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…

25 Is it lawful. He allegeth first the privilege of the city, then he defendeth himself by common law. And though there were more weight in the second point (to wit, that it is not lawful to scourge a man before his cause is heard) yet should he have prevailed nothing, unless the centurion had been more moved with the honour of the Romaine Empire, for nothing was then more heinous than to do any thing which was contrary to the liberty of the people of Rome. Valerius his law, the law of Porcius and of Sempronius & such like did forbid that no man should do any violence to the body of the city of Rome without the commandment of the people. The privilege was so sure and holy that they thought it to be not only a deadly offence: but also such an offence as could not be purged, that a citizen of Rome should be beaten.

25 Is it lawfull. He alleageth first the priuiledge of the citie, then he defendeth himselfe by common lawe. And though there were more weight in the second point (to wit, that it is not lawfull to scourge a man before his cause is heard) yet should he haue preuailed nothing, vnlesse the centurion had been more moued with the honour of the Romaine Empire, for nothing was then more hainous thē to doe any thing which was contrarye to the libertie of the people of Rome. Valerius his law, the law of Porcius and of Sempronius & such like did forbid that no man should doe any violence to the body of the citie of Rome without the commaundement of the people. The priuiledge was so sure and holy that they thought it to be not only a deadly offence: but also such an offence as could not be purged, that a citizen of Rome should bee beaten.

Therefore Paul escaped rather by the privilege then by common equity, yet did he not doubt in a good cause to bear of the injury which was prepared for him, with this buckler of the city. But we must know that he did so allege the right & privilege of the city, that the chief captain was brought to believe him: because his words should not have been credited unless he had used some proof. Moreover it was no hard matter for a man who was well known to bring forth witnesses. We alleged a cause in the sixteenth chapter,