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…

That those which were once enlightened,] Vers. 4 This place hath given many occasion to reject this Epistle, and especially because the Novatians armed themselves therewith to deny pardon to those that had fallen. Those therefore of the West especially, have doubted whether this Epistle were to be believed, because they were pressed with the Novatian sect, and had not knowledge enough to refute their arguments. But when we have scanned the Apostles meaning, we shall by and by see there is nothing here that doth any way favour so absurd an error. Others who acknowledge the authority of this Epistle, and allow it for holy; willing to avoid the absurdity, do wind themselves out from it, only by way of cavil. For some there are who take this word impossible, for difficult, or, for a thing that very rarely comes to pass: the which is far wide from the signification of the word. There are some others, howbeit more in number; who restrain it to that repentance, whereby new Converts were wont to be prepared unto baptism in the ancient Church. A like matter; as if the Apostle had enjoined them that were converted to fast, or to do some such like thing. Moreover what great thing should the Apostle have said, if he had denied that that kind of repentance which is but a dependence of Baptism, might be renewed again? He threatens an horrible vengeance of God to fall upon all those that reject the grace of God which they have once received. What gravity or weight were then I pray you in this sentence, and what terrible thunderbolt were there in it to fear those who were foolishly become secure and careless, if so be it did only admonish us that there were no place left for the first repentance? for so this would stretch it self to all kind of sin. What shall we say then? for seeing the Lord offereth mercy to all without exception: what reason is there that any (by such an absurdity) should ⟨p. 114⟩be debarred of it for any cause whatsoever.

That those which were once inlightened,] Vers. 4 This place hath giuen many occasion to reiect this Epistle, and especially because the Nouatians armed themselues therewith to denie pardon to those that had falne. Those therefore of the West especially, haue doubted whether this Epistle were to be beleeued, because they were pressed with the Nouatian sect, and had not knowledge enough to refute their arguments. But when we haue skanned the Apostles meaning, we shall by and by see there is nothing here that doth any way fauour so absurd an errour. Others who acknowledge the authoritie of this Epistle, and allow it for holy; willing to auoid the absurditie, doe winde themselues out from it, onely by way of cauill. For some there are who take this word impossible, for difficult, or, for a thing that very rarely comes to passe: the which is farre wide from the signification of the word. There are some others, howbeit more in number; who restraine it to that repentance, whereby newe Conuerts were wont to be prepared vnto baptisme in the auncient Church. A like matter; as if the Apostle had inioyned them that were conuerted to fast, or to doe some such like thing. Moreouer what great thing should the Apostle haue said, if he had denied that that kind of repentance which is but a dependance of Baptisme, might be renued againe? He threatens an horrible vengeance of God to fall vpon all those that reiect the grace of God which they haue once receiued. What grauitie or waight were then I pray you in this sentence, and what terrible thunderbolt were there in it to feare those who were foolishly become secure and carelesse, if so be it did only admonish vs that there were no place left for the first repentance? for so this would stretch it selfe to all kinde of sinne. What shall we say then? for seeing the Lord offereth mercie to all without exceptiō: what reason is there that any (by such an absurditie) should