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…

17 Who was I. Now do we see to what end Peter made that narration: to wit, that he might declare, that God was the author and governor of all the whole matter. Therefore the state of the question consisteth in the authority of God: whether meat be not of more weight then mens counsels. Peter affirmeth that he did nothing but that which was rightly and orderly done, because he obeyed god: he showeth that he preached the doctrine of the gospel, neither amiss, neither rashly, where Christ bestowed the graces of his Spirit. The approbation of our doctrine, and also our deeds must be brought to this rule so often as men call us to an account. For whosoever stayeth himself upon the commandment of god, he hath defence enough: if men be not content, there is no cause why he should pass for their judgements any more. And Hereby we gather that the faithful ministers of gods word, may in such sort give an account of their doctrine, that they may no whit impair the credit and certainty thereof: to wit, if they show that it was given them by God, but if they shall deal with unjust men, who will not be enforced with the reverence of God to yield, let us let them alone with their obstinacy, appealing unto the day of the Lord. And we must also note, ⟨p. 269⟩that we do not only resist God by striving against him, but also by lingering, if we do not that which our calling requireth and which is proper to it. For Peter saith, that he cannot deny baptism and brotherly fellowship to the Gentiles, but that he should be an enemy to God. But he should have assayed nothing which was manifestly contrary to the grace of God. That is true in deed, but he which doth not receive those whom god offereth, and shutteth the gate which god openeth, he hindereth the work of God so much as in him lieth: as we say at this day, that those men make war against god, who are set against the baptising of infants: because they most cruelly exclude those out of the church whom god hath adopted into the church: and they deprive those of the outward sign whom God vouchsafeth to call his children. Like unto this is that kind of resisting, in that many dissemblers, who, whiles they be magistrates ought to assist according to their office, the martyrs of Christ, go about to stop their mouths and to take from them their liberty.

17 Who was I. Now doe we see to what end Peter made that narration: to wit, tha he might declare, that God was the authour and gouernour of all the whole matter. Therefore the state of the question consisteth in the authoritie of God: whether meat bee not of more weight then mens counsels. Peter affirmeth that hee did nothing but that which was rightly and orderly done, because he obeied god: hee sheweth that he preached the doctrin of the gospel, neither amisse, neither rashly, where Christ bestowed the graces of his Spirit. The approbatiō of our doctrine, and also our deedes must be brought to this rule so often as mē call vs to an account. For whosoeuer stayeth himselfe vpon the commā dement of god, he hath defence enough: if men be not content, there is no cause why he should passe for their iudgements any more. And Hereby wee gather that the faithfull ministers of gods worde, may in such sort giue an account of their doctrine, that they may no whit impayr the credite and certaintie thereof: to wit, if they shew that it was giuen thē by God, but if they shall deale with vniust men, who will not be enforced with the reuerence of God to yeeld, let vs let them alone with their obstinacie, appealing vnto the day of the Lorde. And we must also note,