not have, the nature of a moral expiation for sin. But the death of Christ was such an expiation in reality. Of these truths there had been a standing testimony which, for ages before the Messiah, had announced the virtual abolition of the first and figurative system, and the preappointed establishment of the dispensation of grace, with its real atonement, and all-sanctifying results. At the altars of the tabernacle and temple the services of the priesthood were incessant; "they stood and ministered daily:" but Jesus is enthroned at the right hand of God, having by one all-availing expiation secured the triumphs of his cause, and provided for the full and endless salvation of the faithful.

13. If further confirmation were required, we have it in the decree of God attested by the Holy Ghost, (Jer. xxxi. 33,) that in the days of the covenant of which Messiah is the Mediator, his people shall be both forgiven and inwardly sanctified. But the enjoyment of blessings like these must demonstrate clearly such a complete reconciliation through the immanent efficacy of Christ's one atonement as to render additional sacrifices for ever unnecessary.

Here the strictly dogmatic portion of the discourse terminates, and the inspired teacher advances to those practical lessons of admonition and encouragement with which the whole subject is so powerfully replete. We are to improve the ineffable privilege of access to God through the Mediator; to persevere in our religious profession, and, with heartfelt convictions of the approach of eternity, to be actively solicitous for the promotion of one another's advancement in the Christian life.

14. For him who apostatizes from Christianity there remains no hope of salvation; there being no other atonement for sin possible than that which he has voluntarily renounced. [This awful passage should be studied

in connexion with the parallel one in section 6.] The Hebrew believers are exhorted by the retrospect of the past, and the stirring anticipations of futurity, to maintain their faithfulness till the supreme hour.

15-18. Perseverance will be the effect of FAITH, which anticipates the blessed future, and substantiates already what is as yet unseen.* This has been the principle (which reposes upon the omnific will of God, the invisible Cause of all visible existence) that, through all the ages of time, has invigorated the servants of the Lord for the highest enterprises, or sustained them in the most painful discipline. To show us this, is one purpose of the testimony which the scripture gives of their trials and triumphs. But if, under the disadvantages of the gloomy ante-Messianic times, and in exposure in many cases to the most formidable difficulties and opposition, these heroes of faith maintained their steadfastness, how much greater is our encouragement, who in the manifestation of the Redeemer's kingdom have in fulfilment what they held only in promise! [Apostasy on our part would display a heinousness of guilt and disgrace possible only to such as we, whose privileges are so much greater than those enjoyed by our predecessors.] We have the same

"For while those things which are in hope appear to be without real existence, faith gives them subsistency; or, rather, does not give them, for it is in their own nature: for example, the resurrection is not present, nor is it in subsistency; but hope gives it subsistency in our mind. This is the subsistency of things hoped for."-CHRYSOSTOM in loco.

"The very same manner of religion which Abraham followed is practised now by Christians.........One and the same way of living is common to us who have our name from Christ with them who of old sincerely served God and were so dear to him. Hence that perfect rule of religion which hath been delivered to us trine of Christ is neither new nor strange; but if we truth, the first, the only, and the true one."-EUSEBIUS, Hist. Eccles. lib. iv.

by the doc

speak the

end to achieve, but greater power to effect it. Both they and we form one communion, developed under dispensations of grace which shine with increasing splendour to the perfect day.

Let us then imitate the persevering faith of those who have already won the prize, and who are now the spectators of our triumph or defeat; above all, looking to Jesus, who is not only the author and perfecter of our faith, but the exemplar for its patient and soul-possessing exercise.

19. Nor shrink from the test, even if it come in the form of utmost suffering. In this resolute temper of soul, the ordinary trials of life will cease to surprise us. Besides, we should look upon the present state as one of discipline. The government of God over the church is parental; and if we count it our highest interest to be numbered with his children, let us not murmur at the salutary treatment which children require from their fathers, remembering the benefits by which it will be followed.

20, 21. Thus, instead of relaxing, we will prepare for further effort. Our safety lies in progression; and to trifle with the privilege of our heavenly birthright, is to endanger the loss of it for ever.

As we read, there opens to our view a magnificent panorama of the glorious realities of the New-Testament state, as against the dark back-ground of the Sinaitic dispensation. This vision comes before us to admonish us, that the greater the excellency of the Christian covenant, the more fearful will be the consequences of rejecting it. They who refused Moses perished. How much greater the perdition of those who withdraw from Christ! The introduction of the Mosaic dispensation partially changed the aspect of the world; but the final dispensation of the Messiah is destined to effect its entire and

permanent renovation.

We who have been permitted to

enter on the privileges of this last economy of grace, must hold fast our interest in them in the service and

fear of a holy and sin-avenging God.

Practical exhortations; fraternal love.

Hospitality. Sympathy with the afflicted. Chastity. Contentment. Confident trust in Divine Providence. Imitation of the saints who have finished their course. To us Jesus is what he was to them, the immutable Saviour.

22. Be steadfast in the truth. Do not tamper with the ceremonies of an abrogated Judaism. Let us be willing to suffer shame for our fidelity to Jesus, and, while aware that our soon-to-be-ended pilgrimage is bringing us to an imperishable inheritance, we shall cherish a cheerful spirit of faith and hope which ever offers its eucharistic sacrifices of praiseful words and beneficent acts to the Father through the Son.

They are counselled to avail themselves of the instructions of their stated pastors, and to be conscientiously observant of the discipline of the church. Both pastors and people are living for a great account. In conclusion, the writer entreats their prayers, and pours forth the ardent wishes of his soul for their welfare in a benediction of impressive grandeur.

THE EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES.

THIS is an encyclical letter, intended at first for Christian believers of the Hebrew nation who were living out of Judea. There was a propriety in this design arising from the relation sustained by the writer to the HebrewChristian mother-church at Jerusalem. For though there may be some uncertainty as to the author of this epistle, it is difficult to arrive at any other conclusion than that in which most men who have examined the subject have

agreed, that he was James or Jakub bar Halphai, surnamed Zuro, the Minor, also Ahui da Moran, the brother of our Lord, and the first president or bishop of the Christian community in Jerusalem. Notices of him will be found in Matt. xiii. 55, 56; Mark vi. 3; xv. 47; compared with John xix. 25; 1 Cor. xv. 7; Acts xv. 13; Gal. i. 19; ii. 9, 11; 1 Cor. ix. 5.

The epistle is supposed to have been written by him shortly before his martyrdom, which took place at Jerusalem, about A.D. 62. The character of this discourse is ethical and axiomatic; it elucidates and enforces the moral virtues, and will be always valued by the church as an inspired exposition of some of the leading duties of human life.

1. He, who was himself approaching martyrdom, here exhorts his Christian brethren to the maintenance of a cheerful submission to the divine will in their present trials, and a steadfast regard to the perfection which was before them. He points them to the source from whence, through believing prayer, the grace they needed would be bountifully conferred. The poor are bidden to rejoice in the dignity to which salvation had raised them, and the rich reminded of the instability of worldly greatness; while such of them as had suffered the loss of their possessions for the gospel's sake, are told of the crown that awaits the confessors of the Lord. He then cautions them against an error to which some had been exposed from intercourse with heretical Jews, or Heathen sophists, that the Deity is the author or instigator of sin; showing them, on the contrary, the real origin, the tendency, and the doom of sin, in any man. As for God, his way is perfect. So far from being the author of sin, he is the Father of lights, the cause unchangeable of all good. He can sanctify, but not deprave. The regenerate have been renewed by him, to be made the most