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…

Moreover, we may gather out of this place, that they made no small account of James: forasmuch as he doth with his voice and consent so confirm the words of Peter,¹ that they are all of his mind. And we shall see afterward how great his authority was at Jerusalem. The old writers think that this was because he was bishop of the place, but it is not to be thought that the faithful did at their pleasure change the order which Christ had appointed, Wherefore I do not doubt but that he was son to Alpheus, & Christs cousin: in which sense he is also called his brother. Whether he were bishop of Jerusalem or no, I leave it indifferent, neither doeth it greatly make for the matter, save only because the impudency of the pope is hereby refuted, because the decree of the council is set down rather at the appointment, and according to the authority of James then of Peter. And assuredly Eusebius in the beginning of his second book, is not afraid to call James whosoever he were, the Bishop of the Apostles. Let the men of Rome go now & boast that their Pope is head of the universal church, because he is Peters successor, who suffered another to rule him, if we believe Eusebius.

Moreouer, we may gather out of this place, that they made no small account of Iames: forasmuch as hee doth with his voice and consent so confirme the wordes of Peter,¹ that they are all of his minde. And we shal see afterward how great his authoritie was at Ierusalē. The olde writers think that this was because he was bishop of the place, but it is not to be thought that the faithfull did at their pleasure change the order which Christ had appointed, Wherefore I do not doubt but that he was sonne to Alpheus, & Christes consin: in which sense hee is also called his brother. Whether he wer bishop of Ierusalē or no, I leaue it indifferent, neither doeth it greatly make for the matter, saue only because the impudencie of the pope is hereby refuted, because the decree of the counsell is set downe rather at the appointment, and according to the authority of Iames then of Peter. And assuredly Eusebius in the beginning of his second book, is not afraid to cal Iames whosoeuer he wer, the Bishop of the Apostles. Let the men of Rome goe now & boast that their Pope is head of the vniuersall church, because he is Peters successour, who suffered another to rule him, if we beleeue Eusebius.