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…

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.

Which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God.] This is common both to the Apostataes of the law and the Gospel: to wit, that both the one and the other doe perish without mercie: but the manner of their ruine is diuers. For the Apostle threatens not bodily death alone, to the contemners of Christ, but also eternall damnation. For this cause he saith, that these haue deserued a most grieuous torment. Now he sets forth the reuolt of Christians by three formes of speech. For he saith first, that by this meanes, the sonne of God is troden vnder foote: 2. that his blood is counted a prophane thing: 3. that they despite the spirit of grace. Now it is worse to tread vnder feete, than to despise: and the dignitie of Christ is far aboue the dignitie of Moses. And note also, that he doth not simply oppose the Gospell to the law, but the person of Christ, and of the holy Ghost, to the person of Moses onely. And counteth the blood of the Testament as an vnholy thing. He aggrauates this ingratitude, by making comparison of the benefits. Questionlesse it is a great villanie to prophane the blood of Christ, which is the matter of our sanctification. Now they doe it which reuolt from the faith: for the eie of our faith lookes not vpon the bare and naked doctrine, but to the blood by which our saluation is established. And therefore he calles it the blood of the Testament, because the promises thereof are then ratified and confirmed vnto vs, when this pledge of our redemption is added.