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…

24 The chief captain. It was well and wisely done of the chief captain, thus to withdraw Paul from the sight of the people: forasmuch as his presence did move and more provoke them who were already too much moved. For by this means he provideth for the life of the holy man, and partly appeaseth the madness of the people. But when he commandeth him to be scourged, to whose charge he heard no certain crime laid, he seemeth to deal unjustly: and yet this injury was not without colour: because it was likely that it was not without cause, that all the people had conspired to put one man to death. Therefore a vehement presumption was the cause of so strait examination. But we must note that this is a common custom among politic men, that they be just judges so far as is expedient for ⟨p. 520⟩them: but if they be called away by profit, then they go out of the way. Nevertheless it is sufficient for them to colour this their wickedness with the title of wisdom, because they hold that general principle, that the world cannot be governed without some show or colour of justice. But in all actions that subtlety whereof I spake doth prevail, that they consider rather what is profitable, then what is equal and right.

24 The chiefe captaine. It was well and wisely done of the chiefe captayne, thus to withdraw Paul from the sight of the people: forasmuch as his presence did moue and more prouoke them who were alreadye too muche mooued. For by this meanes he prouideth for the life of the holie man, and partly appeaseth the madnesse of the people. But when he commaundeth him to be scourged, to whose charge hee hearde no certayne crime laide, hee seemeth to deale vniustly: and yet this iniurie was not without colour: because it was likely that it was not without cause, that all the people had conspired to putte one manne to death. Therefore a vehement presumption was the cause of so straite examination. But we must note that this is a common custome among politike menne, that they bee iust iudges so farre as is expedient for ⟨p. 520⟩them: but if they be called away by profite, then they go out of the way. Neuerthelesse it is sufficient for them to colour this their wickednesse with the title of wisdome, because they hold that generall principle, that the world cannot be gouerned without some shewe or colour of iustice. But in all actions that subtiltie whereof I spake doth preuaile, that they consider rather what is profitable, then what is equall and right.