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…

We spake to the women. Either that place was appointed for the assemblies of women: or else religion was cold among men, so that they came ⟨p. 392⟩more slowly. Howsoever it be, we see that the holy men omit no occasion or opportunity: because they vouchsafe to offer the Gospel even to women alone. Furthermore forasmuch as it seemeth likely to me, that men and women made their prayers there together, I suppose that Luke omitted the men, either because they would not hear, or else because they profited nothing by hearing.

We spake to the women. Either that place was appointed for the assemblies of women: or else religion was cold among men, so that they came ⟨p. 392⟩more slowly. Howsoeuer it be, we see that the holy men omit no occasion or opportunitie: because they vouchsafe to offer the Gospel euen to women alone. Furthermore forasmuch as it seemeth likely to me, that men and women made their praiers there togither, I suppose that Luke omitted the men, either because they would not heare, or else because they profited nothing by hearing.

14 A woman named Lidia. If they had bin heard of a few women, yet this had been but to enter in as it were by a strait chink. But now whereas one only heareth attentively and with fruit, might it not have seemed that the way was stopped before Christ? But afterward there sprung a noble Church of that one small graft, which Paul setteth out with many excellent commendations: yet it may be that Lydia had some companions, whereof there is no mention made, because she did far excel them all. And Luke doth not assign that for the cause why this one woman did show her self apt to be taught, because she was more witty than the rest, or because she had some preparation of her self: but he saith that the Lord opened her heart that she might give ear and take heed to the speech of Paul. He had of late commended her godliness: and yet he showeth that she could not comprehend the doctrine of the Gospel, save only through the illumination of the Spirit. Wherefore we see that not faith alone, but all understanding and knowledge of spiritual things is the peculiar gift of God, and that the ministers do no good by teaching and speaking, unless the inward calling of God be thereunto added. By the word heart, the Scripture meaneth sometimes the mind, as when Moses sayeth, God hath not given thee hitherto a heart to understand. So likewise in this place Luke doth not only signify unto us that Lydia was brought by the inspiration of the Spirit, with affection of heart to embrace the Gospel: but that her mind was lightened, that she might understand it. By this let us learn that such is the blockishness, such is the blindness of men, that in seeing they see not, in hearing they hear not, until such time as God doth give them new eyes and new ears. But we must note the speech, that The heart of Lydia was opened, that she might give ear to the external voice of the teacher. For as preaching alone is nothing else but the dead letter: so we must beware least a false imagination, or a show of secret illumination lead us away from the word, whereupon faith dependeth, and wherein it resteth. For many, to the end they may amplify the grace of the Spirit, feign to themselves certain inspired persons, that they may leave no use of the external word.