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…

Wherefore he is able also perfectly &c.] This is the fruit of the eternal Priesthood, Vers. 25 to wit, our salvation: provided that we gather this fruit by faith as we ought. For in vain shall a man seek salvation where there is either death, or mutability: and therefore those who rest in the old and ancient Priesthood, shall never come to salvation. When he saith, those that come to God, by this he signifies the faithful, who do only enjoy the salvation obtained by Christ. In the mean while he shows what it is that faith ought to behold ⟨p. 155⟩in Christ the Mediator. For it is the chief happiness of man to be knit unto his God, who is the wellspring of life, and of all felicity: but all of us are shut out from having access unto him by our own unworthiness. Therefore the proper office of the Mediator is to succour us in this regard; to reach us his hand, to bring us into heaven. Now he always alludes to the old shadows under the Law. For although the high Priest had the names of the twelve tribes upon his shoulders, and that he bare also the signs thereof continually upon his heart, Exod. 28.12.29. yet he entered himself alone into the Sanctuary, whereas the people tarried without in the court. But resting now upon Christ, and having him our Mediator, we enter by faith even into heaven: ¹because there is no veil to hinder us, but God with open face doth appear unto us, and with an amiable countenance calls us to come boldly and familiarly unto him.

Wherefore he is able also perfectly &c.] This is the fruite of the eternall Priesthood, Vers. 25 to wit, our saluation: prouided that we gather this fruite by faith as we ought. For in vaine shall a man seeke saluation where there is either death, or mutabilitie: and therefore those who rest in the old and ancient Priesthood, shall neuer come to saluation. When he saith, those that come to God, by this he signifies the faithfull, who doe onely enioy the saluation obtained by Christ. In the meane while he shewes what it is that faith ought to behold ⟨p. 155⟩in Christ the Mediatour. For it is the chiefe happines of man to be knit vnto his God, who is the welspring of life, and of all felicitie: but all of vs are shut out from hauing accesse vnto him by our owne vnworthines. Therefore the proper office of the Mediatour is to succour vs in this regard; to reach vs his hand, to bring vs into heauen. Now he alwaies alludes to the olde shadowes vnder the Law. For although the high Priest had the names of the twelue tribes vpon his shoulders, and that hee bare also the signes thereof continually vpon his heart,