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…

By this clause, of good things to come, are signified eternal good things. For as in this place the time to come is opposed to the time present, so also are the good things to come, to those present. The sum is, that we are brought into the kingdom of heaven by the Priesthood of Christ, and are in such wise made partakers of spiritual righteousness, and of eternal life, that it is unlawful for us to desire any better things. Christ therefore hath wherewithal for to hold us and satisfy us in himself. By a greater and more perfect Tabernacle, &c. Although some expound this place d••ers ways, yet I doubt not but the Apostle understands it of the body of Christ. For as the Levitical Priests in former time entered into the most holy place by the common Sanctuary, so Christ is entered into the heavenly glory by his body: because ⟨p. 184⟩ordained to bring men to Christ: (the eternal salvation of the soul only depending on him) so the sacrifices were true testimonies of this salvation. What means the Apostle then, when he mentioneth the purification of the flesh? Surely he speaks of the figurative or sacramental purgation, in this sense; If the blood of beasts were a true witness of purgation, ¹so as it sanctified, and did purify sacramentally: how much more shall Christ himself who is the truth, I say not bear witness of purgation by outward ceremony, but shall indeed give it to the consciences? And therefore it is an argument from the signs to the thing signified: because the effect of the thing far excelleth the truth of the signs.

By this clause, of good things to come, are signified eternall good things. For as in this place the time to come is opposed to the time present, so also are the good things to come, to those present. The summe is, that wee are brought into the kingdome of heauen by the Priesthood of Christ, and are in such wise made partakers of spirituall righteousnesse, and of eternall life, that it is vnlawfull for vs to desire any better things. Christ therfore hath wherewithall for to hold vs and satisfie vs in himselfe. By a greater and more perfect Tabernacle, &c. Although some expound this place d••ers waies, yet I doubt not but the Apostle vnderstands it of the bodie of Christ. For as the Leuiticall Priests in former time entred into the most holy place by the commō Sanctuarie, so Christ is entred into the heauenly glorie by his bodie: because