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…

19 Repent. We must note that when he exhorteth unto repentance he doth also declare that there is remission of sins prepared for them before the face of God. For as I said of late, no man can be stirred up to repentance, unless he have salvation set before him, But he which doth despair of pardon, being as it were given over unto destruction already doth not fear to run headlong against God obstinately. Hereby it cometh to pass that the Papists cannot deliver the doctrine of repentance. They babble indeed very much concerning the same: but because they overthrow the hope of grace, it cannot be that they should persuade their disciples unto the study of repentance. Moreover I confess that they babble a little touching forgiveness of sins: but because they leave mens souls in doubt and in fearfulness, and furthermore do cast them as it were into a Labyrinth, or place out of which they know not how to come, this part of the doctrine being corrupt, they confound the other also.

19 Repent. We must note that when he exhorteth vnto repentance he doth also declare that there is remission of sinnes prepared for them before the face of God. For as I said of late, no man can be stirred vp to repentance, vnlesse he haue saluation set before him, But he which doth despaire of pardon, being as it were giuen ouer vnto destruction already doth not feare to runne headlong against God obstinately. Heereby it commeth to passe that the Papists cannot deliuer the doctrine of repē tance. They babble indeed very much concerning the same: but because they ouerthrow the hope of grace, it cannot bee that they shoulde perswade their disciples vnto the studie of repentance. Moreouer I confesse that they babble a little touching forgiuenes of sinnes: but because they leaue mens soules in dout and in fearefulnesse, and furthermore do cast them as it were into a Labyrinth, or place out of which they knowe not how to come, this part of the doctrine being corrupt, they confound the other also.

20 That when. If we follow Erasmus and the old interpreter, this sentence shall be unperfect, which may be made perfect, thus. When the time of refreshing shall come, you may also enjoy this refreshing. When Christ shall come to judge the world, you may find him a redeemer and not a judge. But because Beza doth fitly translate it, After that they shall come: it is better to retain that which is not so racked: so you resolve it thus: that sins are forgiven against the day of the last judgement: because unless we be cited to appear before Gods judgement seat, we are not greatly careful to pacify God. First of all we must note, that he setteth before them the day of judgement, to the end the former exhortation may take the greater effect. For there is nothing which doth more prick us, than when we are taught that we must once give an account. For so long as our senses are holden & kept in this world, they are drowned as it were in a certain drowsiness, that I may so call it. Wherefore the message of the last judgement must sound as a trumpet to cite us to appear before the judgement seat of God. For then at last being truly awaked we begin to think of a new life. In like sort when Paul preached at Athens: God saith that he doth now will all men to repent: because he