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…

50 Nevertheless he declareth that that was done not without great pains and trouble. Therefore the beginning of the calling of the Gentiles was joyful and prosperous, neither could Satan hinder the course of the grace of God: but in the mean season, it stood Paul and Barnabas upon (whom God had brought forth into the field,) to strive. And we must mark what Luke sayeth, that the religious and honest women together with the chief men of the City were enforced to persecute the servants of Christ. For this was no small offence to the rude, and those who were as yet scarce begotten in Christ, when they saw all those men and women which were of any account or estimation set against Christ, and also whatsoever was praise worthy according to men. A great multitude of men received Christ, but it was but the multitude and the offscourings of men. Against them were set the chief men of the City, ⟨p. 326⟩who with their pomp did easily oppress the base and obscure multitude. That might also cause doctrine to be suspected, yea to be hated, in that godly and honest matrons to look to, were enemies to it. If wicked, ungodly, & mischievous men should have issued out of their Taverns & dens: if companies of whores should break out of their brothel house, it should be no reproach to the gospel: yea rather the dignity thereof should thereby appear more plainly: but now what may the weak think with themselves, but that the doctrine which hath such adversaries is not of God? Therefore it was expedient that not only the faithful who were as yet weak should be confirmed by the Lord, least their faith should fail, but also that the hand should be reached out to Paul and Barnabas, least being discouraged they should leave of. And by this example the lord meant to teach us, that we must valiantly resist such lets, and that we must beware least the vain visors of virtue do blind our eyes, so, that we cannot see the glory of Christ which shineth in the Gospel. For it is certain that all that virtue and honesty which is in men, is mere hypocrisy, where they set themselves against Christ. Though it may be that those who are rashly carried against Christ for a time may afterward repent. Notwithstanding we must thus think with our selves, that whatsoever fair show of holiness those bear, who resist the Gospel:

50 Neuerthelesse hee declareth that that was done not without great paines and trouble. Therefore the beginning of the calling of the Gentiles was ioyfull and prosperous, neither coulde Satan hinder the course of the grace of God: but in the meane season, it stoode Paul and Barnabas vpon (whom God had brought foorth into the fielde,) to striue. And wee must marke what Luke sayeth, that the religious and honest women together with the chiefe menne of the Citie were enforced to persecute the seruauntes of Christ. For this was no small offence to the rude, and those who were as yet scarce begotten in Christe, when they sawe all those menne and women whiche were of anye accounte or estimation sette against Christ, and also whatsoeuer was prayse woorthye according to menne. A greate multitude of men receiued Christ, but it was but the multitude and the ofscouringes of menne. Against them were sette the chiefe menne of the Citye,