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…

Seeing then brethren, &c.] Verse 19 He gathers his former doctrine into a conclusion or sum: after which he adds an exhortation both to very good purpose, & of great weight, threatening them severely which shall reject the grace of Christ. Now the sum is, that all the ceremonies by which men had access into the Sanctuary of God under the law, had their firm truth in Christ: so as the use of them is superfluous and unprofitable to him that enjoyeth Christ. Now the better to express this, he describes the access which Christ gives us by an allegory. For he compares heaven to the old Sanctuary, and under a figurative manner of speech sets forth the things which were spiritually fulfilled in Christ. True it is that Allegories do sometimes rather darken, than illustrate the matter: but here they have not a little grace; and besides, they bring much more light, when the Apostle transfers the old figures of the law to Christ: to the end we should know that all things which were shadowed in the law, are now truly manifested in him. Now as there is almost no word here that hath not his weight, so let us remember that there is also a close antithesis, showing that the truth which is seen in Christ must needs abolish the ancient figures.

SEeing then brethren, &c.] Verse 19 He gathers his former doctrine into a conclusion or summe: after which he addes an exhortation both to very good purpose, & of great weight, threatning them seuerely which shall reiect the grace of Christ. Now the summe is, that all the ceremonies by which men had accesse into the Sanctuarie of God vnder the law, had their firme truth in Christ: so as the vse of them is superfluous and vnprofitable to him that enioyeth Christ. Now the better to expresse this, hee describes the accesse which Christ giues vs by an allegorie. For he compares heauen to the old Sanctuarie, and vnder a figuratiue manner of speech sets foorth the things which were spiritually fulfilled in Christ. True it is that Allegories do sometimes rather darken, than illustrate the matter: but here they haue not a little grace; and besides, they bring much more light, when the Apostle transfers the old figures of the law to Christ: to the end we should know that all things which were shadowed in the law, are now truly manifested in him. Now as there is almost no word here that hath not his weight, so let vs remember that there is also a close antithesis, shewing that the truth which is seene in Christ must needes abolish the ancient figures.