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…

8 A certain man at Lystra. Luke teciteth one miracle, which we may think was one of many: but there was mention made of it alone by reason of the famous event. For we shall see by and by what happened. Luke reckoneth up the circumstances, which do more plainly set forth the power of God, when he saith that the man did never walk, ⟨p. 334⟩and that he was a cripple even from his mothers womb, and that he was suddenly healed by the voice of Paul alone, before the eyes of all men, and that his legs which were dead were made nimble, so that he leapt up without making any stop.

8 A certaine man at Lystra. Luke teciteth one myracle, which wee may thinke was one of manie: but there was mention made of it alone by reason of the famous euent. For wee shall see by and by what happened. Luke reckoneth vp the circumstances, which doe more plainelie set foorth the power of God, when he saith that the man did neuer walk, ⟨p. 334⟩and that he was a creeple euen from his mothers wombe, and that hee was sodainly healed by the voice of Paule alone, before the eyes of all men, and that his legs which were dead were made nimble, so that hee leapt vp whithout making any stop.

9 He heard Paul speak. Hearing is set down first, that we may know that the faith which Luke will commend by and by, was conceived of Paul his doctrine. Therefore when he heard Paul, he hoped to be healed. But the question is, whether this was promised to him specially: for God doth not command us to hope for every thing by and by, when he offereth unto us eternal salvation in the Gospel. I answer, that this was a singular and extraordinary motion of the Spirit of God in the cripple, as it was on the other side in Paul, when he knew his faith by beholding him only. It may be that many may receive the Gospel: and yet they shall not be cured of those diseases wherewith they are vexed. But forasmuch as God was determined to show a token of his grace in the cripple, he prepared his mind before, and made him capable of this that should come upon him. Wherefore we must not make this a common rule, because the cripple believed that he should be healed, but it was a peculiar preparation to receive the gift of healing. And this kind of faith is likewise particular, which giveth place to miracles, which many of Gods children do want, who are notwithstanding endued with the Spirit of adoption.