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…

16 And herein do I study. There is no sharper prick to prick men forward with all desire to lead a godly & holy life, then the hope of the last resurrection, as the scripture teacheth in many places. Therefore when Paul will effectually exhort the faithful any where, he calleth them back to remember the same.¹ Wherefore it is not without cause that he saith in this place, that staying himself upon this faith he hath endeavoured to live purely before God, and righteously among men. And surely an evil conscience is as good as a thousand witnesses to accuse men of blockishness: that they may gather for a certainty that they do not earnestly and throughly believe eternal life, after which they never long. He calleth it a conscience aproscopon that is without offence: where the servants of God labour to remove all lets which hinder their course. And he putteth two parts of the conscience. For there is a certain inward sense or feeling, which beholdeth God alone: & thence cometh faithfulness and integrity, which we use toward men. At length when he saith that he hath constantly followed as well godliness in worshipping god, as just dealing among men, he signifieth unto us that those do in deed hope for the last resurrection, who are never weary of well doing. For this word Always doth signify perseverance in a straight course.

16 And herein doe I studie. There is no sharper prick to prick men forward with all desire to lead a godly & holy life, then the hope of the last resurrection, as the scripture teacheth in many places. Therefore when Paul wil effectually exhort the faithful any where, he calleth them back to remember the same.¹ Wherefore it is not without cause that he saith in this place, that staying himselfe vpon this faith hee hath indeuoured to liue purely before God, and righteouslie among men. And surely an euill conscience is as good as a thousande witnesses to accuse men of blockishnesse: that they may gather for a certaintie that they doe not earnestly and throughly beleeue eternall life, after which they neuer long. He calleth it a conscience aproscopon that is without offence: where the seruants of God labour to remoue al lets which hinder their course. And he putteth two parts of the conscience. For there is a certaine inward sense or feeling, which beholdeth God alone: & thence commeth faithfulnes and integritie, which we vse toward men. At length when he sath that he hath constantly followed as wel godlines in worshiping god, as iust dealing among men, he signifieth vnto vs that those do in deede hope for the last resurrection, who are neuer wearie of well doing. For this word Alwayes doth signifie perseuerance in a straight course.