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…

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 ⟨p. 233⟩children of God have this very feeling in the combats which they endure for the glory of Christ. Wherefore, the affection of the flesh can never so overwhelm them with grief, that they should not lift up their minds to heaven, and by this means enter into a spiritual joy, as in the example of Steven. And so much doth the reason which he afterwards adds import. Knowing (saith he) in your selves how that you have in heaven, a better, and an enduring substance. They then endured with joy the spoiling of their goods, not because they took pleasure in being spoiled of them simply, but having their minds directed to the recompense, they easily forgot the grief which they had conceived in the feeling of the present evil. ¹And surely where the taste of heavenly riches bears rule, there neither the world nor all his allurements have such savour, that the feeling of poverty or reproach can overwhelm the minds of such with sorrow. Wherefore, if we will patiently and joyfully bear all things for Christ, let us accustom our selves to meditate upon this felicity often, in respect of which all the things of this world are but filth and dung. In the mean while we must not let that pass which he saith, knowing in your selves. For whosoever shall not resolve himself in particular, that the heritage which God hath promised to his children doth also appertain unto him, it shall profit such a one nothing at all to have such a general knowledge.

And suffered with ioy the spoyling of your goods.] Vers. 34 It is not to be doubted but the losse of their goods was cause of sorrow and heauines vnto them: for questionlesse they were men subiect to humane affections: but their sorrow was so tempered that it hindred not this ioy whereof the Apostle speakes. For as pouertie is reputed among aduersities; so no doubt the spoiling of their goods, considered in it selfe, was cause of sorrow and griefe vnto them: but looking higher by the eyes of faith, they conceiued occasion of ioy, whereby all the griefe which they had sustained was sweetened. For it behooueth that our senses bee thus turned from the world, when we behold the heauenly reward. Neither doe I say ought whereof the faithfull haue not experience. For the truth is, wee ioyfully receiue that which we are perswaded shall turne to our saluation. Now it is certaine, that the