Apostles Gal. 2.9 For they are enforced to confesse that it is he whom Paul commendeth so honourably that hee maketh him the chiefe among the three pillars of the church Assuredly a man inferiour in order and degree could neuer haue excelled the Apostles so farre For Paul giueth him the title of an Apostle Neither is that worth the hearing which Hierome bringeth that the worde is generall there seeing that the dignitie of the order is there handled for as much as Christe did preferre the Apostles before other Teachers of the church 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 Cha. 21.18 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 Men and brethren heare me Iames his oration consisteth vppon two principall members For first he confirmeth and proueth the calling of the gētiles by the testimony of the prophet Amos secondly he sheweth what is best to be don to nourish peace cōcord among the faithfull yet so that the liberty of the gentiles may cōtinue safe sound that the grace of Christ may not be darkned Whereas Peter is in this place called Simeon it may be that this name was diuersly pronounced then Whereas he saith that God did visit to take a people of the Gentiles it is referred vnto the mercy of God whereby hee vouchsafed to receiue strangers into his familie It is in deed a harsh phrase yet such as containeth a profitable doctrine because hee maketh God the authour of the calling of the Gentiles and pronounceth that it is through his goodnesse that they began to be reckoned among his people when he saith that they were taken by him but he proceedeth further when he saith that he did visit that he might take For this is his meaning that at such time as the Gentiles were turned away from God hee did mercifully looke vpon them because we can doe nothing but depart farther and farther from him vntill such time as his fatherly look preuent vs of his owne accord In his name The old interpreter hath To his name which is almost all one though the preposition epi may be otherwise translated to wit For his name or vpon his name Neither shal the sense disagree that the saluation of the Gentiles is grounded in the power or name of god and that God did respect no other thing in calling them but his own glory yet did I retaine that which is more vsuall to wit that in numbring them among his people he would haue them counted in his name like as it shal be said shortly after that his name is called vpon by all those whom he gathereth together into his church The aduerbe of time proton may be expounded two wayes if you read it first as the old interpreter and Erasmus haue it the sense shal be that Cornelius and others were as it were the first frutes at whō God began the calling of the Gentiles but it may be taken also comparitiuely because there was already some token of the adoption of the Gentiles shewed in Cornelius and his cosins before that Barnabas and Paul preached the gospel to the Gentiles And I do better like this latter sense 15 Heereto agree the wordes of the prophets Wee see now how the Apostles tooke nothing to themselues imperiously but did reuerently folow that which was prescribed in the word of God Neither did it greeue them neither did they count it any disgrace to them to professe themselues to be the scholers of the scripture Also wee must here note that the vse of the doctrine of the prophets is yet in force which some brainsicke men would banish out of the church By citing the prophets in the plurall number to be witnesses whereas he doth alleage one place only hee signifieth that there is such an agreement among them that that which is spoken by one is the common testimonie of them all because they speake all with one mouth and euery one speaketh as in the person of all or rather the spirit of God speaketh in them all Moreouer the Oracles of all the prophetes were gathered togeather that they might make one bodie Wherefore that might worthily and fitly be ascribed to all the prophets in generall which was taken out of som one part of the generall booke 16 After these things I will returne Because the place is not cited word for word as it is in the prophet we must see what difference there is thogh it be not necessary to examin straitly what diuersitie there is in the wordes so it appeare that the prophesie doeth fitly agree with the matter which is in hand After that God hath promised the restoring of the tabernacle of Dauid he saith also that he will bring to pas that the Iewes shall possesse the remnants of Edom. In all that text there appeareth nothing as yet whence the calling of the gentiles can be fet or gathered but that which followeth immediatly after in the prophet concerning the remnant of the Gentiles which shall call vpon the name of the Lord doeth plainly shewe that the Iewes Gentiles shall make one church because that which was then proper to the Iewes alone is giuē to both in generall For God placeth the Gentiles in like degree of honor with the Iewes when he wil haue them to call vpon his name Those of Idumea and the people there about were in times past vnder Dauid subiect to the Iewes but though they were tributaries to the people of God yet were they neuerthelesse strangers from the church Therefore this was newes a strange thing in that God reckoneth them vp with the holy people that he may be called the God of thē al. Seing that it is certaine that they are all made equall in honour among themselues by this meanes Whereby it doth plainly appeare how well the testimonie of
than I found In that trulie there can be no offence if withdrawing my selfe from the contempt of those who loath my dutifulnesse I suffer them to enioy those delights of theirs which they desire and wherein they delight Of you most famous prince haue I made choise not without good cause whom I might put in the place of two both because I thinke you most worthie to haue your name appeare in the spirituall building of Christes temple neither doe I feare but that my booke shall finde the same friendship at your handes which you did vouchsafe to declare towardes mee in your most gentle letters But omitting at this time the respect of priuate good will I will stay in another thing Moreouer I may full well applie vnto you that speech which I had before with another Neither am I determined in this place to commend those most excellent vertues wherwith you haue purchased great authoritie singular fauor with the king of Polonia I am rather bent vnto an exhortation the summe wherof shall be this that with the like