For the law made nothing perfect, Ver. 19 &c.] Because he had spoken somewhat harshly of the law, he now sweetens this sharpness, & corrects it, as it were. For he grants some profit to be in it, that is, that it showed the way, by which men might come to the end of their salvation. Yet notwithstanding even that was far off from perfection. Thus the Apostle reasons then, The law gave but an entrance: therefore it was needful that some thing of more perfection should succeed and come after. For the children of God are not always to stay themselves in the rudiments of children. By this word of bringing in, he means that there was somewhat in the law in regard of a preparation, even as children have little beginnings given them, to prepare them thereby afterwards to attain to an higher knowledge: but because the particle Epi whereof the Greek word is composed, signifies a following, when one thing succeeds another; I have thought good to translate, §1But is come in, or was added. For in mine opinion he puts two introductions: §2the first in the figure of Melchizedek: the second in the law, which is last in regard of time. Now by this word law, he means the Levitical Priesthood, which came in after the Priesthood of Melchizedek. By a better hope he means, the state of the faithful under the kingdom of Christ. And withal he hath some respect to those of the Fathers, who not contenting themselves with their present estate, aspired to one further off. And thereof it comes, that Christ said, Many kings and prophets have desired to see the things which ye see, Luk. 10.24. Wherefore the law as a schoolmaster lead them by the hand, pointing out a further thing unto them.
For the lawe made nothing perfect, Ver. 19 &c.] Because he had spoken somewhat harshly of the law, he now sweetens this sharpnes, & corrects it, as it were. For he graunts some profit to be in it, that is, that it shewed the way, by which men might come to the end of their saluation. Yet notwithstanding euen that was farre off from perfection. Thus the Apostle reasons then, The law gaue but an entrance: therefore it was needful that some thing of more perfection should succeed and come after. For the children of God are not alwaies to stay thēselues in the rudiments of children. By this word of bringing in, he meanes that there was somewhat in the law in regard of a preparation, euen as children haue little beginnings giuen them, to prepare them thereby afterwards to attaine to an higher knowledge: but because the particle Epi whereof the Greeke word is composed, signifies a following, when one thing succeedes another; I haue thought good to translate, §1But is come in, or was added. For in mine opinion he puts two introductions: §2the first in the figure of Melchisedec: the second in the law, which is last in regard of time. Now by this word law, he meanes the Leuiticall Priesthood, which came in after the Priesthood of Melchisedec. By a better hope he meanes, the state of the faithfull vnder the kingdome of Christ. And withall he hath some respect to those of the Fathers, who not contenting themselues with their present estate, aspired to one further off. And thereof it comes, that Christ said, Many kings and prophets haue desired to see the things which yee see, Luk. 10.24. Wherefore the law as a schoolemaster lead them by the hand, pointing out a further thing vnto them.
