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…

12 And therefore sprang thereof one, even of one which was dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand of the sea shore which is innumerable.

12 And therefore sprang thereof one, euen of one which was dead, so many as the starres of the skie in multitude, and as the sand of the sea shore which is innumerable.

Abraham. HE comes now to speak of Abraham: who was the principal father of the Church of God upon earth: of whose name the Jews boasted, as if by this only title they had been exempt out of the common order of men, because they were descended from his holy stock and linage. Now he shows them what they ought especially to have, if they would be reputed among the children of Abraham: and by this means brings them to faith: because even Abraham himself had nothing worthy of praise, but that which proceeded from thence. §1First, he teacheth that faith was the cause that he so suddenly obeyed God, when he was commanded to go out of his country. §2Secondly, that by means of the same faith he continued constant in his vocation unto the end. ¹By these two testimonies was the faith of Abraham clearly proved: first, by his readiness to obey: secondly, by his constancy in persevering. Being called. The ancient Latin Translator and Erasmus refer this to the name: which should be a very cold and silly sense. For mine own part I had rather expound it of the oracle, by ⟨p. 255⟩which Abraham was called to go out of his country: for he banished himself out of the same in such sort, that yet in the mean while he did nothing without the commandment of God. And in very truth, ²it is one of the principles of faith, that we move not so much a foot, unless Gods word go before to show us the way; nor unless it give us light as a lantern: as David saith,