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…

7 Whereunto our twelve tribes. Paul complaineth before Agrippa, that the state of the church is come to that pass that the Priests set themselves against the common hope of all the faithful: as if he should say, to what end do those of our nation, who worship God carefully, and spend both days and nights in the duties of godliness, sigh in their prayers, save only that they may at length come unto eternal life? But the same is the mark whereat I aim in all my doctrine: because when the grace of redemption is set before men, the gate of the kingdom of heaven is set open therewithal. And when I preach the author of salvation raised up from the dead, I offer the first fruits of immortality in his person. So that the former confirmation of his doctrine was taken out of the word of God, when he cited the promise made to the fathers. Now in the second place he addeth the consent of the church. And this is the best way to maintain and avouch the opinions of faith, that the authority of God go foremost: and that then the consent of the church come next. Though we ought therewithal wisely to make choice of the true church: as Paul doeth teach us in this place by his own example: for though he knew that the Priests did pretend the visor of the church against him: yet he doeth boldly affirm that the sincere worshippers of God are on his side, and he is content with their defence. For when he meaneth the twelve tribes he doeth not speak generally of all those which came of Jacob according to the flesh: but he meaneth those only, which did retain the true study of godliness. For it had been an unmeet thing to commend the nation generally for the fear of GOD, which was only in a few.

7 Whereunto our twelue tribes. Paul complaineth before Agrippa, that the state of the churche is come to that passe that the Priestes set themselues against the common hope of all the faithfull: as if he should say, to what ende doe those of our nation, who worshippe God carefullie, and spend both dayes and nights in the dueties of godlinesse, sigh in their prayers, saue onely that they may at length come vnto eternall life? But the same is the marke whereat I aime in all my doctrine: because when the grace of redemption is set before men, the gate of the kingdome of heauen is set open therewithall. And when I preach the authour of saluation raised vp from the dead, I offer the first frutes of immortalitie in his person. So that the former confirmation of his doctrine was taken out of the worde of God, when hee cited the promise made to the fathers. Now in the second place he addeth the consent of the church. And this is the best way to maintaine and auouch the opinions of faith, that the authoritie of God go formost: and that then the consent of the church come next. Though we ought therewithall wisely to make choyse of the true church: as Paul doeth teache vs in this place by his owne example: for though hee knewe that the Priestes did pretend the visure of the church against him: yet hee doeth boldly affirme that the sincere worshippers of God are on his side, and he is content with their defence. For when hee meaneth the twelue tribes hee doeth not speake generally of al those which came of Iacob according to the fleshe: but hee meaneth those onely, which did retaine the true studie of godlinesse. For it had been an vnmeet thing to commend the nation generally for the feare of GOD, which was onelie in a few.