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…

13 Where they abode. Some translate it, Where they did abide: as though they did use to dwell there. But I am of that opinion, that they did then first of all use that hired room to dwell together in, until such time as the holy Spirit was come upon them. Too too ridiculous are the Papists which go about to prove Peter his supremacy hereby, because he is reckoned up first of all the Apostles. Although we do grant that he was the chiefest of the apostles, yet it doth not follow hereupon that he was the chiefest ruler of all the world. But if he be therefore the chief of all the Apostles, because his name is first in the catalogue of the apostles names: I will again conclude that the mother of Christ was inferior unto all the rest of the women, because she is reckoned the last, which they will in no case admit, as in deed it were a thing too to absurd. Wherefore unless they will set their papacy to be laughed at of all men, as hitherto they have done, they must leave of to adorn it with such foolish toys. But what is their intent? Forsooth they will prove out of the scriptures, that there was a secondary head of the Church, inferior to Christ: whereas there is no syllable in the scripture, which is consenting unto this their foolish invention. No marvel is it therefore, if they do snatch here and there certain places, which although no man smite them out of their hands, they will let fall of their own accord. But omitting them, let us mark what is Luke his purpose in this place. Because the disciples had fallen away, and filthily fled from their master Christ, every man whither fear did drive him: they did deserve like forsakers of their masters, or runagates,¹ to be deprived of honour. Therefore that we may know that by the appointment of the Lord they were gathered together again, and restored to their former degree: Luke reckoneth up all their names.

13 Where they aboade. Some translate it, Where they did abide: as though they did vse to dwell there. But I am of that opinion, that they did then first of all vse that hired roome to dwell together in, vntill such time as the holy Spirit was come vpon them. Too too ridiculous are the Papists which goe about to proue Peter his supremacie hereby, because he is reckoned vp first of all the Apostles. Although we doe graunt that he was the chiefest of the apostles, yet it doth not folow hereupō that he was the chiefest ruler of all the worlde. But if he bee therefore the chief of al the Apostles, because his name is first in the catalogue of the apostles names: I will againe conclude that the mother of Christe was inferior vnto all the rest of the women, because shee is recknoned the last, which they wil in no case admit, as in deed it were a thing too to absurd. Wherefore vnlesse they will set their papacie to bee laught at of al men, as hitherto they haue done, they must leaue of to adorn it with such folish toyes. But what is their intent? Forsooth they will proue out of the scriptures, that there was a secondarie head of the Churche, inferior to Christ: wheras ther is no syllable in the scripture, which is cōsenting vnto this their foolish inuentiō. No maruaile is it therfore, if they do snatch here and there certaine places, which although no man smite them out of their handes, they wil let fall of their owne accord. But omitting thē, let vs marke what is Luke his purpose in this place. Because the disciples had fallen away, and filthily fled frō their master Christ, euery mā whither fear did driue him: they did deserue like forsakers of their masters, or runnagates,