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…

43 And there came fear upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were wrought by the Apostles. 44 And all those which believed, were joined together, and had all things common. 45 And they sold their possessions and substance, and did part them to all men, as every man had need.

43 And there came feare vppon euery soule, and manie wonders and signes were wrought by the Apostles. 44 And all those which beleeued, were ioyned togither, and had all things common. 45 And they sold their possessions and substance, and did part them to all men, as euery man had neede.

43 And there came. He signifieth unto us that the show and sight of the church was such, that it made others afraid, which did not consent unto doctrine. And that was done for the preserving and furthering of the Church. When there ariseth any sect, all men set themselves stoutly against the same: and as novelty is odious, the Jews would never have suffered the Church of Christ to stand one minute of an hour, unless the Lord had restrained them with fear as with a bridle. Furthermore Luke noteth the manner of fear, that it was no such fear ⟨p. 63⟩as bringeth men unto the obedience of Christ, but such as causeth men to stand in a doubt, and so consequently doth as it were so bind them hand and foot, that they dare not hinder the Lords work. Like as there be some at this day, who will willingly be ignorant of the Gospel: or at least are so holden with the cares of this world, that they cannot throughly join themselves unto Christ: and yet they are not so hard hearted, but that they confess that the trueth is on our side: and therefore the rest is as it were in the mid way, neither do they favour the cruelty of the wicked, because they are afraid to strive against God. And whereas he saith, Every soul, he speaketh thus by Synecdoche. For it is certain that many did contemn the hand of God: and that othersome were stricken with no great fear, but that they did furiously rage together against the Church. But Luke his meaning was this, that there appeared such power of God in the Church, that the people for the most part had not one word to say.