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…

And therefore he is the Mediator of the new Testament, Ver. 15 &c.] He concludes that we are not now to look for any other Priest, because Christ fully and absolutely performs this office under the new Testament. For he attributes not this honour of the Mediatorship to Christ, to the end that others should join with him in that office: but he contends, and with forcible arguments maintains, that all others were deposed, when the office was once given to Christ. But to confirm this more fully, he also recites how Christ obtained this office of a Mediator: to wit, through death, which was for the transgression. If this be found in Christ alone, and is not to be found in any other, it follows that he is the true and only Mediator. He also toucheth the virtue & efficacy of his death, when he saith that the price was paid for sins, which could not be purged by the blood of beasts under the former Testament. By which words he would have the Jews to pass from the law to Jesus Christ. For if the weakness of the law is so great, that all the remedies which it giveth to wash away sins, do not accomplish that which they signify: what is he that would rest himself in them, as in a sure haven? This only point, I say, ought to be a sufficient spur unto them to desire a reformation ⟨p. 186⟩of the law: because whilst they rest still in that, it cannot be avoided but they must fall into a perpetual anxiety of conscience. ¹Contrariwise, when we are once come to Christ, nothing remains that may torment us, because in him we find and obtain full and perfect redemption. Thus then by these words he shows the weakness of the law, to the end the Jews should no longer rest in it: and withal teacheth them to keep themselves close to Christ, because in him is to be found whatsoever can be desired to quiet their consciences. Question. Now if any ask whether the sins of the Fathers were pardoned or no under the law? that solution which I gave erewhile must be held: to wit, that they were pardoned, Answer. but always by the means of Christ: It follows then that they were still held under the bondage of condemnation, notwithstanding all the outward purgations the law could afford them. For this cause S. Paul saith, that the law was an ordinance that was against us.

And therefore he is the Mediatour of the new Testament, Ver. 15 &c.] He concludes that we are not now to looke for any other Priest, because Christ fully and absolutely performes this office vnder the new Testament. For he attributes not this honour of the Mediatourship to Christ, to the end that others should ioyne with him in that office: but hee contends, and with forcible arguments maintaines, that all others were deposed, when the office was once giuen to Christ. But to confirme this more fully, he also recites how Christ obtained this office of a Mediatour: to wit, through death, which was for the transgression. If this be found in Christ alone, and is not to be found in any other, it followes that he is the true and onely Mediatour. He also toucheth the vertue & efficacie of his death, when he saith yt the price was paid for sinnes, which could not be purged by the blood of beasts vnder the former Testament. By which words hee would haue the Iewes to passe from the law to Iesus Christ. For if the weaknes of the law is so great, that all the remedies which it giueth to wash away sinnes, doe not accomplish that which they signifie: what is hee that would rest himselfe in them, as in a sure hauen? This onely point, I say, ought to be a sufficient spurre vnto them to desire a reformation