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 he speaketh as it were touching a doubtful matter. Whereby it appeareth that he hath no certainty from the foundation: when as he doubteth in the quality of the cause, neither dare set down whether it be good or evil, but doth only command to defer it for a time, until the cause appear more plainly. In sum, Gamaliel fetcheth an evil consequent from true grounds: because he applieth that amiss unto the external office and manner of doing, which ought to serve for faith only. On the other side, let this be our Logic, That which is of God, must needs stand though all the whole world say nay: therefore faith must stand without all fear against all the assaults of Satan and men, seeing faith is underpropped and supported with the eternal truth of God: although heaven fall, our salvation is safe, which hath God to be the author and keeper thereof: because God doeth defend the kingdom of Christ, it can never be overthrown with any violence: because the doctrine of the Gospel is grounded in God, howsoever men resist or shake the same, yet shall it nevertheless continue firm. Again, although the wicked attempt whatsoever they can, and seek all means to destroy the church, although they furiously strive against Christ and his Church so much as they are able, yet they shall not prevail, because it is the property of God to bring the counsels of men to naught: and by this means doeth he punish their rashness. We see that both members are well applied to faith. But in the mean season there is no cause why the servants of ⟨p. 122⟩Christ should be less diligent in maintaining the truth: why they should suffer the Church to decay through their fault: why they should carelessly wink at their wickedness who endeavour to turn all things topsy turuie.

And he speaketh as it were touching a doubtfull matter. Whereby it appeareth that he hath no certaintie from the foundation: when as he doubteth in the qualitie of the cause, neither dare set downe whether it be good or euil, but doth onely commaund to deferre it for a time, vntill the cause appeare more plainely. In summe, Gamaliel fetteth an euill consequent from true grounds: because he applieth that amisse vnto the externall office and manner of doing, which ought to serue for faith onely. On the other side, let this bee our Logike, That which is of God, must needes stande though all the whole world say nay: therefore faith must stand without all feare against all the assaults of Satan and men, seeing faith is vnderpropped and supported with the eternall truth of God: although heauen fal, our saluation is safe, which hath God to be the author and keeper thereof: because God doeth defende the kingdome of Christ, it can neuer bee ouerthrowne with any violence: because the doctrine of the Gospel is grounded in God, howsoeuer men resist or shake the same, yet shall it neuerthelesse continue firme. Againe, although the wicked attempt whatsoeuer they can, and seeke al meanes to destroy the church, although they furiously striue against Christ and his Church so much as they are able, yet they shall not preuaile, because it is the propertie of God to bring the counsels of men to naught: and by this meanes doeth he punish their rashnesse. We see that both members are well applied to faith. But in the meane season there is no cause why the seruauntes of