for to which of the angels did he ever say, " thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be his father, and he shall be my son?

Therefore we ought to give the greater attention to the things we have heard, for fear we should abandon the gospel.

wherefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, they do alway err in their hearts; and they have not known my ways.

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.

for if Joshuah had given them rest, David would not afterwards have mentioned another day.

which shows that the people of God have a sabbath still to come.

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

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

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."

On this head we have many things to say, not easily to be comprehended, because of your prejudices.

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.

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

and have known by experience the truth of the divine promises, and the miracles of the age that was to come; it is impossible,

for God is too just to his promise not to regard your piety, and the love which you have shewn to the christian religion by the assistance ye have given to the saints, and still continue to give.

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,

might have strong consolation to serve as a sure and stedfast anchor to the soul: till it arrives within the veil,

without father, without mother, without genealogy; his days have no beginning, and his life no end; but like the son of God, he was a perpetual priest.

'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:

If therefore the Levitical priesthood, concerning which the people received a law, could have given perfection, what further need was there that another priest should rise, to be named after the order of Melchisedec, and not after the order of Aaron?

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.

for if the first alliance had been without defect, there could have been no occasion for the second.

not according to the alliance that I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they have not kept my alliance, wherefore I have rejected them, saith the Lord.

for then must he have suffered several times since the beginning of the world, when in the consummation of the ages, he has appeared once for all to expiate sin by offering himself as a sacrifice.

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:

Wherefore, my brethren, since by virtue of the blood of Jesus we have the liberty of entring into the holy of holies,

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

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 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.

don't therefore quit that resolution you have, which will be attended with so great a reward.

the just shall have life by trusting in me, but if he revolt, he will be the object of my displeasure.

Now faith is the foundation of our hopes of happiness, and the persuasion we have about things not evident to our senses.

and truly, if that had been in their view, they might have had an opportunity of returning to the place from whence they came.

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.

You have not yet resisted unto death, striving against sin.

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.

when our natural parents corrected us, we gave them reverence: is it not much more reasonable to be in subjection to the father of spirits, in order to have life?

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.

be not unmindful of hospitality: for thereby some have unknowingly entertained angels.

let your morals be free from avarice, being contented with what you have: for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

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.

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.

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

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

Pray for us, for we trust we have a clear conscience, and desire our virtuous conduct may appear to all the world.

Pray, my brethren, favourably receive this exhortation, which I have writ to you in brief.