A17642:652
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…
The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated out of Latin into English for the great profit of our country-men, by Christopher Fetherstone student in divinityThe commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated out of Latine into English for the great profite of our countrie-men, by Christopher Fetherstone student in diuinitie
Londini: printed by Thomas Dawson, 1585
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
12 If any man ask, how he could see a great multitude of living creatures at once: the question is easily answered. For Luke saith, All manner, because there were there divers kinds mixed one with another. Therefore he beginneth not at the first kind, that he may prosecute the number unto the last. Again, we must not measure this seeing according to the manner of men: because the trance gave Peter other eyes. But before we go any farther, we must know the end of the vision. Some dispute more subtly about the same, then the place requireth, in my judgement. Therefore I think, that it is generally showed to Peter, that the difference which God had made in times past, is now taken away. And as he had put difference between living creatures: so having chosen to himself one people, he counted all nations unclean & profane.
12 If any man aske, howe hee coulde see a great multitude of liuing creatures at once: the question is easily answered. For Luke saith, All maner, because there were there diuers kinds mixed one with another. Therefore he beginneth not at the first kind, that he may prosecute the number vnto the last. Againe, wee must not measure this seeing according to the manner of men: because the traunce gaue Peter other eies. But before wee goe any farther, wee must knowe the ende of the vision. Some dispute more subtillie about the same, then the place requireth, in my iudgement. Therefore I thinke, that it is generallie shewed to Peter, that the difference which God hadde made in times past, is now taken away. And as he had put difference between liuing creatures: so hauing chosen to himselfe one people, he counted all nations vncleane & profane.
Now the difference between living creatures being taken away, ⟨p. 242⟩he teacheth by the consequent, that there is no such disagreement among men any longer, as there was in times past, & that there is no difference between the Jew and Grecian. Hereby Peter is admonished, that he do not abhor the Gentiles as being unclean. Undoubtedly God meant to encourage Peter, to come to Cornelius without fear. But he had separated one people to himself from the rest,