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…

6 When they had gone throughout. Luke showeth here how diligent & careful Paul and his companions were in the office of teaching: for he saith that they journeyed through diverse regions of the lesser Asia, that they might preach the gospel. But he reciteth one thing which is worth the remembering, that they were forbidden by the Spirit of God to speak of Christ in some places, which serveth not a little to set forth the Apostleship of Paul: as undoubtedly he was not a little encouraged to proceed, when he knew that the Spirit of God was his guide in his way, and the governor of his actions. And whereas whither soever they came they prepared themselves to teach, they did that according to their calling, and according to the commandment of God. For they were sent to preach and publish the Gospel to the Gentiles without exception: but the Lord revealed his counsel in governing the course of their journey, which was before unknown, even in a moment. Notwithstanding the question is, If Paul taught no where but whither he was led by the Spirit, what certainty shall the ministers of the Church have at this day of their calling, who are certified by no Oracles when they must speak or hold their peace? I answer, Seeing that Pauls province and charge was so wide, he had need of the singular direction of the Spirit. He was not made the Apostle of one particular place, or of a few Cities: but he had received commandment to preach the Gospel through Asia, and Europa: which was to sail in a most wide sea. Wherefore there is no cause why we should wonder that in that confused wideness God beckoned unto him as it were by reaching forth his hand, how far he would have him go, or whither.

6 When they had gone throughout. Luke sheweth here how diligent & carefull Paul and his companions were in the office of teaching: for hee saith that they iorneyed through diuerse regions of the lesser Asia, that they might preach the gospel. But he reciteth one thing which is worth the remembring, that they were forbidden by the Spirite of God to speake of Christ in some places, which serueth not a little to set foorth the Apostleship of Paul: as vndoubtedly he was not a little incouraged to proceed, when hee knewe that the Spirite of God was his guide in his way, and the gouernour of his actions. And whereas whither soeuer they came they prepared themselues to teach, they did that according to their calling, and according to the commaundement of God. For they were sent to preach and publish the Gospell to the Gentiles without exception: but the Lorde reuealed his counsell in gouerning the course of their iorney, which was before vnknowne, euen in a moment. Notwithstanding the question is, If Paul taught no where but whither hee was ledde by the Spirite, what certainetie shall the ministers of the Church haue at this day of their calling, who are certified by no Oracles when they must speake or holde their peace? I answere, Seeing that Pauls prouince and charge was so wide, he had neede of the singular direction of the Spirite. Hee was not made the Apostle of one particular place, or of a fewe Cities: but hee had receiued commaundement to preach the Gospel through Asia, and Europa: which was to saile in a most wide sea. Wherefore there is no cause why wee shoulde woonder that in that confused widenesse God beckened vnto him as it were by reaching foorth his hand, how far he would haue him goe, or whither.