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…

1 We saw before that many signs were showed by the hands of the Apostles: now Luke reciteth one of many for examples sake, after his common custom: namely, that a lame man, which was lame of his feet from his mothers womb, was perfectly restored to his limbs. And he doeth diligently gather all the circumstances which serve to set forth the miracle. If it had ben that his legs had been out of joint, or if it had been some disease coming by some casualty, it might have been the more easily cured. But the default of nature could not have been so easily redressed. When as he sayeth that he was carried, we gather thereby that it was no light halting, but that this man did lie as if his legs had been dead. Forasmuch as he was wont daily to ask alms, hereby all the people might the better know him. In that being healed, he walketh in the Temple at the time of prayer, this served to spread abroad the fame of the miracle. Furthermore this doth not a little set forth the same, that being lift up and set upon his feet, he leapeth up therewithal, and walketh joyfully.

1 We saw before that many signes were shewed by the hands of the Apostles: nowe Luke reciteth one of many for examples sake, after his common custome: namely, that a lame man, which was lame of his feete from his mothers wombe, was perfectly restored to his limmes. And he doeth diligently gather all the circumstances which serue to set forth the myracle. If it had ben that his legges had bene out of ioynt, or if it had beene some disease comming by some casualtie, it might haue beene the more easily cured. But the default of nature coulde not haue beene so easilie redressed. When as hee saieth that hee was carried, we gather thereby that it was no light halting, but that this man did lie as if his legges had beene deade. Forasmuch as he was woont daily to aske almes, heereby all the people might the better know him. In that being healed, he walketh in the Temple at the time of praier, this serued to spread abroad the fame of the miracle. Furthermore this doth not a litle set forth the same, that being lift vp and set vpon his feete, he leapeth vp therewithall, and walketh ioyfully.

Went up together. Because these words epi to auto, doth no more signify place than time, this latter sense seemeth better to agree with the text of Peter, yet because it is of no great importance, I leave it indifferent. That is called the ninth hour of prayer, when as the day began to draw towards night. For seeing the day from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, had twelve hours, as I have said else where, all that time was divided into four parts. So that by the ninth, is meant the last portion of the day: as the first hour did continue unto the third, the third unto the sixth, the sixth unto the ninth. Hence may we gather by a probable conjecture, that that hour was appointed for the evening sacrifice. Furthermore if any man ask, whether the Apostles went up into the Temple that they might pray according to the rite of the law: I do not think that that is a thing so likely to be true, as that they might have better opportunity to spread abroad the Gospel. And if any man will abuse this place, as if it were lawful for us to use and take up superstitious worshippings, whilst that we are conversant amongst the ignorant and weak, his reason shall be frivolous. The Lord appointed that the Jews should offer sacrifice, morning and evening. By this exercise were they taught,