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…

God bearing witness thereto.] Verse 4 The Apostles had not only that which they preached by revelation from the Son of God, but the Lord did also therewithal confirm their preaching by miracles, as by an authentical subscription. Therefore they offer great injury not only to Gods word, but to his works also, who do not with all reverence receive the Gospel which is ratified and confirmed by so many testimonies. Now for the better amplification hereof he useth three words to note out miracles. They are called Powers, §1because that in them the Lord showeth a special and extraordinary testimony of his virtue and power. They are called Signs, §2because they awaken mens minds to look a little higher than to that which appears. They are called Miracles, §3because they contain somewhat that is new and strange. In this word witnessing, is noted the right use of miracles: to wit, they serve to establish and confirm the Gospel: for we find that almost all miracles whensoever they were wrought, served as seals to the word of God. And therefore so much the more ought the superstition of the Papists to be condemned, which allege the miracles of their own devising; for they make them serve (not to confirm) but to corrupt the truth of God.

God bearing witnes thereto.] Verse 4 The Apostles had not onely that which they preached by reuelation from the Sonne of God, but the Lord did also therewithall confirme their preaching by miracles, as by an authenticall subscription. Therefore they offer great iniurie not onely to Gods word, but to his workes also, who doe not with all reuerence receiue the Gospel which is ratified and confirmed by so many testimonies. Now for the better amplification hereof he vseth three words to note out miracles. They are called Powers, §1because that in them the Lord sheweth a speciall and extraordinarie testimonie of his vertue and power. They are called Signes, §2because they awaken mens mindes to looke a little higher than to that which appeares. They are called Miracles, §3because they containe somewhat that is new and strange. In this word witnessing, is noted the right vse of miracles: to wit, they serue to establish and confirme the Gospell: for we finde that almost all miracles whensoeuer they were wrought, serued as seales to the word of God. And therefore so much the more ought the superstition of the Papists to be condemned, which alleage the miracles of their owne deuising; for they make them serue (not to confirme) but to corrupt the truth of God.