have need to be taught again What are the first lements of the words of God: and you are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one, that is a partaker of milk, is unskilful in the word of justice: for he is a little child. 14 But strong meat is for the perfect for them who by custom have their senses exercised to the discerning of good and evil. CHAP. VI. He warns them of the danger of falling by apostacy; and exhorts them to patience and perseverance. WHEREFORE leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect, not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those, who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 Have moreover tasted the a Matt. 12. 45. Infra, 10. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 20. CHAP. VI. Ver. 1. The word of the Deginning. The first rudiments of the christian doctrine. Ver. 4. It is impossible, &c. The meaning is, that it is impossible for such as have fallen after baptism, to be again baptized; and very hard for such as have apostatized from the faith, after having received many graces, to return again to the happy state from which they fell. good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 And are fallen away; to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery. 7 For the earth that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled: receiveth blessing from God. 8 But that which bringeth forth thorns and briars, is reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt. 9 But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus. 10 For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints." 11 And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end: 12 That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who' through faith and patience shall inherit the promises. 13 For God making promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself, 14 Saying: Unless blessing I shall bless thee, and multiplying I shall multiply thee. 15. And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy. ♪ Gan. 22. 16. 17 Wherein God, meaning | more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us. 19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil: 20 Where the forerunner JESUS is entered for us, made a high-priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things. 5 And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham. 6 But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction, that which is less, is blessed by the better. 8 And here indeed men that die, receive tithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth. 9 And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham: 10 For he was yet in the loins dech met him: of his father, when Melchise 11 If then perfection was by der it the people received the the Levitical priesthood (for unlaw) what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron ? translated, it is necessary that 12 For the priesthood being a translation also be made of the law. 13 For he, of whom these. things are spoken, is of another tribe, of which no one attended on on the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in b Deut. 18, 3. Jos. 14. 4. which tribe Moses spoke no- | thing concerning priests. 15 And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made not accord ing to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life: 17 For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech, 18 There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof: 19 (For the law brought nothing to perfection) but the bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God. 20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath, (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath; 21 But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, thou art a priest for ever): 22 By so much, is JESUS made a surety of a better testament. 23 And the others indeed were made many priests, because by a Ps. 109. 4.-6 Ps. 109. 4. Ver. 25. Many priests, &c. The apostle notes this difference between the high-priests of the law, and our high-priest Jesus Christ; that they being removed by death, made way for their successors; whereas our Lord Jesus is a priest for ever, and hath no successor; but liveth and concurreth for ever with his ministers, the priests of the new testament, in all their fundtions. 2ndly, That no one priest of the law, nor all of them together, could offer that absolute sacrifice of everlasting redemption, which our one highpriest Jesus Christ, has offered once, and for ever. 834 reason of death they were not suffered to continue: 24 But this, for that be continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood, 25 Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him: always living to make intercession for us. 26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high-priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens: 27 Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, in offering himself. 28 For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since the law, the Son who is perfected for evermore. that he also should have something to offer. 4 If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest: seeing that there would be others to offer gifts according to the law, 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. As it was answered to Moses, when he was to finish the tabernacle: See (says he) that thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewn thee on the mount. 6 But now he hath obtained a better ministry, by how much also he is mediator of a better testament, which is established on better promises. 7. For if that former had been faultless, there should not indeed a place have been sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith: Behold, the days shall come, saith the Lord: and I will perfect unto the house of Israel, and unto the house of Juda, a new testament. 9 Not according to the testament, which I made to their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt: because they continued not in my testa a Exod. 25. 40. Acts 7. 44.-b Jer. 31. 31. Ver. 4. If then he were on earth, &c. That is, if he were not of a higher condition than the levitical order of earthly priests, and had not another kind of sacrifice to offer, he should be excluded by them from the priesthood, and its functions, which by the law were appropriated to their tribe. Ver. 5. Who serve unto, &c. The priesthood of the law and its functions were a kind of an example, and shadow of what is done by Christ in his church militant and triumphant, of which the tabernacle was a pattern. ment: and I regarded them not, saith the Lord: 10 For this is the testament which I will make to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will give my laws into their mind, and in their heart will I write them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying. Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the least to the greatest of them. 12 Because I will be merciful to their iniquities, and their sins I will remember no more. 13 Now in saying a new, he hath made the former old. And that, which decayeth and grow eth old, is near its end. Ver. 11. They shall not teach, &c So great shall be the light and grace of the new testament, that it shall not be necessary to inculcate to the faithful the belief and knowledge of the true God, for they shall all know him. Ver. 13. A new; supply covenant, and the ark of the testament covered about on every part with gold, in which was a golden pot that had manna, and the rod of Aaron that had blossomed, and the a tables of the testament. 5 And over it were the Cherubims of glory overshadowing the propitiatory: of which it is not needful to speak now particularly. 6 Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle the priests indeed always entered, accomplishing the offices of sacrifices. 7 But into the second, the high-priest alone, once a year: not without blood, which he offereth for his own, and the people's ignorance. 12 Neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh : 14 d How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? 15 And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament: that by means of his death, for the redemption of those transgressions, which were under the former testament, they that are called may retheceive the promise of eternal inheritance. 8 The Holy Ghost signifying this, that the way into Holies was not yet made manifest, whilst the former tabernacle was yet standing. 9 Which is a parable of the time present: according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, as to the conscience, make him perfect that serveth, only in meats and in drinks, 10 And divers washings, and justices of the flesh laid on them until the time of correction. 11 But Christ, being come an high-priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hand, that is, not of this creation : a 3 Kings 8. 9. 2 Par. 5. 10.-b Exod. 30. 10. Lev. 16. 2. CHAP. IX. Ver. 10. Of correction. Viz., when Christ should correct and settle all things. 16 For where there is a testament; the death of the testator must necessity come in. 17 For a testament is of force, after men are dead: otherwise it is as yet of no strength, whilst the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither was the first indeed dedicated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled c Lev. 16. 15.-d1 Pet. 1. 19. 1 John 1. 7. Apoc. 1. 5.-e Gal. 3. 15. Ver. 12. Eternal redemption. By that one sacrifice of his blood, once offered on the cross, Christ our Lord paid and exhibited, once for all, the general price and ransom of all mankind; which no other priest could do. |
