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…

And blessed him which had the promises.] Ver. 6 This is the fifth point which the Apostle observes in the comparison between Christ and Melchizedek. §5Now he takes a principle which is held as the most certain of all: to wit, that the less is blessed of the greater. He afterward adds, that Melchizedek blessed Abraham: whereof it follows, that Abraham is the lesser. But to the end he might enlarge the matter, he again adorns Abraham with an excellent title. For by how much the more excellent Abraham is, by so much the more is the dignity of Melchizedek extolled. To this he hath respect when he saith, that Abraham received the promises, wherein he signifies that Abraham is that excellent personage, and the first father of that holy nation, with which God made the covenant of eternal life. For it was no small honour unto him, that he only amongest all others should be chosen, as the man whom God betrusted with the right of adoption, and with the testimony of his love. Yet all this hindered not, but that he, with all these prerogatives should ⟨p. 141⟩submit himself to the Priest Melchizedek. Thus we clearly see how great this Melchizedek was, to whom Abraham subjected himself in two things: §1first in that he suffered himself to be blessed of him; and secondly, in that he offered him tithes, §2as unto him who did represent the person of God.

And blessed him which had the promises.] Ver. 6 This is the fifth point which the Apostle obserues in the comparison betweene Christ and Melchisedec. §5Now he takes a principle which is held as the most certain of all: to wit, that the lesse is blessed of the greater. He afterward addes, that Melchisedec blessed Abraham: whereof it followes, that Abraham is the lesser. But to the ende he might enlarge the matter, he againe adorns Abraham with an excellent title. For by how much the more excellent Abraham is, by so much the more is the dignitie of Melchisedec extolled. To this he hath respect when he saith, that Abraham receiued the promises, wherein he signifies that Abraham is that excellent personage, and the first father of that holy nation, with which God made the couenant of eternall life. For it was no small honour vnto him, that he onely amongest all others should be chosen, as the man whom God betrusted with the right of adoption, and with the testimonie of his loue. Yet all this hindred not, but that he, with all these prerogatiues should