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…

20 He gave them judges. Under this name the scripture comprehendeth rulers & governors, and here is another testimony of the infinite goodness of god toward the Jews, in that he pardoned so many back slidings in them. For it is likely that Paul handled those things more at large which Luke gathereth briefly. And we know what was the estate of the people, during all that time, seeing that through untamed wantonness they did ever now & then shake off the yoke. They were often punished with ⟨p. 304⟩most grievous plagues, yet so soon as they were once humbled, God delivered them from the tyranny of their enemies: So that he saved the body thereof alive amidst many deaths, four whole ages and one half. And hereby it appeareth how unworthy they were of the favour of God which they did despise and reject so often, unless the constancy of the election had gotten the victory. For how is it that God is never wearied, but that he keepeth promise with those who are truce breakers an hundred times, save only because turning his eyes toward his Christ, he hath not suffered his covenant grounded in him to decay or perish.

20 He gaue them iudges. Vnder this name the scripture comprehendeth rulers & gouernours, and here is another testimonie of the infinite goodnes of god toward the Iewes, in that he pardoned so many back slidings in thē. For it is likely that Paul handled those things more at large which Luke gathereth briefly. And we know what was the estate of the people, during al that time, seing that through vntamed wātonnes they did euer now & then shake off the yoke. They were often punished with ⟨p. 304⟩most greeuous plagues, yet so soone as they wer once humbled, God deliuered them from the tyrannie of their enemies: So that hee saued the body therof aliue amidst many deaths, foure whole ages and one halfe. And hereby it appeareth how vnworthie they were of the fauor of God which they did despice and reiect so often, vnlesse the constancie of the election had gotten the victorie. For how is it that God is neuer wearied, but that he keepeth promise with those who are truce breakers an hundreth times, saue only because turning his eyes toward his Christe, hee hath not suffered his couenaunt grounded in him to decay or perishe.