large. "By the Hebrews are-meant those of the Jewish people wно HAD RECEIVED THE FAITH.-Many of these were in danger of FALLING AWAY.-Now this being the case, the apostle labours, the better to keep them steady in their christian profession-he sets forth the excellency of Christ as to his nature; he being the Son of God, and far above angelsand more excellent than Moses. Farther the apostle shews the excellency of Christ's priesthood-Then, as to sacrifices-that the sacrifice of himself which Christ offered--was more effectual by far, than all the oblations and sacrifices appointed by the law of Moses--and therefore they [the Hebrews] ought to KEEP STEADFAST TO THEIR CHRISTIAN profession, otherwise the danger would be great, even of their UTTER DESTRUCTION.

"This dangerous effect of APOSTASy the apostle twice mentions. First in chap. vi. 4, 5, 6. where he tells them it would be impossible to renew them again unto repentance, if after

being enlightened with the knowledge of Christ--and--endued with the divine Spirit-they should now CAST OFF their holy religion, and so be

COME APOSTATES FROM CHRISTIANITY, and fall back to Judaism.

"The like dangerous effect of APOSTASY the apostle repeats chap. x. 26, &c. assuring them there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment,therefore he exhorts them to PERSEVERANCE. He [the author] then observes, that "What has hitherto been mentioned is the SUBSTANCE of the epistle, to the beginning of the 11th chapter. He [the apostle] goes on chap. xi. to set before them the power of the grace of faith, and proposes the example of the saints in former times, and then tells them, chap. xii. -that all these examples of faith and CONSTANCY ought to be encouragements to them, to run with patience in the Christian race. Afterwards he instructs them to adorn their christian profession-and (which was al

along the MAIN DESIGN) to take heed that no one amongst them-should despise and CAST OFF their glorious privilege in Christ Jesus, and their interest in the gospel, and in being members of Christ's holy church, with the benefits of the new covenant through Christ's blood.

"Lastly, chap. xiii. 1, &c. he gives them sundry particular directions for a christian life and behaviour, and then again encourages them to PER SEVERE in the christian faith."*

That this account is true, will fully appear from a more particular survey of the contents of the whole epistle.

Chap. i. The apostle shews that all former dispensations were delivered to the world by men and angels, who were only servants in what they did; but that the gospel salvation was delivered by Christ, who is the Son of God, and the Heir of all things.How naturally does he then infer the

*See Sacred Interpreter, from page 274, to 279.

superiority of the gospel over the law; and, of consequence, the great absurdity of leaving the former for the sake of the latter!

Chap. ii. He obviates an objection which might be made to the superior excellency of Christ, on account of his humiliation.

To this

end he shews that this humiliation was voluntary: that it was intended for many important purposes, viz. That we might be sanctified, verse 11. That through his death we might be delivered from death, verse 14, 15. And that Christ, by experiencing our infirmities in his own person, might become a faithful and a merciful HighPriest, verse 17, 18. The inference then is, That his taking our nature upon him, and dying therein, is no argument of his inferiority, either to the prophets or to the angels; and therefore it is no excuse for those who APOSTATIZE from the gospel for the sake of the law.

Chap. iii. Here Christ is particularly compared with Moses, and shewn

There

to be superior to him in several respects. As, 1. Christ is the great builder of that house, of which Moses is only a small part, verse 3, 4. 2. Christ is as a Son in his own house; but Moses was only as a servant in his master's house, verse 5. fore Christ and his salvation are superior to Moses and his law, and ought not to be neglected on account of that which is inferior to it.-From verse 7 of this chapter, to verse 14 of the 4th chapter, the apostle shews the great danger of APOSTATIZING from Christ, by the severe sentence which was passed on those who rebelled against Moses, and apostatized from his law.

accounts.

Chap. v. Christ is compared to Aaron, and preferred to him on several As 1. Aaron offered. for his own, as well as for the sins of the people; but Christ offered only for the sins of others, having none of his own to offer for, verse 3. 2. Christ was not priest after the order of Aaron, but after the manner of Mel