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…

Moreover, from hence we also learn what reverence and sobriety is required to be in us, as touching the spiritual mysteries of God. For the Apostle is not only willingly ignorant of that which he finds not in the whole Scriptures, but would that we should be ignorant of it also. For questionless it is not lawful to pronounce any thing of Christ at random, nor yet after our shallow capacity. Melchizedek then is not to be considered here as a man of some mean place, but as an holy and sacred figure of Christ. Neither are we to think that either his genealogy or death was omitted to be spoken of by chance, or unadvisedness: but that the holy Ghost rather did it of purpose, to the end he might raise up our minds above the common order of men. For this cause their conjecture is very unlikely who say, that Melchizedek was Shem one of the sons of Noah. For come we once to speak of a certain and known man, this third similitude between Melchizedek and Christ will not be firm. But was likened to the Son of God. That is to say, so far forth as the manner of likeness would bear. For the proportion must always be held which is between the […] ⟨p. 140⟩if one should say, because they were of the number of children, or sons: for the Apostle reasons not, as though the Priests received the tithes, because they were of the number of the sons of Levi: but he makes a comparison of this whole tribe with Melchizedek on this manner; when God gave power and authority to the Levites to demand tithes of the people, therein God did appoint, and establish them above all the rest of the Israelites, although they were all begotten of one father. Now Abraham, who was the father of them all, did yet pay tithes to a Priest, which was a stranger: it followeth then, that all the successors of Abraham are inferior to this Priest. Thus the right given to the Levites, was particular above all the rest of their brethren: But Melchizedek is placed in an high degree above any of them, so as he holds them all underneath him. Some think the Apostle speaks of the tenths, which the Levites payed to the chief Priests, as Numb. 18.26, 27, 28. But there is no reason why we should so restrain a general speech. For that which I have said is the most probable.

Moreouer, from hence we also learne what reuerence and sobrietie is required to be in vs, as touching the spirituall mysteries of God. For the Apostle is not onely willingly ignorant of that which he findes not in the whole Scriptures, but would that wee should be ignorant of it also. For questionlesse it is not lawfull to pronounce any thing of Christ at randon, nor yet after our shallow capacitie. Melchisedec then is not to be considered here as a man of some meane place, but as an holy and sacred figure of Christ. Neither are we to thinke that either his genealogie or death was omitted to be spoken of by chance, or vnaduisednes: but that the holy Ghost rather did it of purpose, to the end he might raise vp our mindes aboue the common order of men. For this cause their coniecture is very vnlikely who say, that Melchisedec was Shem one of the sonnes of Noah. For come we once to speake of a certaine and knowne man, this third similitude betweene Melchisedec and Christ will not be firme. But was likened to the Sonne of God. That is to say, so farre foorth as the manner of likenes would beare. For the proportion must alwaies bee held which is betweene the