A17642:406
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…
The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated out of Latin into English for the great profit of our country-men, by Christopher Fetherstone student in divinityThe commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated out of Latine into English for the great profite of our countrie-men, by Christopher Fetherstone student in diuinitie
Londini: printed by Thomas Dawson, 1585
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
He was mighty. This phrase doth express amongst the Hebrews, ⟨p. 150⟩a double excellency, when as he which doth excel in wit and learning, is also apt to attempt & bring to pass great and weighty matters. Stephen his meaning is therefore, that Moses was furnished with rare gifts, so that they did all confess that he was a singular man. But seeing he was in such estimation, the Israelites had the less hope that he should be the minister which should work their deliverance.
Hee was mightie. This phrase doth expresse amongst the Hebrewes, ⟨p. 150⟩a double excellencie, when as he which doth excell in wit and learning, is also apt to attempt & bring to passe great and weightie matters. Steeuen his meaning is therefore, that Moses was furnished with rare giftes, so that they did all confesse that he was a singular man. But seing he was in such estimation, the Israelits had the lesse hope that he should be the minister which should work their deliuerance.
23 When the time was fulfilled. Many gather by this that Moses was never estranged in mind from his nation: but the words of Steven incline rather toward the contrary: to wit, that the Spirit of God did at length awake his mind as it were out of sleep, that he might at length go visit his brethren, whom he had long time neglected. It is to be thought that he was not ignorant of what stock he came, seeing he had some token thereof in his flesh, and seeing the rumour thereof was spread abroad in the court: because the kings daughter could not adopt him to be her son, without some suspicion of wickedness, unless his kindred had bin known: yet was it long before he was of such courage that he durst make known the love which he bare toward his kindred. And this serveth not a little to set forth the glory of God, that Moses being ignorant of his calling, doth remain a long time idle in the kings court: and is afterward called of the Lord contrary to the hope of all men and his own also. Therefore this new care for his brethren, which came into his mind, proceeded from a new and unwonted motion of Gods Spirit.