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…

34 In seeing I have seen. God promiseth now that he will deliver his people, that he may appoint Moses to be his minister afresh; because the former objection was taken away by so long space of time. For God is said to see our miseries, when he hath respect to us, and is careful for our safety: as he is said again, to shut his eyes, and turn his back, when as he seemeth to set light by our cause. In like sort is he said to come down. He needeth not to move out of his place to help us, for his hand reacheth throughout the heaven and earth: but this is referred unto our understanding. For seeing that he did not deliver his people from their affliction, it might seem that he was a far off, and was busied about some other thing in heaven. Now he saith that the Israelites shall perceive that he is nigh unto them. The sum tendeth to this end, that Moses knowing the will of God, may not doubt to follow him as a guide, and the more boldly to employ himself about the delivery of the people, which he knew was the work of God. For we must note that he sayeth that he heard the mourning of the people. For although he hath respect unto those which are in misery, and unjustly oppressed, yet when we lay our mournings & complaints in his lap, he is ⟨p. 157⟩especially moved to have mercy. Although this word may be taken for those blind and confused complaints which are not directed unto God, as it is taken oftentimes else where.

34 In seing I haue seene. God promiseth nowe that he will deliuer his people, that hee may appoint Moses to bee his minister afresh; because the former obiection was taken away by so long space of time. For God is saide to see our miseries, when hee hath respect to vs, and is carefull for our safetie: as he is said againe, to shut his eyes, and turne his backe, when as he seemeth to set light by our cause. In like sort is hee saide to come downe. He needeth not to moue out of his place to helpe vs, for his hand reacheth throughout the heauen and earth: but this is referred vnto our vnderstanding. For seeing that he did not deliuer his people from their affliction, it might seeme that he was a farre off, and was busied about some other thing in heauen. Nowe he saith that the Israelites shall perceiue that hee is nigh vnto them. The summe tendeth to this end, that Moses knowing the will of God, may not doubt to follow him as a guide, and the more boldly to imploy himselfe about the deliuery of the people, which he knew was the worke of God. For we must note that hee saieth that hee heard the mourning of the people. For although he hath respect vnto those which are in misery, and vniustly oppressed, yet when we lay our mournings & complaints in his lap, hee is