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 Christ who is the substance of all good things and of eternal life, was only promised to them but he is given to us: and they desired him as being far off, we enjoy him being present.

But Christ who is the substance of all good things and of eternall life, was only promised to them but he is giuen to vs: and they desired him as being far off, we inioy him being present.

33 To their children, namely to us. It is certain that Paul speaketh of natural children, who had their beginning of the holy fathers, which we must therefore note, because certain brainsick men drawing all things unto allegories, dream that there is no respect to be had in this place of kindred, but only of faith. And with such an invention they make the holy covenant of God of none effect, where it is said, I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed. It is faith (say they) alone, which maketh us the children of Abraham.¹ But I say on the other side, that, even those who are borne the children of Abraham according to the flesh, are also counted the spiritual children of God, unless they grow out of kind through unbelief. For the boughs be naturally holy, because they spring from an holy root,² until they become profane through their own fault. And assuredly it is Paul his drift, to allure the Jews unto Christ, and that he may do this, they must be distinguished from the common sort by some privilege, and yet it followeth not thereupon (which these knaves do odiously object) that the grace of God is tied to the carnal seed. Because though the promise of life came by inheritance to the posterity of Abraham: yet many were deprived by their unbelief. Therefore faith is the cause that of a great multitude, only a few are counted children. And that is the double election whereof I spake before. The one common to all the whole nation alike: because the first adoption of God containeth the whole family of Abraham. The other which is restrained unto the secret counsel of god: and is at length established by faith, that it may be confirmed to men. Therefore Paul doth well & truly affirm that that was performed to the Jews, which god had promised to the fathers. For it was promised to them also, as Zechariah saith in his song, The oath which he sware to our father Abraham that he would give himself for us, &c. And yet the worthiness of that nation doth not hinder but that the grace of Christ may also spread it self throughout the whole world: because the first begotten hath the first degree of honour, so that he doth notwithstanding leave the second place to his brethren.