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…

17 There came fear. The fruit of that vengeance which God brought upon those who did wickedly abuse the name of Christ is this, in that they were all touched with reverence, least they should contemn that doctrine, whose revenger the Lord had showed by an evident token & testimony he would be, and they were brought to reverence Christ. For besides that God doth invite us by all his judgements to come thus far, that they may terrify us from sinning: in this example peculiarly was the majesty of Christ set forth, and the authority of the gospel established, wherefore there is more heavy and grievous punishment prepared for deceivers, who with their enchantments profane the name of Christ wittingly, least they promise to themselves that they shall scape unpunished for such gross sacrilege. Whereas he saith that it was made known to all men, it signifieth as much, as commonly or every where. For his meaning is that the matter was much talked off among the people, to the end the name of Christ might be made known to mo men.

17 There came feare. The fruit of that vengeance which God brought vppon those who did wickedly abuse the name of Christ is this, in that they were all touched with reuerence, least they should contemn that doctrine, whose reuenger the Lord had shewed by an euident token & testimonie he would be, and they were brought to reuerence Christe. For besides that God doth inuite vs by all his iudgements to come thus farre, that they may terrifie vs from sinning: in this example peculiarly was the maiesty of Christ sette foorth, and the authoritie of the gospel established, wherefore there is more heauy and grieuous punishment prepared for deceiuers, who with their inchauntments profane the name of Christ wittingly, least they promise to themselues that they shall scape vnpunished for such grosse sacrilege. Whereas he saith that it was made knowne to all men, it signifieth as much, as commonly or euery where. For his meaning is that the matter was much talked off among the people, to the end the name of Christ might be made knowne to mo men.

18 And many of those which believed came, confessing and showing their works. 19 And many of those which used curious arts, bringing their books, burnt them before them all: and when they had cast the price of them, they found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of the Lord, and was confirmed. 21 And when these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in Spirit, having passed over Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After that I have bin there, I must also see Rome.