He is so much superiour to the angels, as the authority he possesses is more excellent than theirs.

Therefore omitting for the present the principles of the christian doctrine, we shall proceed to something more sublime, without mentioning those fundamental articles of repentance from destructive vices, and of divine faith:

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.

This appears still more clear from another priest's arising like Melchisedec,

so that Jesus was made guarantee of an alliance so much the more excellent, as it was not without the solemnity of an oath.

Our high priest then has obtained a priesthood so much the more excellent, as he is the mediator of a better alliance, established upon better promises.

for I will pardon their iniquity, and their sins and their trangressions will I remember no more."

only in matters relating to meats and drinks, and divers baptisms, meer external rites which were to subsist only till the time of reformation.

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;

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?

It was therefore necessary that what was only a type of the heavenly sanctuary, should be purified by such sacrifices; but the heavenly sanctuary itself, by a more excellent sacrifice.

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.

he adds, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

as some do; but encourage one another: even so much the more, as you see the day approaching.

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.

'Twas by faith that Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he was declared righteous, God himself having testified that he accepted his offering, and after he died for his faith, he was not silent.

And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, of Barak, of Samson, of Jephthae, of David, of Samuel, and of the prophets:

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?

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.

whose voice then shook the earth: but he has promised to do it now, saying, " yet once more I will shake, not the earth only, but heaven too."

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.

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

I conjure you the more earnestly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.