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…

13 Lord, I have heard. In that Ananias objecteth the danger to the Lord, he betrayeth his weakness of faith therein. Therefore we see that the saints and servants of God are afraid of death, which thing keepeth them back from doing their duty, yea it causeth them sometimes to stagger. Ananias would gladly go to some other place: but this is a point of a good man, that he yieldeth not so much to fear, that he withdraweth himself from Christs obedience. And therefore this is a sign of rare obedience, that although through fear of death he were somewhat slack at the first, yet having forgotten himself by and by, he maketh great haste to go whither Christ called him. And yet notwithstanding he refuseth not flatly in these words, to do that which he is commanded to do: but useth an excuse very modestly: Lord, what meaneth this, that thou sendest me to the hangman? Therefore we may see a desire to obey, mixed with fear.

13 Lord, I haue heard. In that Ananias obiecteth the daunger to the Lord, he bewraieth his weaknesse of faith therein. Therfore we see that the saints and seruants of God are afraid of death, which thing keepeth them backe from doing their dutie, yea it causeth them sometimes to stagger. Ananias would gladly go to some other place: but this is a point of a good man, that he yeeldeth not so much to feare, that he withdraweth himselfe from Christs obedience. And therfore this is a signe of rare obedience, that although through feare of death hee were somewhat slacke at the first, yet hauing forgotten himselfe by and by, he maketh great haste to goe whither Christ called him. And yet notwithstanding he refuseth not flatly in these words, to doe that which he is commaunded to do: but vseth an excuse verie modestly: Lord, what meaneth this, that thou sendest me to the hangman? Therefore we may see a desire to obey, mixed with feare.

14 He hath power to bind. We gather by these words, that the fame of the persecution which Saul went about, was spread far and wide: for which cause his conversion was more famous. Nevertheless the Lord suffered the faithful to be evil entreated, that the benefit of such sudden deliverance might afterward be the more excellent. We must mark that speech, when he saith that the godly call upon the name of Christ. For whether you understand it, that inasmuch as they professed that they were Christs, they rejoiced therefore in him, or that they used to fly to him for succour, invocation cannot be without sure confidence. By both which the divinity of Christ is not only proved, but also if the second be received, which seemeth to be more natural, we are taught by the