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…

Where upon it followeth that he was no private person to whom this injury was done, but it was done to the governance of God: when the people could be kept back with the reverence of neither, from running headlong into wicked rebellion. We have already spoken of the Angel. But the participle lalonutos, or, which spake, hath a double meaning. For it may be understood either of the first vision, whereby Moses was called to redeem the people, or of that speech which god had with Moses, after they were come over the red sea. And because Christ declared both ways that he was the author of their deliverance, ⟨p. 160⟩it is no great matter whether we choose: yea there is no let, but that it may be extended unto both. For he which began to speak to Moses from the beginning, that he might send him into Egypt, did continue the tenor of his speech afterward, until the work was finished.

Where vppon it followeth that hee was no priuate person to whom this iniurie was done, but it was done to the gouernance of God: when the people coulde bee kept backe with the reuerence of neither, from running headlong into wicked rebellion. We haue already spoken of the Angel. But the participle lalonutos, or, which spake, hath a double meaning. For it may be vnderstoode either of the first vision, wherby Moses was called to redeem the people, or of that speech which god had with Moses, after they were come ouer the red sea. And because Christ declared both waies that he was the author of their deliuerance, ⟨p. 160⟩it is no great matter whether we choose: yea there is no let, but that it may be extended vnto both. For he which beganne to speake to Moses from the beginning, that he might send him into Aegypt, did continue the tenour of his speech afterward, vntill the worke was finished.

Which received lively Oracles. Erasmus translated it Lively speech: but those which are expert in the Greek tongue, they shall know that I have more truly translated the words of Stephen For there is greater majesty in Oracles then in Speech. I speak only of the word: for I know that whatsoever proceedeth out of the mouth of God, the same is an Oracle. Moreover he purchaseth authority for the doctrine of Moses in these words, because he uttered nothing but that which proceeded from God. Whereupon it followeth that they did not so much rebel against Moses as against God. Whereby their stubbornness is more discovered. And this is a general way to establish doctrine: when men teach nothing but that which is commanded them by God. For what man dare make Moses inferior to him: who (as the Spirit affirmeth) ought only to be believed for this cause, because he faithfully unfolded and delivered the doctrine which he had received of God? But some man may ask this question why he calleth the law a living speech? For this title seemeth to disagree much with the words of Paul: