1.We saw before that many signs were showed by the hands of the
apostles; now Luke reciteth one of many for example’s sake, after
his common custom; namely, that a lame man, which was lame of his feet
from his mother’s womb, was perfectly restored to his limbs. And he
doth diligently gather all the... [ Continue Reading ]
3._He asketh an alms. _We see how God restored this lame man to his
limbs contrary to his expectation. Because he thought that his disease
was incurable, he was only careful for maintenance. That is given him
which he durst never have asked. In like sort God doth oftentimes
prevent us, neither doth... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Look upon us. _Peter doth not thus speak before he be certain of
the purpose and intent of God. And surely in these words he commandeth
him to hope for some singular and unwonted benefit; yet here may a
question be moved, whether they had power to work miracles so often as
they would? I answer, t... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Silver and gold. _Peter doth truly excuse himself, that he doth
want that help which the lame man did require. And therefore doth he
declare, that if he were able to relieve his poverty he would
willingly do it; like as every man ought to consider with himself what
the Lord hath given him, that h... [ Continue Reading ]
9._And all the people saw. _He beginneth now to declare the fruit of
the miracle, to wit, that the cripple began to show his thankfulness
by praising God, and that all the people were brought into great
wondering. And here is a double fruit. For he which was healed doth
acknowledge and set forth the... [ Continue Reading ]
11._In the porch. _It is like that there was a porch built in that
place where Solomon’s porch was sometimes, and that it took the name
therefrom. For the old temple was pulled down, but Zerubbabel and
Ezra, ill the re-edifying and new building of the same temple, had
imitated the same, so nigh as t... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Men of Israel _He beginneth his sermon with a reproving of the
people. And yet doth he not simply reprove them because they wonder;
for that was altogether profitable and worthy praise; but because they
do wickedly ascribe unto men that praise which is due to the work of
God. As if he should say... [ Continue Reading ]
13, 14._The God of Abraham. _He addeth a remedy now in calling them
back unto Christ. And the sum is this, That this is God’s purpose in
those miracles which he worketh by the apostles to set forth the glory
of his Christ; whereupon it followeth that all those do deal
disorderly who set up Peter, or... [ Continue Reading ]
16._And in the faith of his name. _When as he saith _in the faith of
his name, and his name; _and again, the _faith which is by him; _this
repetition is a token of a fervent affection, for because he was
wholly given to set forth the glory of Christ, he beateth in
[inculcateth] the same thing oftent... [ Continue Reading ]
17.Because it was to be doubted, lest, being cast down with despair,
they should refuse his doctrine, he doth a little lift them up. We
must so temper our sermons that they may profit the hearers, for
unless there be some hope of pardon left, the terror and fear of
punishment doth harden men’s heart... [ Continue Reading ]
18._And God _Hereby it appeareth more plainly to what end he made
mention of ignorance; for when he telleth them that God hath
accomplished those things which he had foretold, he doth so touch
their offense in the death of Christ, that it turneth to their
salvation. Ignorance, saith he, hath made yo... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Repent _We must note, that when he exhorteth unto repentance, he
doth also declare that there is remission of sins prepared for them
before the face of God. For, as I said of late, no man can be stirred
up to repentance, unless he have salvation set before him; but he
which doth despair of pardo... [ Continue Reading ]
20._That when _If we follow Erasmus and the old interpreter, this
sentence shall be unperfect, (185) which may be made perfect, thus:
_When the time of refreshing shall come, you may also enjoy this
refreshing; _when Christ shall come to judge the world, you may find
him a redeemer and not a Judge.... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Whom the heaven must contain. _Because men’s senses are always
bent and inclined towards the gross and earthly beholding of God and
Christ, the Jews might think with themselves that Christ was preached,
indeed, to be raised up from the dead, yet could they not tell where
he was; for no man did s... [ Continue Reading ]
22.By this argument he proveth that he goeth not about to cause them
to revolt from Moses, because it is a part of the law to take heed to
and obey this chief teacher. Here might a doubt arise, why Peter
thought it more convenient to cite this testimony of Moses than
others, seeing there were many o... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Every soul. _Here, by a most grievous punishment against the
rebellious, the authority of all the prophets, but most of all of
Christ, is established; and that for good causes. For seeing there is
nothing that God doth account more precious than his word, it cannot
be that he should suffer the s... [ Continue Reading ]
24._And all _When as he saith that all the prophets do with one
consent send their scholars unto Christ, that appeareth more plainly
hereby, which I said, that the commendation of the gospel is contained
under that testimony of Moses, and so, consequently, that the
conclusion of prophecies is princi... [ Continue Reading ]
25._You are the children. _He signifieth that the grace of the
covenant was appointed principally for them, which covenant God made
with their fathers. And so as he pricked them forward to obey the
gospel, by terrifying them with the terror of punishment, so he
allureth them now again to receive the... [ Continue Reading ]
26._He hath raised up his Son. _He gathereth out of the words of Moses
that Christ is now revealed. But the words do seem to import no such
thing; yet doth he reason fitly thus, because the blessing could no
otherwise be, unless the beginning thereof did flow from the Messias.
For we must always rem... [ Continue Reading ]