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…

21 And when they had threatened them. And here is the end of sedition, that the wicked cease not to breath out their fury, yet are they bridled by the secrete power of God, so that they cannot tell how to do any hurt. How is it that being content with threatenings, they do not also rage against their bodies, save only because the power of God doeth bind them as a chain? Not that the fear of God doth prevail with them for it is the regard of the people alone which hindereth them: but the ⟨p. 95⟩Lord doth bind them with his bonds though they be ignorant thereof. Luke commendeth unto us the providence of God in preserving his children: and though it be hidden from the wicked, yet we may behold the same with the eyes of faith. Furthermore the wonderful Counsel of God doth show it self here, in that the glory of Christ is furthered by those which are his most deadly enemies. For whereas the Priests do assemble themselves together, it is not done without great rumour. All men wait for some rare and singular event: the Apostles depart being let loose and acquitted. Therefore the adversaries are not only vanquished: but they confirm the Gospel against their will. Notwithstanding it is expedient for us to mark again, that the faithful do so get the victory, that they are always humbled under the cross. For they are threatened again and straitly charged that they teach not henceforth in the name of Christ. Therefore they do not so get the upper hand, that they do not triumph, save only under the reproach of the cross. Whereas Luke saith that they did all glorify God, he noteth the fruit of the miracle now the second time: although it may be that they were not all brought unto the perfect end. For that man which is touched with the feeling of the power of God, & doth not come unto Christ, neither hath his faith confirmed by the miracle, he stayeth as it were in the midway. Yet this was some thing, though not all, that the power of God was acknowledged in the healing of the man, so that the adversaries being ashamed, did cease off from their fury, or at least give back a little.

21 And when they had threatned them. And here is the end of sedition, that the wicked cease not to breath out their furie, yet are they bridled by the secrete power of God, so that they cannot tell howe to doe any hurt. How is it that being content with threatnings, they do not also rage against their bodies, saue onely because the power of God doeth binde them as a chaine? Not that the feare of God doth preuaile with them for it is the regarde of the people alone which hindreth them: but the