again, "thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thy hands.

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

'Tis not therefore to the angels that he has subjected the gospel state of which we are treating.

thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." now since he has put all in subjection to him, he left nothing that is not subjected to him. however we do not see as yet that all things are put under him.

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,

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;

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.

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;

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

for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment.

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 though we speak in this manner, my dear brethren, we expect better things of you, and such as are more suitable to your salvation.

but we desire that every one of you may shew the same concern, continuing to discharge the condition upon which your hopes are founded: that ye be not unactive,

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

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

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.

For the law being only an allusion to a future dispensation that was more excellent, and not an exact imitation of such a state, cannot by the anniversary sacrifices, which are offered, entirely purify those that present themselves.

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;

in consequence of which WILL we are sanctified by the oblation which Jesus Christ has made once for all of his own body.

for by one single oblation he has purified for ever those that are sanctified.

now where they are remitted, there is no need of any further oblation for sin.

as for us, we are not such as desert to their own destruction; but such as persevere in the faith, to the saving of our souls.

for he had in view the city, whose foundations are sure, the architect and founder being God.

Wherefore, since we are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every incumbrance, and the sin which does so easily embarrass us, and let us pursue with constancy the course that is proposed to us:

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

but if you were exempted from that discipline which others are subject to, then are you bastards, and not sons.

'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.

but you are come to mount Sion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable congress of angels, to the general assembly,

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,

since then we are entring into a kingdom which cannot be changed, let us maintain the divine favour, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and fear.

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.

for we have. no settled corporation here, but are in expectation of that which is approaching.

Let our sacrifice then, which we are to offer to God by Jesus Christ, be that of incessant praises, the offering of our lips, which celebrate his name:

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.