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…

5 But prayers were made. Luke teacheth here that the faithful did not in the mean season forslow their duty, Peter stood in the foreward alone, but all the rest fought with their prayers together with him, and they aided him so much as they were able. Hereby we do also gather that they were not discouraged: for by prayer they testify that they persist so much as they are able in defence of the cause, for which Peter is in danger of life. This place teacheth, first, how we ought to be affected when we see our brethren persecuted by the wicked, for the testimony of the gospel. For if we be slothful, and if we be not inwardly touched with their dangers, we do not only defraud them of the due duty of love, but also treacherously forsake the confession of our faith: and assuredly, if the cause be common, yea if they fight for our safety and salvation, we do not only forsake them, but even Christ and our selves: and the present necessity requireth, that they be far more fervent in prayer, then commonly they are, whosoever will be counted christians. We see some of our brethren (being brought to extreme poverty) live in exile, others we see imprisoned, many cast into stinking dungeons, many consumed with fire, yea we see new torments oftentimes invented, whereby being long tormented, they may feel death. Unless these provocations sharpen our desire to pray, we be more then blockish. Therefore so soon as any persecution ariseth let us by and by get our selves to prayer.

5 But prayers were made. Luke teacheth here that the faithfull did not in the meane season foreslowe their dutie, Peter stoode in the foreward alone, but all the rest fought with their prayers together with him, and they ayded him so much as they were able. Heereby we doe also gather that they were not discouraged: for by praier they testifie that they persist so much as they are able in defence of the cause, for which Peter is in danger of life. This place teacheth, first, how we ought to be affected when we see our brethren persecuted by the wicked, for the testimonie of the gospell. For if wee bee slothfull, and if we be not inwardly touched with their daungers, we doe not only defraude them of the due dutie of loue, but also treacherously forsake the confession of our faith: and assuredly, if the cause be common, yea if they fight for our saftie and saluation, we do not only forsake them, but euen Christ and our selues: and the present necessitie requireth, that they be farre more feruent in praier, then commonly they are, whosoeuer will bee counted christians. We see some of our brethren (being brought to extreeme pouertie) liue in exile, others we see imprisoned, many cast into stinking dungeons, manie consumed with fire, yea we see newe torments oftentimes inuented, whereby being long tormented, they may feele death. Vnlesse these prouocations sharpen our desire to pray, we be more then blockish. Therefore so sone as any persecution ariseth let vs by and by get our selues to prayer.