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…

10 For the surname great power, tended to this end, that whatsoever should otherwise be divine, might wax vile through this greatness. Therefore the power of Christ appeareth hereby more plainly, in that Philip brake through these lets. Which thing Luke amplifieth.

10 For the surname great power, tended to this end, that whatsoeuer should otherwise be diuine, might wax vile through this greatnes. Therfore the power of Christ appeareth hereby more plainely, in that Philip brake through these lets. Which thing Luke amplifieth.

11 When he saith, that they were astonied from the least to the greatest. For seeing all men of what estate so ever they were, were deluded, what entrance could the Gospel have: especially sithence it was no mean seducing? For all their senses were besotted. And besides that we see thereby how mighty the truth is, there is also set before us an example of constancy in Philip: who though he see no way, yet doeth he set hand to the Lords work with a valiant courage, waiting for the success which God should give. And thus must we do, we must valiantly attempt whatsoever the Lord commandeth, even when our endeavours seem to be vain. Furthermore whereas Satan did bewitch the Samaritans: let us know that it is the common punishment of infidelity. Al men are not bewitched in deed with the jugglings of enchanters, neither are there Simons every where, which can so seduce and deceive: but my meaning is, that it is no wonder, if Satan do mock men diversly in the dark. For they are subject to all errors whosoever are not governed by the Spirit of God. Furthermore when Luke saith that they were all seduced one with another: we are taught that neither wit, neither all that reason and wisdom which we have, are sufficient to avoid the craftiness of Satan withal. And surely we see in what foolish and doting errors they were entangled, who were counted in the world wiser than others.

11 When hee saith, that they were astonyed from the least to the greatest. For seeing all men of what estate so euer they were, were deluded, what entrance coulde the Gospel haue: especially sythence it was no meane seducing? For all their senses were besotted. And besides that we see thereby how mightie the truth is, there is also set before vs an example of constancie in Philip: who though he see no way, yet doeth hee set hand to the Lords worke with a valiant courage, waiting for the successe which God should giue. And thus must we do, we must valiantly attempt whatsoeuer the Lorde commaundeth, euen when our indeuours seeme to be vaine. Furthermore whereas Sathan did bewitch the Samaritans: let vs know that it is the common punishment of infidelitie. Al men are not bewitched in deede with the iuglings of inchaunters, neither are there Simons euery where, which can so seduce and deceiue: but my meaning is, that it is no wonder, if Sathan do mocke men diuersly in the darke. For they are subiect to all errors whosoeuer are not gouerned by the Spirite of God. Furthermore when Luke saith that they were all seduced one with another: we are taught that neither wit, neither all that reason and wisedome which we haue, are sufficient to auoide the craftinesse of Sathan withall. And surely wee see in what foolish and doting errours they were intangled, who were counted in the world wiser than others.