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, we have already declared how far the promises reach. There is no man which moveth any question concerning this, whether god be not able if he will, to make men perfect: but they dote foolish which separate his power from his counsel, whereof they have an evident & plain testimony in the scripture. God doeth plainly declare an hundred times what he will and what he hath determined to do, to go any farther is sacrilege. Hierom was enforced by reason of philosophy to hurl out the thunderbolt of his curse against Peter and Paul: because the laws must be applied unto their ability for whom they be appointed, which as I confess to take place in mans laws: so I utterly deny that it is good as touching the law of God, which in exacting righteousness doth not respect what man is able to do, but what he ought to do. Though here ariseth a harder question, whether the law were not given to this end, that it might enforce men to obey God.

Furthermore, we haue alreadie declared how farre the promises reache. There is no man which moueth anie question concerning this, whether god be not able if he wil, to make men perfect: but they dote foolishe which separate his power from his counsell, whereof they haue an euident & plaine testimonie in the scripture. God doeth plainely declare an hundreth times what hee will and what he hath determined to doe, to goe any farther is sacrilege. Hierom was inforced by reason of philosophie to hurl out the thunderbolt of his curse against Peter and Paule: because the lawes must bee applied vnto their habilitie for whom they be appointed, which as I confesse to take place in mans lawes: so I vtterly denie that it is good as touching the lawe of God, which in exacting righteousnes doth not respect what mā is able to doe, but what he ought to doe. Though here ariseth a harder question, whether the lawe were not giuen to this end, that it might enforce men to obey God.

And this should be in vain, unless the Spirit of god should direct the faithful to keep it: and that solemn protestation of Moses seemeth to put the matter out of doubt, when he saith that he giveth precepts to the Jews: not such as they may read, but in deed fulfil.