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…

32 Luke setteth down how the Church was increased by miracles. And he reciteth two miracles: that a man who had been bedrid eight years having the palsy, was suddenly healed: and that a certain ⟨p. 227⟩woman was raised from death. First he sayeth, that, As Peter walked throughout all, he came to Lydda. And by All understand not Churches, but the faithful, because it is in Greek of the Masculine gender, though that sk•lleth not much for the sense. And it was meet that the Apostles who had no certain place of abode, should wander hither and thither as occasion was offered, wherefore whiles they are all occupied in diverse parts, Peter took upon him this charge Whereby the foolishness of the Papists is refuted, who gather Peter his primacy, by the authority which he had to visit. As if the rest of the Apostles did live idly at Jerusalem like private men, when Peter did visit the Churches. Again, admit we grant that Peter was the chief Apostle, which thing the Scripture showeth oftentimes, doth it thereupon follow that he was the head of the world? but would to God the Bishop of Rome, who will be counted Peter his successor, would travel as he did to animate the brethren, and would every where prove in deed that he is the Apostle of Christ. Now he which out of his throne doth with more than tyrannous Lordship oppress all the Churches, pretendeth that Peter did visit the Churches with great pains.

32 Luke setteth downe howe the Church was encreased by myracles. And he reciteth two myracles: that a man who had beene bedred eight yeeres hauing the palsie, was sodainly healed: and that a certaine ⟨p. 227⟩woman was raised from death. First hee saieth, that, As Peter walked throughout all, hee came to Lydda. And by All vnderstande not Churches, but the faithfull, because it is in Greeke of the Masculine gender, though that sk•lleth not much for the sense. And it was meete that the Apostles who had no certaine place of abode, shoulde wander hither and thither as occasion was offered, wherefore whiles they are all occupied in diuerse parts, Peter tooke vpon him this charge Whereby the foolishnesse of the Papistes is refuted, who gather Peter his primacie, by the authoritie which he had to visite. As if the rest of the Apostles did liue idlely at Ierusalem like priuate men, when Peter did visite the Churches. Againe, admitte wee graunt that Peter was the chiefe Apostle, which thing the Scripture sheweth oftentimes, doth it thereupon follow that he was the head of the world? but would to God the Bishoppe of Rome, who will be counted Peter his successor, woulde trauell as hee did to animate the brethren, and woulde euerie where proue in deede that he is the Apostle of Christ. Nowe he which out of his throne doth with more than tyrannous Lordship oppresse all the Churches, pretendeth that Peter did visit the Churches with great paines.