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…

neither is our will one hair readier to obey, than was Pauls, until such time as the pride of our heart be beaten down, and he have made us not only flexible, but also willing to obey and follow. Therefore such is the beginning of our conversion, that the Lord seeketh us of his own accord when we wander and go astray, though he be not called and sought: that he changeth the stubborn affections of our hart, to the end he may have us to be apt to be taught. Furthermore, this history is of great importance to confirm Paul his doctrine. If Paul had always been one of Christs disciples, wicked and froward men might extenuate the weight of the testimony, which he giveth of his master. If he should have showed himself to be easy to be entreated, and gentle at the first, we should see nothing but that which is proper to man: but when as a deadly enemy to Christ, rebellious against the gospel, puffed up with the confidence which he reposed in his wisdom, inflamed with hatred of the true faith, blinded with hypocrisy, wholly set upon the overthrowing of the truth, is suddenly changed into a new man, after an unwonted manner: and of a wolf, is not only turned into a sheep, but doth also take to himself a shepherds nature: it is as if Christ should bring forth with his hand some Angel sent from heaven. For we do not now see that Saul of Tarsus: but a new man framed by the Spirit of God: so that he speaketh by his mouth now as it were from heaven.

neither is our wil one haire readier to obey, than was Paules, vntil such time as the pride of our heart be beaten downe, and he haue made vs not only flexible, but also willing to obey and follow. Therefore such is the beginning of our conuersion, that the Lord seeketh vs of his owne accord when we wander and go astray, though hee bee not called and sought: that hee changeth the stubborne affections of our hart, to the end he may haue vs to be apt to be taught. Furthermore, this historie is of great importaunce to confirme Paule his doctrine. If Paule had alwayes been one of Christes disciples, wicked and froward men might extenuate the weight of the testimonie, which he giueth of his master. If he should haue shewed himselfe to be easie to be intreated, and gentle at the first, we shuld see nothing but that which is proper to man: but when as a deadly enemie to Christe, rebellious against the gospel, puffed vp with the confidence which he reposed in his wisdom, inflamed with hatred of the true faith, blinded with hypocrisie, wholy set vpon the ouerthrowing of the truth, is sodainly changed into a new man, after an vnwonted maner: and of a wolfe, is not only turned into a sheep, but doth also take to himselfe a sheepheards nature: it is as if Christ should bring foorth with his hande some Angel sent from heauen. For we doe not nowe see that Saul of Tarsus: but a newe man framed by the Spirite of God: so that hee speaketh by his mouth now as it were from heauen.