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…

It is a just reward for so great unthankfulness, that Satan hath the ⟨p. 396⟩bridle given him, that through divers jugglings he may work the ruin of those who turn away maliciously from the light of God. Therefore so often as you read the divinations of Satan, think upon the just judgement of God.

It is a iust rewarde for so great vnthankfulnesse, that Satan hath the ⟨p. 396⟩bridle giuen him, that through diuers iuglings hee may worke the ruine of those who turne away maliciously from the light of God. Therefore so often as you read the diuinations of Satan, think vpon the iust iudgement of God.

Now if God so sharply punish the contempt of his light in the profane gentiles, who have no other teachers but the heaven & earth, how much more sharp punishment do those deserve who wittingly & willingly choke the pure doctrine of salvation, revealed to them in the law and the gospel? No marvel therefore if Satan have long bewitched the world so freely with his subtlety, sithence that the truth of the Gospel hath been wickedly contemned, which was made most manifest. But it is objected again that no man is free from danger, when false divinations fly to and fro so fast. For even as well the good as the evil seem to be subject to the cozenage of Satan, when the truth is darkened and overcast. The answer is ready, though Satan set snares for all men in general, yet are the godly delivered by the grace of God, least they be caught together with the wicked. There is also a more manifest distinction set down in the scripture, because the Lord doth by this means try the faith & godliness of his: and doth make blind the reprobate, that they may perish, as they be worthy.¹ Therefore Paul sayeth plainly, that Satan hath not leave granted him to lead any into error save those who will not obey God, and embrace the truth. Whereby is also reproved their wicked ungodliness, who under this colour excuse the profane contempt of all doctrine: whither shall we turn our selves (say they) seeing that Satan is so expert to deceive? Therefore it is better for us to live without any religion at all, then throu the desire of religion to run headlong into destruction. Neither do they object and pretend this fear for their excuse in earnest, but seeing they desire nothing more then to wander carelessly like beasts without any fear of god: they can be content with any excuse, so they be not tied to any religion. I confess indeed that Satan doth no less craftily then wickedly abuse the sacred name of God, and that that proverb is too true, which papistry hath brought forth, that, In the name of the Lord beginneth all evil: but seeing that the Lord doth pronounce that he will be the teacher of the humble, and hath promised that he will be nigh to th which are right in heart: seeing that Paul teacheth that the word God is the sword of the Spirit: