And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing:
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John Chrysostom
AD 407
See how mild his manner is, and his speech not long, but concise, and his mention even of those (impostors) how free from passion: And all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered. And for all this he does not blaspheme Christ. They heard him, all these unbelievers, heard him, these Jews. [For if this council or this work be of men, it will come to naught.] Well then, since it did not come to nought, it is not of men. [But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it.]
See how mild his manner is, and his speech not long, but concise, and his mention even of those (impostors) how free from passion: And all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered. And for all this he does not blaspheme Christ. They heard him, all these unbelievers, heard him, these Jews. [For if this council or this work be of men, it will come to naught.] Well then, since it did not come to nought, it is not of men. [But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it.] Acts 5:39 Once more he checks them by the impossibility and the inexpediency of the thing, saying, Lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And he does not say, If Christ be God; but the work (itself) declares (this).
