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…

For he looked for a city, Verse 10 &c.] He gives a reason wherefore he attributes their perseverance unto faith: to wit, because they looked unto heaven: and this was to see those things which yet were not to be seen. For although it was to their great commendation that they had already entertained the assurance of the promise into their hearts which God had made unto them of enjoying the land, so as after some good space of time, the thing should be accomplished and given them indeed: yet in that they did not wholly stay themselves in the hope of that only, but pierced even unto heaven it self, in this they did show yet a more clear and evident mark of their faith. He calls heaven a city that hath a foundation, because it shall endure for ever, whereas there is nothing in this world that is not earthly and transitory. But this manner of speech may seem absurd, when he makes God to be the creator of heaven; as if he had not created the earth also. I answer, that because in earthly buildings, besides the matter, there is also the hand and mens industries, therefore the workmanship of God is not opposed to them in this place amiss. For whatsoever is built of men, tastes of the instability of those that made it: as on the ⟨p. 257⟩contrary, the perpetuity of the heavenly life agrees to the nature of him who is the builder of it, to wit, God. Furthermore, to the end that we never wax weary in following God, the Apostle teacheth that all encumbrances are lightened by waiting for this heavenly life.

For he looked for a citie, Verse 10 &c.] He giues a reason wherefore he attributes their perseuerance vnto faith: to wit, because they looked vnto heauen: and this was to see those things which yet were not to be seene. For although it was to their great commendation that they had alreadie entertained the assurance of the promise into their hearts which God had made vnto them of enioying the land, so as after some good space of time, the thing should be accomplished and giuen them indeede: yet in that they did not wholy stay themselues in the hope of that onely, but pearced euen vnto heauen it selfe, in this they did shew yet a more cleere and euident marke of their faith. He calles heauen a citie that hath a foundation, because it shall endure for euer, whereas there is nothing in this world that is not earthly and transitorie. But this manner of speech may seeme absurd, when he makes God to bee the creator of heauen; as if hee had not created the earth also. I answer, that because in earthly buildings, besides the matter, there is also the hand and mens industries, therefore the workmanship of God is not opposed to them in this place amisse. For whatsoeuer is built of men, tastes of the instabilitie of those that made it: as on the