that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to fail, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us;

And those indeed of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment according to the law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they came out of the loins of Abraham:

Now if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law) what farther need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not after the order of Aaron?

For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change also of the law.

who is made not according to the law of a temporary command, but according to the power of an endless life.

for the law made nothing perfect, but the introducing of a better hope did, by which we draw near to God.

For the law appointeth men high-priests, who have infirmity; but the oath, recorded since the law, appointeth the Son to be priest for ever, being fully perfected for it.

For if He were on earth, He could not be a priest, seeing there are priests already that offer gifts according to the law:

for when every command was spoken according to the law, by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the book and all the people,

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

For the law having but a faint shadow of good things to come, and not the full image of the things, can never, even by the great annual sacrifices which they offer statedly, make the comers thereunto perfect.

then said I, Lo I come, as in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God."

Having said before, "Thou didst not desire, nor hadst pleasure in, sacrifice and offering, and whole burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin," (which are offered by the law) then He adds,

"Lo I come to do thy will, O God." (He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.)

And indeed every priest under the law standeth daily ministring, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

If any one that violateth the law of Moses, dieth without mercy under two or three witnesses,

Having therefore so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every incumbrance, and the sin that easily besets us, and run with patience the race that is set before us,