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…

21 Testifying both to Jews. Descending now unto the third point, he setteth down the sum of this doctrine in a few words, to wit, that he exhorted all men unto faith and repentance, as it was said before, that, The Gospel consisteth upon these two points only. Whence we do also gather, wherein the true edifying of the Church, doth properly consist, the care and burden whereof doeth lie upon the Pastors shoulders, and whereunto we must apply all our study, if we be desirous to profit profitably in Gods school. We have already said, that the word of God is profaned, when the readers of the same do occupy themselves in frivolous questions. But to the end we may not read the same wanderingly, we must note & aim at this double mark which the Apostle setteth before us. For whosoever he be that turneth unto any other thing, in taking great pains, he shall do nothing else but walk in a circuit. By the word Testify he expresseth greater vehemency, as if he should have said that ⟨p. 480⟩by •••ifying he did commend, that the excuse of ignorance might not remain. For he alludeth unto the custom used in Courts: where testifying is used to take away all doubt. As men are not only to be taught, but also to be constrained, to embrace salvation in Christ, and to addict themselves to God to lead a new life. And though he affirm that he was wanting to none, yet doth he place the Jews in the first place: because as the Lord had preferred them in the degree of honour before the Gentiles, so it was meet that Christ and his grace should be offered them until they should quite fall away.

21 Testifying both to Iewes. Descending nowe vnto the thyrde poynt, he setteth downe the summe of this doctrine in a fewe woords, to witte, that he exhorted all menne vnto faith and repentaunce, as it was sayde before, that, The Gospell consisteth vpon these two points onely. Whence wee doe also gather, wherein the true edifying of the Church, doth properly consist, the care and burthen whereof doeth lie vppon the Pastours shoulders, and wherevnto wee must applie all our studie, if wee be desirous to profite profitably in Gods schoole. We haue already saide, that the woorde of God is profaned, when the readers of the same doe occupie themselues in friuolous questions. But to the end we may not reade the same wanderingly, we must note & aime at this double mark which the Apostle setteth before vs. For whosoeuer he be that turneth vnto anie other thing, in taking greate paynes, hee shall doe nothing else but walke in a circuite. By the woorde Testifie he expresseth greater vehememencie, as if he shoulde haue sayde that