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…

15 Hereto agree the words of the prophets. We see now, how the Apostles took nothing to themselves imperiously, but did reverently follow that which was prescribed in the word of God. Neither did it grieve them, neither did they count it any disgrace to them to profess themselves to be the scholars of the scripture. Also we must here note that the use of the doctrine of the prophets is yet in force, which some brainsick men would banish out of the church. By citing the prophets in the plural number, to be witnesses, whereas he doth allege one place only, he signifieth that there is such an agreement among them, that that which is spoken by one, is the common testimony of them all, because they speak all with one mouth, and every one speaketh as in the person of all, or rather the spirit of God speaketh in them all. Moreover the Oracles of all the prophets were gathered together, that they might make one body. Wherefore that might worthily and fitly be ascribed to all the prophets in general, which was taken out of some one part of the general book.

15 Heereto agree the wordes of the prophets. Wee see now, how the Apostles tooke nothing to themselues imperiously, but did reuerently folow that which was prescribed in the word of God. Neither did it greeue them, neither did they count it any disgrace to them to professe themselues to be the scholers of the scripture. Also wee must here note that the vse of the doctrine of the prophets is yet in force, which some brainsicke men would banish out of the church. By citing the prophets in the plurall number, to be witnesses, whereas he doth alleage one place only, hee signifieth that there is such an agreement among them, that that which is spoken by one, is the common testimonie of them all, because they speake all with one mouth, and euery one speaketh as in the person of all, or rather the spirit of God speaketh in them all. Moreouer the Oracles of all the prophetes were gathered togeather, that they might make one bodie. Wherefore that might worthily and fitly be ascribed to all the prophets in generall, which was taken out of som one part of the generall booke.

16 After these things I will return. Because the place is not cited word for word as it is in the prophet, we must see what difference there is: though it be not necessary to examine straitly what diversity there is in the words, so it appear that the prophecy doeth fitly agree with the matter which is in hand. After that God hath promised the restoring of the tabernacle of David, he saith also, that he will bring to pas, that the Jews shall possess the remnants of Edom. In all that text there appeareth nothing as yet, whence the calling of the gentiles can be fet or gathered: but that which followeth immediately after in the prophet, concerning the remnant of the Gentiles, which shall call upon the name of the Lord, doeth plainly show that the Jews & Gentiles shall make one