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…

40 And with many. Although in these things which we have had hitherto, Luke did not recite the words of saint Peter, but did only ⟨p. 60⟩briefly touch the chief points: notwithstanding he telleth us again in this place, that Peter did not use doctrine only, but did add the pricks of exhortations. And he expresseth plainly that he stood much hereupon. Whereas he saith, that he did exhort and beseech, he noteth therein his earnestness. For it was not so easy a matter for them by and by to take their leave of those errors wherewith they were of late infected, and to shake off the government of the Priests whereunto they were accustomed. Therefore it stood him upon to pull them violently out of this mire. The sum was this, that they should beware of that froward generation. For they could not be Christs unless they would depart from his professed enemies. The Priests and Scribes were then in great authority, and for as much as they did cover themselves under the visor of the Church, they did deceive the simple. This did hinder and keep back a great many from coming to Christ. Also some might waver, & other some might fall away from the right faith. Therefore Peter plainly declareth that they are a froward generation, howsoever they make boast of the title of the Church. For which cause he commandeth his hearers to separate themselves from them, least they entangle themselves in their wicked and pestiferous fellowship. Whereas he saith Be ye saved, he signifieth unto them that they shall surely perish, if they couple themselves with such a plague. And surely experience doth teach us how miserably those men are tossed to and fro, who cannot discern the voice of their pastor from the voice of other men: and again what an hinderance softness and sluggishness is to a great many, whilst they desire to stand in a doubt. Therefore he commandeth them to depart from the wicked, if they will be saved. And this point of doctrine is not to be neglected. For it were not sufficient to have Christ set before us, unless we were also taught to fly those things which do lead us away from him. And it is the duty of a good shepherd to defend his sheep from the wolves.

40 And with many. Although in these thinges which wee haue had hitherto, Luke did not recite the wordes of sainct Peter, but did onelie ⟨p. 60⟩briefly touch the chiefe points: notwithstanding he telleth vs againe in this place, that Peter did not vse doctrine onely, but did add the prickes of exhortations. And he expresseth plainely that he stoode much hereupon. Whereas hee saith, that he did exhort and beseech, hee noteth therein his earnestnesse. For it was not so easie a matter for them by and by to take their leaue of those errours wherewith they were of late infected, and to shake off the gouernment of the Priests whereunto they were accustomed. Therefore it stood him vppon to pull them violentlie out of this myre. The summe was this, that they should beware of that froward generation. For they could not be Christs vnlesse they would depart from his professed enimies. The Priests and Scribes were then in great authoritie, and for as much as they did couer themselues vnder the visure of the Church, they did deceiue the simple. This did hinder and keepe backe a great manie from comming to Christ. Also some might wauer, & other some might fall away from the right faith. Therefore Peter plainely declareth that they are a froward generation, howsoeuer they make boast of the title of the Church. For which cause hee commaundeth his hearers to separate themselues from them, least they intangle themselues in their wicked and pestiferous fellowship. Whereas he saith Be yee saued, hee signifieth vnto them that they shall surelie perish, if they couple themselues with such a plague. And surely experience doth teach vs how miserablie those men are tossed to and fro, who cannot discerne the voice of their pastour from the voyce of other men: and againe what an hinderance softnesse and sluggisheesse is to a great manie, whilest they desire to stande in a doubt. Therefore he commandeth them to depart from the wicked, if they wil be saued. And this point of doctrine is not to bee neglected. For it were not sufficient to haue Christ set before vs, vnles we were also taught to flie those things which do lead vs away from him. And it is the dutie of a good shepheard to defend his sheepe from the wolues.