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…

For although he call us the heirs of the world, he suffereth us oftentimes to want even a competent living and necessary helps. And this doth he of set purpose, that he may bring the wisdom of the flesh to nought, seeing that we do not otherwise give due honour to his word.

For although he cal vs the heires of the worlde, hee suffereth vs oftentimes to want euen a competent liuing and necessarie helpes. And this doth he of set purpose, that he may bring the wisdome of the flesh to nought, seeing that we doe not otherwise giue due honour to his word.

Thy seed shall be a stranger. Steven putteth the Jews in mind in how miserable and reproachful an estate their fathers were in Egypt: and showeth that this their servitude, wherewith they were oppressed came not by chance: because it was foretold long before by the oracle of God. This history ought to have bin of great force, partly to tame their lofty courages, and to teach them modesty, partly to set forth the grace of God: because God had always had a care of that nation. For this is a singular benefit in that the people are restored wonderfully as it were from death to life. In the mean season the Jews are taught that the church of God was elsewhere, than in the land wherein they dwelt: that the fathers were chosen to be a peculiar people, and that they were kept safe under the tuition of God, before ever the temple was built: or the external ceremonies of the law were instituted. These things appertain unto the general scope or drift of the sermon. But hence may we gather a profitable admonition. Bondage is of it self hard and bitter: but when cruelty of masters is added thereunto, it seemeth to be intolerable. Wherefore it must needs be that the mind of the godly man was sore wounded, when he heard that his seed should serve and be villainously and cruelly entreated. Moreover this was no small trial: forasmuch as these things were, to look to, contrary, the inheritance of the land of Canaan which was now promised, and bondage in a strange country. For who would not have thought, that god had as it were forgotten his former promise, when as he telleth Abraham that his seed shall endure miserable bondage? He saith at the first that he will give his seed the land. But he had as yet no seed: yea all hope of seed was now cut