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…

Furthermore forasmuch as the life of man is more excellent than motion, and motion doth excel essence. Paul putteth that in the highest place which was the chiefest, that he might go down by steps unto essence or Being, thus, We have not only no life but in God, but not so much as moving: yea no being, which is inferior to both. I say that life hath the preeminence in men: because they have not only sense and motion as brute beasts have, but they be endued with reason and understanding. Wherefore the Scripture doth for good causes give that singular gift which God hath given us, a title & commendation by it self, So in John when mention is made of the creation of all things, it is added apart not without cause,¹ that life was the light of men. Now we see that all those who know not God, know not themselves: because they have God present with them not only in the excellent gifts of the mind, but in their very essence: because it belongeth to God alone to Be, all other things have their being in him. Also we learn out of this place that God did not so create the world once, that he did afterward depart from his work: but that it standeth by his power, and that the same God is the governor thereof who was the Creator. We must well think upon this continual comforting and strengthening, that we may remember God every minute.

Furthermore forasmuch as the life of man is more excellent than motion, and motion doth excell essence. Paul putteth that in the highest place which was the chiefest, that he might goe downe by steps vnto essence or Being, thus, We haue not onely no life but in God, but not so much as mouing: yea no being, which is inferiour to both. I say that life hath the preheminence in men: because they haue not onely sense and motion as brute beasts haue, but they be indued with reason and vnderstanding. Wherefore the Scripture doth for good causes giue that singular gift which God hath giuen vs, a title & commendation by it selfe, So in Iohn when mention is made of the creation of all things, it is added apart not without cause,¹ that life was the light of men. Now we see that all those who know not God, know not themselues: because they haue God present with them not onely in the excellent giftes of the minde, but in their verie essence: because it belongeth to God alone to Be, all other things haue their being in him. Also we learne out of this place that God did not so create the world once, that he did afterward depart from his worke: but that it standeth by his power, and that the same God is the gouernour therof who was the Creator. We must well think vpon this continuall comforting and strengthening, that we may remember God euery minute.