readines ioifulnes wherwith you haue at the beginning receiued the pure doctrine of the Gospell that with the like stoutnes of courage wherwith you haue hitherto indeuored to maintain the true worship of God you do with the same coÌ„stancie prosecute this course vnto the end It was surely a point of rare vertue that wheras you did know that many did haâ—e nothing more then than the frank profession and free studie of godlines yet so soone as the truth of the Gospell of Christe did once shine and appeare vnto you you did not feare by giuing your name to prouoke their hatred against you Neither doe those offices and good turnes deserue small prayse which you did not cease to bestow vpon the cherishing and increasing of the first beginnings of the Church although this your diligence did purchase vnto you great enuie amongest manie noble men which did not allowe the same But because you haue no lesse harde straites to passe through you must oftentimes stirre vp and encourage your selfe to ouercome them all vntill you haue finished the last act And so much the more carefully because manie princes although they see the estate of the Church filthily corrupt yet dare they attempt no remedie because that daunger which they feare will proceede from innouation when euilles must bee driuen out of their olde and quiet possession doth hinder and keepe them back from doing their dutie Other some thinke it to be an absurde and foolish thing to touch or set hande to diseases which are vncurable Other some I cannot tell through what frowardnesse doe flie from and abhorre all manner of reformation But to intreate of those lets wherewith you are enuironned on euerie side it were superfluous especiallie seeing you knowe them well enough Yet howsoeuer Sathan doeth assault you and with what combats soeuer he doth exercise you you can not without great wickednesse bee wearie of this holy warfare which you haue professed vnder Christe his banner Furthermore although you bee forwarde enough of your selfe yet I hope it will neither bee troublesome neither yet vnprofitable for you to haue your prosperous course of your earnest studie holpen and furthered with this help which God doeth offer vnto your handes by mee So often as wee see thinges tossed to and fro and as it were turned topsie turuie in the world there can no more fit and sure proppe bee found to establishe and stay our weake consciences than when as setting before our eyes the kingdome of Christe as it doth nowe appeare wee consider what hath been the estate and condition of the same from the beginning When we speake of the kingdome of Christ wee must respect two thinges the doctrine of the Gospell wherby Christ doth gather vnto himselfe a church and whereby he gouerneth the same beeing gathered together Secondly the societie of the godly who beeing coupled togeather by the sincere faith of the gospel are truly accounted the people of God Both which things howe liuely they are expressed by Luke in the Actes of the Apostles it is better to knowe by the reading of the whole book than to beleeue either my commendation or the commendation of anie man els For although the sonne of GOD hath alwayes reigned euen from the first beginning of the worlde yet after that beeing reuealed in the fleshe hee published his Gospell hee beganne then to erect a more famous Tribunall seate than before whence hee doeth now appeare most plainely and to be also most glorious If we turne our eies hither they shal be fedde not with a vaine picture as Virgil saith of his Aeneas but with the sound knowledge of those things from which we must fetch life And to the end I may returne vnto that whereof I determined to speak this is the best refuge for the conscience of men where they may quietly rest amidst these troublesome tempests wherewith the world is shaken Finally this meditation alone shall bring to passe that that shall neuer befall vs which too too many experiments do proue to haue ben truely spoken by Ennius in times past of the more part of men that wisedome is driuen away so often as the matter is handled by violence For if in the greatest and most vehement heat of combats the sweete harmonie of instruments was of such force amongst the Lacedemonians that it did aswage that furiousnes and fearcenes which was ingendred in that warlike people and did temper that violence which doth then out of measure rage in those natures which are otherwise vnpatient how much more shall the kingdome of Christ do this by the heauenlie pleasant tune of the holy Ghost which doth not onely tame most cruel beastes but maketh also Lambes of Wolues Lyons and Beares which turneth speares into hookes and swords into ploughshares Therefore seeing that most noble Prince I offer vnto you such kinde of temperature as the necessitie of times requireth I hope that this duetie of mine shall not be vnwelcome to your highnes so that indeede you shall perceiue this kind of confirmation to be very profitable fit to looke into the beginning of the Church as it is described of Luke wherein appeareth both wonderfull power of God vnder the reproch of the crosse and also most valiant patience of the seruants of God vnder the huge burden of troubles and the successe it selfe vncredible to the iudgement of the worlde bringeth forth most plentifull fruite of both But that I may omit other things which you had better set out by reading of Luke himselfe I will touch one thing which is proper to earthly princes and the chiefe gouernours of kingdomes and countries To wit that seeing that the power of the whole world gainesaying and al men which were then in authoritie being armed to oppresse the Gospel a few men obscure vnarmed and contemptible trusting onely to the aid of the truth the spirit did labor so
