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…

Only let us so prepare our selves that such indignity and unhonest dealing may not hinder us in our course. Because we teach that men are so corrupt, that they are altogether slaves unto sin and wicked lusts: the enemies do thereupon infer this false accusation, that we deny that men sin willingly, but that they are enforced thereunto by some other means, so that they are not in the fault, neither bear any blame: yea they say farther that we quench altogether all desire to do well. Because we deny that the works of holy men are for their own worthiness meritorious, because they have always some fault or imperfection in them, they cavil that we put no difference between the good and the evil. Because we say that mans righteousness consisteth in the grace of God alone, and that godly souls can find rest no where else, save only in the death of Christ: they object that by this means we grant liberty to the flesh to do what so ever it will, that the use of the law may no longer remain. When as we maintain the honour of Christ, which they bestow as it pleaseth them here and there, after that they have rent it in a thousand pieces like a pray, they feign that we are enemies to the Saints. They falsely report that we seek the licentiousness of the flesh in stead of the liberty of the spirit. Whiles that we endeavour ⟨p. 135⟩to restore the supper of the Lord unto his pure and lawful use, they cry out impudently that we overthrow and destroy the same. Others also which take away all things as did the Academics, because that doth not please them which we teach, concerning the secret predestination of God, and that out of the scriptures lay to our charge despitefully, that we make God a tyrant, which taketh pleasure in putting innocent men to death, seeing that he hath already adjudged those unto eternal death, which are as yet unborn: and other such things can be said on this behalf:¹ whereas notwithstanding they are sufficiently convict that we think reverently of God, and that we speak no otherwise than he teacheth with his own mouth. It is an hard matter to endure such envy, yet must we not therefore cease of to defend a good cause. For the trueth of God is precious in his sight, and it ought also to be precious unto us: although it be unto the reprobate the savour of death unto death.

Onely let vs so prepare our selues that such indignitie and vnhonest dealing may not hinder vs in our course. Because wee teach that men are so corrupt, that they are altogither slaues vnto sinne and wicked lustes: the enimies doe thereuppon inferre this false accusation, that wee denie that men sinne willingly, but that they are enforced thereunto by some other meanes, so that they are not in the faulte, neither beare any blame: yea they say farther that we quench altogither all desire to doe well. Because wee denie that the workes of holy men are for their owne worthinesse meritorious, because they haue alwayes some faulte or imperfection in them, they cauill that wee put no difference betweene the good and the euill. Because wee say that mans righteousnesse consisteth in the grace of God alone, and that godly soules can finde rest no where else, saue onely in the death of Christ: they obiect that by this meanes wee graunt libertie to the flesh to doe what so euer it will, that the vse of the lawe may no longer remaine. When as wee maintaine the honour of Christ, which they bestowe as it pleaseth them heere and there, after that they haue rent it in a thousande peeces like a pray, they feigne that wee are enimies to the Saintes. They falsely report that wee seeke the licentiousnesse of the flesh in steede of the libertie of the spirite. Whiles that wee indeuour