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…

Now the Apostle disputes here of the nature and proper office of it, only to the end we might know that as soon as it hath sounded in our ears, our consciences are forthwith arraigned before Gods judgement seat, and found guilty. As if he should say, If any man be of that mind that he thinks it is but a beating of the air in vain when the word of God is preached, he greatly erreth and deceives himself. For the word is lively, and full of secret efficacy, which leaves no part of a man untouched. This is the sum then of these words, to wit, that as soon as the Lord hath opened his sacred mouth, all our senses ought forthwith to be open and to receive his word. Why? because he will not speak in vain, as if his words should either vanish, or fall to the ground, or as if no account were to be made of them: but he speaks with efficacy to the consciences of men, that he might subject them unto himself. The cause therefore why he gives such virtue to his word is, that it might search all the parts of the soul; examine the thoughts, and discern between the affections: in a word, that it might show it self to be our Judge.

Now the Apostle disputes here of the nature and proper office of it, onely to the end we might know that as soone as it hath sounded in our eares, our consciences are foorthwith arraigned before Gods iudgement seate, and found guiltie. As if hee should say, If any man bee of that minde that hee thinkes it is but a beating of the aire in vaine when the word of God is preached, he greatly erreth and deceiues himselfe. For the word is liuely, and full of secret efficacie, which leaues no part of a man vntouched. This is the summe then of these words, to wit, that as soon as the Lord hath opened his sacred mouth, all our senses ought forthwith to be open and to receiue his word. Why? because he will not speake in vaine, as if his words should either vanish, or fall to the ground, or as if no account were to bee made of them: but he speakes with efficacie to the consciences of men, that he might subiect them vnto himselfe. The cause therefore why he giues such vertue to his word is, that it might search all the parts of the soule; examine the thoughts, and discerne betweene the affections: in a word, that it might shew it selfe to be our Iudge.