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…

Before the pope ca• excuse his laws under this colour, he must first change them wholly. And as for us, seeing that the papists do place the spiritual worship of God in mans inventions, and translate the right which belongeth to God alone unto men, that they may reign as Lords over souls: we are enforced manfully to withstand them, unless through treacherous silence, we will betray the grace gotten by the blood of Christ. Now what likelihood can there be between three decrees set down for the help and comfort of the weak, and an infinite heap of laws: which doth not only oppress miserable souls with the weight thereof, but also swallow up faith? We know the complaint of Augustine writing to Januarius: that the Church was wickedly laden even then with too great a burden of traditions. Could he, I pray you suffer the bondage of these times, which is almost an hundred times harder and heavier.

Before the pope ca• excuse his lawes vnder this colour, he must first change them wholly. And as for vs, seeing that the papistes doe place the spiritual worship of God in mans inuentions, and translate the right which belongeth to God alone vnto men, that they may reigne as Lords ouer soules: we are inforced manfully to withstand them, vnlesse through trecherous silence, we wil betray the grace gotten by the blood of Christ. Now what likelihood can there be betweene three decrees set downe for the helpe and comfort of the weake, and an infinite heape of lawes: which doth not onlie oppresse miserable soules with the weight thereof, but also swallowe vp faith? We know the complaint of Augustine writing to Ianuarius: that the Church was wickedly laden euen then with too greate a burden of traditions. Could he, I pray you suffer the bondage of these times, which is almost an hundreth times harder and heauier.

5 The Churches were confirmed. By this we gather, that that which Luke setteth down, or rather toucheth concerning the decrees of the apostles, was as it were put in by the way, being not much appertinent unto the matter. For he commendeth a far other fruit of Pauls doctrine, when he saith that the churches were confirmed in the faith. Therefore Paul did so order external things, that he was principally careful for the kingdom of God, which consisteth in the doctrine of the gospel, and doth far surpass and surmount external order. Therefore those decrees were mentioned, in as much as they were expedient for maintaining concord, that we might know that the holy man had a care thereof. But religion and godliness hath the former place, whose sole foundation is faith: which again doth stay it self upon the pure word of God, and doth not depend upon mens laws. Now by this example Luke pricketh us forward to proceed continually: least at the beginning sloth or neglect of profiting come upon us. Also the way to increase faith is expressed, to wit when the Lord doth stir us up by the industry of his servants: as at that time he used the labour and diligence of Paul and his companions. When he addeth immediately that they were also increased in number: he commendeth another fruit of preaching: and yet he doth therewithal signify unto us, that the more those profit in faith, who are first called, the more do they bring unto Christ: as if faith did creep abroad unto others by branches.