God who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past to the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his SON,

whom he hath constituted heir of all things, by whom also be made the world.

who being the radiation of his glory, and the imprest image of his substance, and governing all things by his powerful command, after having himself made expiation for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the divine majesty in the highest heavens.

and of the angels, he saith, who employs his angels like the winds, and flames of fire as his ministers."

are not all those spirits dispatch'd as ministers to take care of those who shall belong to the christian church.

and this is attested by a certain writer, who says, "what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him?

but Jesus, who was for a while inferior to the angels by his sufferings and death, we see was crown'd with glory and honour; when by the divine goodness, he had pass'd thro' death for every man.

For it was agreeable to his wisdom, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to consecrate the author of their salvation by his sufferings.

for both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all deriv'd from one: for which cause he is not asham'd to call them brethren, saying,

and deliver them who thro' fear of death were all their life-time in a state of slavery.

for having himself stood the test of sufferings, he is capable of being moved to relieve those who undergo such tryals.

Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;

who was faithful to him that constituted him such, as Moses likewise was faithful in all his administration of God's house.

but with whom was he displeased forty years? was it not with those that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the desert?

and who were they, who, he sware, should not enter into his rest, but those that did not believe? so we see that they could not enter in,

Whereas 'tis we who have believed that shall enter into rest, as he said, "wherefore I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest." which is different from that rest, at the beginning of the world, when the work of creation was finished.

Since there remains then a rest which some are still to enter into, for they to whom the promise was first made, did not enter in, because of their incredulity;

so that there is not a creature that is concealed from his view: but all is naked and open to the eyes of him of whom we speak. Having then so great a high priest,

who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our profession. for we have

not an high priest who is incapable of compassionating our miseries; since he was exposed to the same trials as we are, sin only excepted. let

he might have the greater compassion for those who sin through ignorance or mistake. and for the same reason

this was Jesus, who while he was in a mortal body, having offered up prayers and supplications, with strong cries, and with tears, to him that was able to save him from that death, was heard so as to be delivered from his fear;

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have received the heavenly gifts, communicated by the holy spirit,

but imitate the example of those who by faith and patience have obtain'd the inheritance that was promis'd to them.

that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to deceive us, we, who have no other refuge to fly to, but to maintain our present hopes,

For this Melchisedec was both king of Salem, and a priest of the most high God; 'twas he who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:

to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of the whole booty: first, being by the signification of his name king of justice, and in fact king of Salem, which is, king of peace;

Now consider the dignity of this person, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

'tis true they of the race of Levi, who assume the office of the priesthood, have a right by law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they all issued from Abraham:

but he who was not of their pedigree, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him to whom the promises were made.

besides here they that receive tithes are men who die: but there 'twas he of whom it is testified that he liveth.

and even Levi who received tithes, pay'd tithes, if I may so say, in the person of Abraham.

for he who was there mention'd was of another tribe, none of whom ever gave attendance at the altar.

who was not establish'd by virtue of a temporary law, but with the power of being a perpetual priest.

and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity,

for the law appointed frail mortals to be high priests, but the oracle pronounc'd with an oath, which was since the law, established the son, who is crown'd with immortal perfections.

What we have said amounts to this; we have an high priest, who sits in heaven on the right hand of the throne of the divine majesty.

which office he could not discharge here upon earth, where priests are already establish'd, who offer gifts according to the law:

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the holy spirit offered himself a spotless victim to God, purify our souls from deadly sins, to serve the living God?

and for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that, the transgressions that were unexpiated by the first testament, being expiated by his death, they who are called might receive the eternal inheritance, which was promised.

so Christ being once offered up to take away the sins of many; he shall appear the second time, without making any further expiation to save those who expect him.

for then they would not have been repeated, because they who sacrificed being once purified, would not have been conscious of wanting any further atonement for their sins:

and having an high priest, who is established over the house of God,

don't you think then that he deserves a much greater punishment, who hath despised the son of God, and counted the blood of the covenant wherewith be was sanctified, to have been justly shed, thereby offering an indignity to the spirit of grace?

for we know who it is that has said, "vengeance belongeth unto me, I will repay." and again, "the Lord shall revenge his people."

for you were passionately affected for those who were in bonds, and were pleas'd at the seizing of your goods, knowing that you have what is more excellent and lasting.

now without faith it is impossible to be acceptable to him: for he that presents himself to God, cannot but believe he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who make their addresses to him.

'Twas by faith that he who was named Abraham, showed his obedience in travelling to a foreign country, which he was afterwards to inherit; and began his journey without knowing where he was going.

'twas by faith that he sojourned in a land that was promised, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were equally entitled to the same promise.

'Twas likewise through faith that Sara, though barren, received the power of becoming pregnant, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

of whom it was said, "only the descendants of Isaac shall be counted your posterity:"

by faith he left Egypt without being apprehensive of the king's resentment: for he remain'd firm, as if he saw him who is invisible.

who through faith subdued kingdoms, practis'd justice, obtained what was promised, stopped the mouths of lions,

(of whom the world was not worthy) they wandred in desarts, and in mountains, having no retreat but the dens and caves of the earth.

having Jesus in our view, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.

for whom the Lord loveth, he chastises, and scourgeth every son whom he receives."

if you are to endure chastisement, God treats you as his children: for where's the son whom his father does not chastise?

'tis true, all correction at first is far from appearing agreeable, yet afterward it produces the agreeable fruits of virtue in those who are exercised thereby.

let there be no licentious or profane person, such as Esau, "who sold his birth-right, for a single mess."

nor to the sound of trumpets, and the voice which pronounc'd such words, that they who heard, intreated they might hear it no more.

the church of the first-born who are enroll'd in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Take care that you be not deaf to him that speaketh: for if they did not escape, who disregarded the oracles pronounc'd on earth, much less shall we escape, if we turn away from him that delivered the oracles from heaven:

remember those that are in chains, as if you were confin'd with them; and those who suffer adversity, as being your selves of the same body.

Remember those who have the rule over you, who have preach'd to you the word of God: imitate their faith; consider their conduct, and the exit they made.

We have a victim, whereof they, who still serve at the tabernacle, have no more right to eat,

Confide in your guides, and be respectful: that they who are vigilant, as being accountable for your souls, may discharge themselves with cheerfulness, and not with anxiety, which would be to your prejudice.

May the God of peace, who has raised from the dead our Lord Jesus (who by the blood of the eternal covenant is become the grand pastor of

the sheep) make you perfect in every virtue, to the accomplishment of his will: effecting that in you by Jesus Christ, which is agreeable to him: to whom be glory thro' all ages.

salute those who conduct you, and all the christians. they of Italy salute you.