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…

39 And Peter arose. It is doubtful whether the messengers declared to Peter the matter and cause why they fet him: yet it is more like to be true, that they requested him absolutely, that he would come to work a miracle. But there ariseth another question, Whether he knew Gods purpose or no. First, if he should mistrust the success, he should go with them unadvisedly. I answer, Although he did not yet know, what the Lord would do, yet can he not be blamed for yielding to the request of the brethren. Also there were other reasons why he should come: to wit, to mitigate their sorrow: to strengthen them with godly exhortations, least they should faint, being discouraged with the death of one woman: to establish the Church which was as yet tender and but as it were an infant. Lastly this one thing ought to have been sufficient for him, because in refusing he should have ben thought proudly to despise his brethren, notwithstanding we must know this also, that so often as the Lord determined to work some miracle by his Apostles, he did always direct them by the secret motion of the Spirit. I do ⟨p. 231⟩not doubt but that although Peter were not yet certain of the life of Tabitha, yet did he undoubtedly perceive that God was his guide and conductor in that journey: so that he addressed himself to go not unadvisedly, though being uncertain of the event.

39 And Peter arose. It is doubtfull whether the messangers declared to Peter the matter and cause why they fet him: yet it is more like to be true, that they requested him absolutely, that he would come to work a myracle. But there ariseth another question, Whether hee knew Gods purpose or no. First, if he should mistrust the successe, hee shoulde goe with them vnaduisedly. I answere, Although he did not yet know, what the Lord would doe, yet can hee not be blamed for yeelding to the request of the brethren. Also there were other reasons why hee shoulde come: to wit, to mitigate their sorrowe: to strengthen them with godly exhortations, least they shoulde faint, being discouraged with the death of one woman: to establish the Church which was as yet tender and but as it were an infant. Lastly this one thing ought to haue beene sufficient for him, because in refusing he shuld haue ben thought proudly to despise his brethren, notwithstanding we must know this also, that so often as the Lorde determined to worke some myracle by his Apostles, he did alwayes direct them by the secreat motion of the Spirit. I do