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…

46 When they had taken liberty. Luke showeth that the servants of Christ were so far from being discouraged with the stubbornness of the enemies, that they began therefore to inveigh against them a fresh more freely. For though they had sharply pricked them, yet they did yet spare them a little: but now when they see Christ obstinately rejected by them, they excommunicate them and deprive them of the kingdom of God. And by this example are we taught, that we must not use extreme severity, save only against those who are quite past hope. And the more bold the reprobate are to oppress the truth, the more courage ought we to take to our selves. For the servants of God must be armed with invincible constancy of the Spirit, that they may never give place to the devil nor to his ministers: as the Lord commandeth Jeremiah to encounter with the reprobate with a face of iron.

46 When they had taken libertie. Luke sheweth that the seruaunts of Christ were so farre from being discouraged with the stubbernesse of the enimies, that they began therefore to inueigh against them a fresh more freely. For though they had sharply pricked them, yet they did yet spare them a little: but now when they see Christ obstinatly reiected by them, they excommunicate them and depriue them of the kingdome of God. And by this example are we taught, that wee must not vse extreme seueritie, saue onely against those who are quite past hope. And the more bold the reprobate are to oppresse the truth, the more corage ought we to take to our selues. For the seruants of God must be armed with inuincible constancie of the Spirit, that they may neuer giue place to the diuell nor to his ministers: as the Lord commandeth Ieremie to encounter with the reprobate with a face of yron.

It was necessary. He accuseth them of unthankfulness, because whereas they were chosen by God out of all people, that Christ might offer himself unto them, they refuse so great a benefit maliciously. And in the former member he setteth down the degree of honour and excellency whereunto God had exalted them: afterward followeth the upbraiding, because they do willingly cast from them so great grace: whereupon he concludeth that it is now time that the gospel be translated unto the gentiles. In that he saith that it was meet that it should first be preached to them, it doth properly appertain unto the time of Christ his kingdom. For under the Law before Christ was given, the Jews were not only the first, but alone.