Separate from sinners.] This member comprehends all the rest. For there was some holiness, some innocency, and purity in Aaron; but only in a small measure. For all these virtues were blemished with many spots in him. But Christ which is exempt out of the common order of sinful men, is only and alone free from sin. And therefore there is none other in whom we can find true holiness and perfect innocency. For in that it is said he is separate from us, it is not, as if he would shut us out from having communion with him: but because this excellency is proper to him above us, that he is void of all impurity. 1Now we may gather herehence, that all those prayers which depend not upon the intercession of Christ, are rejected. But a question may be made, whether the Angels also be separate from sinners. And if they be, what should hinder them from exercising the office of the Priest, or that they should not be our mediators for us to God? Answer. The answer is easy: for there is no lawful Priest unless he be ordained of God. 2Now there is no place that shows where God hath done the Angels this honour. And therefore it should be an usurpation full of sacrilege in them, if they should intrude into this office, not being called ⟨p. 157⟩thereunto. Moreover (as we shall see in the beginning of the chapter following) he must be a man that must be a Mediator between God and man. Although the last condition which the Apostle here recites (to wit, made higher then the heavens) were only sufficient of it self to resolve this question. For none can knit us to god, but he which attaineth unto God. Now this is not given to the Angels themselves: 3for it is not said of them that they are made higher then the heavens. Wherefore it belongs to none but to Christ to reconcile us to God, seeing there is none but he that is ascended far above all heavens. Now this manner of speech is as much as if he had said, that Christ is exalted above all the orders of creatures: so as he is placed above the Angels.
Separate from sinners.] This member comprehends all the rest. For there was some holines, some innocencie, and puritie in Aaron; but onely in a small measure. For al these vertues were blemished with many spots in him. But Christ which is exempt out of the common order of sinfull men, is onely and alone free from sinne. And therfore there is none other in whom we can finde true holines and perfect innocencie. For in that it is said he is separate from vs, it is not, as if he would shut vs out from hauing communion with him: but because this excellencie is proper to him aboue vs, that he is voide of all impuritie. 1Now we may gather herehence, that all those prayers which depend not vpon the intercession of Christ, are reiected. But a question may be made, whether the Angels also bee separate from sinners. And if they be, what should hinder them from exercising the office of the Priest, or that they should not be our mediatours for vs to God? Answere. The answer is easie: for there is no lawful Priest vnlesse he be ordained of God. 2Now there is no place that shewes where God hath done the Angels this honour. And therefore it should bee an vsurpation full of sacriledge in them, if they should intrude into this office, not being called ⟨p. 157⟩thereunto. Moreouer (as we shall see in the beginning of the chapter following) he must be a man that must be a Mediatour between God and man. Although the last condition which the Apostle here recites (to wit, made higher then the heauens) were onely sufficient of it selfe to resolue this questiō. For none can knit vs to god, but hee which attaineth vnto God. Now this is not giuen to the Angels themselues: 3for it is not said of them that they are made higher then the heauens. Wherefore it belongs to none but to Christ to reconcile vs to God, seeing there is none but he that is ascended far aboue all heauens. Now this manner of speech is as much as if he had said, that Christ is exalted aboue all the orders of creatures: so as he is placed aboue the Angels.
- 1All prayers that depend not upon Christs intercession are rejected, Question.All prayers that depend not vpō Christs intercession are reiected, Question.
- 2Angels no lawful mediators, and why.Angels no lawfull mediators, and vvhy.
- 3Eph. 4.10.
