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…

8 He gave him the covenant. When as he confesseth that circumcision is the covenant of God, he cleareth himself sufficiently of that crime which was laid to his charge: but in the mean season he showeth that the Jews deal amiss, if they place the beginning of their salvation in the external sign. For if Abraham was called, & the land, & redemption promised to his seed before such time as he was circumcised, it appeareth that the glory of the whole stock doth not depend upon circumcision. Paul useth the same argument in the 4. chap. to the Romans. For seeing that Abraham obtained righteousness & pleased God before he was circumcised,¹ he gathereth thence that circumcision is not the cause of righteousness. Therefore we see that Stephen frameth no vain and idle narration: because this was very much appertinent unto the cause, that the Jews might remember how God had adopted them with their Fathers. & it is to be thought that Steven did plainly express both things: that although circumcision was given by God, that it might be a sign of grace, yet was the adoption before it, both in order & in time. But we have no need to dispute any longer in this place concerning the nature and force of circumcision, only let us note this, that god doth first promise those things to Abraham which he confirmeth afterward by circumcision: that we may know that the signs are vain & nothing worth, unless the word go before. Let us also note that there is a profitable doctrine contained in the word covenant: to wit, that god maketh his covenant with us in the Sacraments, that he may declare his love toward us: which thing if it be true, first they are not only works of external profession amongst men: but they gave great force inwardly before god to confirm the faith. Secondly they are no vain figures: because God who is true, figureth nothing there which he doth not perform.

8 He gaue him the couenant. When as he confesseth that circumcision is the couenant of God, hee cleereth himselfe sufficiently of that crime which was laid to his charge: but in the mean season he sheweth that the Iewes deale amisse, if they place the beginning of their saluation in the externall signe. For if Abraham was called, & the lande, & redemption promised to his seed before such time as hee was circumcised, it appeareth that the glory of the whole stock doth not depend vpon circumcision. Paul vseth the same argument in the 4. chap. to the Romans. For seeing that Abraham obtained righteousnes & pleased God before he was circumcised,