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…

For they did attribute very much unto John, and therefore were they persuaded that the Baptism which they had received by him, was not in vain. Now if that the verity and force thereof must be looked for at Christ his hands, then ought the Apostles, to hope that that shall surely be fulfilled which John prefigured.

For they did attribute verie much vnto Iohn, and therefore were they perswaded that the Baptisme which they had receiued by him, was not in vaine. Now if that the veritie and force thereof must be looked for at Christ his hands, then ought the Apostles, to hope that that shal surelie be fulfilled which Iohn prefigured.

So must we in like manner think, that we are not in vain baptised with water, by men; because Christ, who commanded the same to be done, will fulfil his office, and baptise us with the spirit. So faith draweth a consequent from the outward sign, unto the inward effect; yet doeth it not attribute any more than is meet, either to the sign, or to the minister thereof; because in the sign it only looketh unto the promise, which is Christs, and doeth acknowledge him to be the only author of grace. Let us therefore use such a mean that we do in no part diminish Christs honour: and yet nevertheless let us hope for that fruit by our baptism which is noted in this place. By assigning so short a time, our saviour maketh them more joyful to hope well. Whereupon it followeth that that death was not to be lamented, which brought with it presently so precious fruit. And let us note this also, that this word baptism is used improperly in this place, that the contrariety may be full.¹ After the same sort, Paul in his Epistle unto the Romans, after he hath set down the law of works, to the end that the contrary may answer on the other side, he useth the law of faith, for faith it self.

So must we in like manner thinke, that we are not in vaine baptised with water, by men; bicause Christ, who commaunded the same to bee done, will fulfill his office, and baptise vs with the spirite. So faith draweth a consequent from the outward signe, vnto the inwarde effect; yet doeth it not attribute anie more than is meete, either to the signe, or to the minister thereof; because in the signe it onely looketh vnto the promise, which is Christs, and doeth acknowledge him to be the onelie author of grace. Let vs therefore vse such a meane that we do in no part diminish Christs honor: and yet neuerthelesse let vs hope for that fruit by our baptism which is noted in this place. By assigning so short a time, our sauiour maketh them more ioyfull to hope well. Whereupon it followeth that that death was not to be lamented, which brought with it presently so precious fruite. And let vs note this also, that this worde baptisme is vsed improperlie in this place, that the contrarietie may be full.