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…

35 When it was day. The question is, how it came to pass that the Judges did so suddenly change their purpose. The day before, they had commanded that Paul & Silas should be bound with fetters, as if they meant to punish them cruelly: now they let them go free. At least if they had heard them, it might have bin that the knowledge of the cause had brought them to be more gentle and better minded. But it appeareth that forasmuch as the matter stood as yet still in one state, they were brought unto repentance of their own accord. I answer that there is no other thing here set down, but that which falleth out most commonly, when sedition is once raised. For not only the minds of the common people begin to rage, but also the tempest carrieth away the governors also, no doubt perversely: for we know that of Virgil, And as amidst a mighty route, when discord oft is bred, And baser froward minded men, with furious rage are led, Forthwith flies fire, and stones are flung, madness doth tools supply, Then if on the sudden they, do any one espy, Whom love to common wealth, and just deserts have reverent made, They hush, and eke attentive stand, to hear what will be said: He governs both their will and rage, With words their wrath he doth assuage.

35 When it was day. The question is, how it came to passe that the Iudges did so sodainly change their purpose. The day before, they had commaunded that Paul & Silas should be bound with fetters, as if they meant to punishe them cruelly: now they let them goe free. At least if they had heard them, it might haue bin that the knowledge of the cause had brought them to be more gentle and better minded. But it appeareth that forasmuch as the matter stood as yet stil in one state, they wer brought vnto repentance of their owne accorde. I answere that there is no other thing here set downe, but that which falleth out most commō ly, when sedition is once raised. For not onely the mindes of the common people begin to rage, but also the tempest carrieth away the gouernours also, no doubt peruersly: for we know that of Virgill, And as amidst a mightie route, when discord oft is bred, And baser froward minded men, with furious rage are led, Foorthwith flies fire, and stones are floung, madnes doth tooles supplie, Then if on the sodain they, doe any one espie, Whom loue to common wealth, and iust desarts haue reuerent made, They hush, and eeke attentiue stand, to heare what will be said: He gouerns both their will and rage, With wordes their wrath he doth aswage.