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…

3 Therefore brethren look out. Now we see to what end Deacons were made: The word it self is in deed general, yet is it properly taken for those which are stewards for the poor. Whereby it appeareth how licentiously the Papists do mock God and men, who assign unto their Deacons no other office but this, to have the charge of the patten and Chalice. Surely we need no long disputation to prove, that they agree in no point with the Apostles. But if the readers be desirous to see any more concerning this point, they may repair unto our Institution. As touching this present place, the Church is permitted to choose. For it is tyrannous if any one man appoint or make ministers, at his pleasure. Therefore this is the most lawful way, that those be chosen by common voices, who are to take upon them any public function in the Church. And the Apostles prescribe what manner persons ought to be chosen: to wit, men of tried honesty and credit, men endowed with wisdom and other gifts of the Spirit. And this is the mean between tyranny and confused liberty, that nothing be done without the consent and approbation of the people: yet so that the pastors moderate and govern this action, that their authority may be as a bridle, to keep under the people, least they pass their bounds too much. In the mean season this is worth the noting, that the Apostles prescribe an order unto the faithful, least they appoint any save those which are fit. For we do God no small injury, if we take all that come to hand to govern his house. Therefore we must use great circumspection, that we choose none unto the holy function of the Church, unless we have some trial of him first. The number of Seven is applied unto the present necessity: least any man should think that there is some mystery comprehended under the same. Whereas Luke saith, full of the Spirit and wisdom, I do interpret it thus: that it is requisite that they be furnished both with other gifts of the Spirit, and also with wisdom, without which that function cannot be exercised well: both that they may beware of the legerdemain ⟨p. 129⟩of those men, who being too much given unto begging, require that which is necessary for the poverty of the brethren: and also of their slanders, who cease not to backbite though they have none occasion given them.

3 Therefore brethren looke out. Now we see to what end Deacons were made: The worde it selfe is in deede generall, yet is it properly taken for those which are stewards for the poore. Whereby it appeareth howe licenciously the Papists doe mocke God and men, who assigne vnto their Deacons no other office but this, to haue the charge of the patten and Chalice. Surelie we neede no long disputation to proue, that they agree in no point with the Apostles. But if the readers bee desirous to see anie more concerning this point, they may repaire vnto our Institution. As touching this present place, the Church is permitted to choose. For it is tyrannous if any one man appoint or make ministers, at his pleasure. Therefore this is the most lawful way, that those be chosen by common voices, who are to take vpon them any publike function in the Church. And the Apostles prescribe what manner persons ought to be chosen: to wit, men of tried honestie and credit, men endewed with wisedome and other gifts of the Spirite. And this is the meane betweene tyranny and confused libertie, that nothing be done without the consent and approbation of the people: yet so that the pastours moderate and gouerne this action, that their authoritie may be as a bridle, to keepe vnder the people, least they passe their bounds too much. In the meane season this is worth the noting, that the Apostles prescribe an order vnto the faithfull, least they appoint any saue those which are fit. For wee doe God no small iniurie, if wee take all that come to hande to gouerne his house. Therefore we must vse great circumspection, that we choose none vnto the holy function of the Church, vnlesse we haue some triall of him first. The number of Seauen is applied vnto the present necessitie: least any man shoulde thinke that there is some mysterie comprehended vnder the same. Whereas Luke saith, full of the Spirit and wisdome, I do interpret it thus: that it is requisite that they bee furnished both with other gifts of the Spirit, and also with wisedome, without which that function cannot bee exercised well: both that they may beware of the liegerdemane