certifieth vs that he is alwayes mindfull of his and a perpetuall gouernour of his Church because the holy spirite did discende from heauen to this ende whereby we learne that the distance of place doeth no whit hinder Christ from being present with those that be his at all times Nowe heere is most liuely painted out the beginning of Christs kingdome and as it were the renuing of the worlde For although the sonne of God had gathered togither by his preaching a certaine Church before such time as he departed out of the world yet neuerthelesse that was the best forme of the Church which began then when as the Apostles hauing new power giuen them from aboue began to preach that that onely sheapherd did both die and also rise againe that through his conduct all those which were dispersed farre and wide vpon the face of the whole earth might bee gathered vnto one sheepefolde Heere is therefore set downe both the beginning and also the increasing of â—he Church of Christ after his ascension whereby he was declared to be king both of heauen and earth Furthermore therein appeareth as well the merueilous power of Christ as the great force and efficacie of the Gospel it selfe for in that Christ by a sort of simple soules and of no reputation amongst men being endued also with no eloquence at al hath subdued the whole world so easily by the only voice of the Gospel whereas notwithstanding Satan did resist him with so manie lets he hath shewed a most manifest token of his diuine power and might therein And also we see in the same the incredible force of the Gospel that it did not only come forth shew it self although the whole world did say nay but also with great glorie and maiestie make all that which did seeme stubborn to be obedient vnto Christ. Therfore these few simple creatures did more preuaile against the troublesome tumults of the world with the base simple sound of their mouth than if God should openly haue thrown down lightnings from heauen And on the other side the spirit of God teacheth vs that the kingdome of Christ beginneth neuer sooner to florish but by and by Sathan opposeth himselfe most furiously against the same and vseth all his engines either vtterly to ouerthrow or sore to shake the same Neither are we onely taught that Sathan doth resist Christ as an enimie but also that the whole world doth furiously rage togither against him that he may not reigne ouer them Yea furthermore that is to be set downe as a thing most certaine that wicked men whiles they doe so rage against the Gospell doe both fight vnder Sathans banner and are pricked forward by him into so blind furie Hereupon doe arise so many vprores so manie plaguie conspiracies so many diuellish indeuours of the reprobate to ouerthrow the Gospel and to hinder the free passage of the same which Luke setteth downe almost in euery place Lastly like as the Apostles haue indeede tried that the doctrine of the Gospel is a fire and a sword so may we learne by their experience that it will alwaies come to passe not onely by the obstinate malice of Satan but also by the fatall stubbornnes of men that the Gospel shal suffer many conflicts and that thereby many tumultes shal be raised But on the other side he declareth that the Apostles with a stout stomacke with a liuely courage and inuincible valiantnesse of minde did notwithstanding execute the office which they knewe was inioyned them by God also what innumerable troubles they suffered with great perseuerance what werisomnes they passed ouer how patiently they susteined most cruel persecution and lastly how meekely they suffered reproch sorow and calamitie of all sortes And we must learne patience by such examples seeing the sonne of God hath pronounced that the crosse and tribulation shall alwaies accompanie his Gospel we must not pamper and cherish our selues with a vaine hope as though the state and condition of the Church should be quiet prosperous and florishing heere vpon earth Let vs therefore addresse our selues to suffer the like things And that is added as no small comfort for vs that as God hath merueilously deliuered his Church in times past being afflicted and oppressed so many waies so he will at this day be present with vs also For surely seeing that in this booke is declared howe that God by his mightie hand outstretched arme alone doth continually defend his Church being amidst continuall deathes God himselfe by this meanes setteth before our eies his continuall prouidence in procuring the safetie thereof Furthermore here are set downe certaine sermons of the Apostles which intreate in such sort of the great mercies of God of the grace of Christ of the hope of blessed immortalitie of the calling vpon God of repentance and the feare of God and also of other principall pointes of Christian doctrine that we neede not seeke the whole sum of godlinesse any where else But that I may nowe omit the declaration of sound and pure doctrine If that be a thing most needfull to be knowne namely to vnderstand how the Church of Christ first began how the Apostles began to preach the Gospel what successe they had in the same what cruel combats they suffered how manfully they passed through so many lets and impediments how couragiously they triumphed ouer all the pride of the world vnder the reproch of the crosse how wonderfully God was present with them then must wee highly esteeme of this Booke which vnles it were extant the knowledge of so great things should either be quite buried or greatly obscured or wrapped in diuers doubtes For we see that Sathan vsed all his engins that he might to bring to passe that neuer any of the acts of the Apostles might come to light but such onely as were mixed with lies to the end he might bring into suspition what thing soeuer was spoken of them and so by that meanes might plucke out of the mindes of the godly all the remembrance of that age For hee alwaies raised vp either doting fooles or craftie flowters that they might spread abroade a sort of filthie fables vnder the names of other men the blockishnes whereof did much discredite euen the true histories So in those bookes of Peter and Paul which are faigned to be of Linus his doing are conteined such a sort of stinking trifles that they cause the wicked to laugh at them and the godly to loath them So that feigned disputation of Peter with Symon Magus is so ridiculous that it doeth discredite the name of a Christian. The same opinion must we haue of all that mingle mangle which is set before the recognitions and councels of Clement and recited of Gratianus in his fragments they beguile the vnskilful vnder colour of ancient names the wicked boast of those as of oracles no lesse boldly than impudently when as in deede they are filthie toies Sathan did vse such
