. Of Christ s priesthood. HEBREWS.-CHAP. V..VII. A. D. cir. 63. The danger of apostacy. dead, and of eternal judgment. piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul | A Mon of hands, and of resurrection of the and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked P and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. o Pa. 139.2 p Pr. 15.11. q c.9.12,24. 8 Ho. 11.8. Pe222 1 Jn.3.5. u Ep.3.12. c.10.19.. 22. a c.8.3. 15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infir-bor, ren mities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. sonably bear with. c c.7.2 d Le. 9.7. 16 Let us therefore come boldly "unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, e 2Ch.26.18. and find grace to help in time of need. CHAPTER V. 1 The authority and honour of our Saviour's priesthood. 11 Negligence in the knowledge thereof is reproved. FOR OR every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the igno-1 rant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. f Ex. 29.1. g Jn.8.34. h P&.2.7. Mac 26.39 ..44. k Mat.26.53 his piety. m Ph28. 3. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto him- hath no self, but he that is called of God, as was f Aaron. experi ence. ror, per s or, a ha- a Phi3.12. 5 So also Christ & glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou i art a priest for ever after the order of Mel-bor, chisedec. 14. the the begin word of ning of Christ. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with c.9.11. strong crying and tears unto him that was abled c.11.6. to save him from death, and was heard ine Ac.19.4,5. that he feared; . 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. f Ac.8.17. g Ac. 17.31. 26.8. h Ja.4.15. i Mat. 5 13. 12.31.32. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salVation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not p slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel," confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold w upon the hope set be2 Pe.2.30, fore us: Ju. 15.6. c.10 26. 21. 1 Jn.5.16. Is.1.23. kor, for. 1 P.65.10. m Is.5.6. n Mat.25.40 3.6,14. p Pr. 15.19. 2 Pe.1.10. q Ge.22.16, 17. r Ex.22.11. s Ro.8.17. c. 11.9. t Ro.11.29. u interposed himself. v Tit. 1.2. w1 Ti.6.12. x Le. 16.15. y c.4.14. z c.7.17. a Ge.14.18, &c. 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him ; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying b pedigree. tenth of the spoils. Christ's priesthood more HEBREWS.-CHAP. VIII., IX. 4067. A. D. cir. 63. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, A. M. cir. who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abra-d ham: d 6 But he whose & descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. © Nu. 18.21 ..26. pedigree. e Ge. 14.20. f Ro.9.4 g c56. Re. 1.18. 7 And without all contradiction the less is Ga-2.21. blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but i there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what farther need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron ? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the ness and unprofitableness thereof. weak v. 18,19. c. 8.7. Mat.13. JP110.4. k Ac.13.39. 1 Ro.3.20. m or, but it u Ro.5 2. o or, spenting of an oath. p P.110.4. c.8.6. r or, which not from another. excellent than Aaron's. CHAPTER VIII. 1 By the eternal priesthood of Christ, the Levitical priesthood of Aaron is abolished. 7 And the temporal covenant with the fathers, by the eternal covenant of the gospel. NOW of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: e 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow f of 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. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent hministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been fault18.2.35. less, then should no place have been sought 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the Col2 17. which we draw nigh unto God. n 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that saidi unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec :) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: c. 10.1. g Ex.23.40. 25.30. h2 Co.3.6.. 9. .c.7.22. or, testa ment c.7.11. k Je.31.31.. 31. I give. mor, tepon n Ho. 223. Zec. 8.8. o 154.13. for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah : 9 Not according 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. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after 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: 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. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new P covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. 1 PETER.-CHAP. II., III. unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: W X A. M. cir. A. D. eir. Ro.2.7,10 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, yew Re. 1.7. rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: x1Jn.4.20. 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even they Jn. 16.22 salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of timed the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; I Da. 9.3. 