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 almost all things under the law, Vers. 22 &c.] When he saith almost, it seems his meaning is to show that there are some other things which are purged after another manner. And ⟨p. 193⟩indeed they often used washings with water both to cleanse themselves withal, as also other impure things. Notwithstanding even this water had no virtue to cleanse but as they had it from the sacrifices: so as the Apostle saith true, when for a conclusion he sets down, that without shedding of blood there was no remission. Wherefore impurity was imputed until such time as it was cleansed by sacrifice. And as out of Christ there is neither purity nor salvation, so without blood nothing could be pure nor healthful: for Christ must never be separated from the sacrifice of his death. But the Apostles meaning was simply to say, that this sign was added always in a manner. And if it fell out that the purgation were not sometimes so made, yet notwithstanding it depended upon the blood, seeing all the ceremonies did as you would say borrow their virtue from this general purgation. Neither are we to imagine that every particular man among the people was sprinkled: (for if it had bin so, how could so little a portion of blood have satisfied so great a multitude?) notwithstanding the purgation came to all. So then this word almost, is as much as if it had been said, The use of this ceremony was very frequent, so as it was very seldom left out in ordinary purgations. For whereas Chrysostom thinks that by this word is signified an impropriety, because all was there in figures only, it is nothing near the Apostles meaning. There is no remission. By this means men were shut out from before the face of God: for in as much as he is justly angry with them all, they could not promise themselves to find any favour with him, till he were appeased. ¹Now there was but one mean whereby to appease him: to wit, by the satisfaction which was made by blood. Wherefore we must look for no pardon of sins, if we bring not blood. Which we then do, when by faith we have our recourse to the death of Christ.

And almost all things vnder the law, Vers. 22 &c.] When he saith almost, it seemes his meaning is to shew that there are some other things which are purged after another manner. And ⟨p. 193⟩