And having touched in brief, wherein he is more excellent, he doth purposely subject the Angels underneath him, to the end that all others with them, might be brought under, and abased in regard of Christ. Now this manner of proceeding which he useth, is very fit; and not without great reason. For if he had begun the comparison with Moses; it would have been very odious: but after he hath showed by the scriptures, that even the heavenly principalities are beneath Christ; there is neither Moses, nor any man else whatsoever, which ought to refuse to be rā ged with them, that so the Son of God may have the chieftie above all, both Angels and men. And therefore after the Apostle hath brought in the Angels under the rule and power of Christ; forthwith, as taking more courage unto him, he comes to pronounce, and to express how much more Moses is inferior: to wit, the difference is as much as is between the master and the servant. Thus then, when we shall perceive that he always placeth Christ in the sovereign degree of principality, in the first three Chapters, let us know that he aimeth at nothing but this, that when Christ speaketh, all others should hold their peace, and that nothing should hinder us to give our whole attention to his doctrine. Although when he sets him before us, as our brother in our flesh, chap. 2. he calls and allures us also by this means, to the end we should frame our selves under his obedience, and give our selves wholly unto him. Now he intermingles Exhortations, and threatenings for their sakes that are dull and slothful to obey, or; who do obstinately resist. This matter is continued almost to the end of the fourth Chapter. From thence he begins to expound the Priesthood of Christ: the true ⟨p. 5⟩and pure knowledge whereof abolisheth all the ceremonies of the law. But having only in brief showed how amiable the law ought to be unto us, and with what contentment of mind we may be bold to rest our selves in the same, he digresseth a little from his purpose to blame the Jews, who like little children, did yet always busy themselves in the first rudiments. Where he also striketh them with terror, by thundering out a most sharp and fearful threatening against them: For he shows that they stand in great danger to be rejected of the Lord, if they did continue to be so slothful in profiting.
And hauing touched in briefe, wherein he is more excellent, he doth purposely subiect the Angels vnderneath him, to the end that all others with them, might be brought vnder, and abased in regard of Christ. Now this manner of proceeding which he vseth, is very fit; and not without great reason. For if he had begunne the comparison with Moses; it would haue beene very odious: but after he hath shewed by the scriptures, that euen the heauenly principalities are beneath Christ; there is neither Moses, nor any man els whatsoeuer, which ought to refuse to be rā ged with them, that so the Sonne of God may haue the chieftie aboue all, both Angels and men. And therfore after the Apostle hath brought in the Angels vnder the rule and power of Christ; forthwith, as taking more courage vnto him, he comes to pronounce, and to expresse how much more Moses is inferiour: to wit, the difference is as much as is betweene the master and the seruant. Thus then, when we shall perceiue that he alwaies placeth Christ in the soueraigne degree of principalitie, in the first three Chapters, let vs knowe that he aimeth at nothing but this, that when Christ speaketh, all others should hold their peace, and that nothing should hinder vs to giue our whole attention to his doctrine. Although when he sets him before vs, as our brother in our flesh, chap. 2. he calles and allures vs also by this meanes, to the end we should frame our selues vnder his obedience, and giue our selues wholy vnto him. Now he intermingles Exhortations, and threatnings for their sakes that are dull and slouthfull to obey, or; who do obstinately resist. This matter is continued almost to the ende of the fourth Chapter. From thence he beginnes to expound the Priesthood of Christ: the true ⟨p. 5⟩and pure knowledge whereof abolisheth all the ceremonies of the lawe. But hauing onely in briefe shewed how amiable the lawe ought to be vnto vs, and with what contentment of mind we may be bold to rest our selues in the same, he digresseth a little from his purpose to blame the Iewes, who like little children, did yet alwaies busie themselues in the first rudiments. Where he also striketh them with terrour, by thundring out a most sharpe and fearefull threatning against them: For he shewes that they stand in great danger to be reiected of the Lord, if they did continue to be so slouthfull in profiting.
