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…

This was a singular example of virtue: ¹to wit, that all the world being plunged in pleasures, and making themselves believe they should escape unpunished, as if there had been no judgment of God to come upon them, §1that Noah alone should set before his eyes the divine vengeance, §2although it were yet to be deferred for a long time: besides, he travelled wonderfully for the space of six score years to build an Ark: §3he also continued firm and constant in the middest of so many mocks of the wicked. And, in the destruction of the whole world, he doubted not but he should be saved; nay which more is, he assured himself of life even in the very grave, that is to say, in the Ark. I do but lightly touch these things: every one may better consider of further circumstances by himself. The Apostle attributes the praise of these so excellent and rare virtues unto faith. Hitherto he hath entreated of the faith of the Fathers which lived under the first age of the world. But this was as a second birth of mankind, when both Moab, and his family escaped the flood. Hence it followeth, that in what time soever men lived, yet they were no otherwise approved of God, neither did they ever any work that was worthy of praise, but by faith. Let us now see what the Apostle setteth before us in the example of Noah to consider of: first, §1that he being warned of God of the things which were yet not seen, §2feared. Secondly, that he built an Ark: thirdly, §3that he condemned the world by this building: lastly, that ⟨p. 251⟩he was made heir of the righteousness which is by faith. §4The first thing which I noted, doth greatly express the virtue of faith. For it always brings us back to this principle, that faith is the evidence of things not seen. And in very deed the nature and property of it is to behold in Gods word the things which are hidden,