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…

whence we may easily gather, how foolishly the Papists deal, when as they endeavour to lead away the world from the reverence of God and the gospel by bare miracles. For we must hold that principle, that those miracles which came from God at any time did never tend to any other end, but that the gospel might have his perfect and full authority.

whence we may easily gather, how foolishely the Papists deale, when as they indeuour to lead away the world from the reuerence of God and the gospel by bare myracles. For wee must hold that principle, that those myracles which came from God at anye time did neuer tend to any other end, but that the gospel might haue his perfect and full authoritie.

Now must we see whether the Gospel command us to call upon the dead: to burn incense to idols: to translate unto feigned Saints the grace of Christ: to take in hand vowed pilgrimages: to invent profane worshippings, whereof there is no mention made in the word of God. But there is nothing more contrary to the Gospel, then that these superstitions should take place. Whereupon it followeth that the Papists do wickedly make engines of the shores of the gospel to oppugn it. To the same end tendeth that which Luke saith, that the Lord granted that by the hands of his servants miracles might be done: in which words he teacheth that those were only ministers, who obeyed God: and that he was the author, who used their hand and industry. Wherefore in speaking properly we cannot say that they were Paul and Barnabas his miracles: but the miracles of God alone, who doth so work by men, that he will not have his glory darkened by their ministry. Furthermore, we must note the title of the Gospel, which Luke putteth in here, that it may be made to us more amiable. For in calling it the word of grace, it hath a most pleasant taste: because salvation is offered to the world in it through Christ, and we must understand the contrariety with the law, wherein only the curse is set before us. Therefore let us remember that God speaketh to us in the Gospel to this end, that he may reconcile himself to us, and may testify that he is merciful to us. Neither doth this hinder that it is the savour of death unto death to the reprobate: because they change not the nature thereof by their fault. Read those things which we have spoken in the second Chapter touching signs and wonders.