Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin
But this heroical courage and nobleness of heart 413 was a work of the Holy Ghost; because God doth mightily show forth his power in those whom he appointeth unto great matters, that they may be able to fulfill their function. In sum, Stephen meaneth that Moses was even then offered to be the minister of deliverance when the day was at hand, according to the covenant made with Abraham, yet did the people hope for nothing less.
26. The day following he appeared. Stephen declareth now that the fathers did not only neglect, but maliciously reject the grace of God. For although the evil which he mentioneth did proceed from one man only, yet doth he by right assign the fault unto them all. For if they had been thankful to God, they would all with one consent have repressed his forwardness. 414
But they are whisht, 415 and suffer that good turn which Moses had done to be upbraided unto him; and, so much as in them lieth, they bring them into extreme danger whom they ought to have defended by endangering themselves. 416 Therefore, his drift is this, that the people themselves were in the fault, that they were no sooner delivered and eased. 417 So the wickedness of men doth oftentimes hinder God from doing that [which] he would do. He is ready to help those that be his in due time, but we keep back his hand from ourselves with divers lets, and afterwards we complain of his slowness, but unjustly. Furthermore, this unthankfulness was too wicked against God, and too cruel against Moses. They were to thank God for giving such a faithful patron in the king's court. They were to love and reverence Moses; but they rewarded him full evil 418 with threatenings and reproaches. Furthermore, inasmuch as the fact was brought to the king's ears, we must needs impute that to the treachery of the people. Therefore, as when afterward the people could see the land of Canaan, they did through their own folly keep themselves from entering in; so now, refusing the grace of God in the person of one man, they cause the time of their deliverance to be deferred forty years. For although God had determined what he would do, yet those are justly blamed for the delay which hinder 419 Moses in his office.
Men ye are brethren. There is, indeed, amongst men a general conjunction, so that they ought to use great courtesy one toward another, and to abstain from all injuries; but this is more unmeet and intolerable, when those hurt one another who are nearer linked together. Therefore, Moses doth not only use a general reason, that it may revoke 420 their minds which were
413"Haec heroica animi magnitudo," this heroic magnanimity. 414"Proterviam," petulance. 415"Tacent omnes," they are all silent. 416"Oppositas suis capitibus," by exposing their own hands. 417"Nonnisi per populum stetisse quominus levationem citius sentiret," that is was owing entirely to the people themselves that they did not sooner obtain some alleviation.
418"Atqui pessimam et iniquissimam mercedem reportat," but he receiveth a very bad and most iniquitous recompense, viz.
419"Impediunt ac turbant," impede and disturb. 420"Quae ad aequitatem revocet," which may call back or dispose to equity.