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

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

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 with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he enter'd once for all into the holy of holys, after having obtained for us an eternal redemption.

For where a testament is, there the death of the testator is necessarily pre-suppos'd.

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;

by a new and living way which he has first open'd for us, thro' the veil, that is, thro' his flesh;

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

Call to remembrance the former times, in which after ye were illuminated, you were forc'd to struggle with sufferings,

some of you being expos'd to publick obloquy and persecution: whilst others had their share of affliction in seeing such treatment.

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.

for it is necessary you should persevere, that after having perform'd what God has commanded, you may receive what he has promised.

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.

'Twas by faith that the parents of Moses conceal'd him for three months after his birth, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

by faith he left Egypt without being apprehensive of the king's resentment: for he remain'd firm, as if he saw him who is invisible.

by faith Rahab having given the spies a safe reception, escap'd being destroyed with unbelievers, tho' she had led a dissolute life.

who through faith subdued kingdoms, practis'd justice, obtained what was promised, stopped the mouths of lions,

were proof against the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, show'd their resolution in distress, and their valour in fight, putting to flight the armies of the aliens.

others suffer'd cruel indignities and scourgings, besides chains and imprisonment.

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.

clear the way for your feet, lest that which is lame should be quite out of joint, instead of being redress'd."

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.

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.

and so terrible was the appearance, that Moses cry'd out, "I tremble with the fright."

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,

Take care that you be not deaf to him that speaketh: for if they did not escape, who disregarded the oracles pronounc'd on earth, much less shall we escape, if we turn away from him that delivered the oracles from heaven:

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.

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.

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.

James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES dispers'd thro' the world, sends greeting.

the sun is up and darts its rays, the grass is wither'd, its flowers droop, and all their beautiful appearance vanishes away. just so the rich man fades with all his projects.

a man is instigated, and drawn into the snare by his own vicious passions, which once indulg'd, are productive of sin,

every thing that is valuable, every gift that leads to perfection is deriv'd from heaven, it descends from that original light, which knows no change, no shadow, or decline:

'tis he that has voluntarily renew'd us by the oracles of truth, that we might be the first converts of the new creation.

for a bare auditor without practice is like one who sees his image form'd by a mirror:

when any one, adorn'd with a gold ring, and a splendid dress, enters into your assembly; and a poor man comes in meanly habited:

but you, who despise the poor, are not you oppress'd by the rich? is it not they who drag you to their tribunals?

they who blaspheme that sacred name by which you are distinguish'd?

for he that has not shewed mercy, shall be condemn'd without mercy: while the merciful shall triumph at his trial.

don't you see his actions and his faith conspir'd, and that his faith had its perfect effect in his conduct?

for we are all liable to frequent mistakes. he that does not give too great a loose to his tongue, is an accomplish'd person and fit to moderate the whole church.

the tongue is a brand that sets the world in a combustion: it is but one of the numerous organs of the body, yet it can blast whole assemblies: tipp'd with infernal sulphur it sets the whole train of life in a blaze.

but who could ever tame the tongue? arm'd with deadly poison, the mischief scorns restraint.

By that we give praises to God the father: and that pronounces curses even against men, who are form'd after the divine resemblance.

from the same mouth shall blessing and cursing proceed? this ought not to be practis'd, my brethren;

but wisdom deriv'd from heaven is first dispassionate, then pacific, equitable, and obsequious: full of beneficence, and all social virtue, free from partiality, and hypocrisy.

your wealth is wasted, your wardrobe is devour'd by the worm,

and your gold and silver by rust: that rust shall convict you: that rust shall corrode your flesh like a caustic, which you have treasur'd up against the last days.

you have condemn'd the just, you have put him to death, though he did not oppose you.

don't repine, my brethren, against one another, for fear you should be condemn'd. behold, the judge is at the gate.

let the prophets, my brethren, who were commission'd by the Lord, be your examples; suffer persecution with constancy like them.

