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…

For when the spirit of God doth commend the men of Thessalonica, he prescribeth to us a rule in their example. And in vain should we search the scriptures unless they have in them light enough to teach us. Therefore let this remain as a most sure maxim, that, No doctrine is worthy to be believed, but that which we find to be grounded in the scriptures. The pope will have all that received without any more ado, whatsoever he doth blunder out at his pleasure: but shall he be preferred before Paul, concerning whose preaching it was lawful for the disciples to make inquisition? And let us note that this is not spoken of any visored council, but of a small assembly of men: whereby it doth better appear that every man is called to read the scripture. So likewise making of search doth not disagree with the forwardness of faith: for so soon as any man doth hearken, and being desirous to learn doeth show himself attentive: he is now bent and apt to be taught, though he do not fully give his consent. For examples sake, An unknown teacher shall proofs that he doth bring true doctrine: I will come being ready to hear, and my mind shall be framed unto the obedience of the truth: nevertheless I will weigh with my self what manner doctrine it is which he bringeth, neither will I embrace any thing but the certain trueth, and that which I know to be the trueth. And this is the best moderation, when being fast bound with the reverence of God, we hear that willingly and quietly which is set before us, as proceeding from him. Nevertheless we beware of the seducing subtlety of men: neither do our minds throw them selves headlong with a blind rage, to believe every thing without advisement. Therefore the searching mentioned by Luke, doth not tend to that end, that we may be slow and unwilling to believe: but rather readiness with judgement is made the mean between lightness & stubbornness. Now must we answer the second objection. Faith is contrary to doubtfulness: he which inquireth doubteth: therefore it followeth that for as much as the Thessalonians inquire and make search touching the doctrine of Paul, they were void of faith as yet. But the certainty of faith doth not hinder the confirmation thereof. I call that confirmation when the trueth of God is more and more sealed up in our hearts, whereof notwithstanding we did not doubt before.

For when the spirit of God doth commend the men of Thessalonica, he prescribeth to vs a rule in their example. And in vaine should we search the scriptures vnles they haue in thē light enough to teach vs. Therfore let this remaine as a most sure maxime, that, No doctrine is worthie to be beleeued, but that which we find to bee grounded in the scriptures. The pope will haue all that receiued without any more adoe, whatsoeuer he doth blunder out at his pleasure: but shall hee bee preferred before Paul, concerning whose preachtng it was lawfull for the disciples to make inquisition? And let vs note that this is not spoken of any visured councell, but of a smal assembly of men: whereby it doth better appeare that euerye man is called to reade the scripture. So likewise making of search doth not disagree with the forwardnesse of faith: for so soone as any man doth harken, and being desirous to learne doeth shew himselfe attentiue: he is now bent and apt to be taught, though hee do not fully giue his consent. For examples sake, An vnknowen teacher shall profes that he doth bring true doctrine: I will come being readie to heare, and my mind shall be framed vnto the obedience of the truth: neuerthelesse I wil weigh with my selfe what manner doctrine it is which he bringeth, neither wil I embrace any thing but the certaine trueth, and that which I know to be the trueth. And this is the best moderation, when being fast bound with the reuerence of God, we heare that willingly and quietly which is set before vs, as proceeding from him. Neuertheles we beware of the seducing subtletie of men: neither doe our minds throw thē selues headlong with a blind rage, to beleeue euery thing without aduisement. Therefore the searching mentioned by Luke, doth not tende to that end, that we may be slow and vnwilling to beleeue: but rather readines with iudgement is made the meane betweene lightnes & stubbornnesse. Now must we answeare the second obiection. Faith is contrarie to doubtfulnes: he which inquireth doubteth: therefore it followeth that for as much as the Thessalonians inquire and make search touching the doctrine of Paul, they were voyde of faith as yet. But the certaintie of faith doth not hinder the confirmation thereof. I call that cō firmation when the trueth of God is more and more sealed vp in our hearts, whereof notwithstanding we did not doubt before.