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…

Now the wonderful counsel of God is worth the noting in this place, who will have the Gospel offered sometimes to the reprobate: not that they may profit thereby, but rather that they may be made inexcusable. It had bin better for Felix and Drusilla never to have heard any thing concerning Christ: because they did not escape without punishment for refusing the grace of salvation which was offered to them, or for neglecting the same with loathsomeness. Furthermore we must note this, that certain by reason of that seed of godliness which is in them engendered, do desire to hear the Gospel preached, which so soon as they have heard, they do by and by either loath or else they cannot suffer it. Nevertheless the preaching of the Gospel, (what success so ever it have) is a good and sweet savour to God: whether it quicken, or kill men.¹

Nowe the wonderfull counsell of God is woorth the noting in this place, who will haue the Gospell offered sometimes to the reprobate: not that they may profite thereby, but rather that they may bee made inexcusable. It had bin better for Felix and Drusilla neuer to haue heard any thing concerning Christ: because they did not escape without punishment for refusing the grace of saluation which was offered to them, or for neglecting the same with loathsomnesse. Furthermore wee must note this, that certaine by reason of that seede of godlinesse which is in them ingendred, do desire to heare the Gospel preached, which so sone as they haue heard, they doe by and by either loath or else they cannot suffer it. Neuerthelesse the preaching of the Gospel, (what successe so euer it haue) is a good and sweete sauour to God: whether it quicken, or kill men.¹

1. 12. Cor. 2.15.

26 And as he disputed. Felix hoped that he should take some delight in Pauls sermon: as men who are desirous of new things, do willingly feed their ears with subtle disputations: also he meant to satisfy his wives desire without his own trouble: now he is enforced to feel that force of the word of God whereof he never thought, which driveth away all his delights. Paul out of bonds disputeth of the judgement of God: he which had power to put him to death or to save his life, is afraid and quaketh as if he stood before his own judge: neither doth he find, any other comfort, but to send him away out of his sight. Let us first learn by this, what great force of the Spirit of God there was both in the heart and also in the tongue of Paul, because he seeth that he must speak in the name of Christ, he doeth not behave himself like an underling: but he declareth the embassy which was enjoined him, with a grace, as from on high, and having forgotten