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…

Furthermore, in both comparisons we do not deny but that the Fathers under the Law, were partakers of the selfsame grace whereof we are partakers: but the Lord doeth show that we are above them, as we are in deed. I say, that all Godly men sithence the beginning of the world, were endowed with the same spirit of understanding, of righteousness, and sanctification, wherewith the Lord doeth at this day illuminate and regenerate us: but there were but a few which had the light of knowledge given them then, if they be compared with the great multitude of the faithful, which Christ did suddenly gather together by his coming. Again, their knowledge was but obscure and slender, and as it were covered with a veil, if it be compared with that which we have at this day out of the Gospel, where Christ the Sun of righteousness doeth shine with perfect brightness, as it were at noon day. Neither doeth that any whit hurt or hinder, that a few had such an excellent faith, that peradventure they have no equal at this day. For their understanding did nevertheless smell, or savour of the instruction and Schoolmastership of the Law. For that is always true, that godly kings and Prophets have not seen, nor heard those things which Christ hath revealed by his coming. Therefore to the end the Prophet Joel may commend the excellency of the new Testament, he ⟨p. 36⟩affirmeth and foretelleth that the grace of the Spirit shall be more plentiful in time thereof:¹ and again, that it shall come unto moe men.

Furthermore, in both comparisons wee doe not denie but that the Fathers vnder the Lawe, were partakers of the selfesame grace whereof wee are partakers: but the Lorde doeth shewe that wee are aboue them, as wee are in deede. I say, that all Godly men sithence the beginning of the worlde, were endewed with the same spirite of vnderstanding, of righteousnesse, and sanctification, wherewith the Lorde doeth at this daie illuminate and regenerate vs: but there were but a fewe which had the light of knowledge giuen them then, if they bee compared with the great multitude of the faithfull, which Christ did sodainlie gather togithe• by his comming. Againe, their knowledge was but obscure and slender, and as it were couered with a veile, if it bee compared with that which wee haue at this daie out of the Gospell, where Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse doeth shine with perfect brightnesse, as it were at noone daie. Neither doeth that anie whitte hurt or hinder, that a fewe had such an excellent faith, that peraduenture they haue no equall at this day. For their vnderstanding did neuerthelesse smell, or sauour of the instruction and Schoolemastershippe of the Lawe. For that is alwayes true, that godlie kings and Prophetes haue not seene, nor hearde those things which Christ hath reuealed by his comming. Therefore to the end the Prophet Ioel may commende the excellencie of the newe Testament, he