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…

For passing over the counsel of God, wherewith he doth guide and govern the whole world, they catch at his bare foreknowledge. Thence cometh that common distinction, that although God doth foresee all things, yet doth he lay no necessity upon his creatures. And in deed it is true that God doth know this thing or that thing before, for this cause, because it shall come to pass: but as we see that Peter doth teach that God did not only foresee that which befell Christ, but it was decreed by him. And hence must be gathered a general doctrine: because God doeth no less show his providence in governing the whole world, than in ordaining and appointing the death of Christ. Therefore it belongeth to God not only to know before, things to come, but of his own will to determine what he will have done. This second thing did Peter declare, when he said, That he was delivered by the certain and determinate counsel of God. Therefore the foreknowledge of god is another thing than the will of ⟨p. 43⟩God, whereby he governeth and ordereth all things. Some which are of quicker sight, confess, that god doth not only foreknow, but also govern with his beck what things soever are done in the world. Nevertheless they imagine a confused government, as if God did give liberty to his creatures to follow their own nature. They say that the Sun is ruled by the will of God, because in giving light to us, he doth his duty, which was once enjoined him by God. They think that man hath free will after this sort left him, because his nature is disposed or inclined unto the free choice of good and evil. But they which think so, do feign that God sitteth idle in heaven. The scripture teacheth us far otherwise, which ascribeth unto God a special government in all things, & in mans actions. Notwithstanding it is our duty to ponder & consider to what end it teacheth this. For we must beware of doting speculations, wherewith we see many carried away. The scripture will exercise our faith, that we may know that we are defended by the hand of God, least we be subject to the injuries of Satan and the wicked. It is good for us to embrace this one thing: neither did Peter mean any thing else in this place. Yea we have an example set before us in Christ, whereby we may learn to be wise with sobriety.

For passing ouer the counsell of God, wherewith he doth guide and gouerne the whole worlde, they catch at his bare foreknowledge. Thence commeth that common distinction, that although God doth foresee all things, yet doth he lay no necessitie vpon his creatures. And in deed it is true that God doth know this thing or that thing before, for this cause, because it shall come to passe: but as we see that Peter doth teach that God did not onely foresee that which befell Christ, but it was decreed by him. And hence must bee gathered a generall doctrine: because God doeth no lesse shewe his prouidence in gouerning the whole worlde, than in ordaining and appointing the death of Christe. Therefore it belongeth to God not only to know before, things to come, but of his owne will to determine what he will haue done. This second thing did Peter declare, when hee saide, That he was deliuered by the certain and determinate counsel of God. Therfore the foreknowledge of god is another thing thā the wil of