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…

He heard him touching the faith. This confession of Paul doth witness that he did not spare to speak of Christ before, because he was afraid, or because he would escape the trouble of the cross: but because it was not yet time to speak. Seeing he was cited unto the judgement seat to answer for himself, it stood him upon to answer concerning the crimes which were objected to him, that he might afterward frankly and freely profess the faith of Christ. Therefore when he now seeth the gate set open and opportunity offered for speaking, he is not afraid to offend the Governor, neither is he terrified with danger, that he doeth craftily make as if he were not a Christian. Therefore we see that he was as well furnished with invincible constancy, as with wisdom and judgement: neither did he ever of set purpose suppress the light of the Gospel, but did only make choice of the time.

He heard him touching the faith. This confession of Paul doth witnesse that hee did not spare to speake of Christ before, because he was afraid, or because hee would escape the trouble of the crosse: but because it was not yet time to speake. Seeing hee was cited vnto the iudgement seate to aunswere for himselfe, it stoode him vppon to aunswere concerning the crimes which were obiected to him, that hee might afterward frankly and freely professe the faith of Christ. Therefore when he nowe seeth the gate set open and opportunitie offered for speaking, he is not affraide to offende the Gouernour, neither is hee terrified with daunger, that hee doeth craftilie make as if hee were not a Christian. Therefore wee see that hee was as well furnished with inuincible constancie, as with wisedome and iudgement: neither did hee euer of set purpose suppresse the light of the Gospell, but did onely make choice of the time.

Now the wonderful counsel of God is worth the noting in this place, who will have the Gospel offered sometimes to the reprobate: not that they may profit thereby, but rather that they may be made inexcusable. It had bin better for Felix and Drusilla never to have heard any thing concerning Christ: because they did not escape without punishment for refusing the grace of salvation which was offered to them, or for neglecting the same with loathsomeness. Furthermore we must note this, that certain by reason of that seed of godliness which is in them engendered, do desire to hear the Gospel preached, which so soon as they have heard, they do by and by either loath or else they cannot suffer it. Nevertheless the preaching of the Gospel, (what success so ever it have) is a good and sweet savour to God: whether it quicken, or kill men.