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…

The Lord said unto my Lord. This is the most lawful manner of ruling,¹ when as the king (or by what other title soever he be called) doeth know that he is ordained of God, therefore David pronounceth that the commandment to reign, was given unto Christ by name As if he should say, He took not the honour to himself rashly, but did only obey God when he commanded him. Now must we see whether Peter his reason be sound enough or no. He gathereth that the words concern Christ, because the sitting at the right hand of God, doth not agree to David. It seemeth that this may be refuted, because David did reign by the peculiar commandment, name, and help of God: which is to sit at the right hand of God. But Peter taketh that for a thing which all men grant, which is true, and which I have already touched, that a greater and more royal government is here spoken of, than that which David did enjoy. For howsoever he was gods vicegerent, & did as it were represent his person in reigning, yet is this power far inferior to that, to sit even at the right side of GOD. For this is attributed to Christ, because he is placed above all principality, and above every name that is named, both in this world, and in the world to come. Seeing that David is far inferior to the Angels, he doth possess no such place that he should be counted next to God. For he must ascend far above all heavens, that he may come to the right hand of God. Wherefore no man is said to sit at it, rightly and properly, save only he which doth surpass all creatures in the degree of honour. As for him which is resident amongst the creatures, although he be reckoned in the order of angels, yet is he far from that highness. Again, we must not seek the right hand of God amongest the creatures: but it doth also surpass all heavenly principalities. Furthermore there is great weight even in the sentence it self. This king is commanded to bear the chiefest rule, until God have put all his enemies under his feet. Surely, although I grant that the name of such an honourable sitting may be applied unto earthly Lordship, yet do I deny that David did reign until such time as all his enemies were subdued. For we do hereby gather that the kingdom of Christ is eternal.

The Lorde said vnto my Lorde. This is the most lawfull manner of ruling,¹ when as the king (or by what other title soeuer he be called) doeth knowe that hee is ordeined of God, therefore Dauid pronounceth that the commaundement to reigne, was giuen vnto Christ by name As if he should say, He tooke not the honour to himselfe rashlie, but did onely obey God when he commaunded him. Now must we see whether Peter his reason be sound enough or no. Hee gathereth that the wordes concerne Christ, because the sitting at the right hande of God, doth not agree to Dauid. It seemeth that this may be refuted, because Dauid did reigne by the peculiar commandement, name, and helpe of God: which is to sit at the right hande of God. But Peter taketh that for a thing which all men graunt, which is true, and which I haue alreadie touched, that a greater and more royal gouernment is heere spoken of, than that which Dauid did inioy. For howsoeuer he was gods vicegerent, & did as it were represent his person in reigning, yet is this power farre inferiour to that, to sit euen at the right side of GOD. For this is attributed to Christe, because he is placed aboue all principalitie, and aboue euerie name that is named, both in this worlde, and in the world to come. Seeing that Dauid is farre inferiour to the Angels, he doth possesse no such place that he should be counted next to God. For he must ascende farre aboue all heauens, that he may come to the right hand of God. Wherefore no man is said to sit at it, rightlie and properly, saue only hee which doth surpasse all creatures in the degree of honour. As for him which is resident amongst the creatures, although he be reckoned in the order of angels, yet is he farre from that highnesse. Again, we must not seeke the right hande of God amongest the creatures: but it doth also surpasse all heauenly principalities. Furthermore there is great waight euen in the sentence it selfe. This king is commaunded to beare the chiefest rule, vntill God haue put all his enemies vnder his feete. Surely, although I graunt that the name of such an honourable sitting may bee applied vnto earthly Lordeship, yet doe I denie that Dauid did reigne vntyll such time as all his enemies were subdued. For wee doe heereby gather that the kingdome of Christe is eternall.