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…

24 Thou art God which hast created. Although this title and commendation of Gods power be general, yet it ought to be referred unto the present matter. For they do in such sort acknowledge the power of God in the creation of the whole world, that they apply the same therewith all unto the present use. In like sort the Prophets do oftentimes commend the same, to the end they may redress that fear which troubleth us when we behold the power of our enemies. Secondly they add thereunto the promise: & they make these two the foundations of their boldness, wherewith they are emboldened to pray. And surely our prayers are such as they ought to be, and acceptable to God, only then, when as staying our selves upon his promises and power, we pray with certain hope to obtain that for which we pray. For we cannot otherwise have any true confidence, unless God do will us to come unto him, and promise that he is ready to help us: and secondly unless we acknowledge that he is able enough to help us. Wherefore let the faithful exercise themselves in this double meditation, so often as they address themselves unto prayer. Furthermore we gather hereby after what sort we ought to consider the creation of the world: to wit, that we may know that all things are subject to God, and ruled by his will: and when that the world hath done what it can, there shall no other thing come to pass but that which God hath decreed: yea that the wantonness of the ⟨p. 97⟩wicked is monstrous, as if the clay should resist the potter. For this is the meaning of the faithful generally, that whatsoever dangers hang over their heads, yet can God prevent the same infinite ways, for as much as all things are in his hand: and that he is able to make all the parts of heaven and earth (which he hath created) to obey him.

24 Thou art God which hast created. Although this title and commendation of Gods power be generall, yet it ought to be referred vnto the present matter. For they do in such sort acknowledge the power of God in the creation of the whole world, that they applie the same therewith all vnto the present vse. In like sort the Prophetes do oftentimes commend the same, to the end they may redresse that feare which troubleth vs when we behold the power of our enimies. Secondly they adde thereunto the promise: & they make these two the foundations of their boldnesse, wherewith they are emboldned to pray. And surely our prayers are such as they ought to be, and acceptable to God, onely then, when as staying our selues vpon his promises and power, wee pray with certaine hope to obtaine that for which we pray. For we cannot otherwise haue any true confidence, vnlesse God do will vs to come vnto him, and promise that he is readie to helpe vs: and secondly vnlesse we acknowledge that he is able ynough to helpe vs. Wherefore let the faithfull exercise themselues in this double meditation, so often as they addresse themselues vnto prayer. Furthermore we gather hereby after what sort we ought to consider the creation of the world: to wit, that we may knowe that all thinges are subiect to God, and ruled by his will: and when that the worlde hath done what it can, there shall no other thing come to passe but that which God hath decreed: yea that the wantonnesse of the