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…

10 Being fully persuaded. Hence we gather that it was no bare vision but that it was also confirmed by the testimony of the Spirit. For Satan doeth oftentimes abuse ghosts and visors to deceive with all, that he may mock and cousin the unbelievers. Whereby it cometh to pass that the bare vision leaveth mans mind in doubt: but such as are divine in deed, those doeth the Spirit seal by a certain mark: that those may not doubt nor waver, whom the Lord will have certainly addicted to himself, A wicked Spirit appeared to Brutus, inviting him to enter that unhappy combat and battle which he had at Philippi, even in the very same place whereunto Paul was afterward called. But as ⟨p. 390⟩the cause was far unlike: so the Lord dealt far otherwise with his servant, so that he put him out of doubt: and left him not astonied with fear. Now in Paul and his companions the desire to obey ensued immediately upon the certainty: for so soon as they understand that the Lord called them, they address themselves to their journey. The termination of the participle which is here used is active: and though it have diverse significations, I do not doubt but that Luke his meaning is, that Paul and the rest, after that they had conferred this vision with the former Oracles, were fully persuaded that the Lord had called them into Macedonia.

10 Being fullie perswaded. Hence we gather that it was no bare vision but that it was also confirmed by the testimony of the Spirit. For Satan doeth oftentimes abuse ghosts and visures to deceiue with all, that hee may mocke and cosin the vnbeleeuers. Whereby it commeth to passe that the bare vision leaueth mans minde in doubt: but such as are diuine in deede, those doeth the Spirit seale by a certaine marke: that those may not doubt nor wauer, whom the Lord will haue certainly addicted to himselfe, A wicked Spirit appeared to Brutus, inuiting him to enter that vnhappie cumbate and battle which he had at Philippi, euen in the verie same place whereunto Paul was afterward called. But as ⟨p. 390⟩the cause was farre vnlike: so the Lorde dealt farre otherwise with his seruant, so that he put him out of doubt: and left him not astonied with feare. Nowe in Paul and his companions the desire to obey insued immediatly vpon the certaintie: for so soone as they vnderstand that the Lord called them, they addresse themselues to their iorney. The termination of the participle which is here vsed is actiue: and though it haue diuerse significations, I do not doubt but that Luke his meaning is, that Paul and the rest, after that they had conferred this vision with the former Oracles, were fully perswaded that the Lord had called them into Macedonia.