Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles John Calvin
Commentary on Acts and govern (this action, 339 ) that their authority may be as a bridle to keep under the people, 340 lest they pass their bounds too much. In the mean season, this is worth the noting, that the apostles prescribe an order unto the faithful, lest they appoint any save those which are fit. For we do God no small injury if we take all that come to hand 341 to govern his house. Therefore, we must use great circumspection that we choose none 342 unto the holy function of the Church unless we have some trial of him first. The number of seven is applied 343 unto the present necessity, lest any man should think 344 that there is some mystery comprehended under the same. Whereas Luke saith, full of the Spirit and wisdom, I do interpret it thus, that it is requisite that they be furnished both with other gifts of the Spirit, and also with wisdom, 345 without which that function cannot be exercised well, both that they may beware of the leger-demain 346 of those men, who being too much given unto begging, require 347 that which is necessary for the poverty of the brethren, and also of their slanders, who cease not to backbite, though they have none occasion given them. For that function is not only painful, but also subject to many ungodly murmurings. 348
4. And we will give ourselves unto prayer. They show again that they have too much business otherwise, wherein they may exercise themselves during their whole life. For the old proverb agreeth hereunto very fitly, which was used sometimes in the solemn rites, do this. Therefore, they use the word [{προσκαρτερησαι}] which signifieth to be, as it were, fastened and tied to anything. Therefore, pastors must not think that they have so done their duty that they need to do no more when they have daily spent some time in teaching. There is another manner of study, another manner of zeal, another manner of continuance 349 required, that they may 350 indeed boast that they are wholly given to that thing. They adjoin thereunto prayer, not that they alone ought to pray, (for that is an exercise common to all the godly,) but because they have peculiar causes to pray above all others. There is no man which ought not to be careful for the common salvation of the Church. How much more, then, ought the pastor, who hath that function enjoined him by name to labor carefully [anxiously] for it? So Moses did indeed exhort
339"Pastores tamen moderentur," let pastors, however, moderate. 340"Ad cohibendos plebis impetus," to curb the impetus (precipitancy or violence) of the people.
341"Si fortuito quoslibet accipimus, "if we receive all persons whatsoever fortuitously. 342"Summa religio ne quis sumatur," the greatest care that none be chosen. 343"Accommodatus fuit," was accommodated. 344"Ne quis putet," let no man suppose. 345"Prudentia." 346"Imposturis et fraudibus," the imposition and fraud. 347"Exsugunt," suck up. 348"Non laboriosa modo, sed obnoxia sinistris murmuribus," is not only laborious, but liable to sinister murmurings.
349"Aliud studium, alius fervor, alia assiduitas exigitur," another kind of zeal, another kind of fervor, another kind of assiduity, is required.
350"Possint," may be able to.