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…

It was then necessary, &c.] To the end none should object, Vers. 23 that the blood by which the old Testament was consecrated, was not the blood of the Testator; the Apostle prevents it, and saith, that we are not to marvel if this Tabernacle […] ⟨p. 196⟩then which some do ask, and quite from the purpose, to wit, whether Christ was not always present there. For the Apostle disputes here only of the intercession, by which he entered into the celestial Sanctuary.

It was then necessarie, &c.] To the end none should obiect, Vers. 23 that the blood by which the old Testament was cōsecrated, was not the blood of the Testator; the Apostle preuents it, and saith, that wee are not to marueile if this Tabernacle 〈…〉 ⟨p. 196⟩then which some doe aske, and quite from the purpose, to wit, whether Christ was not alwaies present there. For the Apostle disputes here onely of the intercession, by which he entred into the celestiall Sanctuarie.

Not that he should offer himself often, Vers. 25 &c.] How is he then a Priest, Objection. may some man say, if he make no sacrifices? I answer, Answer. it is not required in the person or office of a Priest to be always in the continual act of offering sacrifice. For in the law it self there was every year certain days ordained for the chiefest sacrifices: and the sacrifices which were ordinarily performed, had their limits to the morning, and the evening. Now seeing this only sacrifice that Christ once offered hath always his strength and virtue, yea and is perpetual as touching the efficacy thereof, we must not wonder if his eternal Priesthood be established in the virtue of this sacrifice, which never perisheth, or hath an end. And here again he shows what difference there is, and in what things, between Christ and the Levitical Priesthood. As touching the Sanctuary, he hath spoken heretofore: but he notes a difference in the kind of sacrifice, because Christ offered himself, and not a beast. And then he notes another difference, to wit, that he did not often offer this sacrifice, as under the law, where they often, yea and almost continually reiterated their sacrifices.