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…

16 It was meet that the scripture should be fulfilled. Because Peter doth speak in this their assembly, therefore the Papists will have him to be the head of the church. As though no man might speak in any assembly of the godly, but he should straightway be Pope. We do grant, that as in every assembly there must be some which must be chief: so in this assembly the Apostles did ascribe this honour unto Peter. But what maketh this unto the proving of their Papacy? Wherefore bidding them adieu, let us consider what the Spirit doth speak by the mouth of Peter. He sayeth, That the Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, least any mans mind should be troubled with that horrible fall of Judas. For it seemed a strange thing, that he which was chosen by Christ unto so excellent a function, should so filthily fall in the beginning of his course. Peter removeth this stone of stumbling, when he saith, that it was foretold by the scripture. Whence we may gather an admonition very necessary for daily practise: namely that we ought to attribute this honour unto the Prophesies of the scriptures, that they are able to appease all such fear as we conceive of the sudden event of things. For there is nothing which doeth more trouble us, then when we stay still in our own sense and understanding, and procure unto our selves lets & doubts, which the Lord would be ready to cure, if so be that we would hold fast this one thing, that nothing is absurd which he hath foreseen, appointed, and foretold that he might make us more strong. Neither was Judas therefore excusable because that which befell him was foretold, seeing that he fell away, not being compelled by the Prophecy, but only by the malice of his own heart. The oration of Peter hath two parts. For in the first place he putteth away the offence, which godly minds might have conceived, by reason of the fall of Judas: whence also he gathereth an exhortation, that the rest may learn to fear God. Secondly, he celleth them that it remaineth that they choose an other into his place, both which he proveth by testimony of Scripture,

16 It was meete that the scripture shoulde bee fulfilled. Because Peter doth speake in this their assemblie, therfore the Papists will haue hym to bee the head of the church. As though no man might speake in anie assembly of the godly, but he should straightway bee Pope. We doe graunt, that as in euery assembly there must be some which must bee chiefe: so in this assembly the Apostles did ascribe this honour vnto Peter. But what maketh this vnto the proouing of their Papacie? Wherefore bydding them adue, let vs consider what the Spirite doth speake by the mouth of Peter. Hee saieth, That the Scripture must needes haue been fulfilled, least any mans minde should bee troubled with that horrible fall of Iudas. For it seemed a straunge thing, that hee which was chosen by Christe vnto so excellent a function, should so filthilie fall in the beginning of his course. Peter remooueth this stone of stumbling, when he saith, that it was foretolde by the scripture. Whēce we may gather an admonition very necessarie for dailie practise: namely that wee ought to attribute this honour vnto the Prophesies of the scriptures, that they are able to appease all such feare as wee conceiue of the sodaine euent of thinges. For there is nothing which doeth more trouble vs, then when we stay still in our owne sense and vnderstanding, and prcure vnto our selues lets & doubts, which the Lord would be readie to cure, if so be that we woulde hold fast this one thing, that nothing is absurde which he hath foreseene, appointed, and foretolde that hee might make vs more strong. Neither was Iudas therefore excusable because that which befell him was foretolde, seeing that he fell away, not being compelled by the Prophesie, but onely by the malice of his owne heart. The oration of Peter hath two parts. For in the first place he putteth away the offence, which godlie mindes might haue conceiued, by reason of the fall of Iudas: whence also he gathereth an exhortation, that the rest may learne to feare God. Secondly, he celleth them that it remaineth that they choose an other into his place, both which hee proueth by testimonie of Scripture,