames. Vndoubtedly the crueltie of this mad man was restrained and brideled by the secret power of God. For assuredly he wold neuer haue been content with one or two murthers, and so haue abstained from persecuting the rest, but hee woulde rather haue pyled vp martyres vpon heapes, vnlesse God had set his hand against him, and defended his flocke. So when we see that the enemies of godlinesse being full of furie, doe not commit horrible slaughters, that they may mixe and imbrue all things with blood, let vs knowe that we neede not thank their moderation and clemencie for this, but because when the Lorde doth spare his sheep, he doth not suffer them to do so much hurt as they woulde. This Herod was not so courteous, that he would sticke to winne peace or the peoples fauour with the punishent of an hundred men or moe.

Wherefore we must think with our selves that he was tied by one that had the rule over him, that he might not more vehemently oppress the Church. He slue James, as, when any sedition is raised, the heads and captains go first to the pot, that the common riff raff may by their punishment be terrified. Nevertheless the Lord suffered him whom he had furnished with constancy to be put to death, that by death he might get the victory as a strong and invincible champion. So that the attempts of Tyrants notwithstanding, God maketh choice of sweet smelling sacrifices to establish the faith of his gospel. Luke calleth this James which was slain the brother of John, that he may distinguish him from the son of Alpheus. For whereas some make him a third cousin of Christs, who was only some one of the disciples, I do not like of that: because I am by strong reasons persuaded to think