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…

26 And an Angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying: Arise, and go toward the South, to the way which goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza: it is waste. 27 And when he arose, he went. And behold a man an Ethiopian, an Eunuch, a man of great authority with Candace Queen of Ethiopia, which had the rule of all her treasure, which came to Jerusalem to worship: 28 And as he returned and sate in his Chariot, he read Isaiah the Prophet. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip: Draw near, and be thou joined to this Chariot. 30 And as Philip ran unto it, he heard him reading the Prophet I say, and he ⟨p. 199⟩said: Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 He said, How can I, unless some man direct me? And he requested Philip, that he would come up and sit with him.

26 And an Angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying: Arise, and go toward the South, to the way which goeth downe from Ierusalem to Gaza: it is waste. 27 And when he arose, he went. And beholde a man an Aethiopian, an Eunuch, a man of great authoritie with Candace Queene of Aethiopia, which had the rule of all her treasure, which came to Ierusalem to worship: 28 And as he returned and sate in his Charriot, he reade Isaias the Prophet. 29 And the Spirite saide to Philip: Drawe neere, and bee thou ioyned to this Charriot. 30 And as Philip ran vnto it, he heard him reading the Prophet I say, and he ⟨p. 199⟩said: Vnderstandest thou what thou readest? 31 He said, How can I, vnlesse some man direct me? And he requested Philip, that he would come vp and sit with him.

26 And The Angel. Luke passeth over unto a new history, to wit, how the gospel came even unto the Ethiopians. For though he reporteth there was but one man converted unto the faith of Christ, yet because his authority and power was great in all the realm, his faith might spread abroad a sweet smell far and wide. For we know that the Gospel grew of small beginnings: and therein appeared the power of the Spirit more plainly, in that one grain of seed did fill a whole country in a small space. Philip is first commanded by the Angel, to go toward the South: the Angel telleth him not to what end. And thus doeth God oftentimes use to deal with those that be his, to prove their obedience. He showeth what he will have them to do: he commandeth them to do this or that: but he keepeth the success hidden with himself. Therefore let us be content with the commandment of God alone, although the reason of that which he enjoineth, or the fruit of obedience appear not by & by. For although this be not plainly expressed, yet all the commandments of God contain an hidden promise, that so often as we obey him, all that work which we take in hand, must needs fall out well. Moreover this ought to be sufficient for us, that God doth allow our studies, when as we take nothing in hand rashly or without his commandment. If any man object that Angels come not down daily from heaven, to reveal unto us what we ought to do: the answer is ready: that we are sufficiently taught in the word of God, what we ought to do, and that they are never destitute of counsel, who ask it of him, and submit themselves to the government of the Spirit. Therefore nothing doeth hinder and keep us back from being ready to follow God, save only our own slothfulness, and coldness in prayer.