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…

Thus from these two members we may gather how, and wherefore it is impossible to please God without faith. For justly doeth he hate us all, seeing we every one of us are accursed by nature: and as for any remedy to do us good in this case, we have none at all in our selves. Wherefore it is necessary that God prevent us by his grace. Which he doth when we so acknowledge him to be God, that we be not turned aside from him elsewhere by any perverse superstition: as also, when we promise our selves to have assured salvation in him. Now if we would yet have a more ample declaration of this point, we must begin at this, to wit, that we shall never benefit our selves in any thing whatsoever we expect or enterprise, unless we look unto God. ¹For there is none other end of living well but to serve to his glory: to which end we shall never be able to attain, unless the knowledge of him go before. This is indeed but the one half of faith, and would stand us in no great stead, unless confidence be joined therewithal. Wherefore, faith is then perfect and entire to obtain us favour with God, when we have this settled confidence, that we seek him not in vain, and when we assure our selves of undoubted salvation in him. Now who is he that will trust in God to be the rewarder of his merits, unless he be blinded with pride, and bewitched with a perverse love of himself? And therefore this confidence, or assurance whereof we speak, resteth it self ⟨p. 250⟩only upon the free grace of God, and not upon works, neither upon the proper dignity of men. But seeing this grace of God is no where •o be found, but in Christ, there is none other but he to whom our faith must have regard.

Thus from these two members we may gather how, and wherefore it is impossible to please God without faith. For iustly doeth he hate vs all, seeing we euery one of vs are accursed by nature: and as for any remedie to doe vs good in this case, we haue none at all in our selues. Wherefore it is necessarie that God preuent vs by his grace. Which he doth when we so acknowledge him to be God, that wee be not turned aside from him elsewhere by any peruerse superstition: as also, when we promise our selues to haue assured saluation in him. Now if we would yet haue a more ample declaration of this point, we must begin at this, to wit, that we shall neuer benefit our selues in any thing whatsoeuer wee expect or enterprise, vnlesse we looke vnto God.