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…

Now this is beastly blockishness to rest in an uncertain & transitory life, and not to be wise above the earth. For which cause we must flee from that error as from a detestable monster. For though godliness have the promises of the earthly life also: yet because we be most miserable if our hope stay still in this world, the children of God must begin with this, that they may lift up their eyes toward heaven, and think continually upon the glory of the last resurrection.

Now this is beastly blockishnesse to rest in an vncertain & transitorie life, and not to be wise aboue the earth. For which cause we must flee frō that error as from a detestable monster. For though godlines haue the promises of the earthly life also: yet because we be most miserable if our hope stay still in this worlde, the children of God must begin with this, that they may lift vp their eyes toward heauen, and think continually vpon the glory of the last resurrection.

Neither angel nor spirit. This place is expounded two manner of ways. Many refer it unto the holy Ghost: which seemeth to be unlikely. For howsoever the Sadducees be to be holden excused in other errors: yet because the scripture doeth so often repeat the name of the Spirit, I will scarce believe that they denied that which the Pharisees believed only lightly and obscurely. For even these men had no distinct faith concerning the holy Spirit, that they did acknowledge the proper person of the Spirit in the substance of God. Some will have Angel and Spirit to signify one thing, as if one thing were spoken twice. But to what end was it to repeat a thing which was plain enough? I warrant you that member which followeth did deceive them, where Luke seemeth to make no distinction. But we showed the reason before: because seeing the souls of men and Angels are of one and the same nature and substance, they be both placed in one order. Therefore I do not doubt but that this is Luke his true meaning that the Sadducees did deny Angels, and also all manner of Spirits.

Neither angell nor spirite. This place is expounded two manner of wayes. Many referre it vnto the holy Ghost: which seemeth to bee vnlikely. For howsoeuer the Saduces be to be holden excused in other errours: yet because the scripture doeth so often repeate the name of the Spirite, I will scarce beleeue that they denyed that which the Pharises beleeued onely lightly and obscurely. For euen these men had no distinct faith concerning the holy Spirite, that they did acknowledge the proper person of the Spirit in the substance of God. Some wil haue Angel and Spirite to signifie one thing, as if one thing were spoken twise. But to what ende was it to repeate a thing which was plaine enough? I warraunt you that member which followeth did deceiue them, where Luke seemeth to make no distinction. But we shewed the reason before: because seeing the soules of men and Angels are of one and the same nature and substance, they be both placed in one order. Therefore I do not doubt but that this is Luke his true meaning that the Saduces did denie Angels, and also all maner of Spirites.