Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin delirious notions of those who dream that Christ himself, or the holy Spirit, or an angel, appeared at that time; unless indeed one thought it to be the duty of a rightminded man to dispute with Postillus and such fanatics; for that impostor asserts that he is Melchisedec with no less supercilious folly than those mad spirits of old, mentioned by Jerome, who pretended that they were Christ.
Heb 7:4-10
Hebrews Chapter 7:4-10
4. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
4. Considerate autem quantus sit hic, cui et decimas dedit de spoliis Abraham patriarcha.
5. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
5. Atque ii quidem qui sacerdotium accipiunt, qui scilicet sunt ex filiis Levi, praeceptum habent a populo decimas sumendi juxta legem, hoc est, a fratribus suis licet egressis ex lumbis Abrahae:
6. But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
6. Cujus autem genus non recensetur ex ipsis, decimas sumpsit ab Abraham, et habentem promissiones benedixit.
7. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 7. Porro sine controversia quod minus est a potiore benedicitur. 8. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
8. Atque hic quidem homines qui moriuntur, decimas accipiunt; illic autem is de quo testatum est quod vivat:
9. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
9. Et ut ita loquar, in Abraham decimatus est ipse Levi qui decimas solet accipere;
10. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 10. Nam is adhuc in lumbis patris erat quum occurrerit Abrahae Melchisedec. 4. Now consider, etc. This is the fourth comparison between Christ and Melchisedec, that Abraham presented tithes to him. But though tithes were instituted for several reasons, yet the Apostle here refers only to what serves his present purpose. One reason why tithes were paid to the Levites was, because they were the children of Abraham, to whose seed the land was promised. It was, then, by a hereditary right that a portion of the land was allotted to them; for as they were not allowed to possess land, a compensation was made to them in tithes. There was also another reason, --- that as they were occupied in the service of God and the public ministry of the Church, it was right that