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 forasmuch as there was in them no force of the Spirit, their vanity did no whit hurt the faithful. This is also worthy to be noted, that Agabus doth not set before their eyes a dumb spectacle, but he coupleth therewith the word, whereby he may show to the faithful the use and end of the ceremony.

But forasmuch as there was in them no force of the Spirite, their vanitie did no whit hurt the faithfull. This is also worthie to be noted, that Agabus doth not set before their eies a dumb spectacle, but he coupleth therewith the worde, whereby he may shew to the faithfull the vse and end of the ceremonie.

12 Both we. Because they had not all one revelation, it is no marvel if their judgements were divers. For seeing these holy men knew, that there consisted much in the life or death of one man, they would not have him to come in danger rashly. And their desire is worthy praise, in that they desired to provide for the common safety of the church, by keeping back Paul. But on the other side Paul his constancy deserveth so much the more praise, when as he continueth so steadfast in the calling of god. For he was not ignorant what great trouble he should suffer, by reason of his bands. But because he knoweth the will of God, which was his only rule in taking counsel, he maketh no account of all other things, that he may follow it. And assuredly we must be so subject to the will and pleasure of God, that no profit, no kind of reason may remove us from obeying him. When Paul doth reprehend the brethren, because they afflict his hart with weeping, he doth sufficiently declare that he was not hardened, but that he was brought unto some feeling and suffering together with them. Therefore the tears of the godly did wound his heart: but that softness did not turn him out of the way, but that he proceeded to follow God with a straight course. Therefore we must use such courtesy toward our brethren, that the beck or will of God have always the upper hand. Now Paul doth again declare by his answer, that the servants of Christ cannot be prepared to do their duty, unless they despise death: and that none can ever be well encouraged to live to the Lord, but those who will willingly lay down their lives for the testimony of the truth.