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…

Giving alms. There is also the figure Synecdoche in this member. For as it was said even now that the worship of God was proved by prayers: so now when Luke speaketh of love he maketh choice of one kind: whereby he showeth that Cornelius was a liberal and bountiful man. For our godliness ought so to appear to men, that we declare that we fear God, by using bountifulness and justice. The word alms is translated unto those external good works wherewith we help the poor, forasmuch as miserecordia or mercy, is the inward affection of the hart properly. For from this fountain springeth true and well ordered bountifulness, if the troubles and sorrows of our brethren do move us to compassion: if considering the unity which is amongst us,¹ we foster and cherish them as we would cherish our own flesh, and study to help them as we would help our own members. Hypocrites are in deed sometimes liberal, or at least bountiful: but howsoever they waste all, yet no relief which they shall bestow upon the poor, shall be worthy to be called by the name of alms. For we must hold that of Paul, He which hath no love is nothing though he give all his goods to the poor.² Let us therefore learn by this word, that God doth then allow our liberality, if we relieve the poverty of the poor being moved with compassion, and if as it were with open bowels we bestow that which the liberality of God doth give. Whereas Luke saith, that he gave alms to all the people it signifieth as much, as every where to the poor. For there were not a few rich men, to whom to have given had bin an absurd thing. But whereas he bestowed so liberally upon the Jews, he declared, how he agreed with them in religion: in which respect Luke saith shortly after that he was allowed of all the Jews. And if so be it he was such an excellent mirror of godliness & holiness even when he had but a small smattering of faith, although he were letted so many ways, ought not we to be ashamed who will be accounted most christian doctors, & are yet so cold in the exercises of godliness. If a small sparkle of faith prevailed so much in him, what ought the full brightness of knowledge to work in us?

Giuing almes. There is also the figure Synecdoche in this member. For as it was saide euen now that the worshippe of God was proued by prayers: so now whē Luke speketh of loue he maketh choice of one kind: wherby he sheweth that Cornelius was a liberal and bountifull mā. For our godlinesse ought so to appeare to men, that we declare that we fear God, by vsing bountifulnesse and iustice. The word almes is translated vnto those externall good workes wherewith we help the poore, forasmuch as miserecordia or mercy, is the inward affection of the hart properly. For from this fountain springeth true and well ordered bountifulnesse, if the troubles and sorrowes of our brethren doe moue vs to compassion: if considering the vnitie which is amongst vs,