THE PROVENANCE OF JOHN CALVIN'S EMPHASIS ON THE ...

(per spiritum), even although it is at a great distance from us, and is not mixed
with us (nec misceatur nobiscum). 235
Within the same paragraph, Calvin reiterates his position with respect to both the
significance of what transpires in the Supper and the role of the Holy Spirit therewith:
But the sharing in the Lord's body, which, I maintain, is offered to us in the
Supper, demands neither a local presence, nor the descent of Christ, nor an
infinite extension of His body, nor anything of that sort; for, in view of the fact
that the Supper is a heavenly act, there is nothing absurd about saying that
Christ remains in heaven and is yet received by us. For the way in which He
imparts himself to us is by the secret power of the Holy Spirit (id fit arcanae
spiritus sancti virtute), a power which is able not only to bring together, but also
to join together, things which are separated by distance, and by a great distance
at that. . . . Be quite sure that the Lord will really carry out what you understand
the words to mean: that His body, which you do not see at all, is spiritual food
for you. It seems unbelievable that we are fed by the flesh of Christ, which is so
far away from us. Let us remember that it is a secret and wonderful work done
by the Holy Spirit (memineris arcanum ac mirificum esse spiritus sancti opus),
and it would be sinful of you to measure it by the little standard of your own
understanding. 236
In these passages from his commentary, Calvin upholds the Spirit as the "agent"
of both the reception of Christ, his body and blood, and their communication. In the
235 First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, trans. John W. Fraser, CNTC 9:246.
"Concludo, realiter (ut vulgo loquuntur), hoc est, vere nobis in coena dari Christi corpus, ut sit animis
nostris in cibum salutarem. Loquor vulgari more: sed intelligo, substantia corporis pasci animas nostras,
ut vere unum efficiamur cum eo : vel, quod idem valet, vim ex Christi carne vivificam in nos per spiritum
diffundi, quamvis longe a nobis distet, nec misceatur nobiscum" (CO 49:487, italics not added).
236 First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, trans. John W. Fraser, CNTC 9:247,
emphasis added. "atqui haec communicatio corporis Domini, quam nobis in coena exhiberi dico, nec
localem praesentiam, nec Christi descensum, nec infinitam extensionem, nec aliud quidquam tale flagitat:
nam quum coena coelestis sit actio, minime absurdum est, Christum in coelo manentem a nobis recipi.
Quod enim se nobis communicat, id fit arcana spiritus sancti virtute, quae res locorum distantia seiunctas
ac procul dissitas non modo aggregare, sed coadunare in unum potest. Verum ut capaces huius
communicationis simus, assurgere in coelum nos oportet. Hic ergo fides nobis succurrat, postquam omnes
carnis sensus deficiunt. Fidem quum dico, non intelligo quamlibet opinionem hominum commentis
fultam: sicuti multi fidem subinde iactantes prolixe in hac parte delirant. Quid igitur? panem vides,
praeterea nihil: sed audis tesseram esse corporis Christi. Ne dubita impleri a Domino quod verba sonant,
corpus, quod nequaquam cernis, spirituale esse tibi alimentum. Incredibile hoc videtur, pasci nos Christi
carne, quae tam procul a nobis distat. Memineris Arcanum ac mirificum esse spiritus sancti opus, quod
intelligentiae tuae modulo metiri sit nefas" (CO 49:488).
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