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…

First we have to observe that the point whereat the Apostle aimeth, is not to persuade the Jews, that Jesus the son of Mary, was the Christ, and the Redeemer which had been promised them. For in as much as he wrote unto them which had already made profession of Christianity, he takes this article as wholly granted. But his only drift is to prove unto them, what Christ his office is, to the end they might thereby acknowledge that the observation of the ceremonies, were abolished by his coming. We must of necessity note this distinction. For albeit it had been a superfluous labour in the Apostle, in speaking to those which were then sufficiently persuaded that Jesus which was already manifested was that Christ; to busy himself in proving the same point still unto them: yet it was necessary, that he should declare unto them what this Christ was: because they did not as yet understand the end; the virtue, nor the fruit of his coming. But whilst they beguiled themselves with a false exposition of the law; in stead of taking the solid body and substance, they rested themselves in the shadow; and contented themselves therewith. The like difference have we at this day with the Papists: for they confess indeed with us that Christ is the son of God, which was promised to be the Redeemer of the world: but when we come to join issue, as they say, they despoil him of more then the one half of his power.

First we haue to obserue that the point whereat the Apostle aimeth, is not to perswade the Iewes, that Iesus the sonne of Marie, was the Christ, and the Redeemer which had beene promised them. For in as much as he wrote vnto them which had alreadie made profession of Christianitie, he takes this article as wholy granted. But his onely drift is to prooue vnto them, what Christ his office is, to the ende they might thereby acknowledge that the obseruation of the ceremonies, were abolished by his comming. We must of necessitie note this distinction. For albeit it had beene a superfluous labour in the Apostle, in speaking to those which were then sufficiently perswaded that Iesus which was already manifested was that Christ; to busie himselfe in proouing the same point still vnto them: yet it was necessarie, that he should declare vnto them what this Christ was: because they did not as yet vnderstand the end; the vertue, nor the fruit of his comming. But whilest they beguiled themselues with a false exposition of the lawe; in stead of taking the solide bodie and substance, they rested themselues in the shadow; and contented themselues therewith. The like difference haue we at this day with the Papists: for they confesse indeed with vs that Christ is the sonne of God, which was promised to be the Redeemer of the world: but when we come to ioyne issue, as they say, they dispoyle him of more then the one halfe of his power.