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 expressly names the seed of Abraham, to get the more credit to that which he saith, because it is taken out of the Scripture.

He expresly names the seed of Abraham, to get the more credit to that which he saith, because it is taken out of the Scripture.

Wherefore in all things it became him] We must consider two things in Christ his humane nature: that is to wit, Vers. 17 §1the essence of the flesh, and the affections. §2And therefore the Apostle teacheth that he did not only take flesh, but also all those affections which are proper to men. He shows also the fruits proceeding from thence, the which is the true doctrine of faith: to wit, when we feel in our selves the cause why the Son of God took our infirmities. For what is all the knowledge that we can possibly have, if we feel not this fruit? In the next place he teacheth that Christ was subject to humane passions, to the end he might be a merciful and a faithful high Priest. The which words I expound thus, to the end he might be merciful, ¹and so by consequence ⟨p. 52⟩faithful. For in an high Priest, whose office is to appease the wrath of God, to succour the miserable, to raise up them that are fallen, and to comfort the weary; mercy is exceeding necessary, which the feeling of the same things begetteth in us. For it will never be that those who are always at their ease, should be touched with the anguish of another. For doubtless that which Virgil the Latin Poet saith, is taken from the ordinary custom of men. Knowing what grief is in mine heart, I learn to pity another's smart. Not that the Son of God had any need to be instructed, or framed to a merciful affection by having experience of our troubles and afflictions: but because we could not be persuaded of his gentle and inclinable affection to help us, unless he had been exercised with our miseries. For this, as all the rest was done in regard of us. As often then as we are pressed with any kind of calamity whatsoever, let us remember that nothing befalls us whereof the Son of God hath not experience in himself, that he might have compassion upon us: and let us not doubt but that he will assist us even as if he himself suffered with us. This word faithful,