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…

Wherefore those must needs depart from the righteousness of the law, whosoever desire to find life in Christ. For this contrariety appertaineth not unto doctrine: but unto the cause of justification. Whereby is also refuted their surmise, who say that we are justified by the grace of Christ: because he regenerateth us by his Spirit, & giveth us strength to fulfil the law: those who imagine this, though they seem to ease the yoke of the law a little, yet they keep souls bound with both the cords thereof. For this promise shall always stand in force, He which shall do these things shall live in them, on the other side, the curse shall come upon all which shall not absolutely fulfil the law. Wherefore we must define the grace of Christ far otherwise (whereunto the hope of salvation leaneth) then they dream: to wit, that it be free reconciliation gotten ⟨p. 366⟩by the sacrifice of his death: or which is all one, free forgiveness of sins, which by pacifying and appeasing God, doth make him of an enemy or severe judge, and which cannot be pleased, nor entreated, a merciful father. I confess indeed that we be regenerate into newness of life by the grace of Christ: but when we are about assurance of salvation, then must we call to mind the free adoption alone, which is joined with the purging & forgiveness of sins. For if works be admitted, that they may make us righteous even in part only, the yoke of the law shall not be broken, and so Peter his contrariety shall fall to the ground, or else be dissolved.

Wherefore those must needes depart from the righteousnesse of the law, whosoeuer desire to finde life in Christ. For this contrarietie appertaineth not vnto doctrine: but vnto the cause of iustification. Whereby is also refuted their surmise, who say that we are iustified by the grace of Christ: because he regenerateth vs by his Spirit, & giueth vs strength to fulfil the law: those who imagin this, thogh they seem to ease the yoke of the law a little, yet they keep soules bound with both the cordes therof. For this promise shall alwayes stand in force, He which shall do these thinges shall liue in them, on the otherside, the curse shal com vppon all which shall not absolutely fulfill the lawe. Wherefore wee must define the grace of Christe farre otherwise (whereunto the hope of saluation leaneth) then they dreame: to wit, that it bee free reconciliation gotten ⟨p. 366⟩