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…

By faith we understand, &c.] Vers. 3 This is a very good probation of the former sentence. For we differ in nothing from brute beasts, if we understand not that the world was created by God. For to what purpose have men reason and knowledge, but that they might confess their Creator? Yet so it is that faith only causeth us to know and acknowledge that God created the world: wherefore no marvel if faith be accounted the chief virtue above all others in the ancient fathers. But here a question may be demanded, Question. why the Apostle affirms that we understand that by faith, which the Infidels themselves do know. For the beholding of the heavens and the earth constrains the very wicked to acknowledge the maker of them. And S. Paul also by this condemns all men as guilty of ingratitude, because that when they knew God, they did not give that honour which to him belonged, Rom. 1.21. And to say the truth, it had bin unpossible that the feeling of religion should always have […] ⟨p. 244⟩word of God; next that they depend on nothing but upon his free promises. In the first place he saith, that the sacrifice of Abel was not esteemed for any respect better than his brothers, but only because it was sanctified by faith. For in very truth the fat of the beasts had no such sweet savour, that God should be appeased in respect thereof. ¹And the Scriptures do show sufficiently for what cause sacrifices were well pleasing unto him: for these are the words of Moses, God had respect to Abel and to his gifts. From whence we may easily gather, that his sacrifices were acceptable unto God, because he himself pleased God. And from whence came it that he pleased him, but because his heart was purged by faith.

By faith we vnderstand, &c.] Vers. 3 This is a very good probation of the former sentence. For wee differ in nothing from brute beasts, if wee vnderstand not that the world was created by God. For to what purpose haue men reason and knowledge, but that they might confesse their Creator? Yet so it is that faith only causeth vs to know and acknowledge that God created the world: wherefore no marueile if faith bee accounted the chiefe vertue aboue all others in the ancient fathers. But here a question may be demaunded, Question. why the Apostle affirmes that we vnderstand that by faith, which the Infidels themselues doe know. For the beholding of the heauens and the earth constraines the very wicked to acknowledge the maker of them. And S. Paul also by this condemnes all men as guiltie of ingratitude, because that when they knew God, they did not giue that honour which to him belonged,