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…

20 For we cannot. Many things which are found out by hearing and seeing, may yea ought to be concealed, when as the question is concerning the redeeming of peace. For this is a point of discourtesy and of wicked stubbornness to move and raise a tumult about unnecessary matters: but the Apostles do not speak generally, when as they say they cannot but speak. For the Gospel of Christ is now in hand, wherein consisteth both the glory of God, and the salvation of men. It is an unmeet thing and sacrilegious wickedness, that the same should be suppressed by prohibitions and menacings of men: for God commandeth that his Gospel be preached: especially sithence they did know that they were chosen to be witnesses & preachers of Christ: and that God had opened their mouth. Therefore whosoever putteth them to silence, he endeavoureth so much as he is able to abolish the grace of God, and for do the salvation of men. And if so be it a prohibition so wicked do stop our mouths, woe be to our sluggishness. Now let all men see what confession God requireth at their hands: least when they keep silence because of men, they hear a fearful voice proceed out of the mouth of Christ, whereby their unfaithfulness shall be condemned. And as for those which are called unto the office of teaching, let them be terrified with no threatenings of men, with no colour of authority, but let them execute that office which they know is enjoined them by God.¹ Woe be unto me, saith Paul, if I preach not the Gospel: because the function is committed unto me. Neither ought we only to set this commandment of god against the tyrannous commandments of men: but also against all lets which Satan doth oftentimes thrust in, to break off and hinder the course of the Gospel. For we have need of a strong buckler to bear off such sore assaults, which all the ministers of Christ do feel but howsoever we speed this is a brazen wall, that the preaching of the Gospel doth please God: and therefore that it can for no cause be suppressed.

20 For we cannot. Manie things which are found out by hearing and seing, may yea ought to bee concealed, when as the question is concerning the redeeming of peace. For this is a point of discourtesie and of wicked stubbernes to mooue and raise a tumult about vnnecessary matters: but the Apostles doe not speake generally, when as they say they cannot but speak. For the Gospel of Christ is now in hand, wherein consisteth both the glory of God, and the saluation of men. It is an vnmeete thing and sacrilegious wickednesse, that the same should be suppressed by prohibitions and menacings of men: for God commandeth that his Gospel be preached: especially sythence they did know that they were chosen to be witnesses & preachers of Christ: and that God had opened their mouth. Therefore whosoeuer putteth them to sylence, he indeuoreth so much as he is able to abolish the grace of God, and for do the saluation of men. And if so be it a prohibition so wicked doe stoppe our mouthes, wo be to our sluggishnes. Now let all men see what confession God requireth at their hands: least when they keepe silence because of men, they heare a fearefull voice proceede out of the mouth of Christ, whereby their vnfaithfulnes shalbe condemned. And as for those which are called vnto the office of teaching, let thē be terrified with no threatnings of men, with no colour of authoritie, but let them execute that office which they knowe is inioyned them by God.