libertie to lie that we might haue no certaine thing left vs after Christs ascension So that vnlesse this work of Luke were extant it might seeme that Christ being taken vp into heauen left no fruit of his death or resurrection vpon earth For all should haue vanished away with his bodie We should not know that Christ was so receiued into his celestiall glorie that neuertheles hee beareth rule in all the world we should not know that the Gospel was published by the Apostles and so came from them vnto vs though by the meanes of others we should not know that they were inspired by the holy Ghost least they should teach any thing but that which was diuine to the end our faith might be grounded onely vpon the vnfallible veritie of God Last of all we shoulde not knowe that that Prophesie of Esaias was fulfilled wherein he foretold that the law should come out of Sion and the word of the Lord out of Ierusalem Seeing this booke proceeding no doubt from the spirite of God taketh from vs all doubting of these thinges wee must count the same as a great treasure as I haue said before not without cause and nowe againe confirme the same The Commentaries of M. Jo. Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles CHAP. I. 1 THe former speech truely haue we had ô Theophilus of al things which Iesus began to do and teach 2 Euen vntill that day wherein after he had giuen commaundement by the holie Ghost to the Apostles which he had chosen he was taken vp 1 THat he may passe ouer vnto those things which followed the ascension of Christ he briefly gathereth the sum of all those which before hee had handled in the former booke that he may annexe this thereunto And he briefly setteth downe this description of the historie of the Gospel that it is a narration of those thinges which Christ did said so long as he was conuersant vpon earth Furthermore whereas they interpret this commonlie that there was first in Christ puritie of life before such time as hee began to preach it maketh nothing vnto Luke his mind Truth it is that the manners of a good and godly teacher ought so to be framed that he speake first with his life then with his tongue otherwise he should differ nothing from a stage plaier Luk. 24.19 But Luke hath respect rather vnto that which he had said about the end of his Gospel namely that Christ was a prophet mightie in deed and word that is such a one as did excell no lesse in deeds than in words Although there be but small difference betwixt these two places For the mightines of works which is commēded there doth belong vnto his miracles but this To do doth reach further in my opinion namely that vnder the same are comprehended all the famous acts which were proper vnto his ministrie wherein his death resurrection are the chiefest For the office of the Messias did not onely consist in doctrine but it was also behoueful that he should make peace betweene God and man that he should be a redeemer of the people a restorer of the kingdome and an author of euerlasting felicitie Al these things I say as they were promised of the Messias so were they loked for at his hands Now we see that the sum of the Gospel consisteth of these two parts namely of the doctrin of Christ of his actes for as much as he did not onely bring vnto men that embassage which was giuen him in charge of his father but also performed al things that could be required of the Messias He began his kingdome he pacified God with his sacrifice he purged mans sins with his owne precious blood hee subdued death and the diuel he restored vs vnto true libertie he purchased righteousnes life for vs. And to the end that whatsoeuer he either did or said might be certaine he proued himself by miracles to be the sonne of God So that this worde to Doe is extended vnto his miracles also but it must not be restreined onely vnto the same Heere must we note that those which haue onely the bare knowledge of the history haue not the Gospel vnlesse the knowledge of the doctrine which maketh manifest the fruits of the Actes of Christ be adioyned thereunto For this is a holy knot which no man may dissolue Therefore whensoeuer mention is made of the doctrine of Christ let vs learne to adioyne thereunto his workes as seales whereby the truth therof is established and confirmed and the effect declared Furthermore that we may reape commoditie by his death and resurrection and also that miracles may haue their vse we must alwayes haue respect vnto him that speaketh For this is the true rule of Christianitie Of all things which he began I do not greatly mislike the interpretation which some giue of this place that Luke saide rather of all then all because it is possible in some measure to intreat of the workes and doctrin of Christ But to set downe the whole course that the narration may be perfect were a matter of great weight Like as Iohn doth declare that the world could not conteine the bookes Iohn 21.25 That is also to be noted that Luke saith that he began his historie at the beginning of the workes of Christ But so soon as he hath declared the natiuity of Christ he passeth ouer vnto the twelfth yeare of his age Luke 2.42 and after he had briefly spoken of his disputation had in the temple with the doctors passing ouer XVIII yeares without speaking any thing of them he entereth the iust narration of the workes of Christ It is therefore manifest that those workes and sayings onely which make any thing vnto the sum of our saluation are noted in this place For after that Christ came abroad into the world clothed with our flesh he liued priuatly at home vntil he was XXX yeeres of age at which time his Father put vpon him another manner of person God woulde haue him to leade the former part of his life obscurely to this ende that the knowledge of these things might be more excellent which do edifie our faith The former speech It seemed good to me to translate this on this wise because logon poiesdhai is the same with the Grecians which verba facere or to speak is with the Latins as Budaeus doth note And we must vnderstand the contrarietie of the second part which he taketh in hand that we may knowe that the Euangelist determined with himselfe afresh to write hauing new matter whereupon to write Euen vntill that day Therefore the ascention of Christ is the ende of the historie of the Gospel For hee hath ascended saith Paul that hee might fulfill all things Ephes 4.10 Our faith gathereth other fruite thereby but it shall be sufficient to note in this place that our redemption was fullie complete and finished then when Christ did ascend vnto his
