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…

And surely where faith beareth the chief sway, it doth so knit the hearts of men together, that all of them do both will and nill one thing. For discord springeth hence, because we are not all governed with the same Spirit of Christ. It is well known that by these two words heart & soul, he meaneth the will. And because the wicked do oftentimes conspire together to do evil: this concord was laudable and holy therefore, because it was amongst the faithful.

And surelie where faith beareth the chiefe sway, it doth so knitte the hearts of men togither, that all of them do both will and nill one thing. For discord springeth hence, because wee are not all gouerned with the same Spirit of Christ. It is well knowne that by these two words heart & soule, he meaneth the will. And because the wicked do oftentimes conspire togither to do euill: this concord was laudable and holy therefore, because it was amongst the faithful.

And no man did say. This is the second member: that they coupled this love with external benefits. But we shall see anon, after what sort they had their goods common. This is now worth the noting in the text of Luke, that the inward unity of minds goeth before as the root, and then the fruit followeth after. And surely even we ought to observe the same order, we must one love another, and then this love of ours must show it self by external effects. And in vain do we boast of a right affection, unless there appear some testimony thereof in external offices. Moreover Luke declareth there with all, that they were not of one mind for any respect of their own commodity, for as much as the rich men, when they did liberally bestow their goods, sought nothing less then their own gain.

And no man did say. This is the second member: that they coupled this loue with externall benefits. But we shall see anon, after what sort they had their goods common. This is nowe worth the noting in the text of Luke, that the inwarde vnitie of mindes goeth before as the roote, and then the fruite followeth after. And surely euen we ought to obserue the same order, wee must one loue another, and then this loue of ours must shewe it selfe by external effects. And in vaine do we boast of a right affection, vnlesse there appeare some testimonie thereof in externall offices. Moreouer Luke declareth there with all, that they were not of one minde for any respect of their owne commoditie, for as much as the rich men, when they did liberally bestowe their goods, sought nothing lesse then their owne gaine.