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…

12 He returneth to miracles of another sort, which are more proper to the gospel: to wit, whereby Christ doth not only declare his power, but also his goodness: to the end he may allure men unto himself with the sweetness of his grace. For he came to save the world, and not to condemn it. Therefore whereas the sick are healed, and other are delivered from devils, these benefits done to the body, do represent the spiritual grace of Christ: and therefore they agree with his natural office, that I may so speak. That fearful sign which was showed in Ananias and Sapphira, came to pass extraordinarily. Luke sayeth that the church was increased by miracles, because they serve for faith (as we have said) to prepare some, to confirm other some. Whereby that is proved again, which I have said else where, that miracles must never be separated from the word. Luke showeth the multitude of miracles by this, in that the sick were brought forth every where, that they might be healed. For God meant thus to set forth the Gospel of his son, especially at the beginning: that he might for a certainty testify to the Jews, that that restoring of all things was present, which was so often promised, and in which all their hope was reposed, as they themselves did pretend, and make semblance. It is well known that Couches were certain little beds in which the men of old were wont to rest at noon. Because they might the more easily carry them out, they laid the sick in them.

12 He returneth to myracles of another sort, which are more proper to the gospel: to wit, whereby Christe doth not only declare his power, but also his goodnesse: to the end he may allure men vnto himselfe with the sweetnesse of his grace. For he came to saue the world, and not to condemne it. Therefore whereas the sicke are healed, and other are deliuered from diuels, these benefites done to the bodie, doe represent the spirituall grace of Christ: and therefore they agree with his natural office, that I may so speake. That feareful signe which was shewed in Ananias and Saphira, came to passe exraordinarilie. Luke saieth that the church was encreased by myracles, because they serue for faith (as wee haue said) to prepare some, to confirme other some. Whereby that is proued againe, which I haue said els where, that myracles must neuer be separated from the word. Luke sheweth the multitude of myracles by this, in that the sicke were brought foorth euerie where, that they might bee healed. For God meant thus to set foorth the Gospel of his sonne, especiallie at the beginning: that he might for a certaintie testifie to the Iewes, that that restoring of all thinges was present, which was so often promised, and in which all their hope was reposed, as they themselues did pretende, and make semblance. It is welknowne that Couches were certaine little beddes in which the men of olde were woont to rest at noone. Because they might the more easily carrie them out, they laide the sicke in them.