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 no man taketh this honour unto him, &c.] Vers. 4 In this member ⟨p. 93⟩we have to note, first the similitude, and then the diversity of it. The calling of God makes the office lawful, for none can exercise the same in good sort as he ought, if he be not created of God. This is common to Christ and to Aaron, that both were called of God: but in this they differ, that in as much as Christ succeeded Aaron for a new and divers respect, and was ordained to be a perpetual high Priest, it appears that the Priesthood of Aaron was but temporary, and to be abolished. Now we see the Apostles drift. The right of the office of Priesthood was to be reserved to Christ: he doth it in showing that God is the author of it. But this is not yet sufficient, unless it appears that the ancient Priesthood ceased, to give place to this. He proves it, because we must have an eye to the Condition whereunto Aaron was ordained a Priest (for it lieth not in us to stretch it further then Gods ordinance will bear) and he will by and by show how long Gods will was, this first order should last. Christ then is a lawful Priest, because he was ordained by Gods authority. What shall we say of Aaron, and of those that succeeded him? Truly they had power and authority so far forth as it was given them of God, and not as the same was attributed unto them by the opinion of men.

And no man taketh this honour vnto him, &c.] Vers. 4 In this member ⟨p. 93⟩we haue to note, first the similitude, and then the diuersitie of it. The calling of God makes the office lawfull, for none can exercise the same in good sort as he ought, if he be not created of God. This is common to Christ and to Aaron, that both were called of God: but in this they differ, that in as much as Christ succeeded Aaron for a newe and diuers respect, and was ordained to be a perpetuall high Priest, it appeares that the Priesthood of Aaron was but temporarie, and to be abolished. Now we see the Apostles drift. The right of the office of Priesthood was to be reserued to Christ: he doth it in shewing that God is the author of it. But this is not yet sufficient, vnlesse it appeares that the auncient Priesthood ceased, to giue place to this. He proues it, because we must haue an eie to the Condition whereunto Aaron was ordained a Priest (for it lieth not in vs to stretch it further then Gods ordinance will beare) and he will by and by shew how long Gods wil was, this first order should last. Christ then is a lawfull Priest, because he was ordained by Gods authoritie. What shall we say of Aaron, and of those that succeeded him? Truely they had power and authoritie so farre forth as it was giuen them of God, and not as the same was attributed vnto them by the opinion of men.