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 the yoke should be laid upon their necks. The meaning of the words is plain▪ that God is tempted when there is laid upon mens consciences, a sorer burden, then they are able to bear, and by this means the salvation of mens souls is sore shaken: Seeing that they must needs by this means be drowned in despair, which cannot be without their destruction. But that injury which is done to god is no whit more tolerable, when as he is robbed of his right, that he may not have liberty to deliver us. But we may easily gather out of the thing it self, that he doth not speak of the ceremonies only. The servitude of the old training up under the law was hard and laborious: but yet it were too absurd to call it a yoke that cannot be borne: and we know that not only holy men, but also even most hypocrites did well & exactly accomplish the outward observation of the rites.

That the yoke should be laid vpon their neckes. The meaning of the words is plaine▪ that God is tempted when there is laid vppon mens consciences, a sorer burden, then they are able to beare, and by this meanes the saluation of mens soules is sore shaken: Seeing that they must needs by this meanes be drowned in despaire, which cannot be without their destruction. But that iniurie which is done to god is no whit more tollerable, when as he is robbed of his right, that hee may not haue libertie to deliuer vs. But we may easily gather out of the thing it selfe, that he doth not speake of the ceremonies only. The seruitude of the old training vp vnder the law was hard and laborious: but yet it were too absurde to call it a yoke that cannot be borne: and we know that not only holy men, but also euen most hypocrites did wel & exactly accomplishe the outwarde obseruation of the rites.

Moreover, it were not any hard matter to satisfy the moral law, if it were content with corporal obedience only, and did not require spiritual righteousness. For it is granted to many to bridle their hands and feet: but to moderate all the affections so, that there may reign perfect abstinence and purity as well in the soul as in the body, this is too hard a matter. Therefore those be too foolish who restrain unto ceremonies Peters words, whereby the weakness of men to perform the righteousness of the heart is expressed: which doeth not only far pass their strength, but is altogether contrary to nature, These men were I warrant you deceived by one reason, because the question was moved concerning ceremonies only: but they do remember that Peter