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…

A declarer of new devils. They do not take devils in evil part, as the Scripture useth to do: but for the lesser gods or angels, who they thought were in the midst between the highest God and men, whereof Plato maketh mention oftentimes. As touching the sum of the matter we must note that those things which Paul spake concerning Christ and the resurrection, seemed to them to be new devils. Whence we gather that our faith is principally distinguished and discerned from the superstitions of the Gentiles by these marks, because it setteth forth Christ to be the sole mediator: because it teacheth us to seek for salvation only at his hands: because it commandeth us to seek remission of our sins in his death, whereby we may be reconciled to God: because it teacheth that men are renewed & fashioned again by his spirit, who were before profane, & slaves to sin, that they may begin to live righteously & holily. Again, because from such beginnings as do plainly declare that the kingdom of God is spiritual, it lifteth up our minds at length unto the hope of the resurrection to come. For as concerning other things though the Philosophers do not reason purely yet they say somewhat. Yea they speak much concerning eternal life & the immortality of the soul: but as touching ⟨p. 422⟩faith which showeth free reconciliation in Christ: & regeneration, whereby the Spirit of God doth restore in us the image of God: concerning calling upon God, and the last resurrection not a word.

A declarer of new diuels. They doe not take diuels in euill part, as the Scripture vseth to do: but for the lesser gods or angels, who they thought were in the midst betweene the highest God and men, whereof Plato maketh mention oftentimes. As touching the summe of the matter we must note that those things which Paul spake concerning Christ and the resurrection, seemed to them to be new diuels. Whence we gather that our faith is principally distinguished and discerned from the superstitions of the Gentiles by these marks, because it setteth forth Christ to be the sole mediatour: because it teacheth vs to seeke for saluation only at his hands: because it commādeth vs to seeke remission of our sins in his death, wherby we may bee reconciled to God: because it teacheth that men are renewed & fashioned againe by his spirit, who were before prophane, & slaues to sin, that they may begin to liue righteously & holilie. Again, because frō such beginnings as do plainly declare that the kingdome of God is spiritual, it lifteth vp our minds at length vnto the hope of the resurrection to come. For as concerning other things though the Philosophers do not reason purely yet they say somwhat. Yea they speak much concerning eternal life & the immortality of the soul: but as touching