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…

27 He doth wisely and in due time prevent an offence which might have been a great hinderance to their faith. For Jerusalem was Gods sanctuary, the kings seat, the fountain of truth, and the light of all the whole world, but Christ was put to death there. Furthermore, nothing could seem more absurd to look too, then to receive him, who was cast out of the temple of God: and to seek the doctrine of salvation any where else, then there whence God himself had testified it should come. Moreover by believing in Christ they seemed to make a departure from the church. And therefore this one objection was strong enough to refute all Paul his sermon, why doest thou force upon us under colour of Gods covenant, a man whom the principal part of the holy people condemned? This objection doth Paul answer, least it hinder the course of the Gospel. And not that only, but he tu•neth it also to the contrary part. For seeing that the author of life was despised & rejected at Jerusalem, Paul exhorteth the men of Antioch, at least those who among them feared God, that they receive him so much the more joyfully. For this doth the casual word declare: as if he should have said, seeing that Jerusalem knew not her good, it behoveth you to be the more awaked and inflamed, least the same unthankfulness and frowardness be found in you.

27 He doth wisely and in due time preuent an offence which might haue been a great hinderance to their faith. For Ierusalem was Gods sanctuarie, the kinges seat, the fountaine of truth, and the light of all the whole worlde, but Christ was put to death there. Furthermore, nothing could seeme more absurd to looke too, then to receiue him, who was cast out of the temple of God: and to seeke the doctrine of saluation any where els, then there whence God himselfe had testified it should come. Moreouer by beleeuing in Christ they seemed to make a departure from the church. And therfore this one obiectiō was strōg enough to refute al Paul his sermon, why doest thou force vpon vs vnder colour of Gods couenant, a man whom the principall part of the holy people condemned? This obiection doth Paul answere, least it hinder the course of the Gospel. And not that only, but he tu•neth it also to the contrarie part. For seeing that the author of life was despiced & reiected at Ierusalem, Paul exhorteth the men of Antioch, at least those who among them feared God, that they receiue him so much the more ioyfully. For this doth the casuall worde declare: as if hee should haue saide, seeing that Ierusalem knewe not her good, it behoueth you to bee the more awaked and inflamed, least the same vnthankfulnesse and frowardnesse bee founde in you.