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…

28 He signified by the Spirit. Luke doth plainly express that the Spirit of God was the author of this prophecy, that we may know that it was not a conjecture taken by the stars or some other natural causes: again, that Agabus did not play the Philosopher after the manner of men: but he uttered that which God had appointed by the secrete inspiration of the Spirit. Barrenness may indeed be sometimes foretold by the disposition of the stars, but there is no certainty in such foretellings, both because of the opposite concourses, and also especially, because god doth govern earthly things at his pleasure, far otherwise than can be gathered by the stars, that he may lead men away from the perverse beholding of stars. And although these foretellings have their degree, yet the prophesies of the Spirit do far exceed them. But it seemeth that the foretelling of the famine was unlucky, and not to be wished for: for to what end was it for men to be made miserable before their time, by having the unhappy event foretold? I answer, that there be many causes, for which it is expedient that men should be warned before in time when the judgements of God hang over their heads, & punishments due to their sins. I omit others which are usual in the prophets, because they have a space granted wherein to repent, that they may prevent gods judgement, who have provoked his wrath against themselves: because the faithful are instruct in time, to arm themselves with patience: because the obstinate ⟨p. 276⟩wickedness of wicked men is convict: because both good and evil learn that miseries do not come by chance, but that they are punishments wherewith God doth punish the sins of the world: because those are awaked out of their sleep and sluggishness by this means, who took great delight in their vices. The profit of this present prophecy appeareth by the text, because the men of Antioch were thereby pricked forward to relieve their brethren which were in misery.

28 He signified by the Spirit. Luke doth plainely expresse that the Spirite of God was the authour of this prophesie, that wee may knowe that it was not a coniecture taken by the starres or some other naturall causes: again, that Agabus did not play the Philosopher after the maner of men: but he vttered that which God had appointed by the secrete inspiration of the Spirit. Barrennesse may indeed be somtimes fortold by the disposition of the starres, but there is no certaintie in such foretellinges, both because of the opposite concourses, and also especially, because god doth gouerne earthly things at his pleasure, farre otherwise than can be gathered by the starres, that he may lead men away from the peruerse beholding of starres. And although these foretellings haue their degree, yet the prophesies of the Spirit doe far exced them. But it seemeth that the foretelling of the famine was vnluckie, and not to be wished for: for to what end was it for mē to be made miserable before their time, by hauing the vnhappy euent fortold? I answer, that there be many causes, for which it is expedient that men should be warned before in time whē the iudgements of God hang ouer their heads, & punishmentes due to their sins. I omit others which are vsuall in the prophetes, bicause they haue a space graūted wherin to repēt, that they may preuent gods iudgement, who haue prouoked his wrath against thēselues: bicause the faithfull are instruct in time, to arme themselues with patiēce: because the obstinate