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…

22 By so much the more is Jesus made a surety of a better Testament.

22 By so much the more is Iesus made a suretie of a better Testament.

And it is yet a more evident thing, &c.] Ver. 15 He proves by another argument that the law is abolished. He reasoned heretofore from the person of the Priesthood: now from the nature of the Priesthood, and from the reason, for which it was instituted. The old Priesthood, saith he, was instituted consisting of outward ceremonies: but in the Priesthood of Christ, there is nothing but that which is Spiritual. It appears then that the old was temporary and transitory: but it is manifest that this Priesthood of Christ is perpetual. The carnal commandment is taken for the bodily ceremonies, that is to say, outward. We know with what solemn observations both Aaron and his children were ordained Priests. Now that which was fulfilled in Christ by a secret and heavenly power of the holy Ghost, was figured in the institution of Aaron, by oil, by divers garments, by sprinkling with blood, and other earthly ceremonies. Now this kind of observation in ordaining the Priesthood was agreeable to the nature of that Priesthood. Whereof it followed that even the Priesthood it self was subject to change. Although (as we shall see afterwards) the Priesthood was not so carnal, that it was not also spiritual: But the Apostle hath respect only to that difference which was between Christ and Aaron. So then howsoever the signification of the shadows was spiritual, notwithstanding the shadows themselves are rightly termed earthly, because they consisted of the elements of this world.

ANd it is yet a more euident thing, &c.] Ver. 15 He prooues by another argument that the law is abolished. He reasoned heretofore from the person of the Priesthood: now from the nature of the Priesthood, and from the reason, for which it was instituted. The old Priesthood, saith he, was instituted consisting of outward ceremonies: but in the Priesthood of Christ, there is nothing but that which is Spirituall. It appeares then that the old was temporarie and transitorie: but it is manifest that this Priesthood of Christ is perpetuall. The carnall commandement is taken for the bodily ceremonies, that is to say, outward. We know with what solemne obseruations both Aaron and his children were ordained Priests. Now that which was fulfilled in Christ by a secret and heauenly power of the holy Ghost, was figured in the institution of Aaron, by oyle, by diuers garmēts, by sprinkling with blood, and other earthly ceremonies. Now this kind of obseruation in ordaining the Priesthood was agreeable to the nature of that Priesthood. Whereof it followed that euen the Priesthood it selfe was subiect to change. Although (as we shall see afterwards) the Priesthood was not so carnal, that it was not also spirituall: But the Apostle hath respect onely to that difference which was between Christ and Aaron. So then howsoeuer the signification of the shadowes was spirituall, notwithstanding the shadowes themselues are rightly tearmed earthly, because they consisted of the elements of this world.