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…

33 He was baptised and all his household. Luke doth again commend the godly zeal of the keeper, that he did consecrate all his whole house to the Lord: wherein doth also appear the grace of God, in that he brought all his whole family unto a godly consent And we must also note the notable exchange: he was of late about to murder himself, because he thought that Paul & the rest were escaped: but now laying aside all fear, he bringeth them home. So that we see how faith doth animate and encourage those to behave themselves stoutly, who before had no hart. And surely when we droop through fear & doubtfulness, there is no better matter of boldness, then to be able to cast all our cares into Gods bosom: that no danger may terrify us from doing our duty, whiles that we look for an end at Gods hand, such as he shall see to be most profitable.

33 He was baptised and all his houshold. Luke doth again cōmend the godly zeale of the keeper, that he did consecrate all his whole house to the Lord: wherein doth also appeare the grace of God, in that he brought al his whole family vnto a godly cōsent And we must also note the notable exchange: he was of late about to murther himself, because hee thought that Paul & the rest were escaped: but now laying aside al feare, he bringeth them home. So that we see how faith doth animate and incourage those to behaue themselues stoutly, who before had no hart. And surelie when we droupe through feare & doubtfulnes, there is no better matter of boldnes, then to be able to cast al our cares into Gods bosome: that no dāger may terrify vs frō doing our dutie, whiles that we looke for an end at Gods hand, such as he shal see to be most profitable.

34 He rejoiced that he believed. The external profession of faith was before commended in the Jailer: now the inward fruit thereof is described. When he did lodge the Apostles, & was not afraid of punishment, but did courteously entertain them in his own house, otherwise then he was enjoined by the magistrate, he did testify that his faith was not idle. And that joy whereof Luke speaketh in this place is a singular good thing, which every man hath from his faith. There is no greater torment then an evil conscience: for the unbelievers, though they seek by all means to bring themselves into a certain amazedness, yet because they have no peace with God, they must needs quake and tremble. But admit they perceive not their present torments, yea they rage and play the mad men, through mad and unbridled licentiousness: yet are they never quiet, neither do they enjoy quiet joy. Therefore sincere and quiet stable joy proceedeth from faith alone, when we perceive that God is merciful to us. In this respect Zechariah saith, Rejoice and be glad O daughter Zion, behold thy king cometh. Yea this effect is every where in the scripture attributed to faith, that it maketh the souls joyful. Therefore let us know that faith is not a vain or dead imagination: but a lively sealing of the grace of God, which bringeth perfect joy by reason of the certainty of salvation whereof it is meet that the wicked be void, who do both fly from the God of peace, & disturb all righteousness.