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…

But forasmuch as it doth evidently appear that such did never taste what that meaneth, the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up:¹ let us, bidding adieu to their coldness or rather sluggishness, be most hot as becometh us, in maintaining the glory of God.

But forasmuch as it doth euidently appeare that such did neuer tast what that meaneth, the zeal of thy house hath eaten me vp:¹ let vs, bidding adue to their coldnesse or rather sluggishnesse, be most hoat as becommeth vs, in maintaining the glory of God.

1. 1Psal. 69.10.

11 Behold the hand. The hand is put here to punish: whereby he doth signify, that God is the author of this punishment, and that he is only the minister, Furthermore I think that this ability is that which Paul calleth dunamis or power.¹ For as they did excel in power of the Spirit to help the faithful with miracles, so had they the whip in their hand to tame the rebellious and obstinate with all. Such vengeance of God did Peter show upon Ananias and Sapphira. But because miracles ought for the most part to resemble the nature of Christ,² who is all gentle, sweet, bountiful, and merciful: therefore he would seldom have the apostles to show examples of the contrary power. Neither must we think that they were endued with this power to punish any man so often as it seemed good in their own eyes, but the same Spirit of god which did thus arm them, did direct them unto the lawful and right use. Therefore we must remember that which we had before, that Paul spake by inspiration of the Spirit.