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…

6 Silver and gold. Peter doeth truly excuse himself, that he doeth want that help which the lame man did require. And therefore doeth he declare that if he were able to relieve his poverty he would willingly do it: like as every man ought to consider with himself what the Lord hath given him, that he may therewith help his neighbours. For what store so ever God giveth to every man, he will have the same to be an instrument and help to exercise love. Therefore he sayeth that he giveth that which he hath. This was ⟨p. 69⟩at the first a trick of mockage, in that Peter beginneth to speak of his poverty, after that he had brought the lame man into a rare hope, as if he meant to mock a gaping crow: but he comforteth him immediately, to the end the miracle might be had in greater estimation by the comparison. That is horrible wickedness, in that the Pope, when as he is created, doeth most unshamefastly abuse this place, making thereof a comical or rather a scoffing play. There be two Cells or places made of stone, in the one whereof when he sitteth, and the people ask an alms, using these words of Peter, he casteth abroad crosses in the air with his fingers. When he is brought into the next Cell or place, he hath bags full of money. Then his Angels cry unto him, He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor.¹ I have made mention hereof, to the end all men may see that Satan doth questionless reign there, where they do so manifestly mock the sacred word of God. And to the end I may return unto the former sentence, it is evident enough, that Peter was instructed by a certain and sure revelation, when as he sayeth that he hath the gift of healing.

6 Siluer and gold. Peter doeth truely excuse himselfe, that hee doeth want that helpe which the lame man did require. And therefore doeth hee declare that if hee were able to relieue his pouertie hee woulde willingly doe it: like as euery man ought to consider with himselfe what the Lorde hath giuen him, that hee may therewith helpe his neighbours. For what store so euer God giueth to euerie man, hee will haue the same to bee an instrument and helpe to exercise loue. Therefore hee saieth that hee giueth that which hee hath. This was ⟨p. 69⟩at the first a tricke of mockage, in that Peter beginneth to speake of his pouertie, after that he had brought the lame man into a rare hope, as if he meant to mocke a gaping crowe: but he comforteth him immediatly, to the end the miracle might bee had in greater estimation by the comparison. That is horrible wickednesse, in that the Pope, when as he is created, doeth most vnshamefastly abuse this place, making thereof a comicall or rather a scoffing play. There bee two Celles or places made of stone, in the one whereof when hee sitteth, and the people aske an almes, vsing these wordes of Peter, hee casteth abroade crosses in the aire with his fingers. When hee is brought into the next Cell or place, hee hath bagges full of money. Then his Angels crie vnto him, Hee hath dispersed, hee hath giuen to the poore.