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…

12 And when it was day. By this circumstance Luke showeth how necessary it was for Paul to gather new and fresh strength of faith, that he might nor quake in most great and sudden danger. For being told of this so desperate madness of his enemies, he could not otherwise think but that he should loose his life. This vow whereof Luke speaketh, was a kind of curse. The cause of the vow was, that it might not be lawful for them to change their purpose, nor to call back that which they had promised. There is always in deed in an oath a secret curse, if any man deceive or forswear: but sometimes to the end men may the more bind themselves, they use certain forms of cursing: and they make themselves subject to cruel torments, to the end they may be thee more afraid. This history doeth teach that zeal is so bloody in hypocrites, that they weigh not what is lawful for them: but they run carelessly whither soever their lust doth carry them. Admit we grant that Paul was a wicked man, and worthy to die: yet who had given private men leave to put him to death? Now if any man had asked why they did so hate Paul, they would quickly have answered because he was a revolt & schismatic but it was but a foolish opinion, and an opinion conceived of an uncertain report concerning this matter, which had rashly possessed their minds.

12 And when it was day. By this circumstaunce Luke sheweth howe necessary it was for Paul to gather new and fresh strength of faith, that he might nor quake in most great and sodaine danger. For being told of this so desperate madnesse of his enemies, he could not otherwise think but that he should loose his life. This vow whereof Luke speaketh, was a kinde of curse. The cause of the vow was, that it might not be lawful for them to change their purpose, nor to cal back that which they had promised. There is alwaies in deed in an oath a secret curse, if any man deceiue or forsweare: but sometimes to the end men may the more bind themselues, they vse certaine formes of cursing: and they make themselues subiect to cruell torments, to the ende they may be thee more afraid. This historie doeth teache that zeale is so blooddy in hypocrites, that they weigh not what is lawfull for them: but they runne carelesly whither soeuer their lust doth carry them. Admit we graunt that Paul was a wicked man, and worthie to die: yet who had giuen priuate men leaue to put him to death? Now if any man had asked why they did so hate Paul, they would quickly haue answered because he was a reuolt & schismatike but it was but a foolish opinion, and an opinion conceiued of an vnc•rtaine report concerning this matter, which had rashly possessed their minds.