A17642:75
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.
This therefore was as it were a holy number, which if it should have been diminished through the wickedness of Judas, then should the preaching of the Gospel, both have had, and also have less credit at this day: if the beginning thereof had been unperfect. Although therefore Judas would (as much as in him lay) have disappointed the purpose of Christ, yet nevertheless it stood firm and stable. He perished as he was worthy: yet did the order of the apostles remain whole and sound.
This therefore was as it were a holie number, which if it should haue beene diminished through the wickednesse of Iudas, then shoulde the preaching of the Gospel, both haue had, and also haue lesse credite at this day: if the beginning thereof had beene vnperfect. Although therefore Iudas woulde (as much as in him lay) haue disappointed the purpose of Christe, yet neuerthelesse it stoode firme and stable. He perished as he was worthy: yet did the order of the apostles remain whole and sounde.
The company of names. It is uncertain whether he meaneth the men ⟨p. 19⟩who only have the name properly, seeing the women are comprehended under the name of the men: or whether he taketh names simply, for all the heads, as the Hebrews call them souls. This may also be called in question, whether they were wont daily to frequent that parlour, in which the Apostles did dwell, or they did continually dwell there with them. For the place was scarce able to contain so great a multitude, to serve them for all necessary uses. Surely it seemeth to me a thing more like to be true, that Luke doth in this place express the number of them, that we may know that they were all gathered together, when Peter made this Sermon. Whereby we may guess, that they were not always present there. Although I dare not affirm any certain thing concerning this matter, yet being moved with a probable conjecture, I do rather lean unto this part, that the Church was gathered together then, because they had to entreat of a serious matter, and to this end also tendeth this word rising.
The companie of names. It is vncertaine whether he meaneth the men