(Num. xxvii. 18, 23) was very much practised among them. Whosoever was well acquainted with these two, quickly com prehended the doctrine of Christian baptism and of the imposition of hands by the apostles ; and this is the very reason why these two particulars are interwoven with other points more funda mental ; namely, because the gift of the Holy Spirit corresponds to these in the antithesis, of which each refers to perfection, not to initiation. Therefore these six particulars were the principles of the oracles of God, ch. v. 12 ; likewise the ^ upyji ro\j Xpicrov, principles of the doctrine of Christ, viz. among those learning Christ ; for Christ is often used by Paul, by Metonymy of the concrete for the abstract, for Christianity : Gal. iv. 19 ; Phil, i. 21, " my life, or abiding in the flesh, is Christ" that is, is the work of Christ. Add Col. iii. 11, note. These particulars had been, if we may say so, the Christian Catechism of the Old Testament ; and such Jews, who had begun to recognise Jesus as the Christ immediately upon the new light being brought to bear (being shed) on these fundamental heads, were accounted as having the principle of the doctrine of Christ. Perfection — i.e. the perfect doctrine concerning Christ Himself — is opposed to this beginning principle (y ap%ri) [ver. 4, 5]. — (psp'JJ/^sOa, let us go on, or be carried forward) A word implying active exertion. He pro perly puts this subjunctive before the indicative, -iroir^o^v, we will do, ver. 3. — era/ay, again) Again, ver. 6, accords with this.— Qi'jstXtov, foundation) A synonym of ap'/rjC, of the beginning prin ciple. — xara(3a\\6fjt,£voi, laving) An architectural term. — '^ravo/ac, x.r.X., of repentance, etc.) He might have said, concerning GOD and faith in Him, concerning sin and repentance ; or at least, concern ing repentance from dead works, concerning faith in GOD ; but he forthwith says, the foundation of repentance, etc. Therefore we ought not to delay in the consideration of sin, but to begin with active repentance. Therefore we ought to connect faith with the first mention of GOD. Therefore Theology is practical. — «TO VSKPMV spyuv, from dead works) So ch. ix. 14. This term implies a loathing of sin.
2. Bavriff/Auv dida^ic) Ka/ is not put before Bairnffttuv ; for three pairs of chief particulars (heads) are enumerated, and the second particular (head) in every pair has the conjunction ; but only the third pair is similarly connected : from wrhich it is also