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…

TO the intent that all godly men may with more diligence read this history, and also be more desirous thereof: it shall not be without profit, briefly to note what commodity they shall reap thereby. This is the chiefest praise that a profane history hath, namely, that it is the mistress of life. If that narration of famous deeds which only teacheth men what they ought to follow, or what they ought to eschew in their common actions, deserve such a title: of how great praise are the divine histories worthy, which do not only frame the outward life of man that he may win praise by virtue; but also (which it more) which declare unto us, that God from the beginning hath had a special regard always of his Church, and faithful congregation: that he hath been always a most just revenger of all wrongs done unto those, that have betaken themselves unto his tuition, and have committed themselves unto his custody: that he hath showed himself favourable and merciful unto most miserable and wretched sinners: and lastly by teaching us faith, hoised us high above the heavens? I say nothing of this, that they do every where set forth the providence of God, that they distinguish the true worship of God from the false, they never err in the difference of vice and virtue. Although I omit now also those worthy praises which use most commonly to be attributed unto the sacred histories, intending only shortly to touch those, which are proper to this book, which we have taken in hand. Those things which Luke setteth before us in this place to be learned, are not only great, but also of rare profit: For first in that he showeth that the spirit of God was sent unto the Apostles, he doth not only prove that Christ was faithful & true in keeping his promise, made unto his Apostles: but also he certifieth us, that he is always mindful of his, and a perpetual governor of his Church: because the holy spirit did descend from heaven to this end, whereby we learn that the distance of place doeth no whit hinder Christ from being present with those that be his, at all times. Now here is most lively painted out, the beginning of Christs kingdom, and as it were the renewing of the world.

TO the intent that all godly men may with more diligence reade this historie, and also be more desirous thereof: it shall not be without profite, briefly to note what commoditie they shall reape thereby. This is the chiefest praise that a prophane historie hath, namely, that it is the maistres of life. If that narration of famous deeds which onely teacheth men what they ought to followe, or what they ought to eschewe in their common actions, deserue such a title: of how great praise are the diuine histories worthie, which do not onely frame the outward life of man that he may winne praise by vertue; but also (which it more) which declare vnto vs, that God from the beginning hath had a speciall regard alwayes of his Church, and faithfull congregation: that he hath bene alwaies a most iust reuenger of all wrongs done vnto those, that haue betaken themselues vnto his tuition, and haue committed themselues vnto his custodie: that he hath shewed himselfe fauourable and mercifull vnto most miserable and wretched sinners: and lastly by teaching vs faith, hoised vs high aboue the heauens? I say nothing of this, that they do euerie where set forth the prouidence of God, that they distingush the true worship of God from the false, they neuer erre in the difference of vice and vertue. Although I omit nowe also those worthie praises which vse most commonly to bee attributed vnto the sacred histories, intending onely shortly to touch those, which are proper to this booke, which wee haue taken in hande. Those things which Luke setteth before vs in this place to be learned, are not only great, but also of rare profite: For first in that he sheweth that the spirite of God was sent vnto the Apostles, he doth not only proue that Christ was faithful & true in keeping his promise, made vnto his Apostles: but also he certifieth vs, that he is alwayes mindfull of his, and a perpetuall gouernour of his Church: because the holy spirite did discende from heauen to this ende, whereby we learne that the distance of place doeth no whit hinder Christ from being present with those that be his, at all times. Nowe heere is most liuely painted out, the beginning of Christs kingdome, and as it were the renuing of the worlde.