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…

19 The angel of the Lord. The Lord brought the Apostles out of prison, not because he would rid them quite out of the hands of their enemies: for he suffered them afterwards to be brought back again, & to be beaten with rods. But he meant to declare by this miracle that they were in his hand and tuition, to the end he might maintain the credit of the gospel: partly, that the church might have another confirmation thereby: partly that the wicked might be left without excuse. Wherefore we must not hope always, nay we must not always desire that God will deliver us from death: but we must be content with this one thing, that our life is defended by his hand so far as is expedient. In that he useth the ministry of an angel, in this he doth according to his common custom. For he testifieth every where in the scriptures, that the angels are ministers of his goodness towards us. Neither is that a vain speculation. For this is a profitable help for our infirmity, that we know that not only god doth care for us, but also that the heavenly spirits do watch for our safety. Again, this was no small pledge of Gods love towards us, that the creatures of all other most noble are appointed to have regard of our safety. The angel openeth the prison in the night: because he would not work the miracle, when the wicked might see him: although he would have the same being wrought, known by the event it self.

19 The angell of the Lorde. The Lord brought the Apostles out of prison, not because he would rid them quite out of the handes of their enemies: for he suffered them afterwards to be brought back again, & to be beaten with roddes. But hee meant to declare by this myracle that they were in his hand and tuition, to the end hee might maintain the credite of the gospel: partly, that the church might haue another confirmation thereby: partly that the wicked might be left without excuse. Wherefore we must not hope alwaies, nay we must not alwaies desire that God will deliuer vs from death: but we must bee content with this one thing, that our life is defended by his hand so far as is expedient. In that hee vseth the ministerie of an angell, in this hee doth according to his common custome. For he testifieth euery where in the scriptures, that the angels are ministers of his goodnes towards vs. Neither is that a vaine speculation. For this is a profitable help for our infirmitie, that wee knowe that not only god doth care for vs, but also that the heauenly spirits do watch for our saftie. Againe, this was no small pledge of Gods loue towards vs, that the creatures of al other most noble are appointed to haue regarde of our saftie. The angel openeth the prison in the night: because he wold not worke the myracle, when the wicked might see him: although hee would haue the same being wrought, knowen by the euent it selfe.