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…

9 And I truly, If Paul had not spoken more things then those ⟨p. 563⟩which Luke hath hitherto recited, his speech had not hanged well together. Whence we prove that which was said before, that after that he had spoken of the covenant of God, he entreated of the grace and office of Christ, as the matter required. And he repeateth the history of his conversion for this cause, not only that he may remove from him self all suspicion of lightness: but that he may testify that God had called him, and that he was even enforced by a commandment coming from heaven. For seeing that he was, contrary to his expectation, suddenly made a sheep of a wolf, such a violent change is of no small importance to purchase credit to his doctrine.

9 And I truly, If Paul had not spoken more thinges then those ⟨p. 563⟩which Luke hath hitherto recited, his speech had not hanged well together. Whence we proue that which was said before, that after that he had spoken of the couenant of God, hee intreated of the grace and office of Christe, as the matter required. And hee repeateth the historie of his conuersion for this cause, not only that he may remoue from him selfe all suspition of lightnesse: but that hee may testifie that God had called him, and that he was euen enforced by a commaundement comming from heauen. For seeing that he was, contrary to his expectation, sodainly made a sheepe of a woolfe, such a violent change is of no small importance to purchase credite to his doctrine.

Therefore he amplifieth that his heat and vehement desire which he had to punish the members of Christ, and also that stubbornness whereunto he was wholly given over. If he had been nuzzled up in the faith of Christ from his youth, or if he had been taught by some man, he should have embraced it willingly and without resistance, he himself should have been sure of his calling, but it should not have been so well known to others. But now seeing that being inflamed with obstinate and immoderate fury, being moved with no occasion, neither persuaded by mortal man, he changeth his mind; it appeareth that he was tamed and brought under by the hand of God.