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…

Upon all flesh. It appeareth by that which followeth, of what force this generality is. For first it is set down generally, All flesh: after that the partition is added, whereby the Prophet doeth signify that there shall be no difference of age or kind, but that God admitteth all, one with another unto the partaking of his grace. It is said therefore All flesh, because both young and old, men and women, are thereby signified. Yet here may a question be moved, why God doth promise that unto his people, as some new and unwonted good thing, which he was wont to do for them from the beginning throughout all ages. For there was no age void of the grace of the Spirit. The answer of this question is set down in these two words, I will pour out, and, Upon all flesh. For we must here note a double contrariety between the time of the old, and new Testament. For the pouring out (as I have said) doeth signify great plenty: when as there was under the Law a more scarce distribution. For which cause John also doeth say that the holy Ghost was not given until Christ ascended into heaven. All flesh doeth signify an infinite multitude, where as God in times past did vouchsafe to bestow such plenty of his spirit only upon a few.

Vppon all flesh. It appeareth by that which followeth, of what force this generalitie is. For first it is set downe generallie, All flesh: after that the partition is added, whereby the Prophet doeth signifie that there shalbe no difference of age or kinde, but that God admitteth al, one with another vnto the partaking of his grace. It is said therefore All fleshe, because both younge and olde, men and women, are thereby signified. Yet heere may a question be mooued, why God doth promise that vnto his people, as some newe and vnwoonted good thing, which hee was woont to do for them from the beginning throughout all ages. For there was no age voide of the grace of the Spirite. The aunswere of this question is set downe in these two woordes, I will powre out, and, Vppon all fleshe. For wee must heere note a double contrarietie betweene the time of the olde, and newe Testament. For the powring out (as I haue saide) doeth signifie great plentie: when as there was vnder the Lawe a more scarce distribution. For which cause Iohn also doeth say that the holy Ghost was not giuen vntill Christ ascended into heauen. All fleshe doeth signifie an infinite multitude, where as God in times past did vouchsafe to bestowe such plentie of his spirite onely vpon a few.