The singular circumstance here is, the manner, in which, on this second occasion, mention is made of this name--Agabus: "a certain prophet named Agabus," Acts 21:10. Whether this was, or was not, the same as the former Agabus,--this mode of designation presents itself as alike extraordinary. If he _was_ the same,--in that case, as, by the addition of the adjunct "a certain prophet," a sort of cloud is thrown over his identity,--so, by so simple an expedient as that of the non-insertion of these redundant words, the clouds would have been dispelled. If he was _not_ the same,--so expressive being the circumstances, by which identity stands indicated--namely, the quarter _from_ whence the same; the quarter _to_ which the same; the importance of the mission, and the demand for talents and influence, in both cases so great; on this supposition, to prevent misconception, no less obvious than urgent was the demand, for some mark of distinction, to be added on this second occasion: in a word, for that sort of mark of distinction, which, on other occasions; may, in this same history, be seen more than once employed: witness _that John_, twice distinguished by the name of _John, whose surname was Mark_. Acts 22:25, _ib._ 25:37. Hence a suspicion, nor that an unnatural one--that, in this history, the part, in which the name Agabus occurs for the first time, and the part, in which that same name occurs for the second time, were not the work of the same hand. With or without the assistance of the Holy Ghost, with the like importunity, though in a tone corresponding to the difference of situation, was a dissuasion, to the same effect, added, with one voice, by the adherents, of whom the suite of the self-appointed Apostle was composed, and by all the other Christians then present. "And when we heard these things," says the author of the Acts, "both we, and they of that place, Cæsarea, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem." Acts 21:12. The Holy Ghost, whom all the rest of the Church had for their advocate, was no equal match for the Holy Ghost whom Paul had for his adviser. "What mean ye," says he, "to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:13. To a Holy Ghost so highly seated, submission from a Holy Ghost of inferior rank, was the only course left. "When he could not be persuaded, concludes the historian, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done."