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…

Therefore Peter durst never have opened the gate of heaven unto the Gentiles, unless God himself, had made a plain way and entrance for all men, by taking away the wall of separation, I said even now, that there was no time wherein it was lawful to admit the Gentiles unto the worship of God, so they were circumcised: but so long as they continued in uncircumcision they were strangers with God. But now GOD made the covenant of life common to all the whole world, which he had shut up in one nation, as in a treasure whence we gather, that this vision is not a little profitable for us. For when as it teacheth that the difference between the Jews and Gentiles continued only for a season: it is as much as if god should pronounce from heaven, that he received all people of the world into favour, that he may be god over all. Finally we have an evident proclamation from heaven, which putteth us in hope of eternal life. But some man will object, that Peter was taught afore concerning this m•tter.¹ For he & the rest were commanded to preach the gospel throughout the whole world. Therefore he was either ignorant of his calling, or else this vision was superfluous. I answer, that, there was such & so great difficulty in the novelty it self, that they could not acquaint themselves therewith by & by. They knew both the prophesies of the prophets, & the late commandment of Christ concerning the calling of the Gentiles by the gospel: but when they come to the push, they doubted nevertheless, being stricken with strangeness of the thing. Wherefore it is no marvel, if the Lord confirm Peter with a new sign, concerning ⟨p. 243⟩which thing we must also say somewhat as yet in the next chapter.

Therefore Peter durst neuer haue opened the gate of heauen vnto the Gentiles, vnlesse God himselfe, had made a plain way and entrance for all men, by taking away the wall of separation, I said euen now, that there was no time wherin it was lawfull to admit the Gentiles vnto the worship of God, so they were circumcised: but so long as they continued in vncircumcision they were straungers with God. But nowe GOD made the couenant of life common to all the whole world, which he had shut vp in one nation, as in a treasure whence we gather, that this vision is not a little profitable for vs. For when as it teacheth that the differēce between the Iewes and Gentiles continued onely for a season: it is as much as if god shuld pronounce from heauen, that he receiued all people of the worlde into fauour, that he may bee god ouer all. Finally wee haue an euident proclamatiō frō heauen, which putteth vs in hope of eternal life. But some man wil obiect, that Peter was taught afore concerning this mtter.