ABERYSTWYTH, _April 12th, 1888_.
PAGE CHAPTER I. THE REVELATION IN A SON 3
CHAPTER II. THE SON AND THE ANGELS 21
CHAPTER III. FUNDAMENTAL ONENESS OF THE DISPENSATIONS 51
CHAPTER IV. THE GREAT HIGH-PRIEST 69
CHAPTER V. THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF RENEWAL 83
CHAPTER VI. THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF FAILURE 99
CHAPTER VII. THE ALLEGORY OF MELCHIZEDEK 113
CHAPTER VIII. THE NEW COVENANT 133
CHAPTER IX. AN ADVANCE IN THE EXHORTATION 183
CHAPTER X. FAITH AN ASSURANCE AND A PROOF 199
CHAPTER XI. THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM 213
CHAPTER XII. THE FAITH OF MOSES 233
CHAPTER XIII. A CLOUD OF WITNESSES 259
CHAPTER XIV. CONFLICT 273
CHAPTER XV. MOUNT ZION 293
CHAPTER XVI. SUNDRY EXHORTATIONS 315
I. THE REVELATION IN A SON: i. 1-3.
1. The previous revelation was in portions; this is a Son, Who is the Heir and the Creator.
2. The previous revelation was in divers manners; this in a Son, Who is (1) the effulgence of God's glory; (2) the image of His substance; (3) the Sustainer of all things; (4) the eternal Priest-King.
II. THE SON AND THE ANGELS: i. 4-ii. 18.
1. The Revealer of God Son of God: i. 4-ii. 4.
2. The Son the Representative of man: ii. 5-18. (1) He is crowned with glory as Son, that His propitiation may prove effectual, and His humiliation involves a propitiatory death. (2) His glory consists in being Leader of His people, and His humiliation fitted Him for leadership. (3) His glory consists in power to consecrate men to God, and His humiliation endowed Him with this power. (4) His glory consists in the destruction of Satan, and Satan is destroyed through the Son's humiliation.
III. FUNDAMENTAL ONENESS OF THE DISPENSATIONS: iii. i-iv. 13.
1. Moses and Christ are equally God's stewards.
2. The threatenings of God under the Old Testament are in force in reference to apostasy from Christ.
3. The promises of God are still in force.
IV. THE GREAT HIGH-PRIEST: iv. 4-v. 10.
1. His sympathy.
2. His authority.
V. (A DIGRESSION) THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF RENEWAL IN THE CASE OF SCOFFERS: v. 11-vi. 8.
Their renewal is impossible (1) because the doctrine of Christianity is practical, and (2) because God's punishment of cynicism is the destruction of the spiritual faculty.
VI. (CONTINUATION OF THE DIGRESSION.) THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF FAILURE: vi. 9-20.
VII. THE ALLEGORY OF MELCHIZEDEK: vii. 1-28.
1. Melchizedek foreshadows the kingship of Christ.
2. Melchizedek foreshadows the personal greatness of Christ.
3. The allegory teaches the existence of a priesthood other than that of Aaron, viz., the priesthood founded on an oath.
4. The allegory sets forth the eternal duration of Christ's priesthood.
VIII. THE NEW COVENANT: viii. 1.
1. A new covenant promised through Jeremiah: viii. 1-13. The new covenant would excel (1) in respect of the moral law; (2) in respect of knowledge of God; (3) in respect of forgiveness of sins.
2. A new covenant symbolized in the tabernacle: ix. 1-14.
3. A new covenant ratified in the death of Christ: ix. 15-x. 18.
IX. AN ADVANCE IN THE EXHORTATION: x. 19-39.
X. FAITH AN ASSURANCE AND A PROOF: xi. 1-3.
XI. THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM: xi. 8-19.
1. His faith compared with the faith of Noah.
2. His faith compared with the faith of Enoch.
3. His faith compared with the faith of Abel.
XII. THE FAITH OF MOSES: xi. 23-28.
1. Faith groping for the work of life.
2. Faith chooses the work of life.
3. Faith a discipline for the work of life.
4. Faith renders the man's life and work sacramental.
XIII. A CLOUD OF WITNESSES: xi. 20-xii. 1.
XIV. CONFLICT: xii. 2-17. Faith as a hope of the future endures the present conflict against men.
1. The preparatory training for the conflict consists in putting away (1) our own grossness; (2) the sin that besets us.
2. The contest is successfully maintained if we look unto Jesus (1) as Leader and Perfecter of our faith; (2) as an example of faith.