A commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By M. John Calvin. Translated…A commentarie on the vvhole Epistle to the Hebrevves. By M. Iohn Caluin. Translated…

Truly it is not in vain or for nothing that we are so commanded to trust in God: for without faith we are utterly miserable, and poor wretched creatures. The trust then which we put in God, is a testifying of our poverty ⟨p. 45⟩and want. Howbeit in one point we differ from Christ: that is to say, he did voluntarily submit himself to those infirmities; which are imposed upon us by necessity. Yet this ought greatly to embolden us to trust in God, because we have Christ for our Captain and Master. For who shall fear to go astray following his steps? We need not fear, I say, that our faith which we have in common with Christ should be in vain, seeing we know it cannot be deceived.

Truly it is not in vaine or for nothing that wee are so commaunded to trust in God: for without faith we are vtterly miserable, and poore wretched creatures. The trust then which we put in God, is a testifying of our pouertie ⟨p. 45⟩and want. Howbeit in one point we differ from Christ: that is to say, hee did voluntarily submit himselfe to those infirmities; which are imposed vpon vs by necessitie. Yet this ought greatly to imbolden vs to trust in God, because we haue Christ for our Captaine and Master. For who shall feare to goe astray following his steps? We neede not feare, I say, that our faith which wee haue in common with Christ should be in vaine, seeing we know it cannot be deceiued.

Behold here am I and the children &c.] It is very certain that Isaiah in this eight chapter speaks of himself. For howsoever it be true that he gives the people hope of their deliverance, and that the promise which he published was not received as a thing of any certainty: yet to the end the infidelity and obstinacy of the people should be no discouragement unto him, the Lord commands him to seal up that doctrine which he had taught, among a very few of the faithful. And it is as much as if he had said, the doctrine which thou hast delivered is rejected of the greater part, yet there are some notwithstanding (although a little handful indeed) which will receive it. Isaiah staying himself upon this answer, takes courage again unto him, and protesteth that he and the disciples which God hath given him, are always ready to follow God. Now it remains to show how the Apostle applies this sentence to Christ. First of all, there is no man of sound judgement which will deny, but that which is there spoken as touching the Lord, who should be a stone of offence to the kingdom of Judah and Israel, was fulfilled in Christ. And in very trueth, like as the return and deliverance out of the captivity of Babylon, was as a beginning and figure of that principal deliverance which was achieved unto us and to the fathers by the outstretched arm of Christ: so also there were then so few even among the Jews which enjoyed this benefit of God; that only a small remnant were saved. Now that was a foretelling as it were and a sign of their blinding which was to ensue: by which it is now come to pass that in rejecting of Christ, they have therewithal rejected God also, and have worthily