for if the law deliver'd by angels was put in execution, and every transgression and disobedience was justly punish'd as it deserv'd;

such solid nourishment is only fit for such as are arriv'd at their full growth and strength, whose senses have been exercis'd in distinguishing what is good, and what is prejudicial.

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

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.

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 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,

for to us was the good promise made, as well as to them: but the word address'd to them was not effectually receiv'd with faith by those that heard it.

for the mind is better improv'd by the gospel-dispensation, than by the distinctions about meats, in which some have been so uselesly vers'd.

but that which bears thorns and briars, is look'd upon as lying under a curse; whose end will be to be burnt.

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.

Besides those priests were establish'd without any oath: but this with an oath,

besides, the priesthood then devolv'd to many, death depriving them of a lasting possession.

every high priest being establish'd to offer gifts and sacrifices: it was necessary that he likewise should make a peculiar offering,

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

the high priest only enter'd, and that but once every year, when he carried the blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.

but Christ, the high priest of a better dispensation that was to come, having appeared, is enter'd into the holy of holys by a nobler and more perfect tabernacle, not the effect of human art, but of a higher nature;

nor with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he enter'd once for all into the holy of holys, after having obtained for us an eternal redemption.

For where a testament is, there the death of the testator is necessarily pre-suppos'd.

after having said, "victims, oblations, holocausts, and sacrifice for sin, thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein," tho' they are all prescrib'd by the law;

by a new and living way which he has first open'd for us, thro' the veil, that is, thro' his flesh;

Let us stedfastly maintain the hope which we have avow'd, since he is faithful that has promised:

Call to remembrance the former times, in which after ye were illuminated, you were forc'd to struggle with sufferings,

some of you being expos'd to publick obloquy and persecution: whilst others had their share of affliction in seeing such treatment.

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.

for it is necessary you should persevere, that after having perform'd what God has commanded, you may receive what he has promised.

concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the grave; from whence, in a figurative sense, be may be said to have been recover'd.

'Twas by faith that the parents of Moses conceal'd him for three months after his birth, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

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.

by faith Rahab having given the spies a safe reception, escap'd being destroyed with unbelievers, tho' she had led a dissolute life.

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

were proof against the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, show'd their resolution in distress, and their valour in fight, putting to flight the armies of the aliens.

others suffer'd cruel indignities and scourgings, besides chains and imprisonment.

have you forgot the exhortation which is address'd to you, as to children? "my son, despise not thou the chastning of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.

clear the way for your feet, lest that which is lame should be quite out of joint, instead of being redress'd."

for you know that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: not being able to make Isaac to retract, though he importun'd him with tears.

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.

and so terrible was the appearance, that Moses cry'd out, "I tremble with the fright."

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:

and this expression, yet once more" signifies the abolition of those changeable things which were only contriv'd, that what is unalterable might lastingly succeed.

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

thou hast made him for a while lower than the angels; thou hast crown'd him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands:

besides Moses throughout his whole administration acted in quality of a servant, representing to the people what he was order'd to say.

but Christ govern'd his own house in quality of son and heir, and 'tis we that are his house, provided we stedfastly persevere unto the end in the publick profession of that hope, in virtue of which we glory.

for we were receiv'd into the communion of Christ, upon condition of inviolably maintaining the hope we had at the beginning even unto the end,

which is imply'd by, "to-day since ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as at Meriba."

Wherefore Christ himself did not assume the character of an high priest; but it was confirm'd by him that said, "thou art my son, to-day have I begotten thee."

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.