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…

As touching the second member, this diligence is no small virtue whereunto Luke saith, the faithful were much given, for confirmation of their faith. For many who at the first break out, give them selves straightway to idleness while that they have no care to profit, and so loose that small seed, which they had at the first. But two inconveniences may be in this place objected. For it seemeth to be a point of arrogance, in that they inquire that they may judge: & it seemeth to be a thing altogether disagreeing with that readiness whereof he spake of late•: secondly for as much as inquisition is a sign of doubtfulness: it followeth that they were before endued with no faith which hath always assurance & certainty joined and linked with it. Unto the first objection I answer, that Luke his words ought not so to be understood, as if the Thessalonians took upon them to judge, or as though they disputed whether the truth of God were to be received: they did only examine Pauls doctrine by the rule and square of the scripture, even as gold is tried in the fire. For the Scripture is the true touchstone whereby all doctrines must be tried. If any man say that this kind of trial is doubtful, forasmuch as the Scripture is oftentimes doubtful, and is interpreted diverse ways: I say, that we must also add the judgement of the Spirit, who is not without cause called the Spirit of discretion. But the faithful must judge of every doctrine no otherwise than out of, and according to the Scriptures, having the Spirit for their leader and guide. And by this means is refuted that sacrilegious quippe of the Papists, Because there can be nothing gathered certainly out of the Scriptures, faith doth depend only upon the determination of the Church.

As touching the second member, this diligence is no smal vertue wherunto Luke saith, the faithfull were much giuen, for confirmation of their faith. For many who at the first breake out, giue them selues straightway to idlenes while that they haue no care to profite, and so loose that small seed, which they had at the first. But two inconueniences may bee in this place obiected. For it seemeth to be a point of arrogancie, in that they inquire that they may iudge: & it seemeth to bee a thing altogether disagreeing with that readines wherof he spake of late•: secondly for as much as inquisition is a signe of doubtfulnes: it followeth that they were before indued with no faith which hath alwayes assurance & certaintie ioyned and linked with it. Vnto the first obiection I answere, that Luke his words ought not so to be vnderstood, as if the Thessalonians tooke vppon them to iudge, or as though they disputed whether the truth of God were to be receiued: they did onely examine Pauls doctrine by the rule and square of the scripture, euen as golde is tried in the fire. For the Scripture is the true touchstone whereby all doctrines must be tried. If any mā say that this kind of trial is doubtful, forasmuch as the Scripture is oftentimes doubtful, and is interpreted diuerse wayes: I say, that we must also adde the iudgement of the Spirit, who is not without cause called the Spirit of discretion. But the faithfull must iudge of euerie doctrine no otherwise than out of, and according to the Scriptures, hauing the Spirit for their leader and guide. And by this meanes is refuted that sacrilegious quippe of the Papists, Because there can be nothing gathered certainely out of the Scriptures, faith doth depend onely vpon the determination of the Church.