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…

But now our high Priest, Ver. 6 &c.] Even as heretofore he gathered the excellency of the covenant by the dignity of the Priesthood, so now also he maintains, that the Priesthood of Christ is more excellent; because he is the Mediator and Ambassador of a better covenant. Both the one and the other were necessary, because it was needful that the Jews should be turned from the superstitious observation of ceremonies, which were so many impediments to hinder them from going directly to the pure and simple truth of the Gospel. Now the Apostle saith that it was reason ⟨p. 165⟩that both Moses and Aaron should give place to Christ, as to the more excellent: because the Gospel is a more excellent covenant than the law, and the death of Christ much more noble than the sacrifices of the law. But that which he adds is not without some difficulty; to wit, Objection. that the covenant of the Gospel was established upon better promises. For it is certain, that even the very same hope of eternal life which we now have, was set before the ancient Fathers which lived under the law. The grace of adoption being as common to them as to us. Their faith then must needs be built upon the same promises. Answer. But this comparison of the Apostle must be rather referred to the form than to the matter. For although God did promise them the same salvation, which he promiseth us now at this day, yet notwithstanding the measure, or manner of revelation was neither equal, nor alike. But if any will see more of this, let him have recourse to our Institution, and to that which is written upon the fourth and sith chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians.

But now our high Priest, Ver. 6 &c.] Euen as heretofore he gathered the excellencie of the couenant by the dignitie of the Priesthood, so now also he maintaines, that the Priesthood of Christ is more excellent; because he is the Mediatour and Ambassadour of a better couenant. Both the one and the other were necessarie, because it was needfull that the Iewes should be turned from the superstitious obseruation of ceremonies, which were so many impediments to hinder them from going directly to the pure and simple truth of the Gospell. Now the Apostle saith that it was reason ⟨p. 165⟩that both Moses and Aaron should giue place to Christ, as to the more excellent: because the Gospel is a more excellent couenant than the law, and the death of Christ much more noble than the sacrifices of the law. But that which he addes is not without some difficultie; to wit, Obiection. that the couenant of the Gospel was established vpon better promises. For it is certaine, that euen the very same hope of eternall life which we now haue, was set before the auncient Fathers which liued vnder the law. The grace of adoption beeing as common to them as to vs. Their faith then must needs be built vpon the same promises. Answere. But this comparison of the Apostle must be rather referred to the forme than to the matter. For although God did promise them the same saluation, which he promiseth vs now at this day, yet notwithstanding the measure, or manner of reuelation was neither equall, nor alike. But if any wil see more of this, let him haue recourse to our Institution, and to that which is written vpon the fourth and fith chapter of the Epistle to the Galathians.