now the priesthood being changed, the law must necessarily be changed too.

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

for the law made no man perfect, but this was effected by introducing a better hope, which brings us nearer to the divine presence.

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."

but he, by virtue of his immortal state, hath a priesthood that does not pass by succession.

so that he has an uninterrupted power to save those, that come to God by him, because he ever lives to make intercession for them.

as those high priests of the law were, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: having done this once for all, by offering up himself.

for the law appointed frail mortals to be high priests, but the oracle pronounc'd with an oath, which was since the law, established the son, who is crown'd with immortal perfections.

and officiate in the sanctuary, which was a gross representation of that in heaven, agreeable to the order given by God to Moses, when he projected the tabernacle, "be very exact, said he, in following the model which was laid before thee in the mount."

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.

but this is the alliance that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

now by stiling the second a new alliance, he has antiquated the first. but to be antiquated and obsolete is next to being abolished.

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;

and for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that, the transgressions that were unexpiated by the first testament, being expiated by his death, they who are called might receive the eternal inheritance, which was promised.

for when every precept of the law had been represented by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, wool of a scarlet dye, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book of the law and all the people,

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 Christ is not entred into a sanctuary made by human art, such as is only representative of the true one, but into heaven itself, to appear from henceforth in the presence of God on our behalf:

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 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.

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;

in consequence of which WILL we are sanctified by the oblation which Jesus Christ has made once for all of his own body.

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

for by one single oblation he has purified for ever those that are sanctified.

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

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

and nothing is to be expected but that dreadful judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour all such adversaries.

He that by two or three witnesses was convicted of violating Moses's law, was put to death without mercy.

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?

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.

'Tis by faith we learn that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the visible world was not made out of any thing that did appear.

'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.

By faith Enoch was translated that he might avoid dying; and he could not be found, because God had translated him: for 'tis recorded, that before his translation he was approved by God.

now without faith it is impossible to be acceptable to him: for he that presents himself to God, cannot but believe he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who make their addresses to him.

'Twas by faith that Noah being divinely warned of unforeseen events, with a religious concern built an ark to the preservation of his family; whereby the world became inexcusable, and he obtained the reward of that righteousness which is by faith.

'Twas by faith that he who was named Abraham, showed his obedience in travelling to a foreign country, which he was afterwards to inherit; and began his journey without knowing where he was going.

'twas by faith that he sojourned in a land that was promised, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were equally entitled to the same promise.

so that even a single person whose vigour was gone, gave rise to a posterity as numerous as the stars of the sky, or the sands on the sea-shore, which cannot be numbred.

'Twas by faith that Abraham, when put to the trial, offered up Isaac: HE offered up his darling son, to whose posterity the promises were to be made good:

of whom it was said, "only the descendants of Isaac shall be counted your posterity:"

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.

By faith Isaac predicted the future fortunes of Jacob and Esau.

by faith Jacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff.

by faith Joseph when he died, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave directions concerning his burial.

'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 Moses when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

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.

through faith he celebrated the passover, and sprinkled blood, that the destroying angel might pass by the first-born.

By faith they passed thro' the red sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do, were drowned.

by faith they made the tour of Jericho for seven days, in consequence of which the walls fell down.

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

women recovered their children, tho' dead, by their being raised to life again: some expired under torments, refusing to be delivered; that they might obtain a better deliverance at the resurrection.

for you should consider how he endured such opposition from sinners against himself, lest ye be tired out, and quite despond.

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?

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

let there be no licentious or profane person, such as Esau, "who sold his birth-right, for a single mess."

nor could they endure that threat, "if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned."

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:

since then we are entring into a kingdom which cannot be changed, let us maintain the divine favour, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and fear.

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."

Jesus Christ is always the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. be not then misled by artful, novel doctrines:

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.

Let our sacrifice then, which we are to offer to God by Jesus Christ, be that of incessant praises, the offering of our lips, which celebrate his name:

but don't forget to be beneficent to the community; for such sacrifice is acceptable to God.

Confide in your guides, and be respectful: that they who are vigilant, as being accountable for your souls, may discharge themselves with cheerfulness, and not with anxiety, which would be to your prejudice.

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

May the God of peace, who has raised from the dead our Lord Jesus (who by the blood of the eternal covenant is become the grand pastor of

the sheep) make you perfect in every virtue, to the accomplishment of his will: effecting that in you by Jesus Christ, which is agreeable to him: to whom be glory thro' all ages.

grace be with you all. AMEN.

but constancy should be brought to its perfection, that you may be entirely accomplished, without any defect.

but let him be fully persuaded of the lawfulness of what he asks: for he that is diffident about that, is like the waves that fluctuate with the wind.

let the rich be humbled by his instability: for he is as transitory as a flower in the field.

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

Don't be deluded, my brethren;

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

Wherefore, my dear brethren, let every one be eager to hear, averse to contradiction, and deaf to passion.

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

My brethren, let not your christian profession be accompanied with partiality.

consider, my dear brethren, has not God chose the poor of this world to be rich by faith, and to inherit the kingdom he has promised to those who love him?

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?

speak and act as those, who are to be judged by the law of liberty.

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

suppose one of your brethren should be destitute of cloths, and of his daily nourishment,

and one of you should thus address him; "go and prosper, I wish you a warm fire, and a full meal:" without relieving his wants, would he be the better for your wish?

just so faith, if it be not operative, is intirely lifeless.

it will be said, "you have a speculative faith, but mine is practical. where is your faith, if no effects appear? as for me, my actions will vouch for my faith.

My brethren, don't affect many of you to be doctors, considering, that those of us who are such, shall be tried with the greater severity.

you see how manageable horses are made by the application of a bit, which makes them take what motion we please.

a ship too of the greatest burthen, tho' the wind bears hard, by means of an inconsiderable helm, veers about as the hand of the pilot directs her.

creatures of every kind, beasts, birds, reptiles, and sea-monsters, are frequently tamed by human industry.

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;

does a fountain throw up salt water and fresh, by the same conveyance?

Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom.

or do you imagine that passage of scripture to be insignificant, "does the spirit that dwells in you, incite you to vice?"

be afflicted, be mournful, and weep: let your mirth be converted to sadness, and your joy to vexation.

your language ought to be this, "if the Lord pleases to give us life, we shall do this, or that."

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