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…

I command thee. We must note the form of speech. For as the miracle was about to have a double use: namely, that the power of Christ might be known: secondly that he might declare that he had no fellowship with Satan's jugglings: so Paul in giving the authority and power to Christ alone, doeth declare that he is only a minister, that done he doth openly set Christ against the devil, to the end that by the conflict all men may see that they be deadly enemies. For it was profitable that many should be awaked, who had bin given to such gross seducing, that being well purged they might come to the true faith.

I commaund thee. We must note the forme of speech. For as the myracle was about to haue a double vse: namely, that the power of Christ might be knowen: secondly that he might declare that he had no felowship with Satans iuglings: so Paul in giuing the authoritie and power to Christe alone, doeth declare that he is only a minister, that done hee doth openly set Christ against the diuell, to the end that by the conflict all men may see that they be deadly enemies. For it was profitable that many should be awaked, who had bin giuen to such grosse seducing, that being well purged they might come to the true faith.

19 But when her masters. The same devil who of late did flatter Paul by the mouth of the maid, doth now drive her masters into fury, that they may put him to death: so that having changed his coat he doth now play a tragedy: who could not speed well before by his fair speech and flattery. And though the heat of zeal wherewith Paul was provoked to anger did raise the whirlwind of persecution, yet is he not therefore to be blamed: neither did it any whit repent Paul that he had wrought the miracle, so that he did wish that that were undone which was done, because he knew full well through what motion he had driven the devil out of the maid: whereby we are taught that we must not rashly condemn things which are well done, and that which is taken in hand at the commandment of God, though an unhappy success follow: because God doth then examine the constancy of those which be his, until a more joyful and prosperous end drive away all sorrow. ⟨p. 398⟩