13

sprang even from one, and him dead as to these things, a posterity like the stars of heaven for multitude, and like the sand on the sea shore which is innumerable.

These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they viewed them at a distance, and were persuaded of, and embraced them, and acknowledged that they were 14 strangers and sojourners in the land. For they who speak thus 15 shew plainly that they are seeking their father's country: Now

had these been mindful of that from which they came out, they 16 might have had an opportunity of returning thither: but now they desire a better, that is a heavenly country; therefore God is not ashamed of them-to be invoked as their God: for he 17 prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when he was put to the trial, offered up Isaak. Though he had received the promises he offered up 18 his only begotten son, in respect to whom it had been said, 19 that "in Isaak a seed shall be called for thee," reckoning

20

21

22

23

24

that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which in a figurative sense, he had received him.

By faith respecting things to come Isaak blessed Jacob and Esau.

By faith Jacob, when a dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and worshipped, bowing upon the head of his staff.

By faith Joseph, at the close of his life, made mention of the departure of the Israelites, and gave a charge concerning his bones.

By faith Moses, when he was born was concealed three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a comely child, and they were not terrified by the king's edict.

By faith Moses, when he was become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, chusing rather to suffer 25 afflictions with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures 26 of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he had an eye to the reward.

27

By faith he left Egypt in defiance of the king's wrath; for he persevered as seeing HIм who is invisible.

*Gen. 21. 12.

28

29

31

$2

By faith he celebrated the passover, and the pouring out of the blood, that the destroyer of the first born might not touch them.

By faith they passed through the red sea as on dry ground, which the Egyptians attempting to do were swallowed up. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, when processions had been made around them, for seven days.

By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the unbe lievers, she having received the spies with peace.

And what shall I say more? For the time would fail me to speak of Gideon, and Barak, and Sampson, and Jephthae— 33 of David and Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith sub-34 dued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises,

stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were strengthened from weak35 ness, became mighty in battle, repelled armies of aliens. Women received their dead children, by a restoration of them to 36 life. As for others, some were tortured, not expecting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others received the trial of mockings, and scourgings, besides 37 bonds and imprisonments. They were stoned; they were sawn asunder; they were tempted; they were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheep skins, in goats skins, 38 destitute, afflicted, tormented, (of whom the world was not

worthy) wandering in deserts, and mountains, and dens, and 39 caves of the earth. Though these all received a testimonial by 40 means of their belief, they did not obtain the promise, God having provided something better for us, that without us they should not be made perfect.

XII. As we therefore are encompassed with such a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which easily 2 entangleth us, and let us run without intermission the race set before us, looking forward to Jesus, the leader and perfecter of this faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured a cross, despising shame, and hath taken a seat at the right 3 hand of the throne of God. Consider him who bore such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you may not grow 4 weary, nor faint in your minds. You have not yet in your

5 contest with sin resisted to blood. And have you forgotten this exhortation which speaketh to us as to children-

6

7

My son slight not the correction of the Lord,

Nor faint when reproved by him;

For whom the Lord loveth he reproveth,

And chastiseth every son whom he receiveth.*"

If you endure correction God dealeth with you as sons, 8 For what son is there whom a father doth not correct? Now if you are without correction, of which all are partakers, you 9 are indeed bastards and not sons. Well then: we have had fathers of our flesh who have corrected us, and we have reverenced them; shall we not much more submit ourselves to 10 the father of our spirits, and live? For they indeed for a few days corrected us as they thought fit; but he for our advan 11 tage, that we may partake of his holiness. Now all correction seemeth, for the present, not to be matter of joy, but of grief; yet afterwards it produceth the peaceful fruit of right12 eousness to them who are exercised therewith. Therefore lift 13 up the hands which hang down, and the knees which are fee

ble, and make straight tracks with your feet, that that which is 14 lame may not be sprained, but rather healed. Follow peace

with all men, and that holiness without which none shall see 15 the Lord, watching diligently that none fall short of the favour

of God-that no root of bitterness spring up and occasion 16 trouble, and many be defiled by it-that there be no fornicator, nor profane person like Esau, who for a single meal sold 17 his birth right; for you know that afterwards when he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no way to change his father's mind,† though he earnestly sought it with 18 tears. For you are not come to a mountain which might be

touched, and to blazing fire, and to gloom, and darkness, and 19 a turbid tempest, and to the sound of a trumpet, and a sound of words, the hearers of which entreated that the discourse

*Prov. 3. 11, 12. The Greek word ueravía properly signifies a change of mind and that it was his father's mind is evident from what follows. It is frequently used to express a change of one's own mind from evil to good, and then means reformation.

20 might not be continued to them; for they could not bear this threat, "And if even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be 21 stoned or pierced through with a dart."* And so awful was

the appearance, that Moses said, "I am exceedingly terrified 22 and tremble:"+ but you are come to mount Sion, and to the

city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to my. 23 riads of angels-to the general assembly and congregation of first born, enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and 24 to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling which 25 speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that you do not reject him who speaketh. For if they did not escape who rejected him who gave forth oracles on earth, how much less 26 shall we who reject him who is from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth, but he hath now announced, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth but the heaven also." 27 Now this expression, "Yet once more" signifieth the removal of the things shaken, as having been made, that the things which are immoveable may remain.

28

As we have therefore received a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have gratitude by which we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and holy awe: for our God XIII. is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love continue. Be 2 not unmindful of hospitality; for by this some have unknow3 ingly entertained angels. Remember them who are in bonds, as if you were bound with them; them who suffer ill-treat4 ment, as being yourselves in the body. Let marriage be held in esteem by all, and its bed be undefiled: for whoremongers 5 and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be free from avarice. Be content with what you have; for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor will I ever forsake thee.” 6 So that we may say with confidence, "The Lord is my help7 er, I will not fear what man can to do me." Remember your leaders, who spake to you the word of God. Observing care8 fully the issue of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus 9 Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Be not led

* Ex. 19. 12, &c. § Josh. 1. 5.

See Deut. 9. 19. + Hag. 2. 6.

away by various and strange doctrines, for it is better to have the heart strengthened with favour than with meats which have not profited those versed in them. We have an altar from 10 which they who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, the blood of which is carried

by the chief priest into the holies for a sin offering, are burn12 ed without the camp. And therefore Jesus, that he might by his own blood sanctify the people, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us then go out to him, without the camp, bearing his re14 proach. For we have no abiding city here, but are seeking 15 one to come. By him therefore let us offer up continually to

God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips, praising 16 his name; and forget not beneficence and contribution: for

with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey your leaders 17 and yield to them, for they are watching over your souls, (as they who must give an account) that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for this would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, being desirous of conducting ourselves honourably in 19 all things, and I exhort you to this with the more earnestness, that I may be restored to you the sooner,

20

Now may the God of this peace, who raised from the dead the shepherd of the flock, who is great by the blood of an everlast21 ing covenant, namely, our Lord Jesus, perfect you in every good work, that you may do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for the ages of the ages. Amen.

22

Now I beseech you, brethren, bear with this word of ex23 hortation, for I have sent it to you in brief. You know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty, with whom, if he come soon, I will see you.

24

Salute all your leaders and all the saints. They of Italy sa lute you.

The favour be with you all. Amen.