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…

Therefore there is no cause why we should set our selves to be laughed to scorn by the Jews, by wresting the words of Moses violently, as if he spake of Christ alone in this place. Yet must we see, whether Peter doth cite the testimony fitly, whose authority ought to serve for a sound reason. I say that in Peter his speech there is nothing which is not most convenient. For he saw that which all men ought to grant, that this testimony doth so appertain unto the other Prophets, that yet notwithstanding it doeth chiefly commend Christ, not only because that he is the prince and chief of all the Prophets, but because all other former prophesies were directed toward him, and because God did at length speak absolutely by his mouth. For God spake in divers manners, & at sundry times in times past, unto our fathers by the Prophets, he added the conclusion at length, in the last days, in his only begotten son. Therefore it came to pass, that they wanted prophets for a certain years before his coming:¹ which thing is plainly gathered out of the words of Malachi: who after that he hath commanded the people to be mindful of the law, he passeth over by & by unto John Baptist & unto Christ: as if he should say, that the prophesies are now ended until the last revelation come: according to that, The law and the prophets prophesied until John: after that the kingdom of God is preached. And that was so common amongest the people, that the woman of Samaria could say according to the common fame and opinion, We know that the Messiah shall come, who will teach us all things. Therefore we know that after the return of the people, all the prophets ceased, to the end they might be made more attentive to hear Christ, by that silence or intermission of revelations. Therefore Peter did not wrest this place, or abuse the same through ignorance, but he took that doctrine which all men had received for a principle: that god had promised to teach his people at the first by his prophets as by means, but at length principally by Christ, at whose hands they were to hope for the perfect manifestation & laying open of all things. And to this purpose serveth that excellent testimony, or commendation wherewith his father setteth him forth, Hear him.

Therefore ther is no cause why we should set our selues to be laughed to scorn by the Iews, by wresting the words of Moses violētly, as if he spake of Christ alone in this place. Yet must wee see, whether Peter doth cite the testimonie fitlie, whose authoritie ought to serue for a sound reason. I say that in Peter his speech there is nothing which is not most conuenient. For he saw that which all men ought to graunt, that this testimonie doth so appertain vnto the other Prophets, that yet notwithstāding it doeth chiefly commend Christ, not only because that he is the prince and chiefe of all the Prophets, but because all other former prophesies were directed toward him, and because God did at length speake absolutely by his mouth. For God spake in diuers maners, & at sundrie times in times past, vnto our fathers by the Prophetes, he added the conclusion at length, in the last dayes, in his only begotten sonne. Therefore it came to passe, that they wanted prophets for a certaine yeeres before his comming: