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…

39 Every one that believeth. Paul showeth how men obtain the righteousness of Christ: to wit, when they receive it by faith, and that which faith doth obtain, is not obtained by any merits of works. Wherefore Paul his opinion is plain, That we are justified by faith alone: which notwithstanding the Papists oppugn and strive against no less obstinately than bitterly. Nevertheless it is requisite that we know what the word believe doth import, which is made unsavoury to the papists through ignorance. There be also other benefits of Christ which we reap by faith. For when he regenerateth us by his Spirit, he restoreth in us the image of god, & after that the old man is crucified, he fashioneth us unto newness of life. But it was enough for Luke to express this one thing, how men return into favour with God, from whom they be estranged by sin, because we may easily pass thence unto the residue.

39 Euerie one that beleeueth. Paul sheweth how men obtaine the righteousnes of Christ: to wit, when they receiue it by faith, and that which faith doth obtaine, is not obtained by any merits of workes. Wherefore Paul his opinion is plaine, That we are iustified by faith alone: which notwithstanding the Papists oppugne and striue against no lesse obstinatly than bitterly. Neuerthelesse it is requisite that we know what the word beleue doth import, which is made vnsauery to the papists through ignorance. There be also other benefites of Christ which we reape by faith. For when he regenerateth vs by his Spirit, he restoreth in vs the image of god, & after that the old man is crucified, he fashioneth vs vnto newnes of life. But it was ynough for Luke to expresse this one thing, how men returne into fauour with God, from whom they be estraunged by sinne, because we may easily passe thence vnto the residue.

40 Take heed that that come not upon you. Because he had to do with stiffenecked men, or at least there were diverse in the company which were stiffenecked, (as if he meant with a hammer to soften their stubbornness) he addeth a chiding unto doctrine. For if the Jews had bin obedient, and willing to obey, undoubtedly he would have sought sweetly to allure them unto Christ. But it was either their sluggishness or else their wilfulness that caused him to be more angry. Like as all those must be cited to appear before Gods judgement seat, who contemn the grace of Christ, and the horrible judgement of eternal death must be denounced to those. He signifieth in deed that there is yet place left for repentance, when he willeth them to take heed: yet notwithstanding he telleth them therewithal, that unless they beware in time, the horrible vengeance of God is not far off.