A17642:787
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.
4 Being sent out by the holy Ghost. There is no mention made here of the Election made by the Church, because it was altogether a divine calling: the Church did only receive those who were offered them by the hand of God. He saith that they came first to Seleucia, which was a City of Syria. There was indeed a country of the same name: but it is more likely that Luke speaketh of the City, which was not far from Cyprus by sea.
4 Being sent out by the holy Ghost. There is no mention made heere of the Election made by the Church, because it was altogither a diuine calling: the Church did onely receiue those who were offered them by the hand of God. He saith that they came first to Seleucia, which was a Citie of Syria. There was indeede a countrie of the same name: but it is more likely that Luke speaketh of the Citie, which was not far from Cyprus by sea.
5 He saith that they began to preach the Gospel first in Salamis a famous City of Cyprus. Notwithstanding they seem to begin amiss: for whereas they were sent specially to the Gentiles, they preach the word of God nevertheless to the Jews, I answer that they were not so addicted to the Gentiles, that setting aside the Jews it stood them upon to go straight to the Gentiles. For when God did make them teachers of the Gentiles, he did not depose them from the office which they had heretofore exercised. So that there was no reason to let them, but that they might take pains both with Jews and Gentiles: yea ⟨p. 295⟩farther it was meet that they should begin with the Jews, as we shall see in the end of the Chapter. Moreover Luke addeth by the way, that they were holpen by John: for his meaning is not that he was their minister for any private use, or for the uses of body: but rather in that he was their helper to preach the Gospel, he commendeth his godly study and industry. Not that the degree of honour was equal, but because the labour was common to all: for which cause he had the less excuse afterward, seeing that he forsook the holy calling.