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…

25 And behold now I know. He doeth now utter that plainly which he had insinuated covertly. And we said that he did put them out of hope of his return, to the end he might more deeply imprint in their minds his exhortations. For we know what great force the words and speeches of men have, which are uttered at their departure or death. Also he would have them beware by this forewarning, that they do not depend upon his presence, & so their faith should faint through wearisomeness. The doctrine of the Gospel is called the kingdom of God now again, which doth begin the kingdom of god in this world, by renewing men after the image of God, until it be made perfect at length in the last resurrection.

25 And behold now I know. He doeth now vtter that plainely which he had insinuated couertly. And wee said that he did put them out of hope of his returne, to the end he might more deepely imprint in their minds his exhortations. For we know what great force the words and speeches of men haue, which are vttered at their departure or death. Also he wold haue them beware by this forwarning, that they do not depend vpon his presence, & so their faith shuld faint through wearisomnes. The doctrin of the Gospel is called the kingdome of God now again, which doth begin the kingdome of god in this world, by renewing men after the image of God, vntill it be made perfect at length in the last resurrection.

26 Wherefore I take you to record. It is all one as if he had said, I call you to witness, or I call you to bear witness before God and his Angels And this doth he not so much for his own cause as that he may prescribe unto them their duty with greater authority. Furthermore this place containeth a brief sum of teaching rightly and well, and it exhorteth the teachers themselves vehemently & sharply, that they be diligent in their function. What order must Pastors than keep in teaching? ⟨p. 484⟩First •et them not esteem at their pleasure what is profitable to be uttered and what to be omitted: but let them leave that to God alone to be ordered at his pleasure. So shall it come to pass that the inventions of men shall have none entrance into the Church of God. Again mortal man shall not be so bold as to mangle the scripture and to pull it in pieces, that he may diminish this or that at his pleasure, that he may obscure some thing, and suppress many things: but shall deliver whatsoever is revealed in the scripture, though wisely and seasonably for the edifying of the people, yet plainly and without guile, as becometh a faithful & true interpreter of God. I said that wisdom must be used: because we must always have respect unto profit, so there be no subtlety used, wherein many take too great delight, when as they turn and wrest the word of God unto their methods, and forge to us a certain kind of Philosophy mixed of the Gospel & their own inventions: Namely because this mixture is more delectable. Thence have we freewill, thence the deserts of works, thence the denial of the providence and free election of God. And that which we said even now is to be noted, that the counsel of god, whereof Paul maketh mention, is included in his word, & that it is to be sought no where else. For many things are kept from us in this life, the perfect & full manifestation whereof is deferred until that day, wherein we shall see God as he is with new eyes face to face. Therefore those do set forth the will of God, who interpret the scriptures faithfully, & out of them instruct the people in the faith, in the fear of God, and in all exercises of Godliness.