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…

4 Look upon us. Peter doth not thus speak, before he be certain of the purpose and intent of God. And surely in these words he commandeth him to hope for some singular and unwonted benefit: yet here may a question be moved, Whether they had power to work miracles so often as they would. I answer that they were ministers of Gods power in such sort, that they did attempt nothing of their own will or proper motion, but the Lord wrought by them, when he knew that it was expedient it should be so. Hereby it came to pass that they healed one and not all. Therefore as in other things they had the Spirit of God to be their guide and directer, so also in this point. Therefore before such time as Peter commandeth the lame man to arise, he did cast and fasten his eyes upon him. This steadfast looking upon him, was not without some peculiar motion of the Spirit. Hereby it cometh to pass, that he speaketh so surely and safely without all fear of the miracle. Furthermore he meant by this word to provoke the lame man to receive the grace of God: yet doeth he look for nothing but for an alms.

4 Looke vpon vs. Peter doth not thus speake, before he be certaine of the purpose and intent of God. And surely in these words he commandeth him to hope for some singular and vnwoonted benefite: yet heere may a question be mooued, Whether they had power to worke myracles so often as they would. I answere that they were ministers of Gods power in such sort, that they did attempt nothing of their owne will or proper motion, but the Lorde wrought by them, when he knewe that it was expedient it shoulde be so. Heereby it came to passe that they healed one and not all. Therefore as in other things they had the Spirite of God to be their guide and directer, so also in this point. Therefore before such time as Peter commaundeth the lame man to arise, hee did cast and fasten his eyes vpon him. This stedfast looking vpon him, was not without some peculiar motion of the Spirite. Hereby it commeth to passe, that he speaketh so surely and safely without al feare of the myracle. Furthermore hee meant by this worde to prouoke the lame man to receiue the grace of God: yet doeth hee looke for nothing but for an almes.