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…

10 We see again what a cruel mischief contention is, which so soon as it doeth once wax hot, hath such violent motions, that even most wise men are not well in their wits. Therefore so soon as any beginning shall show it self, let us study to prevent it in time, least the remedy be too late in bridling it when it is in the middle: because no fire is so swift as it. As for the chief captain, as he was appointed to be the minister of Gods providence to save Pauls life: so he delivereth him now the second time by his soldiers from death. For though the chief captain defend him so diligently for no other purpose, save only that he may prevent uproars and murder: yet the Lord who from heaven provided and appointed help for his servant, doeth direct his blind hands thither.

10 Wee see againe what a cruell mischiefe contention is, which so soone as it doeth once waxe whot, hath suche violent motions, that euen most wise men are not well in their wittes. Therefore so soone as anie beginning shall shew it selfe, let vs studie to preuent it in time, least the remedie be too late in brideling it when it is in the middle: because no fire is so swift as it. As for the chiefe captaine, as hee was appointed to bee the minister of Gods prouidence to saue Paules life: so hee deliuereth him now the second time by his souldiars from death. For thogh the chief captaine defend him so diligently for no other purpose, saue only that he may preuent vprores and murder: yet the Lorde who from heauen prouided and appointed helpe for his seruaunt, doeth direct his blind hands thither.

11 And the night following, Luke declareth that Paul was strengthened with an oracle, that he might stand courageously against terrible assaults, when things were so far out of order. Surely it could not be but that he was sore afraid, and that he was sore troubled with the remembrance of things to come. Wherefore the oracle was not superfluous. Those former things, whereby he was taught that God cared for him, ought to have sufficed to nourish his hope, and to have kept him from fainting: but because in great dangers, Satan doth oftentimes procure new fears, that he may thereby (if he cannot altogether overwhelm Gods promises in the hearts of the godly) at least darken the same with clouds: it is needful that the remembrance of them be renewed, that faith being holpen with new props and stays, may stand more steadfastly. But the sum is, that Paul may behave him self boldly, because he must be Christ his witness at Rome also. But this seemeth to be but a cold and vain consolation: as if he should say: Fear not, because thou must abide a sorer brunt: for it had been better according to the flesh, once to die and with speed to end his days, then to pine away in bands and long time to lie in prison.