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…

So that they which heard it, Verse. 19 &c.] This is the second member, wherein he shows that the law was far unlike the gospel, because when that came to be published, all was full of fear and divers astonishments. For whatsoever we read of these things in the 19. of Exodus, tended to cause the people to know that God ascended up into his judgement seat, to show himself a severe judge. If it happened that an innocent beast did approach too near, he commanded it should be thrust through with a dart: Vers. 20 how much greater punishment then was prepared for sinners, who felt themselves guilty, yea and knew that the law made their indictment, and gave sentence of eternal death against them? But the gospel contains nothing but sweetness and amiable things, provided that we receive it by faith. And if any desire further ⟨p. 309⟩satisfaction in this matter, let him have recourse to the Comment upon the third chapter of the 2. Cor.

So that they which heard it, Verse. 19 &c.] This is the second member, wherein he shewes that the law was farre vnlike the gospel, because when that came to be published, all was full of feare and diuers astonishments. For whatsoeuer we read of these things in the 19. of Exodus, tended to cause the people to know that God ascended vp into his iudgement seate, to shew himselfe a seuere iudge. If it happened that an innocent beast did approach too neere, hee commanded it should be thrust through with a dart: Vers. 20 how much greater punishmēt then was prepared for sinners, who felt themselues guiltie, yea and knew that the law made their inditement, and gaue sentence of eternall death against them? But the gospel containes nothing but sweetnes and amiable things, prouided that we receiue it by faith. And if any desire further ⟨p. 309⟩satisfaction in this matter, let him haue recourse to the Comment vpon the third chapter of the 2. Cor.

Now in that he saith, the people required it might be spoken no more unto them: it ought not so to be taken as if the people had been unwilling to hear the words of God: but they instantly entreated that they might not be constrained to hear God speak any more in his own person. For the person of Moses coming between did somewhat assuage the astonishment. Notwithstanding there is yet a point which troubleth the expositors: that is, that the Apostle attributes these words to Moses, I fear and quake, Vers. 21 which words we read not that Moses spake. But it will be no hard matter to give a solution to this, if we consider that Moses spake this in the name of the people, as if he had been their interpreter to God. It was a common complaint then of all the people; but Moses is brought in speaking of it; who was, as you would say, the common mouth of them all.