whence it was necessary he should be in all things like his brethren; that he might be a merciful high priest, and faithfully discharge the divine office of expiating the sins of the people.

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;

so that there is not a creature that is concealed from his view: but all is naked and open to the eyes of him of whom we speak. Having then so great a high priest,

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 every high priest is appointed to officiate for men in religious matters, offering gifts and sacrifices for their sins: being chosen from among the people. that as he himself is surrounded with infirmities,

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."

as he saith too in another place, "thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

God having declared him an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

where Jesus is gone to usher us in, having been made an high priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.

For this Melchisedec was both king of Salem, and a priest of the most high God; 'twas he who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:

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.

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?

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

who was not establish'd by virtue of a temporary law, but with the power of being a perpetual priest.

for it is said, "thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

by him that said to him, "the Lord has swore, and will not repent, thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity,

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.

a priest of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord made, and not man.

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

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.

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 to make a frequent offering of himself, as the high priest every year enters into the holy of holies with other blood than his own.

While the high priest in his daily administrations frequently repeated the same sacrifices which could by no means expiate sin;

and having an high priest, who is established over the house of God,