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…

23 It was then necessary, that the similitudes of heavenly things should be purified with such things: but the heavenly things themselves are purified with better sacrifices than those.

23 It was then necessarie, that the similitudes of heauenly things should be purified with such things: but the heauenly things themselues are purified with better sacrifices than those.

Wherefore also &c.] Vers. 18 By this it appears that he insists chiefly upon the substance, rather than simply grounding his speech upon the name: although the Apostle hath turned the word which the language afforded him wherein he wrote, to his profit. As if some speaking also of the covenant of God (which the Greeks often call Martyria, that is to say, witness) to praise and extol the same; amongst other commendations should use these words; Surely this Covenant must needs rightly be called Testimony, to which the heavenly Angels gave testimony from above; to the which there were also so many credible witnesses here on earth, to wit, all the holy Prophets, Apostles, and so infinite a company of Martyrs: yea to the sealing whereof even the Son of God was given as a witness thereof in his own person: if one should speak on this manner, no man would say there were any absurdity in it. And yet notwithstanding the propriety of the Hebrew word Theuda, doth not expressly conclude this: but because nothing is said herein which agrees not very well to the matter, no wise man will stand to descant too curiously about the word. Thus then the Apostle affirms that the old Testament was dedicated with blood. From whence he gathers that men were thereby admonished, it could not be otherwise ⟨p. 190⟩stable and effectual unless death came in between. For he denies that the blood of beasts which was then shed, was able to ratify an eternal covenant. And that this may be the better understood, the manner of sprinkling which Moses here recites is to be noted. §1First he teacheth that this Covenant was dedicated, not as though it had any profanes in it self, but because there is nothing so holy which men profane not by their uncleanness, if God himself should not prevent and remedy the same by renewing all things. This consecration then was made in respect of men, who only stand in need of it.