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…

Confessing that they were pilgrims, and strangers.] Jacob confessed this, when he answered Pharaoh, that the days of his pilgrimage were few and evil, in respect of the peregrination of his fathers; as also that these his days were full of many evils, Gen. 47.9. If Jacob acknowledged himself to be a stranger in that land which was promised him as a perpetual inheritance, it thereby appears, that he was not of this world; ¹but did set his affections on things that were far above in the heavens. And therefore the Apostle infers that the Fathers did evidently show by this their manner of speech, that they had a better country in heaven. For if they were strangers and pilgrims, then had they another country wherein they had a certain dwelling. Now if these men in the mids of so many dark clouds, did yet in spirit soar even unto the heavenly country, what ought we to do at this day, we I say, to whom Christ doeth so apparently stretch forth his hand from heaven, to lift us up thither? If the land of Canaan could not keep them back; how much more ought we to stand upon our deliverance, & freedom; we (I say) to whom there is no certain abode promised in this world?

Confessing that they were pilgrimes, and strangers.] Iacob confessed this, when he answered Pharoah, that the daies of his pilgrimage were fewe and euill, in respect of the peregrination of his fathers; as also that these his daies were full of many euils, Gen. 47.9. If Iacob acknowledged himselfe to be a stranger in that land which was promised him as a perpetuall inheritance, it thereby appeares, that he was not of this world; ¹but did set his affections on things that were farre aboue in the heauens. And therefore the Apostle infers that the Fathers did euidently shew by this their manner of speech, that they had a better countrie in heauen. For if they were strangers and pilgrimes, then had they another countrie wherein they had a certaine dwelling. Now if these men in the mids of so many darke clouds, did yet in spirit soare euen vnto the heauenly countrie, what ought we to doe at this day, wee I say, to whom Christ doeth so apparantly stretch forth his hand from heauen, to lift vs vp thither? If the land of Canaan could not keepe them backe; how much more ought we to stand vpon our deliuerance, & freedome; we (I say) to whome there is no certaine abode promised in this world?