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…

But here ariseth an other harder question, why the Lord did forbid Paul to speak in Asia, and suffered him not to come into Bithynia. For if answer be made that these Gentiles were unworthy of the doctrine of salvation; we may again demand why Macedonia was more worthy. Those who desire to be too wise, do assign the causes of this difference in men: that the Lord vouchsafeth every man of his Gospel, as he seeth him bent unto the obedience of faith: but he himself sayeth far otherwise, to wit, that he appeared plainly to those which sought him not, and that he spake to those who asked not of him. For whence cometh aptness to be taught and a mind to obey, but from his Spirit? therefore it is certain that some are not preferred before othersome by their merit, seeing that all men are naturally like backward and wayward from faith. Therefore there is nothing better than to leave free power to God to vouchsafe and deprive of his grace whom he will. And surely as his eternal election is free, so his calling is also free which floweth thence: and is not grounded in men, seeing that he is not indebted to any.

But heere ariseth an other harder question, why the Lorde did forbid Paul to speake in Asia, and suffered him not to come into Bithynia. For if aunswere bee made that these Gentiles were vnworthie of the doctrine of saluation; we may againe demaunde why Macedonia was more worthie. Those who desire to bee too wise, doe assigne the causes of this difference in men: that the Lorde vouchsafeth euerie man of his Gospel, as hee seeth him bent vnto the obedience of faith: but hee himselfe saieth farre otherwise, to wit, that hee appeared plainely to those which sought him not, and that hee spake to those who asked not of him. For whence commeth aptnesse to be taught and a mind to obey, but from his Spirite? therefore it is certaine that some are not preferred before othersome by their merit, seeing that all men are naturallie like backward and waiwarde from faith. Therefore there is nothing better than to leaue free power to God to vouchsafe and depriue of his grace whom he will. And surely as his eternall election is free, so his calling is also free which floweth thence: and is not grounded in men, seeing that he is not indebted to any.