reuerently to be receiued This is therfore the thing which Peter aimeth at to bring them to heare Christ willinglie as the master whō God hath appointed to teach them But here ariseth a question which hath in it great difficultie too wit in that Peter applieth that vnto the person of Christ which Moses spake generally of the prophets For althogh he make mention of a prophet in the singular number yet the text doth plainley declare that he speaketh not of one alone but that this worde is put indefinitely For after that Moses had forbiddē the people to giue them selues vnto the superstitions of the Gentiles by turning aside vnto enchaunters soothsayers he sheweth them therwithall a remedie whereby they may auoid all vanitie to wit if they depend wholie vpon the word of God alone By this meanes he promiseth that God will be carefull at all times to sende them prophets that they may teach thē aright As if he should say God will neuer suffer you to be destitute of prophets of whom you may learn whatsoeuer shal be profitable for you to know And Moses saith expresly of thy brethren to the end the Iewes may know that the oracles of God are to bee sought and fet no where els seeing that God had appointed vnto them teachers of the kinred of Abraham Hee addeth further like vnto me that they may know that they were not to heare God onely at one time or by the mouth of one man but as God proceedeth to teache vs by diuers ministers throughout the cōtinuall course of times so must we hold on in the obedience of the word Nowe the Iewes were wont to reuerence Moses therefore he will haue them to giue like honour to the prophets I know that many would faine restraine it vnto Christe They catch at this word Deut. 18.15 whereas Moses doth testifie that the prophet shal be like vnto him wheras notwithstanding it is written that ther arose none like vnto Moses I confesse that there is in both places the same note of likenes yet in a diuers sense For in the second place the likenes or equalitie is expressed as it doth plainly appeare They catch also at another thing that the prophet shal far excel Moses of whō he beareth witnes as a crier or harrold But this is neuer a whit stronger because Moses goeth about to bring to passe that the word of God may be beleeued by whomsoeuer it be brought Therefore ther is no cause why we should set our selues to be laughed to scorn by the Iews by wresting the words of Moses violētly as if he spake of Christ alone in this place Yet must wee see whether Peter doth cite the testimonie fitlie whose authoritie ought to serue for a sound reason I say that in Peter his speech there is nothing which is not most conuenient For he saw that which all men ought to graunt that this testimonie doth so appertain vnto the other Prophets that yet notwithstāding it doeth chiefly commend Christ not only because that he is the prince and chiefe of all the Prophets but because all other former prophesies were directed toward him and because God did at length speake absolutely by his mouth For God spake in diuers maners at sundrie times in times past vnto our fathers by the Prophetes he added the conclusion at length in the last dayes in his only begotten sonne Therefore it came to passe that they wanted prophets for a certaine yeeres before his comming Heb. 1.1.2 Malac. 4.4 Mat. 11.13 Iohn 4.25 which thing is plainly gathered out of the wordes of Malachie who after that he hath commaunded the people to be mindfull of the law he passeth ouer by by vnto Iohn Baptist vnto Christ as if he should say that the prophesies are now ended vntill the last reuelation come according to that The law and the prophets prophesied vntill Iohn after that the kingdom of God is preached And that was so common amongest the people that the woman of Samaria could say according to the common fame and opinion We know that the Messias shall come who will teach vs all things Therefore we know that after the returne of the people all the prophets ceased to the end they might bee made more attentiue to heare Christe by that silence or intermission of reuelations Therefore Peter did not wrest this place or abuse the same through ignorance but he tooke that doctrine which all men had receiued for a principle that god had promised to teach his people at the first by his prophets as by means but at lēgth principally by Christ at whose hands they were to hope for the perfect manifestation laying open of al things And to this purpose serueth that excellent testimony or commendation wherewith his father setteth him foorth Heare him Mat. 17.5 23 Euerie soule Here by a most greeuous punishment against the rebellious the authority of al the prophets but most of al of Christ is established And that for good causes For seeing there is nothing that God doth account more precious than his worde it cannot be that he should suffer the same to be freely contēned Therfore if any man despised the lawe of Moses he was adiudged to die the death And hereunto Moses had respect when he said He shal be put away frō among the people For God had adopted the stock and kinred of Abraham vnto himself vpon this condition that this might bee sufficient for them vnto the chiefest felicitie to be reckoned in that number as it is said in the Psalme Blessed is the people whose god is the Lord. And in another place Blessed is the nation whom the Lorde hath chosen to be his inheritaunce Wherefore it is not to be doubted but that he pronounceth that he shall be blotted out of the booke of life whosoeuer shall refuse to heare Christ For he is not worthie to be accounted one of the church whosoeuer he be that refuseth to haue him to be his master by whō alone God doth teach vs by whom he will haue vs to heare himself and he cutteth himselfe away from the bodie whosoeuer he be that refuseth to be vnder the head 24 And all When as he saith that all the prophetes doe with one consent send their scholers vnto Christe that appeareth more plainely hereby which I said that the commendation of the Gospel is contained vnder that testimony of Moses and so consequently that the conclusion of prophecies is principally noted Againe this maketh much for the certaintie of the Gospel that al the prophets for a long time do yet notwithstanding so temper their forme of teaching with one consent that they doe testifie all together that men ought to hope for a certaine better and more perfect thing Therfore whosoeuer will beleeue Moses and the prophets he must needs submit himself vnto the doctrine of Christ Ioh. 5.47 without which all that is lame and vnperfect which they taught 25 You
