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…

wherefore to come and demand the same things again, were but to go backward.

wherefore to come and demaund the same things againe, were but to go backward.

Of the doctrine of Baptisms:] Vers. 2 Some read these two members of Baptisms and doctrine apart: but I had rather ⟨p. 111⟩read them together; of the doctrine of Baptisms: although I expound it otherwise than others do: to wit, that it is a form of speech by way of apposition, as the Grammarians call it: as thus, not laying again the foundation of repentance, of faith toward God, of the resurrection from the dead: which is the doctrine of Baptisms, and the imposition of hands. Therefore if these two members, The doctrine of Baptisms, and the laying on of hands, be enclosed by a parenthesis, it will agree best with the order of the text. For if we read them not by way of apposition, there will an absurdity follow, in that one and the same thing is twice repeated. For what doctrine is there in Baptism, but that which he here recites of faith towards God, of repentance, of eternal judgement, and such like? Moreover, Chrysostom thinks the Apostle puts Baptisms here in the plural number, because they did in a manner abolish the first Baptism by returning to the first rudiments. To which opinion I agree not: for this doctrine is not appointed to many Baptisms. But he calls Baptisms, the ceremonies and form which they used in public Baptism, or the days appointed to baptise.

Of the doctrine of Baptismes:] Vers. 2 Some reade these two members of Baptismes and doctrine apart: but I had rather ⟨p. 111⟩reade them together; of the doctrine of Baptismes: although I expound it otherwise than others doe: to wit, that it is a forme of speech by way of apposition, as the Grammarians call it: as thus, not laying againe the foundation of repentance, of faith toward God, of the resurrection from the dead: which is the doctrine of Baptismes, and the imposition of hands. Therefore if these two members, The doctrine of Baptismes, and the laying on of hands, be inclosed by a parenthesis, it will agree best with the order of the text. For if wee reade them not by way of apposition, there will an absurditie follow, in that one and the same thing is twice repeated. For what doctrine is there in Baptisme, but that which he here recites of faith towards God, of repentance, of eternall iudgement, and such like? Moreouer, Chrysostome thinkes the Apostle puts Baptismes here in the plurall number, because they did in a manner abolish the first Baptisme by returning to the first rudiments. To which opinion I agree not: for this doctrine is not appointed to many Baptismes. But hee calles Baptismes, the ceremonies and forme which they vsed in publike Baptisme, or the daies appointed to baptise.