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…

As in the provocation,] It was needful for two causes that the disobedience of their fathers should be remembered unto them. §1For as they were fondly puffed up with the dignity of their race, so often times they followed their fathers vices in stead of virtues, and took their example for a sufficient excuse. Moreover, §2hearing that their fathers had bin so disobedient to God, they might the better know hereby that this admonition was not superfluous. Now because these two reasons had place at that time when the Apostle lived, he doth therefore willingly fit that to the present occasion which had been long ago spoken by David; to the end they also to whom he addresseth his speech might not be given too much to the following of their fathers steps. From hence we may gather a general doctrine, to wit, how far we ought to follow our fathers: that is to say, even so far forth as their authority doth not turn us from the only one God. For if ever any fathers were worthy of honour, the Jews doubtless obtained the first place among others. ¹And yet notwithstanding David giveth express charge to their children, to take heed how they grew like them. And for mine own part I make no doubt but he hath regard here to that which is written in the 17. of Exodus. For David doth here use two words, which Moses shows were given to the place, because of that which happened: to wit, Meriba, which signifies contention or strife: and Massah, which signifies tentation: for they tempered God, ⟨p. 62⟩saying, that he was not in the middest of them, because they lacked water, Exod. 17.7. and also strife, because they contended with Moses. Now although they had showed many examples of their incredulity, David notwithstanding chooseth this principally, because it was the most memorable among many others: as also because that according to the order of time it followed all the rest of the temptations, at leastwise for the greater part, as we may see by the fourth book of Moses called Numbers, where there is a continual succession of many temptations from the 11. chapter to the 20. Now this is written in the twentieth; which circumstances make the offence much more heinous. For what ingratitude is it that having had experience of the power of God, they should yet continue to contend and strive so malapertly with him, and should give no credit to him at all?