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…

Partly while ye were made, Vers. 33 &c.] We see to what manner of persons he speaketh, to wit, to such whose faith had been tried by no small experiences: and yet he ceaseth not to exhort them to greater things. Wherefore let no man deceive himself through false flatteries, as if he were come to the goal, or had no more need to be stirred up by others. Now he saith that they were made gazing stocks by reproaches, and afflictions, as if they had bin brought upon scaffolds. Whence we may gather that the persecutions which they endured were great. But we must diligently observe the other member where he saith, they were made companions of the faithful in their persecutions. For seeing the cause for the which all the faithful do suffer, is the cause of Christ, yea & the common cause of them all: therefore whatsoever one of them endures, the rest ought to bear the burden with them, and to take it to heart as if they themselves did endure it. And truly thus we must do, unless we mean to separate our selves even from Christ himself.

Partly while ye were made, Vers. 33 &c.] We see to what manner of persons he speaketh, to wit, to such whose faith had been tried by no small experiences: and yet he ceaseth not to exhort them to greater things. Wherefore let no man deceiue himselfe through false flatteries, as if hee were come to the goale, or had no more need to be stirred vp by others. Now he saith that they were made gazing stockes by reproches, and afflictions, as if they had bin brought vpon scaffolds. Whence wee may gather that the persecutions which they endured were great. But we must diligently obserue the other member where he saith, they were made companions of the faithfull in their persecutions. For seeing the cause for the which al the faithfull do suffer, is the cause of Christ, yea & the common cause of them all: therefore whatsoeuer one of them endures, the rest ought to beare the burthen with them, and to take it to heart as if they themselues did endure it. And truly thus wee must doe, vnlesse wee meane to separate our selues euen from Christ himselfe.

And suffered with joy the spoiling of your goods.] Vers. 34 It is not to be doubted but the loss of their goods was cause of sorrow and heaviness unto them: for questionless they were men subject to humane affections: but their sorrow was so tempered that it hindered not this joy whereof the Apostle speaks. For as poverty is reputed among adversities; so no doubt the spoiling of their goods, considered in it self, was cause of sorrow and grief unto them: but looking higher by the eyes of faith, they conceived occasion of joy, whereby all the grief which they had sustained was sweetened. For it behooveth that our senses be thus turned from the world, when we behold the heavenly reward. Neither do I say ought whereof the faithful have not experience. For the truth is, we joyfully receive that which we are persuaded shall turn to our salvation. Now it is certain, that the