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…

Why have the Gentiles raged? We must needs confess that David speaketh of himself: who after he was chosen King by the Lord, and anointed by Samuel the Prophet, did enjoy the kingdom very hardly, because his enemies withstood him on every side. We know how the rulers and people conspired together with Saul and his family: after that, the Philistines and other strange enemies, despising him when he came newly to the crown, made war against him, striving who should begin first. Wherefore it is not without cause that he complaineth that the Kings rage and take counsel together, and that the people do go about diverse things. Nevertheless because he knew that God was the supporter of his kingdom, he derideth their foolish enterprises, and affirmeth that they are vain. But because his kingdom was established, that it might be a figure or image of the kingdom of Christ; David doth not stay still in the shadow it self, but he apprehendeth the body: yea the holy Ghost, as the Apostles do truly repeat the same, doeth sharply reprove the foolish and ridiculous madness of the world, in that they dare invade the kingdom of Christ which God had established, as well in the person of David as of Christ himself. And this is a singular comfort, in that we hear that God is on our side, so long as we go on warfare under the kingdom of Christ. Hereby we may persuade our selves, that howsoever all men both high and low, do wickedly conspire together against this kingdom, yet shall they not prevail. For what is all the whole world compared with God? But we must first of all know and assure our selves of this, that God will continually maintain the kingdom of his son, whereof he himself is the author, so that we may set his decree (which shall not be broken) against the rashness of men: that trusting to the help of his hand, we may not doubt to despise all the preparation and furniture of men though they be terrible. And he doth diligently express how great the bands of the adversaries are: he saith that they attempt all things, he doeth also reckon up their counsels, least any of these do terrify us. ⟨p. 88⟩Furthermore when as the Psalm teacheth, that the kingdom of Christ shall endure, maugre the heads of the adversaries, it doth also show that there shall be many adversaries, which shall endeavour to overthrow the same.

Why haue the Gentiles raged? Wee must needes confesse that Dauid speaketh of himselfe: who after he was chosen King by the Lord, and annointed by Samuel the Prophet, did enioy the kingdome verie hardly, because his enimies withstoode him on euerie side. Wee knowe howe the rulers and people conspired togither with Saul and his familie: after that, the Philistines and other straunge enimies, despising him when hee came newlie to the crowne, made warre against him, striuing who should beginne first. Wherefore it is not without cause that he complaineth that the Kings rage and take counsell togither, and that the people doe goe about diuerse things. Neuerthelesse because he knew that God was the supporter of his kingdome, hee derideth their foolish enterprises, and affirmeth that they are vaine. But because his kingdome was established, that it might bee a figure or image of the kingdome of Christ; Dauid doth not stay still in the shadowe it selfe, but hee apprehendeth the bodie: yea the holy Ghost, as the Apostles doe truely repete the same, doeth sharply reprooue the foolish and ridiculous madnesse of the worlde, in that they dare inuade the kingdome of Christ which God had established, as well in the person of Dauid as of Christ himselfe. And this is a singular comfort, in that we heare that God is on our side, so long as wee goe on warfare vnder the kingdome of Christ. Heereby we may perswade our selues, that howsoeuer al men both high and low, doe wickedly conspire togither against this kingdome, yet shal they not preuaile. For what is all the whole world compared with God? But wee must first of all knowe and assure our selues of this, that God will continually maintaine the kingdome of his sonne, whereof he himselfe is the author, so that we may set his decree (which shal not be broken) against the rashnesse of men: that trusting to the help of his hand, wee may not doubt to despise all the preparation and furniture of men though they be terrible. And he doth diligently expresse how great the bandes of the aduersaries are: hee saith that they attempt all things, he doeth also recken vp their counsels, least any of these doe terrifie vs.