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…

18. Paul took it grievously. It may be that at the first Paul neglected and did not greatly regard the crying of the maid, because he hoped ⟨p. 397⟩that there would be no account made thereof, and had rather that it should vanish away of it self. But the continual repetition doth at length make him weary: because if he had any longer dissembled, Satan would have waxed more & more insolent through his silence and patience. Secondly, he ought not to have broken out into this prohibition rashly, until he knew for a certainty that he was furnished with the power of God. For Paul his commandment had bin foolish & vain, without the commandment of God. And this must be noted, least any man condemn Paul of too great hastiness, because he encountered so valiantly with the unclean spirit. For he did not conceive any grief or indignation save only because he saw that the subtlety of Satan would increase, unless he did betimes prevent it: neither did he attempt any thing without the motion of the spirit: neither did he enter the conflict until he was armed with power from heaven. Notwithstanding he seemeth to be contrary to himself, seeing that he saith elsewhere that he rejoiceth upon what occasion soever he see the gospel preached, even by wicked men, and such as did study of set purpose to bring him in contempt.¹ I answer that he had another more apter reason for himself in this place: because all men would have thought that the Spirit of the maid had plaid with Paul: so that by that means the doctrine of the gospel should not only have come in suspicion, but should also have come into great contempt. To this end was it that Christ also did command the devil to hold his peace,² whereas notwithstanding he suffered his name to be extolled by unmeet and unworthy men.

18. Paul tooke it greeuously. It may be that at the first Paul neglected and did not greatly regard the crying of the maide, because hee hoped ⟨p. 397⟩that there woulde bee no account made thereof, and had rather that it shuld vanish away of it self. But the continuall repetition doth at length make him wearie: because if he had any longer dissembled, Satan would haue waxt more & more insolent through his silence and patience. Secondly, he ought not to haue broken out into this prohibition rashly, vntill he knew for a certaintie that hee was furnished with the power of God. For Paul his commandement had bin foolish & vain, without the commaundement of God. And this must bee noted, least any man condemn Paul of too great hastines, bicause he incoūtred so valiantly with the vncleane spirite. For hee did not cōceiue any griefe or indignation saue only because he saw that the subtiltie of Satan woulde increase, vnlesse he did betimes preuēt it: neither did he attempt any thing without the motion of the spirit: neither did he enter the conflict vntill hee was armed with power from heauen. Notwithstanding he seemeth to be cō trary to himselfe, seeing that he saith elswhere that he reioyceth vppon what occasion soeuer he see the gospel preached, euen by wicked men, and such as did studie of set purpose to bring him in contempt.