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…

And also the spirit. They confirm their calling by the effect. For this was as a seal to approve their doctrine, seeing that God gave the holy Spirit to those which believed. For as much as it appeared manifestly by this that he allowed the faith of the Gospel, and it was acceptable to him. In that they say, to those which obey him, I refer it unto Christ: as if they should have said, Those which believe in Christ, are plentifully rewarded for their obedience. Therefore god will have Christ obeyed wherefore even our ministry doth please him in that thing. Yet here may a question be moved, seeing that we have faith by the revelation of the spirit how is it said in this place that the same is given after faith? I answer, that the gift of tongues, of prophecy, of interpretation, of healing, and such like, are spoken of in this place, wherewith god did beautify his Church. As Paul saith, where he asketh the Galatians, Whether they received the Spirit by the law or by the hearing of faith. Therefore the illumination of the spirit goeth before faith, because it is the cause thereof:¹ but there follow other graces afterward, that we may go forward: according to that, To him that hath, shall be given. And if we will be enriched ever now & then ⟨p. 120⟩with new gifts of the Spirit, let us hold out unto God the lap of faith. But the reward wherewith our want of faith is rewarded at this day, is far unlike, for the most part being destitute of the Spirit of God: doth neither see nor understand any thing.

And also the spirit. They confirm their calling by the effect. For this was as a seale to approue their doctrine, seeing that God gaue the holie Spirit to those which beleeued. For as much as it appeared manifestly by this that hee allowed the faith of the Gospel, and it was acceptable to him. In that they say, to those which obey him, I referre it vnto Christ: as if they shuld haue said, Those which beleeue in Christ, are plentifully rewarded for their obediēce. Therfore god wil haue Christ obeied wherfore euē our ministerie doth please him in that thing. Yet here may a questiō be moued, seing that we haue faith by the reuelatiō of the spirit how is it said in this place that the same is giuē after faith? I answer, that the gift of tongues, of prophesie, of interpretation, of healing, and suche like, are spoken of in this place, wherwith god did beautifie his Church. As Paul saith, wher he asketh the Galathiās, Whether they receiued the Spirit by the law or by the hearing of faith. Therfore the illumination of the spirit goth before faith, bicause it is the cause therof: