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…

30 Grant unto thy servants. Seeing that one miracle had stung the enemy so sore, how is it that these holy men do desire to have new miracles done daily? Therefore we gather that hence, which I have already touched, that they make so great account of the glory of God, that in comparison of this, they set light by all other things. They have respect unto this one thing only, that the power of God may be declared by miracles, which the godly ought always to desire, although the adversaries burst, and all the whole Hell do rage. The same must we also think of boldness to speak. They knew that the wicked could abide nothing worse, than the free course of the Gospel: but because they know that that is the doctrine of life, which God will have published whatsoever befall: they do undoubtedly prefer the preaching thereof before all other things, because it is acceptable to God. And we are taught that we do then rightly acknowledge the benefits of God as we ought, if by this occasion we be pricked forward to pray, that he will confirm that which he hath begun. The Apostles had showed a token of heroical fortitude: now again they pray that they may be furnished with boldness. So Paul desireth the faithful, to pray unto the Lord that his mouth may be opened, whereas notwithstanding his voice did sound every where. Therefore the more we perceive our selves to be holpen by the Lord, let us learn to crave at the hands of God that we may go forward hereafter:¹ and especially seeing the free confession of the Gospel is a singular gift of God, we must continually beseech him to keep us in the same.

30 Graunt vnto thy seruants. Seeing that one myracle had stinged the enimie so sore, howe is it that these holy men do desire to haue new myracles done daily? Therefore we gather that hence, which I haue alreadie touched, that they make so great account of the glorie of God, that in comparison of this, they set light by all other thinges. They haue respect vnto this one thing onely, that the power of God may be declared by myracles, which the godlie ought alwayes to desire, although the aduersaries burst, and all the whole Hell doe rage. The same must wee also thinke of boldnesse to speake. They knewe that the wicked coulde abide nothing worse, than the free course of the Gospel: but because they knowe that that is the doctrine of life, which God will haue published whatsoeuer befall: they doe vndoubtedly preferre the preaching thereof before all other thinges, because it is acceptable to God. And we are taught that wee doe then rightlie acknowledge the benefites of God as we ought, if by this occasion wee bee pricked forward to pray, that hee will confirme that which he hath begunne. The Apostles had shewed a token of heroicall fortitude: nowe againe they pray that they may bee furnished with boldnesse. So Paule desireth the faithfull, to pray vnto the Lorde that his mouth may bee opened, whereas notwithstanding his voyce did sounde euery where. Therefore the more we perceiue our selues to be holpen by the Lorde, let vs learne to craue at the hands of God that we may goe forward hereafter: