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 which he condemned the world.] If we say that Noah condemned the world because he was saved, referring this word by the which, to his safety, it should be too constrained a sense: again, that it should be understood of faith, the scope of the text will hardly suffer it: we must therefore understand it of the Ark. Now it is said that he condemned the world by the Ark for two causes. §1For in that he was so long time occupied in building the Ark, this took away all excuse from the reprobates: and the event which followed, §2showed that the destruction of the world was just. For why was the Ark the safeguard of salvation to this one family, but that the wrath of the Lord spared this holy personage, ¹to the end he should not perish with the wicked? Wherefore if he and his family had not been preserved as a little remnant, the condemnation of the world had not been so evident. In that Noah then obeyed the commandment of God, he by his example condemned the obstinacy of the world: And in that he was so miraculously delivered from the gates of death, it was an instruction that the whole world was justly destroyed, the which God would doubtless have saved, if it had not been unworthy of so great a mercy. And was made heir of that righteousness which is by faith. This is the last thing which the Apostle would have us to observe in the person of Noah. ²Moses telleth how he was a just man: the Apostle testifieth that faith was the root, and the cause of this his justice, or righteousness. The which is true, not only because a man will never yield himself in truth, and unfeignedly obedient to God, unless he be first settled upon the promises of his fatherly good will, confidently believing that himself, and all his actions are acceptable unto him: but also because the life of a man, be it never so holy, if it once come to be examined according to the strict rule of Gods justice, can in no wise be well-pleasing in his sight without remission of sins. You see then it is ⟨p. 254⟩necessary that righteousness be grounded and upheld by faith.

By which he condemned the world.] If we say that Noah cō demned ye world because he was saued, referring this word by the which, to his safetie, it should be too constrained a sense: again, that it should be vnderstood of faith, the scope of the text will hardly suffer it: wee must therefore vnderstand it of the Arke. Now it is said that he condemned the world by the Arke for two causes.