for to which of the angels did he ever say, " thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be his father, and he shall be my son?

and this is attested by a certain writer, who says, "what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him?

but in this place 'tis said, "they shall not enter into my rest."

this was Jesus, who while he was in a mortal body, having offered up prayers and supplications, with strong cries, and with tears, to him that was able to save him from that death, was heard so as to be delivered from his fear;

On this head we have many things to say, not easily to be comprehended, because of your prejudices.

for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment.

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.

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:

Now consider the dignity of this person, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

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

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

Besides those priests were establish'd without any oath: but this with an oath,

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.

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.

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.

This type subsists to the present time, both gifts and sacrifices being still offered, which cannot purify the mind of him that officiates

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.

saying, "this is the blood of the testament which God has made in your behalf."

and this is what the holy spirit declares, when after having said,

"this is the alliance that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their mind will I write them:

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.

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

Pray, my brethren, favourably receive this exhortation, which I have writ to you in brief.