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…

And if at any time the Lord let lose the bridle to the wicked to trouble us, let the inward consolation of the spirit be sufficient for us. Finally as well in peace as in war let us always joyfully go forward toward him who hath a reward for us. Edification may be taken either for increase, to wit, whiles the Churches are augmented with the number of the faithful, or for their going forward who are already in the flock, to wit, whiles they have new gifts given them, and have greater confirmation of godliness. In the first signification it shall be referred unto the persons: in the second unto the gifts of the Spirit. I embrace both willingly: that there were some ever now and then gathered unto the Church, who were strangers before, and those who were of the household of the Church, did increase in godliness and other virtues. Furthermore the metaphor of a building is very convenient, because the Church is the temple and house of God,¹ and every one of the faithful is also a temple. The two things which follow, that They walked in the fear of God, and that they were filled with the consolation of the Spirit, are parts of that edification. Therefore though the Churches had peace, yet they were not drunken with delights, and earthly joy, but trusting to Gods help, they were more emboldened to glorify God.

And if at any time the Lord let lose the bridle to the wicked to trouble vs, let the inwarde consolation of the spirite bee sufficient for vs. Finally as well in peace as in warre let vs alwayes ioyfully goe forward toward him who hath a reward for vs. Edification may be taken either for increase, to wit, whiles the Churches are augmented with the number of the faithfull, or for their going forward who are alreadie in the flocke, to wit, whiles they haue new gifts giuen them, and haue greater confirmation of godlinesse. In the first signification it shall be referred vnto the persons: in the seconde vnto the giftes of the Spirite. I imbrace both willingly: that there were some euer nowe and then gathered vnto the Church, who were straungers before, and those who were of the houshold of the Church, did encrease in godlinesse and other vertues. Furthermore the metaphore of a building is verie conuenient, because the Church is the temple and house of God,¹ and euerie one of the faithfull is also a temple. The two thinges which followe, that They walked in the feare of God, and that they were filled with the consolation of the Spirite, are partes of that edification. Therefore though the Churches had peace, yet they were not drunken with delights, and earthlie ioy, but trusting to Gods helpe, they were more emboldned to glorifie God.