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…

Having a spirit of ^“divination. The Poets do feign that the serpent called Python was slain with the darts of Phoebus, Hereupon rose another invention; that they said, that those who were possessed, were inspired with the spirit of Python, and peradventure they were thereupon called Phoebades in honour of Apollo. But Luke followeth the common custom of speaking: because he showeth the error of the common people, and not through what inspiration the maid did prophesy. For it is certain that the devil did deceive men under the visor of Apollo, as all idolatry & subtlety was invented & forged in his shop. But some man may marvel that the devil (through whose motion & persuasion the maid did cry) was the author of such an honourable commendation, wherewith she adorned Paul & Silas, & the rest. For seeing that he is the father of lying, how could the truth proceed from him? Secondly, how is it that he gave place willingly to the servants of Christ, by whom his kingdom was destroyed? how can this hang together that he prepared the minds of the people to hear the gospel, whose mortal enemy he is? Assuredly there is nothing more proper to him then to turn away the minds of the people ⟨p. 395⟩from the word of god, which he doth now will & wish them to hear: whence cometh such a sudden change, or unwonted motion? But the devil is the father of lying in such sort, that he covereth himself under the false & deceivable colour of truth. There he played another person through his crafty subtlety, than was agreeable to his nature, that by creeping in craftily he might do the more hurt: & therefore whereas he is called the father of lies, we must not so take it, as if he did always lie manifestly & without any colour. Yea rather we must beware of his crafty subtlety, least when he pretendeth the colour of truth, he deceive us under a vain show. We see also how he useth like subtlety daily. For what can bear a fairer show then the Pope his titles, wherein he doth not boast himself to be the adversary of Christ, but his vicar? What can be more plausible than that solemn preface, In the name of the Lord, Amen? Notwithstanding we know that whiles the hypocritical ministers of Satan do thus pretend the truth, they corrupt it & with a deadly corruption infect it. Seeing that Satan hath a double way to resist the gospel:

Hauing a spirit of ^“