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…

Furthermore unskilful men judge thus, because they seek not out the head spring. For if we grant that men may pray for the dead, we must also admit this, that they are now punished by the judgement of God, because they made not satisfaction in this life for their sins. And so by this means the force of Christs satisfaction is translated unto the works of men: secondly the rule of praying aright is overthrown, if men may pray at all adventure without the word of God, this is also a greater absurdity, than that we ought lightly to pass over it. In sum, we can never give true judgement of any question, unless having throughly ripped up the fountain of that doctrine which is called in question, we deduct all consequents, which it bringeth with it. Therefore it is no marvel if Peter to the end he may pull the false apostles out by the ears, as it were out of their lurking dens, do generally dispute touching the whole law: because he doth nothing else but open the matter it self, whereof the simple were ignorant: that they may all see what a deadly doctrine it is, which doth both extinguish the grace of Christ, and drown souls in the horrible dungeon of despair.

Furthermore vnskilfull men iudge thus, because they seeke not out the head spring. For if we graunt that men may pray for the dead, wee must also admit this, that they are nowe punished by the iudgement of God, because they made not satisfaction in this life for their sinnes. And so by this means the force of Christes satisfaction is translated vnto the workes of men: secondly the rule of praying aright is ouerthrowen, if mē may pray at all aduenture without the word of God, this is also a greater absurditie, than that we ought lightly to passe ouer it. In sum, we can neuer giue true iudgement of any question, vnlesse hauing throughlye ript vp the fountain of that doctrine which is called in question, we deduct all consequents, which it bringeth with it. Therefore it is no maruell if Peter to the end he may pull the false apostles out by the eares, as it were out of their lurking dennes, doe generally dispute touching the whol law: because he doth nothing els but open the matter it self, wherof the simple were ignorant: that they may all see what a deadly doctrin it is, which doth both extinguish the grace of Christ, and drown soules in the horrible dungeon of despaire.