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 the holy Ghost also beareth witness, Vers. 15 &c.] It is not superfluous or causeless that he brings in this testimony of Jeremiah the second time. Heretofore he alleged it to another end: to wit, to show that it was necessary the old Testament should be abolished, in regard a new was promised, that it might correct the weakness of the old. But now he aims at another thing. For he only grounds himself, and stands upon this speech, Their sins, and their iniquities will I remember no more: and thereof gathers, that there is no more use left for sacrifices, seeing that sins are done away. It may seem this consequence is not very firm. For howsoever ⟨p. 211⟩heretofore there were innumerable promises of the remission of sins in the Law, and in the Prophets; yet notwithstanding the Church ceased not for all that to offer sacrifices still for themselves: and therefore remission of sins excludes not sacrifices. But if we do yet more nearly consider of every point; the Fathers had also the same promises of remission of sins under the law that we now have: and resting their faith upon them, did call upon God, and rejoiced that they obtained pardon. And yet notwithstanding all this, the Prophet as if he spake of some new thing not yet heard of, saith, that there shall be no more remembrance of sins before God, under the new Covenant. From this we gather, that sins are now pardoned after another manner than they were in old time. But this diversity consists neither in the word, nor in faith, but in the ransom of the remission.

For the holy Ghost also beareth witnes, Vers. 15 &c.] It is not superfluous or causelesse that he brings in this testimonie of Ieremie the second time. Heretofore hee alleaged it to another end: to wit, to shew that it was necessary the old Testament should be abolished, in regard a new was promised, that it might correct the weaknes of the old. But now he aimes at another thing. For hee onely grounds himselfe, and stands vpon this speech, Their sinnes, and their iniquities will I remember no more: and thereof gathers, that there is no more vse left for sacrifices, seeing that sinnes are done away. It may seeme this consequence is not very firme. For howsoeuer ⟨p. 211⟩heretofore there were innumerable promises of the remission of sinnes in the Law, and in the Prophets; yet notwithstanding the Church ceased not for all that to offer sacrifices still for themselues: and therfore remission of sinnes excludes not sacrifices. But if we doe yet more neerely consider of euery point; the Fathers had also the same promises of remission of sins vnder the law that we now haue: and resting their faith vpon thē, did call vpon God, and reioyced that they obtained pardō. And yet notwithstanding all this, the Prophet as if he spake of some new thing not yet heard of, saith, that there shall be no more remembrance of sinnes before God, vnder the new Couenant. From this we gather, that sinnes are now pardoned after another manner than they were in old time. But this diuersitie consists neither in the word, nor in faith, but in the ransome of the remission.