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…

For when the sinner presented himself, and did publicly confess that he was indebted to God, and in offering of an innocent beast did acknowledge himself worthy of eternal death: what gained he by his sacrifice, unless we might peradventure say that he sealed to his own death by this obligation? In a word, they had no better means to assure them of the remission of their sins, than in looking unto Christ. Now if the only beholding of Christ did wash away their sins, they could never be delivered from them, if they should still have rested in the law. True it is that David saith, Psal. 32.1. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin: but to attain the joyful tidings of this blessedness, it was necessary for him to turn his eyes from the law, and to fasten them upon Christ. For he shall never be delivered from condemnation, that abideth in the law.

For when the sinner presented himselfe, and did publikely confesse that hee was indebted to God, and in offring of an innocent beast did acknowledge himselfe worthie of eternall death: what gained he by his sacrifice, vnlesse wee might peraduenture say that he sealed to his owne death by this obligation? In a word, they had no better meanes to assure them of the remission of their sinnes, than in looking vnto Christ. Now if the only beholding of Christ did wash away their sinnes, they could neuer be deliuered from them, if they should still haue rested in the law. True it is that Dauid saith, Psal. 32.1. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sinne: but to attaine the ioyfull tidings of this blessednes, it was necessarie for him to turne his eyes from the law, and to fasten them vpon Christ. For he shall neuer be deliuered from condemnation, that abideth in the law.

They which were called received the promise, &c.] The covenant which God hath made with us tends to this end, that we being adopted of him for his children, are at the last made inheritors of eternal life. The Apostle shows that we obtain so great a benefit by the means of Christ: from