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…

Two of his servants. Cornelius had this reward for being so diligent in teaching his family, that he had faithful and honest servants who were willing to do him service: and also such as that he might commit any thing to them. On the other side, the Lord doth oftentimes punish masters with just punishments, who have no regard to instruct their families. For they find those justly stubborn and unfaithful, whom they would not frame unto godliness and the fear of God, and also they are afraid of their treachery.

Two of his seruants. Cornelius had this reward for beeing so diligent in teaching his family, that he had faithfull and honest seruauntes who were willing to do him seruice: and also such as that he might cōmit any thing to them. On the other side, the Lord doth oftentimes punish masters with iust punishments, who haue no regarde to instruct their families. For they finde those iustly stubborne and vnfaithfull, whome they would not frame vnto godlines and the feare of God, and also they are afraid of their treacherie.

A godly soldier. Forasmuch as this soldier was much conversant with Cornelius, he had also taught him to fear God, as well as his household servants. It is meet that we call to mind here, that which I touched before, That there is no kind of life which excuseth us, but that we must worship god purely. For a soldiers life was at that time most corrupt, for they were fallen unto filthy licentiousness, from the ancient discipline, and yet the Spirit of God beareth record in this place of the godliness of soldiers. Wherefore there is no cause why they should require a calling that is free from worshipping God, under colour of warfare, who would by one means or other be free from all righteousness. If they deny that they can serve God, because they be soldiers: they shall have these two soldiers meet judges and witnesses against them at the last day, who shall condemn them. And in the mean season those brainsick fellows are condemned, who cry that it is unlawful for Christians to carry weapons. For these men were warriors & yet godly: & when they embrace Christ, they forsake not their former kind of life, they cast not away their armour as hurtful, ne yet forsake their calling.