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…

To the saving of his household.] He here showeth the obedience of Noah, which issueth from faith, as water from a fountain. The building of the Ark was both a long work, and of great labour: he might have been hindered, yea a thousand times might this work have been broken off, had there been no other impediments than the scoffs & mocks of the wicked: for no doubt they came running upon this holy personage from every coast to gaze at this strange building. Whereas then he did thus constantly bear all their outrageous and proud assaults, he showed that he had a wonderful power wrought in his affections to obey. But whence came it that he so constantly obeyed God, but that he had before rested in the promise which gave him good hope of safety, and that he should persevere in this confidence unto the end? For it had been impossible for him, of his own free will to have endured so many troubles; to have overcome so many hindrances, and to endure so constant in his purpose, ¹unless faith had gone before. Faith then is the only mistress, or mother of obedience: whence we may gather on the contrary, that infidelity is the only let ⟨p. 253⟩that keepeth us from obeying of God. ²And at this day the incredulity of the world doth manifest it self in this respect after a very fearful manner, to wit, in that there is so little obedience.

To the sauing of his household.] He here sheweth the obedience of Noah, which issueth from faith, as water from a fountaine. The building of the Arke was both a long work, and of great labour: he might haue been hindred, yea a thousand times might this worke haue been broken off, had there been no other impediments than the scoffes & mocks of the wicked: for no doubt they came running vpon this holy personage from euery coast to gaze at this strange building. Whereas then hee did thus constantly beare all their outragious and proud assaults, he shewed that he had a wonderfull power wrought in his affections to obey. But whence came it that he so constantly obeyed God, but that he had before rested in the promise which gaue him good hope of safetie, and that he should perseuere in this confidence vnto the end? For it had been impossible for him, of his owne free will to haue endured so many troubles; to haue ouercome so many hindrances, and to endure so constant in his purpose,