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…

seeing they were guided by the same spirit wherewith he was governed. Notwithstanding it may be demanded for what purpose the men of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas ⟨p. 354⟩unto the rest of the Apostles. For if they did so greatly reverence them, that they stood in doubt, until they had given judgement on this side or that, their faith was hitherto vain and altogether none. But the answer is easy: Seeing they knew that all the Apostles were sent by Christ alone with the same commandments, and that they had the same Spirit given them, they were fully persuaded of the end & success, and undoubtedly this counsel proceeded from honest & stout men, who were not ignorant that the knaves did falsely pretend the names of James & Peter. Wherefore they sought nothing else but that the Apostles might further a good matter with their consent. To the same end were all holy Synods assembled since the beginning, that grave men and such as were well exercised in the word of God might decide controversies, not after their own pleasure, but according to the authority of God. This is worth the noting, least the papists pierce any man with their loud outcries, who to the end they may overthrow Christ, and his Gospel, and put out all the light of godliness: thrust upon us Councils: as if every definition & determination of men were to be counted an heavenly oracle. But if the holy fathers had their fitting at this day, they would cry with one mouth, that there was nothing more unlawful for them, neither did they mean any thing less, than to set down or deliver any thing, without having the word of Christ for their guide, who was their only teacher even as he is ours. I omit this that the Papists lean only unto untimely Councils which breath out nothing but gross ignorance and Barbarism. But even the best & most choice must be reckoned in that number, that they may be subject to the word of God. There is a grievous complaint of Gregory Nazianzene extant, that there was never any Council which had a good end. What excellency so ever did flourish and was in force in the Church, it cannot be denied but that it began to decay an hundred years after. Therefore if that holy man were now living how stoutly would he reject the toys of the Papists?

seing they were guided by the same spirit wherewith he was gouerned. Notwithstanding it may be demanded for what purpose the men of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas ⟨p. 354⟩