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…

And those which lay bound. We must know that Paul & Silas prayed aloud, that they might make the boldness of a good conscience known to others, who were shut up in the same prison: for they might have made their prayer with secret groaning and sighing of heart as they were wont, or they might have prayed unto the Lord quietly and softly. Why do they then exalt their voice? Assuredly they do not that for any ambition: but that they may profess, that trusting to the goodness of their cause they fly without fear unto God. Therefore in their prayers was included a confession of faith, which did appertain unto a common example, and prepared as well the malefactors as the Jailers house to consider the miracle.

And those which lay bound. Wee must know that Paul & Silas prayed aloud, that they might make the boldnesse of a good conscience known to others, who wer shut vp in the same prison: for they might haue made their praier with secret groning and sighing of heart as they were wont, or they might haue prayed vnto the Lorde quietly and softly. Why doe they then exalt their voice? Assuredly they do not that for any ambitiō: but that they may professe, that trusting to the goodnesse of their cause they flie without fear vnto God. Therefore in their praiers was included a confession of faith, which did appertaine vnto a common exāple, and prepared as wel the malefactors as the Iailers house to consider the myracle.

26 There was an earthquake. The Lord in showing this visible sign, meant chiefly to provide for his servants, that they might more manifestly know that their prayers were heard: yet he had respect also of the rest. He could have loosed the fetters of Paul & Silas without an earthquake, & also have opened the gates. But that addition served not a little to confirm them, seeing that the Lord for their sakes did shake both the air & also the earth: again it was requisite that the keeper of the prison & the rest should feel the presence of God, least they should think that the miracle came by chance, Neither is it to be doubted but that the Lord did then show a token of his power, which should be profitable for all ages, so that the faithful may fully assure themselves that he will be nigh unto them, so often as they are to enter combats & dangers for the defence of the Gospel. Nevertheless he doth neither always keep the same course, to testify his pretence by manifest signs, neither is it lawful for us to prescribe him a law. For he did help his by manifest miracles then, for this cause, that we may be content with his hidden grace at this day: concerning which matter we have spoken more upon the second chapter.