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…

Vers. 3. Without father.] I had rather to say so, than of an unknown father, as Erasmus doth translate. For the Apostle meant to signify something more expressly, than to say that the race of Melchizedek was unknown, or base, and of little renown. Neither do I greatly stand about the discussing of an objection which some do make here: to wit, if we take it so, the truth should not be answerable to the figure, because Christ hath a father in heaven, and a mother in earth. For the Apostle presently after expounds his own meaning, §3when he adds without kindred. He doth then exempt Melchizedek from the common order of being borne: thereby showing that he was eternal, so as none are to go search out among men from what race he newly issued. It is certain that he was begotten of a father and a mother: but ⟨p. 137⟩the Apostle speaks not of him as of a private man: but rather as of one clothed with the person of Christ. And therefore he forbids us to consider ought in him but that which the Scripture teacheth. For in handling all those things which belong to Christ, it is needful to deal with such reverence, that we know nothing but that which proceeds out of the mouth of God. Now seeing the Spirit of God, bringing in the rarest and most excellent King of that time, yet makes no mention at all of his birth, neither yet afterwards speaks any one word of his death; is it not as much as if by this means his eternity had been set forth unto us? Now that which was shadowed in Melchizedek, was truly manifested in Christ. Thus then we are to content our selves with this mediocrity, that when the Scripture proposeth Melchizedek unto us as a man that was never borne, or which never died; it shows unto us as in a mirror, that there is neither beginning nor end in Christ.

Vers. 3. Without father.] I had rather to say so, than of an vnknowne father, as Erasmus doth translate. For the Apostle meant to signifie something more expresly, than to say that the race of Melchisedec was vnknowne, or base, and of little renowme. Neither doe I greatly stand about the discussing of an obiection which some doe make here: to wit, if wee take it so, the truth should not bee answerable to the figure, because Christ hath a father in heauen, and a mother in earth. For the Apostle presently after expounds his owne meaning, §3when he addes without kinred. He doth then exempt Melchisedec from the common order of being borne: thereby shewing that he was eternall, so as none are to goe search out among men from what race he newly issued. It is certaine that he was begotten of a father and a mother: but