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…

Furthermore, it was a very fit kind of punishment. For seeing that the sorcerer assayed to darken the sun, and to take from others the benefit of the light, he was by good right cast into horrible darkness. But now forasmuch as many of the Papists do far exceed this sorcerer at this day in ungodliness, it is a wonder why they be suffered to be so bold without being punished. Is the hand of God weakened? Is he less careful for his glory? Hath he no care to revenge the Gospel? I answer, that this visible punishment, which was once laid upon the sorcerer, and such as this, are perpetual examples of Gods wrath against all those who are not afraid either to corrupt and deprave, or openly with slanders to resist the pure doctrine of the gospel. For we do know that miracles were wrought for a time to this end, that they may continually be in force, and be fresh before our eyes, and that they may give us light to behold the judgements of God, which we cannot see so plainly. ⟨p. 299⟩But it is not for us to prescribe God this or that way to punish his enemies. Sergius Paulus, who before he came to mans estate had no taste of true religion: who from his childhood was infected with divers superstitions, and had very hard lets, which kept him back from embracing the faith: lastly, who was bewitched with the dotings of the sorcerer, that he could scarce come to the faith, had need of no small helps: hereby it came to pass, that God did as it were reach his hand out of heaven manifestly, though he helped us all in his person. For the same gospel, the authority whereof was then established, is at this day preached to us, and yet notwithstanding God doeth not so linger, but that he showeth his fearful power divers ways against the enemies of the gospel: unless our eyes were so dull when he showeth his judgements, that we cannot see.

Furthermore, it was a very fit kinde of punishment. For seeing that the sorcerer assayed to darkē the sunne, and to take from others the benefit of the light, he was by good right cast into horrible darknesse. But now forasmuch as many of the Papists doe farre exceed this sorcerer at this day in vngodlines, it is a wonder why they be suffered to be so bolde without being punished. Is the hand of God weakened? Is he lesse carefull for his glorie? Hath he no care to reuenge the Gospel? I answeare, that this visile punishment, which was once laid vppon the sorcerer, and suche as this, are perpetuall examples of Gods wrath against all those who are not afraid either to corrupt and depraue, or openly with slaunders to resist the pure doctrine of the gospell. For wee doe knowe that myracles were wrought for a time to this end, that they may continuallie be in force, and bee fresh before our eyes, and that they may giue vs light to behold the iudgements of God, which we cannot see so plainlie.