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…

Seeing that the Gospel standeth in the same state at this day, let us not be ashamed with Paul to confess, that the proud princes of the world, and those who bear the greatest sway in the church, are the deadly enemies of Christ, seeing that doth rather turn to Christs praise then reproach. For by this means is the scripture fulfilled.

Seeing that the Gospel standeth in the same state at this day, let vs not bee ashamed with Paul to confesse, that the proude princes of the worlde, and those who beare the greatest sway in the church, are the deadly enemies of Christ, seeing that doth rather turne to Christes prayse then reproch. For by this meanes is the scripture fulfilled.

Seeing they knew him not. Though deliberate malice did enforce the rulers to oppress Christ, yet doth Paul truly impute it to ignorance, because otherwise they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. 1. Cor. 2.¹ For the malice of the wicked is like to raging madness, and in seeing it doth not see. Undoubtedly, we need not doubt of this that they were deprived of a sound mind and the light of the Spirit, who were not afraid to fight against God to their own destruction. Again he hitteth them in the teeth with ignorance of the scripture. And least any should object that he speaketh of some dark and unknown matter: he addeth also, that he doth speak of no other prophesies then of those which are read every Sabbath day, as if he should say, that the oracles of scripture are most plain & known to the most ignorant, & yet they knew them not. ⟨p. 309⟩Thus doth Paul teach, how monstrous their unbelief was, that he may make the hearers loath it. And by this example are we taught that although the Lord appear to us by the scripture, yet all men have not eyes. After that, also the blockishness of the nation waxed more gross: as Paul sayeth elsewhere, that there is a veil put before their face, that they cannot see Moses when he is present. In the mean season we must note that we are recalled to the scripture, least the authority of great men deceive us, neither is there any cause why any man inventing to himself a prejudice according to the wicked meaning of other men, should think that he is acquitted. For Paul exhorteth the men of Antioch to judge out of the scripture against the visored governors of the church. For, for this cause is it given, that it may be read: and reading is not appointed in vain by the Lord, but that all godly men may thereby profit, and judge what is right.