Commentaries on the Acts of the Apostles

The argument vpon the Actes of the Apostles.

TO the intent that all godly men may with more diligence reade this historie, and also be more desirous thereof: it shall not be without profite, briefly to note what commoditie they shall reape thereby. This is the chiefest praise that a prophane historie hath, namely, that it is the maistres of life. If that narration of famous deeds which onely teacheth men what they ought to followe, or what they ought to eschewe in their common actions, deserue such a title: of how great praise are the diuine histories worthie, which do not onely frame the outward life of man that he may winne praise by vertue; but also (which it more) which declare vnto vs, that God from the beginning hath had a speciall regard alwayes of his Church, and faithfull congregation: that he hath bene alwaies a most iust reuenger of all wrongs done vnto those, that haue betaken themselues vnto his tuition, and haue committed themselues vnto his custodie: that he hath shewed himselfe fauourable and mercifull vnto most miserable and wretched sinners: and lastly by teaching vs faith, hoised vs high aboue the heauens? I say nothing of this, that they do euerie where set forth the prouidence of God, that they distingush the true worship of God from the false, they neuer erre in the difference of vice and vertue. Although I omit nowe also those worthie praises which vse most commonly to bee attributed vnto the sacred histories, intending onely shortly to touch those, which are proper to this booke, which wee haue taken in hande. Those things which Luke setteth before vs in this place to be learned, are not only great, but also of rare profite: For first in that he sheweth that the spirite of God was sent vnto the Apostles, he doth not only proue that Christ was faithful & true in keeping his promise, made vnto his Apostles: but also he 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 ◊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 shalbe 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: