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…

God testifying of his gifts.] He confirmeth that which I have said, to wit, that there comes no works from us that are acceptable to God, till such time as we our selves are received into favour: or (to speak more briefly) no works are reputed for just before God, ¹but the works of a righteous man. For see the argument of the Apostle; God testified of the gifts of Abel, by the which he obtained the praise of righteousness before him. Now this is a profitable doctrine, and so much the more worthy to be noted, because the truth of it cannot easily be persuaded unto us. For when we see some brightness to shine, be it in any work whatsoever, we are suddenly rapt up into an admiration of it, and we think God cannot justly reprove it: but he who only looks to the inward purity of the heart, rests not at all in the outward visors of works. Let us learn then that no just work can proceed from us, till such time as we be justified our selves in the sight of God. He being yet dead. This he also attributes to faith, to wit, that God testified he had care of Abel after his death, as well as during the time of his life. For when he saith that he spake being yet dead, he signifies that which Moses recites: to wit, that God was moved by his cruel death to take vengeance of it. Whereas then it is said, that Abel, or his blood cried; both the one and the other are figurative speeches. Now this was a singular testimony ⟨p. 245⟩of the love of God towards him, that he had a care of him after he was dead. And from hence it appears that he is of the number of the Saints of God, whose death was precious unto him, as it is in the 115. Psalm, vers. 15.

God testifying of his gifts.] He confirmeth that which I haue said, to wit, that there comes no works from vs that are acceptable to God, till such time as wee our selues are receiued into fauour: or (to speake more briefly) no workes are reputed for iust before God, ¹but the workes of a righteous man. For see the argument of the Apostle; God testified of the gifts of Abel, by the which he obtained the praise of righteousnes before him. Now this is a profitable doctrine, and so much the more worthie to bee noted, because the truth of it cannot easily be perswaded vnto vs. For when we see some brightnes to shine, be it in any worke whatsoeuer, wee are suddenly rapt vp into an admiration of it, and wee thinke God cannot iustly reprooue it: but hee who onely lookes to the inward puritie of the heart, rests not at all in the outward visors of workes. Let vs learne then that no iust worke can proceede from vs, till such time as we be iustified our selues in the sight of God. He being yet dead. This he also attributes to faith, to wit, that God testified he had care of Abel after his death, as well as during the time of his life. For when he saith that he spake being yet dead, he signifies that which Moses recites: to wit, that God was moued by his cruell death to take vengeance of it. Whereas then it is said, that Abel, or his blood cried; both the one and the other are figuratiue speeches. Now this was a singular testimonie