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…

THE ARGUMENT ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.

THE ARGVMENT ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.

There have been divers opinions in times past, not only touching the Authors name of this Epistle: but also even the Epistle it self hath bin received with much ado; and that very lately amongst them of the Latin churches. They had it in suspicion, as if it favoured the error of Novatus, touching the denial of pardon unto those which fell back again into sin: but when we shall come to those places where this matter is spoken of, we will show that this their suspicion was causeless. Now for mine own part, I do receive it without any difficulty at all amongst the Apostolical Epistles; and do make no doubt but that it came to pass by the craft and subtlety of the Devil, that there have been some heretofore which have endeavoured to out off this Epistle from the number of the Canonical Books. For there is no book in all the holy Scripture, which more clearly, or lively speaketh of the Priesthood of Christ: neither yet any which doth more highly extol the dignity, and virtue of his only Sacrifice, the which he hath offered up by his death: neither is there any book which handleth more fully, both the use and the abrogating of Ceremonies: In a word, none which instructeth us better, that Christ is the end of the Law. Let us not then by any means suffer that the Church of God and we with it, should be deprived of so great a benefit: but on the contrary, let us hold it fast, and carefully keep it. Now ⟨p. 2⟩we need not much busy our selves in standing to discuss who was the Author of it, some have thought that S. Paul was the Author of it; some others S. Luke; others Barnabas, and others Clement; as S. Hierome declareth. Although Eusebius in the sixth book of the Ecclesiastical history, maketh mention but of S. Luke and Clement. I know very well that since Chrysostoms time, it hath been wholly received of the Greeks amongst the Epistles of S. Paul: but the Latins were of another opinion, even amongst those which were nearest to the times of the Apostles. To speak what I think, I cannot believe that S. Paul was the Author of it. For there is no great likelihood, to say as some do, that he suppressed his name of set purpose, because it was odious and hateful among the Jews. And if this had been so, why then should he make mention of Timothy?