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…

For although the son of God had gathered together by his preaching, a certain Church, before such time as he departed out of the world yet nevertheless, that was the best form of the Church which began then, when as the Apostles having new power given them from above, began to preach, that that only shepherd did both die and also rise again, that through his conduct all those which were dispersed far and wide, upon the face of the whole earth, might be gathered unto one sheepfold. Here is therefore set down both the beginning, and also the increasing of •he Church of Christ, after his ascension, whereby he was declared to be king both of heaven and earth. Furthermore therein appeareth as well the marvellous power of Christ, as the great force and efficacy of the Gospel it self: for in that Christ by a sort of simple souls and of no reputation amongst men, being endued also with no eloquence at all, hath subdued the whole world so easily by the only voice of the Gospel, whereas notwithstanding ⟨image 8⟩Satan did resist him with so many lets: he hath showed a most manifest token of his divine power and might therein. And also we see in the same, the incredible force of the Gospel, that it did not only come forth & show it self, although the whole world did say nay, but also with great glory and majesty, make all that which did seem stubborn, to be obedient unto Christ. Therefore these few & simple creatures, did more prevail against the troublesome tumults of the world, with the base & simple sound of their mouth, than if God should openly have thrown down lightnings from heaven. And on the other side, the spirit of God teacheth us, that the kingdom of Christ beginneth never sooner to flourish, but by and by Satan opposeth himself most furiously against the same, and useth all his engines either utterly to overthrow, or sore to shake the same. Neither are we only taught, that Satan doth resist Christ as an enemy, but also that the whole world doth furiously rage together against him, that he may not reign over them. Yea, furthermore that is to be set down as a thing most certain, that wicked men whiles they do so rage against the Gospel, do both fight under Satan's banner, and are pricked forward by him into so blind fury.

For although the sonne of God had gathered togither by his preaching, a certaine Church, before such time as he departed out of the world yet neuerthelesse, that was the best forme of the Church which began then, when as the Apostles hauing new power giuen them from aboue, began to preach, that that onely sheapherd did both die and also rise againe, that through his conduct all those which were dispersed farre and wide, vpon the face of the whole earth, might bee gathered vnto one sheepefolde. Heere is therefore set downe both the beginning, and also the increasing of he Church of Christ, after his ascension, whereby he was declared to be king both of heauen and earth. Furthermore therein appeareth as well the merueilous power of Christ, as the great force and efficacie of the Gospel it selfe: for in that Christ by a sort of simple soules and of no reputation amongst men, being endued also with no eloquence at al, hath subdued the whole world so easily by the only voice of the Gospel, whereas notwithstanding