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…

The third vice of this doctrine was, because it darkened the light of the Church, or at least did put in as it were certain clouds, that Christ the sun of righteousness might not give perfect light. In sum, Christianity should shortly have come to nothing, if Paul should have yielded to such beginnings. Therefore he entereth the combat not for the external uncircumcision of the flesh, but for the free salvation of men. Secondly that he may acquit and set free godly consciences from the curse of the Law, and the gilt of eternal death. Last of all that after all hinderances are driven away, the brightness of the grace of Christ may shine as in a pleasant and clear heaven. Moreover these knaves did great injury to the Law when they did wickedly corrupt the right use thereof. This was the natural and right office of the Law, to lead men by the hand like a schoolmaster unto Christ: therefore it could not be worse corrupt, then when under colour of it, the power and grace of Christ were diminished. After this sort must we look into the fountains of all questions, least by our silence we betray the truth of God, so often as we see satan by his subtlety aim right at it: neither let our minds be changed and wax faint through any perils, or reproaches and slanders: because we must constantly defend pure religion though heaven and earth must go together.¹ The servants of Christ must be no fighters: therefore if there be any contention risen, they must rather study to appease and pacify the same by their moderation, than by and by to blow to the assault. Secondly they must take good heed of superfluous and vain conflicts: neither shall they handle controversies of any small weight: but when they see Satan wax so proud, that religion cannot any longer continue safe and sound unless he be prevented, they must needs take a good hart to them, and rise to resist: neither let them fear to enter even most hateful combats. The name of peace is in deed plausible and sweet: but cursed is that peace which is purchased with so great loss, that we suffer the doctrine of Christ to perish, by which alone we grow together into godly and holy unity.

The third vice of this doctrine was, because it darkned the light of the Church, or at least did put in as it were certaine clouds, that Christ the sonne of righteousnes might not giue perfect light. In summe, Christianitie should shortly haue come to nothing, if Paul should haue yeelded to such beginnings. Therfore he entreth the cumbate not for the external vncircumcision of the flesh, but for the free saluation of men. Secondly that he may acquit and set free godly consciences from the cursse of the Lawe, and the gilt of eternall death. Last of all that after all hinderances are driuen away, the brightnes of the grace of Christ may shine as in a pleasant and cleare heauen. Moreouer these knaues did great iniurie to the Law when they did wickedly corrupt the right vse thereof. This was the naturall and right office of the Law, to lead men by the hand like a scholemaster vnto Christ: therefore it could not be worse corrupt, then when vnder colour of it, the power and grace of Christ were diminished. After this sort must we looke into the fountaines of all questions, least by our silence we betray the truth of God, so often as we see satan by his subtiltie aime right at it: neither let our mindes be changed and wax faint through any perils, or reproches and slanders: because we must constantly defend pure religion though heauen and earth must goe togither.