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…

17 Luke hath hitherto declared that the church was wonderfully increased, that it was furnished with divers gifts, that it excelled in miracles: finally that the kingdom of Christ did flourish there by all means: now he beginneth to show that the fury of the wicked was kindled with these things, so that they raged sorer afresh. Whence we may gather with what blind fury & rage Satan driveth them forward, when as they are so little terrified with such evident power of God, that they run headlong more boldly, and with greater force, and bend all their force as it were to overthrow the very heaven. As this so great blindness is a horrible punishment of almighty GOD so ought it to teach all men to submit themselves betimes to god, least that they themselves ⟨p. 112⟩being taken with the Spirit of giddiness (whiles they run against the hand of God) be broken in pieces with the same. Nevertheless let us know that God will so increase his Church with spiritual good things, that yet notwithstanding he suffereth the same to be vexed of the wicked. Therefore we must alway be ready for the combat. For our estate at this day is not unlike to theirs. Especially the knowledge of the gifts of God, whereby he testifieth that he is present with us, ought to encourage us, least the fury and boldness of the wicked do terrify and dismay us. For this is no small comfort, when we know that God is present with us.

17 Luke hath hitherto declared that the church was wonderfully encreased, that it was furnished with diuers gifts, that it excelled in myracles: finally that the kingdome of Christ did florish there by al means: now he beginneth to shew that the furie of the wicked was kindled with these things, so that they raged sorer afresh. Whēce we may gather with what blind furie & rage Satan driueth thē forwarde, when as they are so little terrified with such euident power of God, that they runne headlong more boldlye, and with greater force, and bende all their force as it were to ouerthrowe the very heauen. As this so great blindenesse is a horrible punishment of almightie GOD so ought it to teach al men to submit themselues betimes to god, least that they themselues ⟨p. 112⟩being taken with the Spirite of giddinesse (whiles they runne against the hande of God) bee broken in peeces with the same. Neuerthelesse let vs knowe that God will so encrease his Church with spirituall good thinges, that yet notwithstanding he suffereth the same to be vexed of the wicked. Therefore we must alway be ready for the cumbate. For our estate at this day is not vnlike to theirs. Especially the knowledge of the gifts of God, whereby he testifieth that hee is present with vs, ought to encourage vs, least the furie and boldnesse of the wicked do terrifie and dismay vs. For this is no smal comfort, when we knowe that God is present with vs.