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…

35 Stephen passeth over many things, because he maketh haste unto this sum, that the Jews may understand, that the fathers were not delivered therefore, because they had deserved that with their godliness, but that this benefit was bestowed upon them being altogether unworthy: and secondly that there is some more perfect thing to be hoped for of these beginnings. When Moses being ordained of God to be their revenger and deliverer, was now in a readiness, they stopped the way before him: therefore God doth deliver them now, as it were against their will. That which is added touching miracles and wonders, serveth as well to the setting forth of the grace of God, as to make known the calling of Moses. It is surely a strange thing, that God doth vouchsafe to declare his power by divers wonders, for such an unthankful peoples sake. But in the mean season he bringeth his servant in credit. Therefore whereas the Jews set less by him afterward, whereas they assay sometimes to drive him away by railing, whereas they scold sometimes, sometimes murmur, sometimes set upon him outrageously, they bewray thereby both their wickedness, and also their contempt of the grace of God. Their unthankfulness and ungodliness was so increased always, that God must needs have striven with wonderful patience with such a froward and stubborn people.

35 Stephen passeth ouer manie things, because he maketh haste vnto this summe, that the Iewes may vnderstande, that the fathers were not deliuered therefore, because they had deserued that with their godlinesse, but that this benefite was bestowed vpon them being altogither vnworthy: and secondly that there is some more perfect thing to be hoped for of these beginnings. When Moses beeing ordained of God to be their reuenger and deliuerer, was nowe in a redinesse, they stopt the way before him: therfore God doth deliuer them now, as it were against their will. That which is added touching myracles and wonders, serueth as well to the setting forth of the grace of God, as to make knowne the calling of Moses. It is surely a straunge thing, that God doth vouchsafe to declare his power by diuers wonders, for such an vnthankful peoples sake. But in the meane season he bringeth his seruant in credite. Therefore whereas the Iewes set lesse by him afterwarde, whereas they assaie sometimes to driue him away by railing, whereas they scould somtimes, sometimes murmur, sometimes set vpon him outragiously, they bewray thereby both their wickednes, and also their contempt of the grace of God. Their vnthankfulnesse and vngodlinesse was so encreased alwayes, that God must needs haue striuen with woonderfull patience with such a froward and stubburne people.