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…

1 Seeing Ananias goeth down to Caesarea to accuse Paul, it maketh the conjecture more probable, which I brought before touching his Priesthood. For it was not meet for the highest Priest to take such a journey: Therefore some other man was highest Priest at that time: and Ananias being one of the chief Priests, forasmuch as he was in great authority and was withal a stout man, did take this embassy upon him. He bringeth with him a train and that of the worshipful company of Elders, that the Governor might be moved with their very pomp to condemn Paul. But forasmuch as Paul did use no eloquence, they had no need to hire a Rhetorician, to contend with him in eloquence. Moreover they did exceed both in dignity and also in multitude, so that it was an easy matter for them to oppress a poor man, and such a one as was destitute of mans help. Therefore it was a sign of an evil conscience, in that seeing they were men of great experience, exercised in public affairs, and skilful in matters pertaining to courts, they hire a Rhetorician. Eloquence is I confess, the gift of God: but in this matter they went about nothing else but to deceive the judge therewith. And Luke declareth this therefore, that we may know that the Jews did omit nothing, whereby they might oppress Paul: and that they might not only prove him guilty, but so dash him out of countenance, that he might not be able to defend himself: and so let us consider that it came to pass by the wonderful providence of God, that Paul did so stoutly endure such sore assaults. Wherefore if it so fall out at any time that a godly man being alone be beset with a great number of enemies, let him call to mind this history, and let him be of good courage.¹ As David doeth likewise exhort us by his own example, If tents were pitched about me, I will not fear, because thou art with me.

1 Seing Ananias goeth downe to Cesarea to accuse Paul, it maketh the coniecture more probable, which I brought before touching his Priesthood. For it was not meet for the highest Priest to take such a iorney: Therefore some other man was highest Priest at that time: and Ananias being one of the chiefe Priests, forasmuch as he was in great authoritie and was withall a stout man, did take this ambassage vpon him. He bringeth with him a traine and that of the worshipfull companie of Elders, that the Gouernour might be moued with their verie pompe to condemne Paul. But forasmuch as Paul did vse no eloquence, they had no neede to hire a Rhetorician, to contend with him in eloquence. Moreouer they did exceede both in dignitie and also in multitude, so that it was an easie matter for them to oppresse a poore man, and such a one as was destitute of mans helpe. Therefore it was a signe of an euill conscience, in that seing they were men of great experience, exercised in publike affaires, and skilfull in matters pertaining to courts, they hyre a Rhetorician. Eloquence is I confesse, the gift of God: but in this matter they went about nothing else but to deceiue the iudge therewith. And Luke declareth this therefore, that wee may know that the Iewes did omit nothing, whereby they might oppresse Paule: and that they might not onely prooue him giltie, but so dash him out of countenance, that he might not be able to defend himselfe: and so let vs consider that it came to passe by the wonderfull prouidence of God, that Paul did so stoutly endure such sore assaultes. Wherefore if it so fall out at any time that a godly man being alone be beset with a great number of enimies, let him call to minde this historie, and let him bee of good courage.