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 Then when Festus. The second action is described in this place, wherein Paul hath as hard a combat, and is in no less danger then in the first. Seeing he was left in bonds, Festus might suspect that the cause was doubtful, and so gather an unjust prejudice. But there was another thing which was cause of greater danger. We know that new rulers, because they will win the favour of those who are in the provinces, use to grant them many things at their first coming: so that it was to be thought that the death of Paul, should be to Festus a fine means to win favour withal. Therefore the faith of the holy man is assailed afresh with a new trial, as if the promise had been vain whereto he ⟨p. 551⟩had hitherto trusted: but the grace of god doth so much the more plainly show it self in delivering him, because, contrary to all hope, he is delivered out of the jaws of death. The Jews prevent the governor with their false accusations: yet they do not as yet seek to have him punished, but they do only desire, that he may not be brought into any foreign court to plead his cause. They desire that ambitiously as a great benefit, which was to look to equal. How is it then that they do not obtain, save only because God doth hold the mind of Festus, so that he doth stoutly deny that, which he was afterward ready to grant? And as the Lord did then hold his mind bound with the secret bridle of his providence: so when he granted him freedom of will, he bound his hands, that he could not execute that which he would. Let this confidence support us in dangers, and let it also stir us up to call upon God: and let this make our minds quiet and calm, in that the Lord in stretching forth his hand and breaking such a strong conspiracy, did show an eternal example of his power in defending his.

1 Then when Festus. The seconde action is described in this place, wherein Paul hath as hard a cumbate, and is in no lesse daunger then in the first. Seing he was left in bondes, Festus might suspect that the cause was doubtfull, and so gather an vniust preiudice. But there was another thing which was cause of greater daunger. Wee know that newe rulers, because they will winne the fauour of those who are in the prouinces, vse to grant them many thinges at their first comming: so that it was to be thought that the death of Paul, should be to Festus a fine meanes to winne fauour withall. Therefore the faith of the holy man is assailed afresh with a newe triall, as if the promise had beene vaine whereto hee