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…

29 And now O Lord. They do very well extend that unto themselves, which they cited concerning Christ: because he will not be separated from the Gospel: yea what trouble so ever befalleth his members, he applieth that to his own person. And they crave at Gods hands that he will beat down the cruelty of the adversaries: yet not so much for their own sake, that they may live quietly and without vexation, as that they may have liberty to preach the Gospel in all places. Neither was it for them to desire a life which they might, spend idly, having forsaken their calling. For they add, Grant unto thy servants O Lord, that they may speak boldly. And by the way we must note this speech, that the Lord would behold their ⟨p. 100⟩threatenings. For seeing it belongeth properly to him, to resist the proud and to throw down their lofty looks: the more proudly they brag and boast, the more do they undoubtedly provoke God to be displeased with them, and it is not to be doubted but that God being offended with such indignity and cruelty,¹ will redress the same. So Hezekiah to the end he may obtain help in extremity, declareth before the Lord the arrogance of Sennacherib and his cruel threatenings. Wherefore let the cruelty and reproaches of our enemies rather stir up in us a desire to pray, than any whit discourage us from going forward in the course of our office.

29 And now O Lord. They doe very well extend that vnto themselues, which they cited concerning Christ: because hee will not bee separated from the Gospell: yea what trouble so euer befalleth his members, hee applieth that to his owne person. And they craue at Gods handes that hee will beate downe the crueltie of the aduersaries: yet not so much for their owne sake, that they may liue quietlie and without vexation, as that they may haue libertie to preach the Gospell in all places. Neither was it for them to desire a life which they might, spende idlely, hauing forsaken their calling. For they adde, Graunt vnto thy seruauntes O Lorde, that they may speake boldly. And by the way wee must note this speech, that the Lorde woulde beholde their ⟨p. 100⟩threatnings. For seeing it belongeth properly to him, to resist the proud and to throw downe their loftie lookes: the more proudlie they bragge and boast, the more doe they vndoubtedly prouoke God to be displeased with them, and it is not to be doubted but that God being offended with such indignitie and crueltie,