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…

But when as not only the grace of the holy Spirit is present, to govern us, but also free forgiveness of sins to deliver and acquit us from the curse of the Law: then is that of Moses fulfilled, that the commandment is not above us:¹ and then do we also perceive how sweet the yoke of Christ is, & how light his burden is. For because we know that through the mercy of God that is forgiven us, which is wanting through the infirmity of the flesh, We do cheerfully and without any grief take upon us that which he enjoineth us. Wherefore so that the rigour of the law be taken away the doctrine of the Law shall not only be tolerable, but also joyful & pleasant: neither must we refuse the bridle which doth govern us mildly: & doth not urge us sorer then is expedient.

But when as not only the grace of the holy Spirit is present, to gouerne vs, but also free forgiuenesse of sinnes to deliuer and acquit vs from the curse of the Lawe: then is that of Moses fulfilled, that the commandement is not aboue vs:¹ and then doe we also perceiue how sweet the yoke of Christ is, & how light his burden is. For because we know that through the mercy of God that is forgiuen vs, which is wanting through the infirmitie of the flesh, Wee doe cheerefully and without any griefe take vpon vs that which hee inioyneth vs. Wherefore so that the rigour of the lawe be taken away the doctrine of the Lawe shall not only be tollerable, but also ioyfull & pleasant: neither must we refuse the bridle which doth gouerne vs mildly: & doth not vrge vs sorer then is expedient.

1. 1Deut. 30.11 Mat. 11.30.

11 By the grace of Jesus Christ. Peter compareth these two together as contrary the one to the other: to have hope in the grace of Christ, & to be under the yoke of the law. Which comparison doth greatly set out the justification of Christ, in as much as we gather thereby, that those are justified by faith, who being free and quit from the yoke of the law, seek for salvation in the grace of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, I said before that the yoke of the law is made of two cords. The former is, He which doth these things shall live in them. The other, Cursed is every one which doth not continue in all the commandments. Let us return unto the contrary member. If we cannot otherwise attain unto salvation by the grace of Christ, unless the yoke of the law be taken away, it followeth, that salvation is not placed in keeping the law, neither are those which believe in Christ subject to the curse of the law. For if he could be saved through grace, who is as yet in wrapped in the yoke of the law, then should Peters reasoning be but foolish, which is drawn from contraries, thus, We hope for salvation by the grace of Christ: therefore we are not under the yoke of the law. Unless there were a disagreement between the grace of Christ and the yoke of the law, Peter should deceive us.