Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Ver. 9. Who also is called Paul] Here Saul is first called Paul, for memory (it is probable) of the first spoils he brought into the Church, not the head, but the heart of this Sergius Paulus. The popes likewise change their names at their enthronization, to show, saith the Gloss, ad permutationem nominis, factam mutationem hominis. But if they change at all, it is for the worse, as Pius Secundus, Sextus Quintus, & c. Pope Marcellus would needs retain his old name, to show his constancy, and that in his private estate he had thoughts worthy of the popedom.
Set his eyes on him] As if he would have looked through him. After which lightning followed that terrible thunder crack,Acts 13:10. Bajazet, of his fiery looks, was surnamed Gilderun, or lightning. In Tamerlane's eyes sat such a rare majesty, as a man could hardly endure to behold them without closing his own; and many with talking with him, and often beholding them, became dumb. The like is reported of Augustus. And of St Basil it is reported that when Valens the Arian emperor came unto him, while he was in his holy exercises, it struck such a terror into the emperor that he reeled and had fallen had he not been upheld by those that were near him. a Godly men have a daunting presence.
a Greg. Orat. de Laudib. Basilii.