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…

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.

9 He heard Paul speake. Hearing is set down first, that we may know that the faith which Luke will commend by and by, was conceiued of Paul his doctrine. Therefore when he heard Paul, he hoped to bee healed. But the question is, whether this was promised to him specially: for God doth not commaund vs to hope for euery thing by and by, when he offereth vnto vs eternall saluation in the Gospel. I answere, that this was a singular and extraordinarie motion of the Spirite of God in the creeple, as it was on the other side in Paul, when he knew his faith by beholding him only. It may be that many may receiue the Gospell: and yet they shall not be cured of those diseases wherewith they are vexed. But forasmuch as God was determined to shewe a token of his grace in the creeple, he prepared his mind before, and made him capable of this that should come vpon him. Wherefore wee must not make this a common rule, because the creeple beleeued that he should be healed, but it was a peculiar preparation to receiue the gift of healing. And this kind of faith is likewise particular, which giueth place to myracles, which many of Gods children do want, who are notwithstanding indued with the Spirit of adoption.