Satan and men seeing faith is vnderpropped and supported with the eternall truth of God although heauen fal our saluation is safe which hath God to be the author and keeper thereof because God doeth defende the kingdome of Christ it can neuer bee ouerthrowne with any violence because the doctrine of the Gospel is grounded in God howsoeuer men resist or shake the same yet shall it neuerthelesse continue firme Againe although the wicked attempt whatsoeuer they can and seeke al meanes to destroy the church although they furiously striue against Christ and his Church so much as they are able yet they shall not preuaile because it is the propertie of God to bring the counsels of men to naught and by this meanes doeth he punish their rashnesse We see that both members are well applied to faith But in the meane season there is no cause why the seruauntes of Christ should be lesse diligent in maintaining the truth why they should suffer the Church to decay through their fault why they shoulde carelesly winke at their wickednesse who endeuor to turne all thinges topsie turuie 36 There arose one Theudas If we credit Iosephus Gamaliel altereth in this place the true course of the historie For hee reporteth that Iudas Gaulanites who was borne in Gamala at such time as Quirinius or Cyrenius was Proconsull did raise a tumult with his adherentes because they woulde not haue their goods taxed and that Theudas at such time as Cuspius Fadus was Procuratour did boast that hee was a Prophet of God And Fadus was sent into Iudea by Claudius Caesar The former hystorie is recorded in the eighteenth booke of Antiquities and the other in the twentith But I thinke that when Luke saith After him was there one Iudas he meant not to note the course of time as if he were the latter but forasmuch as Gamaliel brought in two like examples he might put the one in place of the other without hauing respect of time Therefore the worde post is as much as Moreouer or besides Furthermore euen these examples wherewith Gamaliel confirmeth his opinion doe not sufficiently agree with the present cause For because they did not by and by resist Iudas that sedition which he had raised was the occasion of many murthers and at length he was vanquished with hand and weapon Theudas also had done farre more hurt vnlesse he had beene put to flight in time by Cuspius Fadus But Gamaliel hath respect vnto this alone that men haue vnlucky successe when as they auance themselues vnaduisedly and that commeth to passe by the iust iudgement of God But because the Priestes refuse to harken when God giueth them good coūsel they are worthy to be made amased by mā with friuilous reasons wauering hither thither through foolish perplexitie Furthermore if wee cast the time wee shall finde that it was twelue yeeres at least after the death of Christ before the Apostles were beaten For vnto the fiue yeeres which remained of the gouernement of Tyberius we must adde three and one halfe which Caligula reigned Fadus was not sent by Claudius into Iudea before the second or thirde yeere of his reigne Gamaliel rehearseth not the act within a day or two after Therefore that space of time is complete whereof I spake Wherefore the constancie of the Apostles was the more excellent who though they bee so euill rewarded for those longe paines which they had endured yet are they not discouraged neither doe they cease to holde on as they had begunne That he was some great man Some bookes haue Saying that hee was some bodie yet both carrie one sense For he boasted that he was such a Prophet that hee coulde drie vp Iordan that those which were with him might goe ouer drie foote Neuerthelesse we see howe farre Gamaliel is from true knowledge who compareth the holy Ministers of Christ vnto seducers and robbers although hee mitigateth his words afterwarde and inclining towarde the better part leaueth it indifferent whether they haue taken this matter in hande hauing God for their authour or noe Yet hee speaketh doubtfullie because hee prouideth onely for quietnesse all enquirie being set a parte This is onelie to bee allowed in his speech that hee feareth the wicked from wicked boldnesse because there is nothing more to be feared than to striue against God 40 And they obeyed him And when they had called the Apostles hauing beaten them they commaunded them that they shoulde not speake in the name of Iesus and they let them goe 41 Therefore they went reioycing from the face of the councell because they were counted worthy to suffer reproch for his name 42 And they did not cease daily in the Temple and in euery house to teach and preach Christ Iesus 40 Hauing beaten them they commaunded He saieth that Gamaliel his counsel was allowed yet the Apostles are beaten and forbidden to preach Hereby wee gather how great the rage of the enimies was who being now pacified or at least mitigated doe yet notwithstanding rage immoderatlie And it appeareth also what euill successe those doubtfull counsels haue wherein men alone are respected and the trueth of God set aside Gamaliel obteineth thus much that the liues of the Apostles may be saued but in the meane season the sonne of God is blasphemed slaundered in their person The truth of the Gospel is buried in eternall silence so much as in the enimies lyeth God surely doth by this meanes wonderfully spread abroad his worde yet that counsel ceaseth not to be euill Which we must note for this cause because most men at this day doe thinke that they doe not a little obey God if they saue the liues of those men which come in hazard for the doctrine of the Gospel or somewhat appease the enimies who are otherwise bloodie in the meane season they are not afraide to driue them vnto the wicked deniall of Christ the confessing of whom is farre more precious in the sight of God then the life of all men But what could they doe who casting away all care of godlinesse go about to redeeme Gods fauour with the dutie of courtesie 41 Then they went reioycing Wee must not thinke that the Apostles were so senselesse but that they felt some shame and did also lament when they felt the punishment for they had not quite put of nature but when they considered the cause then ioy gat the vpper hande So the faithfull must bee two manner of wayes affectioned so often as they suffer persecution for the Gospel they must bee touched with the bitternesse of punishmentes yet so that they ouercome this sorrowe with spirituall ioy For they shoulde haue chaunged their minde and striken saile by and by vnlesse they had beene strengthened and encouraged by that ioie And it is not to be doubted but that euen death was sweet and pleasant to Peter on this fashion which notwithstanding the Lord doth testifie shal be bitter vnto him Let vs therefore learne that
