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…

That those were ordained before unto life, who being ingrafted into the body of Christ by faith, do receive the earnest and pledge of their adoption in Christ. Whence we do also gather, what force the preaching of the Gospel ⟨p. 327⟩hath of it self. For it doth not find faith in men, save only because God doeth call those inwardly whom he hath chosen, and because he draweth those who were his own before, unto Christ.¹ Also Luke teacheth in the same words, that it cannot be that any of the elect should perish. For he saith not that one or a few of the elect did believe, but so many as were elect. For though Gods election be unknown to us, until we perceive it by faith: yet is it not doubtful or in suspense in his secret counsel: because he commendeth all those whom he counteth his to the safeguard and tuition of his son, who will continue a faithful keeper even unto the end. Both members are necessary to be known. When Election is placed above faith, there is no cause why men should challenge to themselves any thing in any part of their salvation. For if faith wherein consisteth salvation, which is unto us a witness of the free adoption of God, which coupleth us to Christ, and maketh his life ours, whereby we possess God with his righteousness, & finally whereby we receive the grace of sanctification, be grounded without us, in the eternal counsel of God: what good things so ever we have, we must needs acknowledge that we have received it of the grace of God, which doth prevent us of it own accord. Again because many entangle themselves in doubtful and thorny imaginations, whiles that they seek for their salvation in the hidden counsel of God, let us learn that the election of God is therefore approved by faith, that our minds may be turned unto Christ, as unto the pledge of Election, & that they may seek no other certainty,² save that which is revealed to us in the Gospel: I say, let this seal suffice us, that whosoever believeth in the only begotten son of God, hath eternal life.

That those were ordeined before vnto life, who being ingrafted into the bodie of Christ by faith, doo receiue the earnest and pledge of their adoption in Christ. Whence we do also gather, what force the preaching of the Gospel ⟨p. 327⟩