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…

Thus must all the ministers of Christ deal, that being furnished with ⟨p. 535⟩invincible constancy, so far as their calling requireth, they fear not danger, and yet that they cast not away themselves through rashness. Let them call upon the name of the Lord, cheerfully even amidst the pikes: and yet let them not contemn those helps which are offered. Otherwise they shall be injurious to God, in that they are not only not moved with his promises, but also despise the means which he hath appointed for their deliverance.

Thus must all the ministers of Christ deale, that being furnished with ⟨p. 535⟩inuincible constancie, so farre as their calling requireth, they feare not danger, and yet that they cast not away themselues through rashnesse. Let them call vpon the name of the Lorde, cheerefully euen amidst the pikes: and yet let them not contemne those helpes which are offered. Otherwise they shall be iniurious to God, in that they are not only not moued with his promises, but also despice the means which he hath appointed for their deliuerance.

19 Taking him by the hand. In that the chief captain did show himself so courteous to the young man, in that he lead him by the hand into a secret place, in that he vouchsafed to hear him so gently, all this must be attributed to the grace of God, who promised to give his people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, who useth to mollify hard hearts, to tame fierce spirits, and to fashion those unto all humanity, whom he hath determined to use as means to help those that be his. A man trained up in the wars might no less have given this young man the repulse, whom he knew not, then have despised Paul his suit. Therefore the Lord who hath in his hand the hearts of men, did frame the profane man to give ear unto him. Also it was well that he knew before how furiously they raged against Paul, that he might the more willingly succour a miserable and forsaken man. Those who are in authority are taught by this example what a great virtue courtesy is. If it had bin an hard matter to come to him, he might through ignorance have delivered Paul to the Jews to be put to death. So often times Magistrates do fall into many and great offences through their own pride, because they will not admit those who would give them good counsel.