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…

And indeed this restraint, without sin, should otherwise be in vain. For by reason of the perversity of our nature, our affections are always vicious, but they were exempt from all vice in Christ, because in him there was a sovereign uprightness, and a purity most perfect. It is certain that sicknesses, and poverties, together with the things which are without us, are not imputed as sins. Wherefore when he speaketh of the infirmities which are near unto sin, we need not doubt but he meant the affections of the Spirit, to which mans nature is subject because of his infirmity: for herein the condition of Angels is better than ours, that they are not subject to fear, or sorrow; as also that they are not cumbered with cares, or with the fear of death. Christ hath willingly taken upon him these infirmities, and it was also his pleasure to fight against them, not only to conquer them for us; but that we should also be assuredly persuaded that he is near unto us, as often as we feel any by experience of them. For this cause he was not only made man essentially, but also took upon himself the qualities of mans nature. There is always a restraint added, without sin: because we are evermore to observe this difference between the affections of Christ, and ours: That Christs were always well ordered according to the true rule of justice: but ours, which proceed from a troubled fountain, do always savour of their original nature, because they are out of frame and disordered.

And indeed this restraint, without sinne, should otherwise be in vaine. For by reason of the peruersitie of our nature, our affections are alwaies vitious, but they were exempt from all vice in Christ, because in him there was a soueraign vprightnesse, and a puritie most perfect. It is certaine that sicknesses, and pouerties, together with the things which are without vs, are not imputed as sinnes. Wherefore when he speaketh of the infirmities which are neere vnto sinne, wee need not doubt but he meant the affections of the Spirit, to which mans nature is subiect because of his infirmitie: for herein the condition of Angels is better than ours, that they are not subiect to feare, or sorrow; as also that they are not combred with cares, or with the feare of death. Christ hath willingly taken vpon him these infirmities, and it was also his pleasure to fight against them, not onely to conquer them for vs; but that we should also be assuredly perswaded that he is neere vnto vs, as often as we feele any by experience of them. For this cause he was not onely made man essentially, but also tooke vpon himselfe the qualities of mans nature. There is alwaies a restraint added, without sinne: because we are euermore to obserue this difference betweene the affections of Christ, and ours: That Christs were alwaies well ordered according to the true rule of iustice: but ours, which proceede from a troubled fountaine, doe alwaies sauour of their originall nature, because they are out of frame and disordered.