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…

19 There came. Paul and Barnabas can hardly stay the people from doing sacrifice: but a company of knaves do with small ado persuade them to stone Paul whom of late they made a God. Whereby appeareth how much more men be bent unto superstition, then unto the true worship of God, & how arrogant superstition is, which will always bear the chief sway in appointing the worship of god. The servants of god seek no other thing, but to bring men under obedience of him, which is salvation and felicity alone. They challenge to themselves no Lordship, they hunt after no gain: and yet the world cannot abide them. For almost all men murmur: and now and then there rise tumults. Those who are thus stubborn against God, they be too to ready to believe seducers, & ⟨p. 343⟩willingly submit themselves to their tyranny. So the Pope had liberty to deceive at his pleasure, and not only to oppress miserable souls with slavery, but also cruelly to torment them. Whatsoever he commanded it was obediently received, and even at this day, though he make unpossible laws, yet dare no man once mutter against them. Nevertheless the yoke of Christ is sweet,¹ and yet few there be who will suffer it.

19 There came. Paul and Barnabas can hardly stay the people from doing sacrifice: but a companie of knaues doe with small adoe perswade them to stone Paul whom of late they made a God. Wherby appeareth how much more men be bent vnto superstition, then vnto the true worship of God, & how arrogant superstition is, which will alwaies beare the chief sway in appointing the worship of god. The seruāts of god seek no other thing, but to bring men vnder obedience of him, which is saluation and felicitie alone. They challenge to themselues no Lordship, they hunt after no gaine: and yet the world cannot abide them. For almoste all men murmure: and now and then there rise tumults. Those who are thus stubborn against God, they be too to readie to beleeue seducers, & ⟨p. 343⟩willingly submit themselues to their tyrannie. So the Pope had libertie to deceiue at his pleasure, and not onely to oppresse miserable soules with slauerie, but also cruelly to torment them. Whatsoeuer hee commaunded it was obediently receiued, and euen at this day, though he make vnpossible lawes, yet dare no man once mutter against them. Neuerthelesse the yoke of Christ is sweet,