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…

4 John truly. Paul his admonition tended to this end, that these men being convict of their ignorance, might desire to go forward. He saith that John preached of Christ who was to come. Therefore he sent out his disciples, that running in the course they might go toward Christ, who was not as yet revealed. Wherefore to the end these men may not flatter themselves, & refuse to go forward, he showeth that they be yet far from the mark. For the feeling of want doth enforce men to desire that which is as yet lacking. The sum cometh to this end, as if Paul had said, Before Christ was glorified, this power of his did not appear in the world: when he was ascended into heaven, he would have his kingdom to flourish thus. Therefore the graces of the spirit were much less shed out when John ⟨p. 457⟩was as yet in the course of his embassy, which do now declare that Christ sitteth at the right hand of his father. Forasmuch as he had not as then openly showed himself to be the redeemer of the world. Therefore know ye that you must go farther forward: because ye be far from the mark. So that he doeth plainly show that the faith of the godly who had been taught by John, ought to have looked unto Christ who was to come, least these men should stand still being newly entered, without going any farther. And even by this also are we taught that the Baptism of John was a token of Repentance and remission of sins, and that our Baptism at this day doth not differ any thing from it, save only that Christ is already revealed, and in his death and resurrection our salvation is made perfect: and so Baptism was brought unto his effect: because out of that fountain of Christs death and resurrection whereof I have spoken, floweth repentance, and thither is faith referred again that it may thence fetch free righteousness. In sum, Paul showeth plainly that that was the baptism of regeneration and renovation as is ours. And because both purging and newness of life doeth flow from Christ alone, he sayeth that it was grounded in his faith, by which words we be also taught, that hereupon dependeth all the force of Baptism, that we lay hold upon by faith in Christ whatsoever Baptism doth figure: so far off is it that the outward sign doeth derogate from, or diminish the grace of Christ any jot.

4 Iohn truelie. Paul his admonition tended to this end, that these mē being conuict of their ignorance, might desire to goe forward. He sayth that Iohn preached of Christ who was to come. Therfore he sēt out his disciples, that running in the course they might goe toward Christ, who was not as yet reuealed. Wherfore to the end these mē may not flatter thēselues, & refuse to go forward, he sheweth that they be yet far frō the marke. For the feeling of want doth enforce men to desire that which is as yet lacking. The summe commeth to this end, as if Paul had said, Before Christ was glorified, this power of his did not appeare in the world: whē he was ascēded into heauē, he wold haue his kingdō to florish thus. Therfore the graces of the spirit were much lesse shedde out when Iohn