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…

He calls the delights of sin temporary, because they do incontinently vanish away with the life. And against them he sets the rebuke of Christ, which all the faithful ought willingly to receive into their bosoms. For whom God hath chosen, ¹them hath he also predestinate to be made like unto the image of his Son. Not that he exerciseth them all alike with the same reproaches, or with the same kind of cross; but because all ought to be so disposed, that they refuse not to be companions with Christ in bearing of the cross. Let every one of us then consider with himself whereunto he is called by this communion; to the end he may cut off all impediments and difficulties. For we must not lightly pass it over, that he calls all the disgraces which the faithful have endured from the beginning of the world, by the title of the rebukes of Christ. Because even as they were members of one self same body with us, so also were they in nothing separated from us. True it is, that all anguishes encumbrances, as they are the rewards of sin; so are they also fruits of that malediction which was imposed upon the first man: but all the wrongs which we endure of the wicked for the name of Christ, are reputed of him as his own: and for this cause S. Peter rejoiceth that he in his flesh did fulfil that which was wanting of the afflictions of Christ. Col. 1.24. And if we consider of this as we ought, it shall not be so grievous nor painful unto us, to suffer and endure for Christ.

He calles the delights of sinne temporarie, because they doe incontinently vanish away with the life. And against them he sets the rebuke of Christ, which all the faithfull ought willingly to receiue into their bosomes. For whom God hath chosen, ¹them hath he also predestinate to be made like vnto the image of his sonne. Not that he exerciseth them all alike with the same reproches, or with the same kinde of crosse; but because all ought to be so disposed, that they refuse not to be companions with Christ in bearing of the crosse. Let euery one of vs then consider with himselfe whervnto he is called by this communion; to the ende he may cut off all impediments and difficulties. For we must not lightly passe it ouer, that he calls all the disgraces which the faithfull haue endured from the beginning of the world, by the title of the rebukes of Christ. Because euen as they were members of one selfe same bodie with vs, so also were they in nothing seperated from vs. True it is, that all anguishes encombrances, as they are the rewards of sinne; so are they also fruites of that malediction which was imposed vpon the first man: but all the wrongs which we endure of the wicked for the name of Christ, are reputed of him as his owne: and for this cause S. Peter reioyceth that he in his flesh did fulfill that which was wanting of the afflictions of Christ.