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…

Notwithstanding we must note every thing more distinctly. To serve the Lord is taken in this place, not for to worship God in holiness and righteousness, which is common to all the godly. But it doth signify to execute a public function. Therefore Paul doeth not speak of some one private man: but as one made a minister of the Church. And so he doth testify that he fulfilled the Apostleship to him committed with humility and modesty: both because knowing his own infirmity, he did mistrust himself: and also because considering the excellency of his calling, he counted him self very unmeet: and lastly, because he did willingly submit him self to bear the reproach of the Cross. For this humility is set both against vain confidence, and also haughtiness. Secondly, he toucheth his tears, which strifes, divers assaults of Satan, the rage of wicked men, the inward diseases of the Church, and offences had made him shed: at length he addeth that he led a fearful life amiddest the layings in wait of the Jews: and he confesseth that he was tempted therewith, as he was not hardened though he did not faint. For he is not ashamed to confess his infirmity. His drift is, that those to whom he speaketh may not faint through like tribulations, and that being void of all ambition, they may do their duty carefully and reverently. And that they may not only with a patient mind suffer them selves to be despised of men, but that they may be cast down in them selves: because ⟨p. 478⟩that man can never be rightly framed to obey Christ, whose looks are lofty, and whose heart is proud. And (as men cannot long bear a show of virtue) to the end it may appear manifestly, that he behaved him self sincerely and from his heart, he maketh mention of his constancy which lasted three years, wherein he had still kept one course. Ye know (sayeth he) how I have behaved my self since the first day until this time. To conclude, this is the true trial of the servants of Christ, not to be changed as the times change: but to continue like to themselves, & always to keep a straight course.

Notwithstanding we must note euery thing more distinctly. To serue the Lord is taken in this place, not for to woorship God in holines and righteousnes, which is common to all the godlie. But it doth signifie to execute a publike function. Therefore Paul doeth not speake of some one priuate man: but as one made a minister of the Churche. And so he doth testifie that hee fulfilled the Apostleship to him committed with humilitie and modestie: both because knowing his owne infirmitie, he did mistrust himselfe: and also because considering the excellencie of his calling, he counted him selfe verye vnmeete: and lastly, because he did willingly submit him selfe to beare the reproch of the Crosse. For this humilitie is set both against vaine confidence, and also hawtinesse. Secondly, he toucheth his teares, which strifes, diuers assaultes of Satan, the rage of wicked men, the inward diseases of the Churche, and offences had made him shedde: at length he addeth that hee ledde a fearefull life amiddest the layinges in wayte of the Iewes: and he confesseth that he was empted therewith, as hee was not hardened though he did not faint. For he is not ashamed to confesse his infirmitie. His drift is, that those to whom he speaketh may not faint through like tribulations, and that beyng voide of all ambition, they maye doe their duetie carefully and reuerently. And that they may not onelie with a pacient minde suffer them selues to bee despysed of men, but that they may be cast downe in them selues: because