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…

Under two or three witnesses.] This serves nothing to the present matter, but it is a part of Moses his policy, to wit, that two or three witnesses were required to convince the offender of his offence. Notwithstanding we gather more certainly of this, what crime the Apostle meant to note out unto us. For if this had not been added, a door had been opened to many false conjectures. But now the matter is out of all question, ¹that he speaks here of Apostasy. Yet we must note herewithall this equity which almost all Politics have followed: to wit, That none be condemned, till he be convicted by witnesses.

Vnder two or three witnesses.] This serues nothing to the present matter, but it is a part of Moses his policie, to witte, that two or three witnesses were required to conuince the offendour of his offence. Notwithstanding we gather more certainely of this, what crime the Apostle meant to note out vnto vs. For if this had not beene added, a doore had beene opened to many false co••ectures. But now the matter is out of all question, ¹that he speakes here of Apostasie. Yet wee must note herewithall this equitie which almost all Politiques haue followed: to wit, That none be condemned, till he be conuicted by witnesses.

1. 1None ought to be condemned but such as are convinced by witaesses.None ought to be condemned but such as are conuinced by witaesses.

Which treadeth under foot the Son of God.] This is common both to the Apostates of the law and the Gospel: to wit, that both the one and the other do perish without mercy: but the manner of their ruin is divers. For the Apostle threatens not bodily death alone, to the contemners of Christ, but also eternal damnation. For this cause he saith, that these have deserved a most grievous torment. Now he sets forth the revolt of Christians by three forms of speech. For he saith first, that by this means, the son of God is trodden under foot: 2. that his blood is counted a profane thing: 3. that they despite the spirit of grace. Now it is worse to tread under feet, than to despise: and the dignity of Christ is far above the dignity of Moses. And note also, that he doth not simply oppose the Gospel to the law, but the person of Christ, and of the holy Ghost, to the person of Moses only. And counteth the blood of the Testament as an unholy thing. He aggravates this ingratitude, by making comparison of the benefits. Questionless it is a great villainy to profane the blood of Christ, which is the matter of our sanctification. Now they do it which revolt from the faith: for the eye of our faith looks not upon the bare and naked doctrine, but to the blood by which our salvation is established. And therefore he calls it the blood of the Testament, because the promises thereof are then ratified and confirmed unto us, when this pledge of our redemption is added.