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…

7 A light shined. It is to be thought that Peter alone saw this light: and that the soldiers did either sleep so soundly, or else were so amazed, that they neither felt nor perceived any thing. And there might be two causes why god would have the light to shine: either that Peter might have the use thereof, and that the darkness might be no hindrance to him: or that it might be to him a sign and token of the heavenly glory. For we read oftentimes, that the Angels appeared with glistering brightness, even when the Sun did shine. Assuredly Peter might have gathered by the strange light that God was present: and also he ought to have made his profit thereof. When as the Angel smiteth Peters side, it appeareth hereby what a care God hath for his, who watcheth over them when they sleep, and raiseth them when they are drowsy. And surely there were nothing more miserable than we, if the continuance of our prayers alone, did keep God in his watching over us. For such is the infirmity of our flesh that we faint & quail, & we stand most of all in need of his help, when our minds being drawn away, do not seek him. Sleep is a certain image of death, and doth chock ⟨p. 282⟩and drown all the senses, what should become of us, if God should then cease to have respect to us? But forasmuch as when the faithful go to sleep, they commit their safety to God, it cometh to pass by this means, that even their sleep doth call upon God. Whereas he sayeth that immediately after the Angel had said the word, the chains were loosed: we gather by this, that there is power enough in the commandment of God alone to remove all manner lets, when all ways seem to be stopped on all sides: so that if he intend to appease the motions and tumults of war, although the whole world were appointed in armour, their spears and swords shall forthwith fall out of their hands: on the other side, if he be determined to punish us and our sins with war, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, their minds which were before given to peace, shall wax hot, and they shall lay hand on their swords. Whereas Luke setteth down severally, both the words of the Angel, and also the course of the matter, it serveth for the more certainty of the history, that it may in every respect appear that Peter was delivered by God.

7 A light shined. It is to be thought that Peter alone sawe this light: and that the soldiars did either sleepe so soundly, or else were so amased, that they neither felt nor perceiued any thing. And there might be two causes why god would haue the light to shine: either that Peter might haue the vse thereof, and that the darkenesse might be no hindrance to him: or that it might be to him a signe and token of the heauenly glorie. For we reade oftentimes, that the Angels appeared with glistering brightnesse, euen when the Sun did shine. Assuredly Peter might haue gathered by the strange light that God was present: and also hee ought to haue made his profite thereof. When as the Angell smiteth Peters side, it appeereth hereby what a care God hath for his, who watcheth ouer them when they sleepe, and raiseth them when they are drousie. And surely there were nothing more miserable than wee, if the continuance of our prayers alone, did keepe God in his watching ouer vs. For such is the infirmitie of our flesh that wee faint & quaile, & we stand most of all in neede of his helpe, when our mindes being drawne away, do not seeke him. Sleepe is a certaine image of death, and doth chocke