with those stumbling blockes howe great soeuer they were with the reproch of their teachers with the disquieting of the citie with terrors and threatnings also with feare and dangers hanging ouer their heads that they did with the loftinesse of their faith despise valiantlie the gorgeousnesse as well of their faigned holinesse as of their power And assuredly if our faith shal be well grounded in god shal be thorowlie rooted in his worde and finally if it shal be well fortified with the aide of the Spirite as it ought it shall nourish peace and ioy spirituall in our mindes though all the whole world be on an vproare The ende of the former booke of the Commentaries vpon the Acts of the Apostles ¶ THE LATTER BOOKE OF THE Commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Acts of the Apostles CHAP. XIIII 1 AND it came to passe at Iconium that they went together into the Synagogue of the Iewes a Or at the same time spake so that a great multitude both of Iewes and Gentiles beleeued 2 And the Iewes which beleeued not stirred and with enuie infected the mindes of the Gentiles against the brethren 3 Therefore they were long time conuersant there behauing themselues boldly in the Lord who bare witnesse of the worde of his grace graunting that signes and wonders might bee done by their hands 4 And the multitude of the citie was diuided and some stood with the Iewes and some with the Apostles 1 IN the chapter last going before Luke declared how Paul and Barnabas took in hand their ambassage vnto the Gētiles Furthermore it might seeme to bee an vnprosperous and vnluckie beginning in that they were not only expelled out of Antioch but also enforced by the obstinate wickednes of certaine to shake off the dust from their feet But though they had but short intertainment in one place yet do they not yeeld because they consider that the Lord had called them vpon that condition that they shuld do their dutie thogh the whole world Satan did say nay Therfore we see that they came not onelie ready to teach but also armed to enter conflictes that they might couragiously proceede in publishing the Gospel euen through the midst of cumbats And assuredly that which was once spoken to Ieremie is common to all the prophetes and ministers of God they shall fight against thee Ier. 1.19 but they shall not preuaile Now whither soeuer they flie they carry with them the same courage still wherby it appeareth that they were not only furnished for one combat but euen for continuall warfare which Luke doth now prosecute He saieth first that they came to Iconium and there withall hee sheweth that they sought not there some hauen where they might rest quietly but they entered the Synagogue as if they had suffred no hurt at all I refer the word Cata to auto for asmuch as it signifieth amōg the Grecians together or at the same time rather vnto the Iewes than vnto Paul Barnabas Therfore I interpret it thus not that they went in both together but that they followed the multitude at the solemne and appointed time of the meeting whence wee gather that they spake not secretly with a few men but in a great assembly of people wherby they declare their boldnesse and redie desire they are so far from fearing enuie or auoiding danger That a great multitude beleeued As Luke did before shewe the power of the Spirit in Paul Barnabas so now he commendeth another grace of God in that prosperous successe which they had for one onely sermon which they made was not without frute but it brought forth many childrē of god as wel of the Iewes as of the Gentiles If one or two or a few had beleeued they might haue thoght that they sped wel but the Lorde cōfirmeth thē far better whē as they gather such plentiful frute of their doctrin euen in a short time For they knew that so many hearts of men were cōuerted to beleeue not so much by their voice as by the power of the Spirit whereby they might also assure themselues that they themselues were defended by the outstretched hand of God which did not a little in courage them 2 And those Iewes which beleeued not Lo they are persecuted now afresh that by the Iewes For they were like firebrands to inflame the minds of the Gentiles For it is to be thought that the Gentiles could abide to heare the gospel preached vnles they had bin incensed to resist by these fannes I interprete cacosai in this place for to resist with a malicious affection or to enforce to do hurt Vnder the name Brethren Luke comprehendeth in my iudgement all the godly to wit that they were vexed and troubled whosoeuer imbraced the gospel as if some pernicious sect had risen to spread discord to trouble the peace of the citie to shake the publike state Yet if any had rather restraine it vnto Paul and Barnabas I am not greatly against him 3 A long time Luke declareth here that Paul Barnabas did not depart the citie so soone as they saw some set against them For when hee saith that they behaued themselues boldly he giueth vs an inckling that there was cause of feare offered them Whence wee gather that they stood stoutly that through rare constancie courage they counted al dangers as nothing vntill they wer cōpelled by violence to depart to an other place This clause Epi curio may be expounded diuersly either that they behaued themselues stoutly in the Lords cause or that they trusted to his grace were therby encouraged I haue folowed that which was more cōmen that they behaued themselues freely boldly in the Lord that is being holpen not by their own strength but by his grace He sheweth immediatly after after what sort they were incoraged in the Lord to wit because he approueth the doctrine by signes myracles For seeing that they knew therby that the Lord was present with them that his hand was nigh to help them they were worthilie pricked forward to behaue themselues stoutly But in noting one kind he doth not exclude other kinds For the Lorde did lift them vppe vnto boldnes establish them in constancy by other means But it seemeth that Luke did speake of myracles expresly because the Lord shewed in them his power openly before all the people Therfore Paul Barnabas were not a little imboldened when the Lord did so deliuer their doctrine from contempt Furthermore we must note this phrase that the Lord gaue witnes to the gospel in myracles for it sheweth the true vse of miracles This is indeed the first end that they may shew to vs the power and grace of God but because we be wrong peruers interpreters of them least they be drawen vnto abuse and corruption God doth neuer suffer them to be separated from his worde For if myracles were wrought at any time without his worde first
