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…

but god would have his boldness and courage to increase even by this, because he should be without danger, If at any time the Lord bear with us so far forth, we are not to despise such a comfort of our infirmity, in the mean season let this be sufficient for us to tread under foot all corrupt fear of the flesh: that so long as we fight under his banner, we cannot be forsaken of him. And when it is said, No man shall gainstande thee to do thee hurt, the Lord doth not mean that he shall be free from violence and tumult, whom the Jews did afterward deadly invade: but his meaning is that their attempts shall be frustrate: because the Lord had determined to deliver him out of their hands. Therefore we must fight stoutly that we may win the field.

but god would haue his boldnesse and courage to encrease euen by this, because he should be without danger, If at any time the Lord bear with vs so farre foorth, we are not to despice such a comfort of our infirmitie, in the meane season let this be sufficient for vs to tread vnder foote all corrupt feare of the flesh: that so long as we fight vnder his banner, wee cannot be forsaken of him. And when it is said, No man shall gainstande thee to doe thee hurt, the Lorde doth not meane that he shall bee free from violence and tumult, whom the Iewes did afterwarde deadlilie inuade: but his meaning is that their attempts shall bee frustrate: because the Lord had determined to deliuer him out of their handes. Therefore we must fight stoutly that we may win the field.

Because I have much people. The second reason why he should take a good heart, is, because the Lord will raise up a great and populous church there, though it be to be doubted whether this member depend upon that which goeth next before: for the text will run fitly thus, because the Lord determined by the hand of Paul to gather together a great church, he would not suffer the enemies to interrupt the course of his labours, as if he should have said, I will help thee, that thou mayst not fail my people whose minister I have appointed thee to be. I do willingly embrace this exposition, that divers reasons are not inferred which are to be read apart: but that they be so distinguished that they agree together. Furthermore the Lord calleth those his people, who though they might then for good causes be counted strangers: yet because they were written in the book of life, and were forthwith to be admitted into his family, they have this title given them not unproperly. For we know that many sheep wan der without the flock for a time, as the sheep have many wolves among them. Therefore whom the Lord determined shortly after to gather to himself, those doth he take for his people in respect of their future faith. But let us remember that those are engrafted into the body of Christ, who appertain unto the same by the eternal adoption of God: