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…

Hereby it came to pass, that the doctrine of the Gospel did not only sound in the air, but pierce into the minds of men, and did fill them with an heavenly heat and burning. Neither was this force showed only in the mouth of the Apostles, but it appeareth daily. And therefore we must beware least when the fire burneth, we be as stubble. Furthermore the Lord did once give the holy Ghost under a visible shape, that we may assure our selves, that his invisible and hidden grace shall never be wanting to the Church.

Heereby it came to passe, that the doctrine of the Gospel did not onely sounde in the aire, but pearce into the minds of men, and did fill them with an heauenly heat and burning. Neither was this force shewed only in the mouth of the Apostles, but it appeareth daily. And therefore we must beware least when the fire burneth, wee be as stubble. Furthermore the Lorde did once giue the holy Ghost vnder a visible shape, that we may assure our selues, that his inuisible and hidden grace shall neuer be wanting to the Church.

And it sate. Because the number is suddenly changed, it is to be doubted whether he speaketh of the fire. He said that there appeared tongues, as it had been of fire. It followeth by and by: And it sate upon them. Notwithstanding I refer it unto the spirit. For the Hebrews use commonly to express the substantive of the verb in the second member, which they did omit in the former. Wherefore we have an example in this place: It sate upon them, and they were all filled with the holy Ghost. And we know that although Luke did write in Greek, yet is he full of those phrases which the Hebrews use. Now whereas he calleth the tongues, the holy Ghost, it is according to the custom of the Scripture. For John calleth the Dove by the same name:¹ because the Lord would testify and declare the presence of his Spirit by some such sign. If it were a vain sign, it should be an absurd naming, to call the sign by the name of the thing signified: but where the thing is annexed, the name of the thing is fitly given to the sign, which offereth the same unto our senses to be perceived. The fullness of the spirit, wherewith he saith every one w replenished, doeth not express the equal measure of gifts in evee one, but that excellency which should be meet for such a calling.