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…

10 I stand at Caesars judgement seat. Because Paul seeth that he is betrayed into the hands of the Jews through the ambition of the governor, he objecteth the privilege of the city of Rome. He had submitted himself modestly, if he had commanded him to do that which was just and equal. Now because the governor doeth not his duty willingly: necessity compelleth the holy man to defend himself by law: and by this means the Lord delivereth him now again even when he was almost given over into the hands of the enemies. And whereas he desireth to have his matter handled before Caesars judgement seat: he doth not therefore make the doctrine of the Gospel subject to the judgement of a profane and wicked man: but being ready to give an account of his faith every where: he appealeth from that court where he could no longer hope for equity. Furthermore though the Citizens of Rome did retain their privilege: yet the order was then altered: because the Caesars had taken into their own hands the judging of the people, as if they would be good maintainers and patrons of common liberty.

10 I stand at Caesars iudgement seat. Because Paul seeth that hee is betraied into the handes of the Iewes through the ambition of the gouernour, he obiecteth the priuiledge of the citie of Rome. Hee had submitted himselfe modestly, if he had cmomaunded him to do that which was iust and equall. Nowe because the gouernour doeth not his duetie willingly: necessitie compelleth the holy man to defend himself by law: and by this meanes the Lorde deliuereth him nowe againe euen when he was almost giuen ouer into the hands of the enemies. And wheras he desireth to haue his matter handled before Caesars iudgement seat: he doth not therefore make the doctrine of the Gospell subiect to the iudgement of a profane and wicked man: but beeing readie to giue an account of his faith euery where: he appealeth from that court where he could no longer hope for equitie. Furthermore though the Citizens of Rome did retaine their priuiledge: yet the order was then altered: because the Cesars had taken into their owne handes the iudging of the people, as if they would bee good maintainers and patrons of common libertie.

To the Jews have I done. Because those whose consciences do accuse them, and which mistrust their matter, fly unto certain odd excuses and exceptions. Paul turneth away from himself this opinion. And surely the ministers of Christ, ought to have no less care to make their innocency known, then to save their life. If Paul had flatly denied to answer for himself, the enemies would have triumphed, and the doubtfulness of an evil conscience should have been objected to him to the reproach of the Gospel. But now when he citeth the governor himself to be a witness of his integrity, and doth refuse no punishment, if he shall be found guilty, he cutteth of all occasion of slanderous reports. Therefore he showeth that he doth not seek to save himself by turning his back, but flieth unto the fortress of a just defence, that he may there save himself from injury, seeing his adversaries have hitherto handled him unjustly: and now refusing to deal with him any longer by law they go about to have him murdered. Neither doth Paul go behind the Presidents back to tell him that he doth unjustly, in that he doth so dally with his accusers: and therewithal he doth as it were bridle his lust so that he dare go no further.