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…

28 Take heed therefore. He doth now apply his speech unto them, & by many reasons showeth that they must watch diligently, and that he is not so careful, but because necessity doth so require. The first reason is, because they be bound to the flock over which they be set. The second, because they were called unto this function not by mortal man, but by the holy Ghost. The third, because it is no small honour to govern the Church of God. The fourth, because the Lord did declare by an evident testimony, what account he doth make of the church, seeing that he hath redeemed it with his blood. As touching the first, he doth not only command them to take heed to the flock, but first to themselves. For that man will never be careful for the salvation of other men, who will neglect his own. And in vain shall that man prick forward other to live godlily, who will himself show no desire of godliness. Yea that man will not take pains with his flock, who forgetteth himself, seeing he is a part of the flock. Therefore to the end, they may be careful for the flock to them committed, Paul commandeth & warneth, that every one of them keep himself in the fear of God. For by this means it should come to pass that every one should be as faithful towards his flock as he ought. For we said that Paul reasoneth from their calling, that they be bound to take pains in the church of God, whereof they have the government. As if he should say, that they may not do whatsoever they like best, neither are they free, after they be made pastors: but they be bound publicly to all the flock.

28 Take heede therefore. He doth now apply his speech vnto them, & by many reasons sheweth that they must watch diligently, and that he is not so careful, but because necessity doth so require. The first reason is, because they be bound to the flocke ouer which they be set. The second, because they were called vnto this function not by mortall man, but by the holie Ghost. The third, because it is no small honor to gouern the Church of God. The fourth, because the Lord did declare by an euident testimony, what account he doth make of the church, seing that he hath redeemed it with his blood. As touching the first, hee doth not onelie commaund them to take heed to the flocke, but first to thēselues. For that man will neuer be carefull for the saluation of other men, who will neglect his owne. And in vaine shall that man pricke forward other to liue godlily, who will himselfe shewe no desire of godlinesse. Yea that man will not take paines with his flocke, who forgetteth himselfe, seing he is a part of the flock. Therfore to the end, they may be careful for the flocke to them committed, Paul cōmandeth & warneth, that euery one of them keep himself in the feare of God. For by this meanes it shoulde come to passe that euery one should be as faithful towards his flocke as he ought. For we said that Paul reasoneth from their calling, that they be bound to take paines in the church of God, whereof they haue the gouernment. As if he should say, that they may not do whatsoeuer they like best, neither are they free, after they be made pastours: but they be bound publikely to al the flocke.