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…

nevertheless he showeth that it was no dumb sign, and void of doctrine. And assuredly this is the chiefest thing in all sacraments, that the word of God may appear engraven there, and that the clear voice may sound. For which cause that wicked profanation which is seen in papistry is so much the more to be detested, because burying, preaching, they do only chamre the sacraments with magical enchantment.

neuerthelesse hee sheweth that it was no dumb signe, and voide of doctrine. And assuredly this is the chiefest thing in all sacraments, that the worde of God may appeare ingrauen ther, and that the cleare voice may sound. For which cause that wicked profanation which is seene in papistrie is so much the more to be detested, because burying, preaching, they do onely chamre the sacraments with magical inchantment.

38 Jesus of Nazareth. He calleth him a Nazarite here, not because he was borne there, but because he came thence to execute his office. Again because he was surnamed thus commonly. He saith that he was ⟨p. 257⟩anointed with the Spirit and power by hypallage. For the power wherein Christ exceeded proceeded from the Spirit alone. Therefore when as the heavenly father anointed his son, he furnished him with the power of his Spirit. Peter saith immediately after, that this power appeared in miracles: although he expresseth one kind only in plain words, that Christ testified, that he was endowed with power of the holy Ghost, that he might do good in the world. For it was not meet that the fearful power of God should be showed forth in him: but such as might allure the world with the sweet taste of goodness and grace to love him and to desire him. The metaphor of Anointing is usual so often as mention is made of the gifts of the holy ghost: it is now applied unto the person of Christ: because by this means he was consecrated a king and Priest by his father. And we know that in time of the Law oil was a solemn token of consecration. The Going of Christ is taken for the course of his calling: as if he should say that he fulfilled his function until the time appointed before. The similitude is taken from travellers which go forward in their journey, until they come unto the appointed place. Although he showeth therewithal that he walked through Judea in three years, so that no corner was without his good deeds.