PETER an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreigners dispers'd thro' Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, whom God the father has chosen in pursuance of his decree,

in the enjoyment of a state, that can never change or decay, a state reserv'd in heaven for us,

whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd:

'Twas this salvation, that employ'd the most profound enquiries of those, who predicted the dispensation that was to be in your behalf:

when the spirit of Christ inform'd the minds of the prophets of his future sufferings, and of the glorious consequences, they were solicitous to know the circumstances of the times pointed at:

Let your minds then be duely prepar'd, be vigilant, and constantly expect the favour you will meet with at the appearance of Jesus Christ.

as obedient children be no longer influenc'd by those passions, which were the effects of your former ignorance.

and this they were destin'd to. but you are the chosen race, you are kings and priests, the holy nation, the peculiar people, that you might display his glory, who called you out

but at present have obtain'd it. I exhort you, my dear brethren, as strangers and travellers to avoid all sensual passions, as destructive to your

this will conciliate the divine favour. and this is the condition of your vocation, since Christ himself has suffer'd for us,

leaving an example for your exact imitation, he who never offended, and from whose lips no fallacy was ever utter'd,

who, when he was reviled, did not revile again: when he was in his sufferings, he did not threat, but referr'd his cause to the righteous judge.

he himself cancel'd our sins by the crucifixion of his body, that we being set free from sin, might live in the service of virtue. it is by his bruises that you were healed:

Let the married women be subservient to their husbands, that if they happen to disbelieve the gospel, they may be gain'd by the instructive conduct of their wives,

such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue.

always maintaining a good conscience, that instead of inveighing against you as evildoers, they may be cover'd with confusion, who traduce your virtuous behaviour as Christians.

but what proceeds out of the mouth, is deriv'd from the heart, and that defiles the man.

Then Jesus went thence, and retir'd towards the district of Tyre and Sidon.

however she advanc'd, and throwing her self at his feet, cried, O Lord, assist me.

insomuch that the people wondred when they perceived the dumb to speak, the maimed to be heal'd, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Then Jesus called his disciples, and said to them, I am concern'd for this people; they have attended me now three days, without eating: I will not send them away fasting, lest they saint by the way. but his disciples said to him,

Jesus asked, how many loaves have ye? they reply'd, seven, and a few small fish.

then dismissing the multitude, he embark'd, and came to the coast of Magada.

to whom Jesus reply'd, blessed art thou Simon, son of Jona: for 'tis not man that hath revealed this unto thee, but my father who is in heaven.

but he frown'd upon Peter, and said, out of my sight pernicious obstacle to my designs; your views are all worldly, regardless of what is divine.

then Peter address'd himself to Jesus, Lord, said he, it is good for us to stay here: if you please, let us make three tabernacles here; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias.

then the disciples perceiv'd, that what he said was meant of John the Baptist.

And when they were come to the multitude, a man came kneeling to him, and cry'd,

the servant therefore fell prostrate before him, and cry'd out, Lord, allow me but time and I will pay the whole.

upon which the lord of that vassal, touch'd with compassion, gave him his liberty, and discharged him of the debt.

The Pharisees likewise came to him, and maliciously propos'd this question, may a man lawfully put away his wife at discretion?

he said, "for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and be attach'd to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?"

he answer'd them, 'twas because of your perverse temper that Moses suffered you to repudiate your wives: but from the beginning this was not in practice.

but he reply'd, 'tis not everyman can live single, but only such as have the gift of continency.

he reply'd, which? Jesus said, "thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,

Jesus reply'd, I declare unto you, that in the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye that have followed me shall likewise sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

they answer'd him, because we are not hired; go work then. said he, in my vineyard, and I will give you what's reasonable.

who upon the receipt of it fell a murmuring against the master, and cry'd,

these last have work'd but an hour, and you put them upon the level with us, who have born the whole fatigue and heat of the day.

he replied, ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, I cannot grant to any but those whom my father has destin'd thereto.

and the people reprimanded them, to make them hold their tongue: but they bawl'd out the more, have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

abundance of people spread their garments upon the ground; others lop'd down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way:

those antient rebels in the time of Noah, when the divine forbearance waited, till the ark was quite finish'd, in which only eight persons were saved by means of the water.

for the time past of your lives may suffice, to have liv'd in conformity to the Gentile customs, in impurity, licentiousness, sottishness, in dissolute festivals, and the criminal rites of idolaters.

but they will be call'd to account by him, who is ready to judge both the living and the dead.

as good economists of the different dispensations of God, communicate to one another the gifts you have receiv'd.

but whoever suffers as a christian, let him not be asham'd, but rather give thanks to God upon that account.

I formerly writ to you a short epistle, by Silvanus, I think, a faithful brother, to declare and testify to you, that the true dispensation of God is that to which you are attach'd.