FOR PUBLICATION OF TRANSLATIONS OF THE WORKS OF JOHN CALVIN. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, ONE POUND, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE ON 1ST JANUARY. Acting and Editorial Secretary, Robert Pitcairn, F.S.A. Scot. ON THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE ΤΟ THE HEBREWS. BY JOHN CALVIN. TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL LATIN, AND EDITED BY THE REV. JOHN OWEN, VICAR OF THRUSSINGTON, LEICESTERSHIRE. EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR THE CALVIN TRANSLATION SOCIETY. M. DCCC.LIII. "CALVIN'S INSTITUTES ARE GREAT AND ADMIRABLE, AND SO ARE HIS COMMENTARIES."-Rev. Richard Cecil. SODLEIA 21 DEC1938 LIBRARY EDINBURGH PRINTED BY T. CONSTABLE, PRINTER TO HER MAJESTY. TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. No doubt the Epistle next in importance to that to the Romans is this to the Hebrews. The truths explained in it might, indeed, have been deduced from other portions of Scripture; but it is a vast advantage and a great satisfaction to find them expressly set forth, and distinctly stated by an inspired Apostle. In condescension to our ignorance, it has pleased GOD, not only to give us what might have been deemed sufficient for our information, but also to add "line upon line," so that there might be every help given to those who have a desire to know the truth, and every reasonable excuse taken away from such as resolve to oppose it, and to follow the guidance of self-will, and the delusions of their own proud minds and depraved hearts. It might then seem strange to us that defect, insufficiency, and obscurity have been ascribed to the Scriptures, did we not know that these charges have been made by such as wish Revelation to be otherwise than it is; they having imbibed errors and adopted superstitions to which it yields no countenance, but which it condemns in terms so plain, that they must be represented as defective or obscure in order to be evaded. There are especially two parties who find this Epistle in no way favourable to them-the Papists and the Socinians. The Sole Priesthood of CHRIST, and his Sole Sufficient Sacrifice, are here so distinctly stated, that the former cannot |