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…

Thy holy son Jesus. The Grecians use the very same word which I ⟨p. 89⟩translated even now, Servant, when mention was made of David: for they call panda sometimes a servant, sometimes a Sonne. And David i• so called, because he was the minister of God, as well in ruling the people, as in the office of a Prophet. But this word Son agreeth better with the person of Christ, unless some man had liefer take it thus, that Luke meant to allude unto that likelihood which David had with Christ, when he setteth down a word of a double signification. It is expressly said that God hath anointed his son, that that may truly agree to him which is in the Psalm: for in anointing him, God made him a King. And yet we must note therewithal what manner anointing this was: for we know that he was not anointed with visible oil, but with the holy Ghost.

Thy holie sonne Iesus. The Grecians vse the verie same worde which I ⟨p. 89⟩translated euen now, Seruant, when mention was made of Dauid: for they call pa•da somtimes a seruant, sometimes a Sonne. And Dauid i• so called, because he was the minister of God, as well in ruling the people, as in the office of a Prophet. But this worde Sonne agreeth better with the person of Christ, vnlesse some man had leifer take it thus, that Luke meant to allude vnto that likelihood which Dauid had with Christ, when he setteth downe a worde of a double signification. It is expresly saide that God hath annointed his sonne, that that may truely agree to him which is in the Psalme: for in annointing him, God made him a King. And yet wee must note therewithall what manner annointing this was: for we know that he was not annointed with visible oile, but with the holie Ghost.

28 That they might do. I have already declared to what end this is spoken: that the kingdom of Christ was so far from being overrun by that conspiracy, that in truth it did then flourish. Notwithstanding herein is contained a singular doctrine, that God doth so govern and guide all things by his secrete counsel, that he doth bring to pass those things which he hath determined, even by the wicked. Not that they are ready willingly to do him such service, but because he turneth their counsels & attempts backward: so that on the one side appeareth great equity and most great righteousness: on the other appeareth nought but wickedness and iniquity. Which matter we have handled more at large in the second Chapter. Let us learn here by the way, that we must so consider the providence of God, that we know that it is the chief and only guider of all things, which are done in the world: that the devil and all the wicked are kept back with Gods bridle, least they should do us any harm: that when they rage fastest, yet are they not at liberty to do what they list, but have the bridle given them, yet so far forth as is expedient to exercise us. Those men which do acknowledge the foreknowledge of God alone, and yet confess not that all things are done as it pleaseth him, are easily convict by these words, That God hath appointed before that thing to be done which was done. Yea Luke being not contented with the word counsel, addeth also hand, unproperly, yet to the end he might the more plainly declare that the events of things are not only governed by the counsel of God, but that they are also ordered by his power and hand.