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…

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.

19 Taking him by the hand. In that the chiefe captaine did shewe himself so courteous to the young man, in that he lead him by the hand into a secret place, in that he vouchsafed to heare him so gently, all this must be attributed to the grace of God, who promised to giue his people fauour in the sight of the Egyptians, who vseth to mollifie harde hearts, to tame fierce spirites, and to fashion those vnto al humanitie, whom he hath determined to vse as meanes to helpe those that be his. A man trained vp in the warres might no lesse haue giuen this young man the repulse, whom he knew not, then haue despiced Paul his sute. Therefore the Lord who hath in his hand the hearts of men, did frame the profane man to giue eare vnto him. Also it was well that he knewe before how furiously they raged against Paul, that hee might the more willingly succour a miserable and forsaken man. Those who are in authoritie are taught by this example what a great vertue curtesie is. If it had bin an hard matter to come to him, he might through ignorance haue deliuered Paul to the Iewes to bee put to death. So often times Magistrates doe fall into many and great offences through their owne pride, because they will not admit those who woulde giue them good counsell.