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…

Now although this be spoken in regard of the circumstance of speech which is here handled; yet from hence may be gathered a general doctrine: to wit, that no government is to be brought into the Church at the lust and pleasure of men, §1but ought rather to tarry and wait for the commandment of God: also, that a certain and set rule is to be used in election and choice of ministers, §2that so none intrude himself after his own fantasy. ¹We must distinctly note both these points. For the Apostle speaks not here only of persons, but also of the office. He denies, I say, that office which men forge without commandment, and the express ordinance of God, to be holy or lawful. For as it only belongs to God to govern the Church, so doth he also wholly reserve unto himself both the power of limiting ⟨p. 94⟩the way, and the rule of the administration thereof. From whence I conclude, that the Priesthood of the Popedom is a bastard Priesthood, because it hath been forged in the shop of mans invention. What one text of scripture is there wherein God commands that we should now offer sacrifice unto him for the purgation of sins? neither hath he ordained that Priests should be created to this end. Although the Pope then ordain his shavelings for to offer sacrifice, ²the Apostle saith that we are not to hold them for lawful: unless peradventure they have some new privilege to exalt themselves above Christ: who yet durst not take this honour to himself of his own motion, but waited for a calling from his Father.

Now although this be spoken in regard of the circumstance of speech which is here handled; yet from hence may be gathered a generall doctrine: to wit, that no gouernment is to be brought into the Church at the lust and pleasure of men, §1but ought rather to tarrie and waite for the commandement of God: also, that a certaine and set rule is to be vsed in election and choice of ministers, §2that so none intrude himselfe after his own fantasie.