2 Pe.1.21. b He 11.39, c Ac. 24. Ep.3.10. Lu.21.34 perfectly h He.10.35. Christ is the corner-stone up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is * precious but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal L11.44. priesthood, a holy nation, a " peculiar peoPhi.2.12 ple; that ye should show forth the P praises of 136 him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Re. 7.14. o Jn.17.17, P 1 Jn.3.14, c Jn.1.13. 14 As obedient children, not fashioning your-or, Fr selves according to the former lusts in your ig norance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. that t Is. 40.6. 8. 2 Pe.1 19. b Mat.1.3. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every He.3.6. man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and old, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was fore-ordained before "the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and "gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love P of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. u CHAPTER II. h Is.61.6. Re. 1.6. Mal.1.11. JI.28.16. or, an honour. 1 Mat. 21.42 o De 4.20. 10 Which in time past were not a people, bu are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good w works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with wel. doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. tuer. Por, vir A 26.18. r Ro.9.25. s P&.119.19. Ga.5.16.. 21. 1 He dehorteth them from the breach of charity: 4 showing that Christ is the founda. Mat 16.24 tion whereupon they are built. 11 He beseecheth them also to abstain from fleshly Justs, 13 to be obedient to magistrates, 18 and teacheth servants how to obey their masters, 20 patiently suffering for well doing, after the example of Christ. WH k Some read, for 11.3.16. Re. 12.11. you. HEREFORE laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. m Is.53.9. n or, his . cause d Lu. 23.46. p Is.53.4, &c. qar, to. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. e 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are no returned unto the " Shepherd and Bish of your souls. CHAPTER III. He teacheth the duty of wives and husbands to each other, 8 exhorting all men to unity and love, 14 and to suffer persecation. 19 He declareth also the benefits of Christ toward the old world. LIK IKEWISE, yea wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not` с 4068. A. D. cir. 64. b 1 Ti.29, 10. c Ps. 45.13. Ro.2.29. d Pa.25.9. 149.4. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is ine Ge.18.12. the sight of God of great price. Mat.5.5. f children. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorn-8 Col.3.19. ed themselves, being in subjection unto theirh Ro.12.16. own husbands: i or, loving to the. 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long 1 Jn.3.18. as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 8 Finally, be ye all of one compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: mind, having k Mat. 5.44. Ep.4.32. 1 Pr. 34.12, &c. m upon. n Pr. 16.7. Ro.8.28. o Is.8.12,13. 51.12. PP.119.46. 1 He exhorteth them to cease from sin by the example of Christ, and the consideration of the general end that now approacheth: 12 and comforteth them against persecu tion. Fo ORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil e of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing or, rever- the multitude of sins. that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile : 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin " at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear. 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit w the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. CHAPTER V. 1 He exhorteth the elders to feed their flocks, 5 the younger to obey, 8 and all to be sober, watchful, and constant in the faith: 9 to resist the cruel adversary the devil. THE HE elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of b SIMON Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: с b A. M. cir. 4069. A. D. cir. a or, 65. Symeon. Ep.4.& and Sa d Da.4.1. e Pa. $4.11. 1 Ti. 4.8. 2 Grace and peace a be multiplied unto your or, by. through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus g 2 T.1.9. our Lord, h 2 Co.7.1. He.12.10. e 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue : 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. m 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience god-t liness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. jc.2.18,20. * Phi 48. 1 Phi.1.9. m 1 Co.9.25. n Ja.1.4. 1 Ti.4.7. PJ1334, 1C0.13.1.. 35. 3. r idle. s Jn. 15.2.6. 1Jn.29.. 11. u c.3.17. v 1 Jn.3.19. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure,word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star barise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in a old time Re2214 by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. w c.3.1. x Jn.21.18, 19. y 2 Co. 4.2. 2 Mat.17.1 a Pe. 119. e UT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord cor, at any that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. b Re 2.28. 22.16. d Lu.1.70. e 2 Ti.3.16. a De.13.1, &c. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth b Mat. 24.5, shall be evil spoken of. 24. Ac. 20.29, 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you whose judgment d now of a long time lin gereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. |