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…

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 ⟨p. 279⟩that there were no more. Let him that will, repair to the second to the Galatians. Therefore I think that the Apostle and the son of Alphe were all one, whom the Jews threw down headlong from the top of the temple, whose death was so highly commended for his singular praise of holiness.

Wherefore we must thinke with our selues that hee was tyed by one that had the rule ouer him, that hee might not more vehementlye oppresse the Churche. Hee slue Iames, as, when any sedition is raised, the heads and captaines goe first to the pot, that the common riffe raffe may by their punishment be terrified. Neuerthelesse the Lord suffered him whom he had furnished with constancie to bee put to death, that by death he might get the victorie as a strong and inuincible chā pion. So that the attempts of Tyrants notwithstanding, God maketh choyce of sweete smelling sacrifices to establish the faith of his gospell. Luke calleth this Iames which was slaine the brother of Iohn, that hee may distinguish him from the sonne of Alpheus. For wheras some make him a thirde cosin of Christes, who was only some one of the disciples, I doe not like of that: because I am by strong reasons perswaded to think ⟨p. 279⟩that there were no more. Let him that will, repayre to the second to the Galathians. Therefore I thinke that the Apostle and the sonne of Alphe were al one, whom the Iewes threw down headlong from the top of the temple, whose death was so highly commended for his singular prayse of holinesse.