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…

26 There was an earthquake. The Lord in showing this visible sign, meant chiefly to provide for his servants, that they might more manifestly know that their prayers were heard: yet he had respect also of the rest. He could have loosed the fetters of Paul & Silas without an earthquake, & also have opened the gates. But that addition served not a little to confirm them, seeing that the Lord for their sakes did shake both the air & also the earth: again it was requisite that the keeper of the prison & the rest should feel the presence of God, least they should think that the miracle came by chance, Neither is it to be doubted but that the Lord did then show a token of his power, which should be profitable for all ages, so that the faithful may fully assure themselves that he will be nigh unto them, so often as they are to enter combats & dangers for the defence of the Gospel. Nevertheless he doth neither always keep the same course, to testify his pretence by manifest signs, neither is it lawful for us to prescribe him a law. For he did help his by manifest miracles then, for this cause, that we may be content with his hidden grace at this day: concerning which matter we have spoken more upon the second chapter.

26 There was an earthquake. The Lord in shewing this visible sign, ment chiefly to prouide for his seruants, that they might more manifestlye know that their praiers wer heard: yet he had respect also of the rest. He could haue loosed the fetters of Paul & Silas without an earthquake, & also haue opened the gates. But that addition serued not a little to confirme them, seeing that the Lord for their sakes did shake both the aire & also the earth: againe it was requisite that the keeper of the prison & the rest should feele the presence of God, least they should thinke that the myracle came by chaunce, Neither is it to bee doubted but that the Lord did then shew a token of his power, which should be profitable for all ages, so that the faithfull may fully assure themselues that hee will be nigh vnto them, so often as they are to enter cumbats & dangers for the defence of the Gospel. Neuerthelesse he doth neither alwayes keep the same course, to testifie his pretence by manifest signes, neither is it lawful for vs to prescribe him a lawe. For hee did helpe his by manifest myracles then, for this cause, that we may bee content with his hidden grace at this day: concerning which matter we haue spoken more vppon the second chapter.