yet they shall not be cured of those diseases wherewith they are vexed But forasmuch as God was determined to shewe a token of his grace in the creeple he prepared his mind before and made him capable of this that should come vpon him Wherefore wee must not make this a common rule because the creeple beleeued that he should be healed but it was a peculiar preparation to receiue the gift of healing And this kind of faith is likewise particular which giueth place to myracles which many of Gods children do want who are notwithstanding indued with the Spirit of adoption Whom when Paul beheld stedfastly Wee know howe doubtfull and how deceitful a thing the countenance of man is therefore there coulde no sure iudgement be giuen thereby of faith which hath God alone to bee witnesse thereof but as I haue alredie said the creeples faith was reueled to Paul by the secret inspiration of the Spirit as he was to the Apopostles their only guide and master to worke myracles 10 He said with a loud voice Many old bookes and those of great credite adde I say to thee in the name of Iesus Christ surely we see how careful the Apostles were to magnifie the name of Christe in all myracles therefore I thinke that that was expressed by Luke and yet we can not finde it commonly now in the printed bookes Whereas Luke saieth afterward that the lame man leapt vp it serueth not only for the commendation of gods power but also such readinesse and willingnesse to obey did testifie that he was rightly prepared by the Lord so that hee did alreadie walk in mind when as his feete were as yet dead Although his speed in rising made the power of God more manifest to which end also Paul exalted his voice that the sodaine chaunge might the more moue the multitude 11 Furthermore when the multitude had seen what Paul had doone they lifted vp their voice saying in the speech of Lycaonia Gods being made like to men are come downe to vs. 12 And they called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurie because hee was the captaine of the speech 13 And Iupiters priest which was before their citie bringing Bulles crownes vnto the gates would haue done sacrifice with the multitude 11 Furthermore the multitude This historie doth abundantly testifie how readie bent men are vnto vanitie Paul vttered not that word abruptly arise but he added it as it wer a conclusion to the sermon made concerning Christ Yet the people ascribe the praise of the myracle vnto their idols as if they had heard no word of Christ In deede it is no such wonder that the barbarous men fell vnto superstition whiche they had learned from their childhood so soone as they saw the myracle But this vice is too common euery where it is so bred in vs to bee peruers and wrong interpreters of the works of god Hence com such grosse dotings of superstitiōs in poperie because catching rashly at myracles they take no heed to doctrine For which cause we must take the better heed be the more sober least wee happen with the sense of the fleshe to corrupt wherunto we are so bent the power of god which shineth appeareth to vs for our saluation And no maruel if the Lord would haue only a few myracles wrought that for a short time least through the lust of men they should be drawne vnto a far contrary end because it is vnmeet that he should set his name to be mocked of the world which must needes be when that which is proper to him is translated vnto Idols or the vnbeleeuers corrupt his works to inuent corrupt worshipping while that setting the word aside they catch at euery diuine power which they feigne Gods like to men This was an opinion drawne from old fables which notwithstanding tooke the beginning of truth The bookes of the poets are full of these toyes that the gods were often seen vppon earth in the likenes of men and yet we may well think that this came not of nothing but rather that profane men did turn that into fables which the holy fathers taught in times past concerning angels And it may be that Satan when he had men besotted did with diuers iuglings delude thē This is of a truth whatsoeuer was gods whensoeuer it went with the infidels it was corrupt by their wicked inuentiōs The same must we likewise think of sacrifices wherin God did exercise his euen from the beginning that they might haue externall signes of godlines of the worship of God And after that the vnbeleeuers inuented to thēselues strange gods they abused the sacrifices vnto their sacrilegious worship When the men of Lycaonia see vnwonted power in the creeple that was healed they perswade themselues that it is a work of god this is all wel But it was euill done in that they forge to thēselues false gods in Paul Barnabas according to the old error For what is the cause that they prefer Barnabas before Paul saue only because they folow the childish surmise cōcerning Mercurie the interpreter of the gods in which they had byn nourished By which exāple we are taught what a mischief it is to be accustomed acquainted with errors in youth which can so hardly be rooted out of the mind that euen through the workes of God whereby they ought to haue been redressed they waxe more hard 13 Also Iupiters priest Though Luke doe not expresse with what affection he was moued to be so diligent yet it is to be thought that forasmuch as ther was great hope of most plentifull gain offered he was moued with coueteousnes For he had great hope of gain in time to come if it shuld be noised abrode that Iupiter appered ther. For this opiniō wold by by haue followed that Iupiter was more delited in the temple of Lystra then in any other And so soone as such superstition hath once filled the mindes of men they spare no cost to offer sacrifice The world is in deed of it selfe inclined to this but then came the sacrificing priestes who are like fannes bellowes And it is not to be douted but that the whole multitude was moued with ambition to be so desirous to offer sacrifice to Paul vnder the name of Iupiter that their citie might bee the more famous and noble Hence hath Satan so great libertie to deceiue whiles that the sacrificing priestes set nets to get gaine and the people are delighted to haue errors confirmed 14 Furthermore when the Apostles Barnabas and Paul had hearde renting their garments they ran in into the prease crying 15 And saying Men why doe yee these things Wee be also men subiect to like miseries as you are preaching to you that you turne from those vaine thinges vnto the liuing God who hath made heauen and earth and the sea and whatsoeuer are in them 16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walke in their owne wayes