But by and by after, he assuageth this sharpness, saying, that he hath good hope, that they would become better. And this is to the end he might rather encourage them to go on forward, than to beat them down altogether. Then he returns again to speak of the Priesthood of Christ. §1And first he shows that it differs from the ancient Priesthood which was under the law: §2secondly, that it was more excellent, because it succeeded in the place of the other, and was confirmed by oath; that it is eternal, and hath always his force, and efficacy: §3Thirdly, because he that exerciseth this office, surmounteth Aaron, and all others of the tribe of Levi in dignity and honour. Of all which things he shows that there was an Image and shadow in the person of Melchizedek. Now to the end he might the more certainly prove that the ceremonies of the law were abolished, he shows how they, as also the Tabernacle, were instituted to another end, to wit, to serve to the heavenly pattern, to which all was referred. Whence it follows, that they were not to be rested in, unless we would stand at a stay in the mid way, making no reckoning to come to the mark. For confirmation of this matter, he allegeth the place of Jeremiah, wherein there is promise made of a new Testament, which is nothing else but the correction of the old. Whence it follows, that the old was earthly and weak. So consequently coming to show the similitude, and agreement, which is between the shadows and the substance which was manifested in Christ, he concludes that all the ceremonies ordained by Moses, were abolished by his sacrifice; because the efficacy and virtue thereof is perpetual, and that in it is not only contained the perfect and full confirmation ⟨p. 6⟩of the new Testament, but also the true and spiritual accomplishment of that external priesthood, which was in force and had place under the law. Unto the doctrine he addeth yet another exhortation, which he useth as a spur to prick them forward, to the end, that renouncing all impediments, they might receive Christ with such reverence as was meet.
But by and by after, he asswageth this sharpnesse, saying, that he hath good hope, that they would become better. And this is to the ende he might rather encourage them to goe on forward, than to beate them downe altogether. Then he returnes againe to speake of the Priesthood of Christ. §1And first he shews that it differs from the ancient Priesthood which was vnder the lawe: §2secondly, that it was more excellent, because it succeeded in the place of the other, and was confirmed by othe; that it is eternall, and hath alwaies his force, and efficacie: §3Thirdly, because he that exerciseth this office, surmounteth Aaron, and all others of the tribe of Leui in dignitie and honour. Of all which things he shewes that there was an Image and shadow in the person of Melchisedecke. Now to the ende he might the more certainely prooue that the ceremonies of the lawe were abolished, he shewes how they, as also the Tabernacle, were instituted to another end, to wit, to serue to the heauenly paterne, to which all was referred. Whence it followes, that they were not to be rested in, vnlesse we would stand at a stay in the midde way, making no reckoning to come to the marke. For confirmation of this matter, he alleadgeth the place of Ieremiah, wherein there is promise made of a new Testament, which is nothing els but the correction of the olde. Whence it followes, that the old was earthly and weake. So consequently comming to shew the similitude, and agreement, which is betweene the shadowes and the substance which was manifested in Christ, he concludes that all the ceremonies ordained by Moses, were abolished by his sacrifice; because the efficacie and vertue thereof is perpetuall, and that in it is not onely contained the perfect and full confirmation ⟨p. 6⟩of the new Testament, but also the true and spirituall accomplishment of that externall priesthood, which was in force and had place vnder the lawe. Vnto the doctrine he addeth yet another exhortation, which he vseth as a spurre to pricke them forward, to the end, that renouncing all impediments, they might receiue Christ with such reuerence as was meete.
