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…

So long as it is said, &c.] Verse 15 He signifies that the occasion to profit never fails as long as we live, because God calls us every day. For although faith answers to the preaching of the word; so even as the use of preaching is continual all the course of our life, there must be also continual goings forward and increases in faith. These words, so long as it is said, do import as much as if he should have said; Seeing it is so that God ceaseth not to speak, it shall not be enough once to have received the Gospel with a cheerful readiness, if we yield not our selves obedient, persevering in the same teachableness day by day even unto the end.

So long as it is said, &c.] Verse 15 He signifies that the occasion to profit neuer failes as long as we liue, because God calles vs euery day. For although faith answeres to the preaching of the word; so euen as the vse of preaching is continuall all the course of our life, there must bee also continuall goings forward and increases in faith. These words, so long as it is said, doe import as much as if hee should haue said; Seeing it is so that God ceaseth not to speak, it shall not be enough once to haue receiued the Gospell with a cheerefull readines, if we yeeld not our selues obedient, perseuering in the same teachablenes day by day euen vnto the end.

For some when they heard, &c.] David speaks so of the Fathers, as if all those which were of that time had been unbelievers. Yet no doubt but there were some mingled among the wicked, that had the fear of God. The Apostle doth recount the same; but yet it is with a little assuaging of that which was spoken somewhat sharply by David, to the end ⟨p. 68⟩we might know that the word is propounded generally to all, that all might obey with one consent: and that incredulity is justly to be condemned in all people, when the body is rent and shivered by the revolt of the greater part. Moreover whereas he saith, that some provoked him to wrath, although the number of them were far greater than of the others; he doth it not only least the word should be too galling, but also to the end he might encourage the Jews to follow those who believed. As if he should say, As God on the one side forbids you to follow the incredulity of your fathers: so yet on the other side he proposeth the example of them that were godly, that their faith might be for you to follow. Thus he mitigates his speech, which otherwise might have seemed somewhat too hard, if he should have commanded them wholly to turn from the way of their fathers. To come out of Egypt by Moses, signifies by the hand, and under the conduct of Moses: because he was the minister of their deliverance. Now this is a close comparison between the benefit of God conferred unto them by Moses, and of the participation of Christ, whereof he spake before.