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 know not whether there be any holy Ghost. Howe could it be, that men being Jews heard nothing of the spirit, concerning which the prophets speak every where, and whose commendations and titles are extant in the whole Scripture. Surely we gather by this that Paul did neither speak generally of the Spirit: and that these men as they were asked, did deny that they knew those visible graces, wherewith GOD had beautified the kingdom of his son. Therefore they confess that they know not whether God give such gifts. Therefore there is in the word Spirit the figure Metonymia. And this sense doth that confirm, that if they had altogether denied that they knew any thing concerning the spirit of God, Paul would not have passed over with silence such a gross error, yea an error altogether monstrous. When he demandeth to what end, or ho• they were baptised, he showeth therewithal, that wheresoever Christ had been soundly and throughly preached, the visible graces did also appear, that such worship might be common to all Churches. Wherefore no marvel if Paul wonder that the faithful are ignorant of such glory of Christ, which God would have to be apparent every where at that time: and adding a correction immediately, he telleth them, that they must not stay in those rudiments which they had learned: because it was John his office to prepare Disciples for Christ.

Wee knowe not whether there bee anie holie Ghost. Howe could it be, that men being Iewes heard nothing of the spirite, concerning which the prophetes speake euery where, and whose commendations and titles are extaunt in the whole Scripture. Surely wee gather by this that Paule did neither speake generally of the Spirite: and that these menne as they were asked, did denie that they knewe those visible graces, wherewith GOD had beautified the kingdome of his sonne. Therefore they confesse that they knowe not whether God giue such giftes. Therefore there is in the woorde Spirite the figure Metonymia. And this sense doth that confirme, that if they had altogether denied that they knew any thing concerning the spirite of God, Paul woulde not haue passed ouer with silence such a grosse errour, yea an errour altogether monstrous. When he demaundeth to what ende, or ho• they were baptised, hee sheweth therewithall, that wheresoeuer Christ had been soundly and throughly preached, the visible graces did also appeare, that suche woorship might be common to all Churches. Wherefore no maruell if Paul woonder that the faithful are ignoraunt of such glorie of Christ, which God woulde haue to bee apparant euery where at that time: and adding a correction immediatly, he telleth them, that they must not stay in those rudiments which they had learned: because it was Iohn his office to prepare Disciples for Christ.