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CHRIST is also a
PERPETUAL

PRIEST.

rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity 12 a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken 13 pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which 14 tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far 15 more evident for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,' who is made, not after the law of a carnal command- 16 ment, but after the power of an endless life. For he 17 testifieth, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." For there is verily a disannulling of the 18 commandment going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof, ' (for the law made nothing perfect,) but the bringing in of a 19 better hope, did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch 20 as not without an oath he was made priest; (for those priests were made 21 without an oath; but this with an oath, by him that said unto him, “The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec :") by so much was Jesus made a surety of a 22 better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they 23 were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but this man, because 24 he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood: wherefore he is 25 able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

to atone for us on

in heaven.

We NEEDED a FOR such a high priest became us, who is holy, harm- 26 sinless High Priest, less, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher earth, and intercede than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high 27 priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the 28 word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

The Levitical priest

are nullified by Christ, and a new dispensation introduced.

4

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the 8 hood and institutions, sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, 2 which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high 3 priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: (who serve unto the example and shadow of 5 heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle : for, "See," saith he, "that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.") But now hath 6 he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

II. As respects the

FOR if that first covenant had been faultless, then 7 dispensation itself. should no place have been sought for the second. For 8 the subject of ancient finding fault with them, he saith, "Behold, the days

This covenant was

promise. come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not according 9 to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after 10 those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and

write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: and they shall not teach every man his neighbor, 11 and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their un- 12 righteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old: 13 now that which decayeth and waxeth old, is ready to vanish away.

The old economy

the new;

5

THEN verily the first covenant had also ordinances of 9 did but adumbrate divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was 2 a tabernacle made; the first wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called the Sanctuary. And 3 after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all, 'which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid 4 round about with gold, (wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;) and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, 6 the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God: but into the second went the high priest alone once every 7 year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the 8 Holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in 9 which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conit could not be per-' science; which stood only in meats and drinks, and 10 manent. divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come a high priest of 11 good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, (that is to say, not of this building :) neither by the blood 12 of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood 13 of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the 14 blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God!

and being imperfect,

In both covenants,

purification by blood throughout the old, sacrifices often re

was instituted:

peated admonished those who offered

them, of their imperfection; while at the begin ning of the new,

ONE VICTIM sa

crificed, made

atonement sufficient for all sin.

AND for this cause he is the mediator of the New 15 Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (For where a testament is, there 16 must also of necessity be the death of the testator: for 17 a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.) Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated 18 without blood. For when Moses had spoken every pre- 19 cept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people,' saying, "This is the blood of the 20* testament which God hath enjoined unto you." Moreover, he sprinkled 21 likewise with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and 22 without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary 23 that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which 24 are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: nor yet that he should offer himself often, as 25 the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; (for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of 26 the world :) but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto 27 men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered 28 to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. For the law having 10 a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not 2 have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices 3 there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not 4 possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and 5 offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt- 6 offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said 7 I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God." Above, when he said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt- 8 offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein;" (which are offered by the law :) then said he, "Lo, I come to 9 do thy will, O God." He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering 10 of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth 11 daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice 12 for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God, ' from henceforth 13 expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering 14 he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. no need of further Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for 15 after that he had said before, "This is the covenant 16 that I will make with them after those days;" saith the Lord; "I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them, ' and 17 their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.' Now, where re- 18 mission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

There is therefore

expiation.

III. Practical.

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HAVING therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into 19 Encouragements to the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, 20 faithfulness. which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, (that is

to say, his flesh;) ' and having a high priest over the house of God; 'let 21 us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without waver- 23 ing; (for he is faithful that promised ;) ' and let us consider one another, 24 to provoke unto love, and to good works: not forsaking the assembling 25 of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

FOR if we sin wilfully after that we have received the 26

Guilt of Apostasy. knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacri

fice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery in- 27 dignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' 28 law, died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much 29 sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the 233

10

2 G

covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, 30 "Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord." And again, "The Lord shall judge his people." It is a fearful thing 31 to fall into the hands of the living God.

BUT call to remembrance the former days, in which, 32

Motives to constancy. after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, while ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches 33 and afflictions; and partly, while ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joy. 34 fully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore 35 your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have 36 need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. "For yet a little while, and he that shall come 37 will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if 38 any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." But we 39 are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Of that confidence which we should

place in God. Many illustrious examples, adduced from the proposed for imita

Old Testament,

tion: first of the Patriarchs;

7

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the 11 evidence of things not seen: for by it the elders obtain- 2 ed a good report. Through faith we understand that 3 the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more ex- 4 cellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not 5 see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But 6 without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go 8 out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned 9 in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he 10 looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive 11 seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even 12 of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having 13 seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they 14 that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And 15 truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they 16 desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had 17 received the promises offered up his only-begotten son, of whom it was 18

then of Moses and

said, "That in Isaac shall thy seed be called;" accounting that God 19 was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concern- 20 ing things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both 21 the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the 22 children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By 23 faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months others, (who trusted of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; firmly in God,) and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the 24 son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the 25 people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteem- 26 ing the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he for- 27 sook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the 28 sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which 29 the Egyptians assaying to do, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho 30 fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the 31 harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the 32 time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who 33 through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,' quenched the violence of fire, 34 escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the of the Maccabees aliens: women received their dead raised to life again: 35 and the persecutions and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others 36 had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, 37 were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world 38 was not worthy :) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good 39 report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided 40 some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perand lastly, of Jesus fect. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about 12 Christ himself. with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ' looking unto Jesus, the author 2 and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradic- 3 tion of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

down to the times

of Antiochus

Epiphanes;

In sending trials,

Father.

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YE have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against 4 God corrects as a sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which 5 speaketh unto you as unto children, "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every 6 son whom he receiveth." If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with 7 you as with sons: for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

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