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…

For this is the covenant, Vers. 10 &c.] There are two principal articles in this covenant. The first is touching the free remission of sins: the second of the inward reformation of the hearts: there is a third, but that depends upon the second: & that is the illumination of the mind with the knowledge of God. Now there are here many things worthy our observation. §1The first is, that God calls us to him in vain, whilst he only speaketh unto us by the voice of man. We must not deny, but that which he teacheth is right and just: but yet he speaks but to deaf ears; yea and albeit it may seem that we understand somewhat, yet is it only an outward sound that beats the air: for the heart still remains full of rebellion and frowardness, casting off the yoke of wholesome doctrine. In a word, Gods word never entereth into the secret of the hearts, being of themselves more hard than iron or stones, till he by his his Spirit do soften them: not only that, but the case is yet far otherwise, ⟨p. 169⟩for we have a contrary law, engraven within them, ¹in such wise that multitudes of froward and wicked affections do reign therein, which do daily provoke us to rebellion. In vain it is then that God doth publish his law unto us by the voice of man, if withal he do not write it in our hearts by his holy Spirit: that is, unless he frame us and turn us to his obedience. Now by this it appears what free will is, and what uprightness there is in our nature, before God have regenerated us. I grant that we both will, and choose, and that freely, without constraint: ²but our will is carried away even with a furious violence to resist God, and is not able in any thing to subject it self to his righteousness. This is the cause why the law brings nothing but destruction and death with it, whilst it remains written in tables of stone: as S. Paul teacheth, 2. Cor. 3.3. To be short; then do we receive that which God commands with obedient hearts, when he changeth and corrects the natural perversity of them by the work of his Spirit: otherwise he shall find in us nothing but corrupt affections, and a heart wholly inclined to evil. For this sentence of God is clear and evident, that a new covenant must be made, by which God engraves his laws in our hearts, because otherwise it shall be altogether fruitless and unprofitable unto us.