his faith is reckoned for righteousness" (Rom. iv. 5). It is faith in God as revealed in Jesus Christ. And !IS by repentance the Christian abandons the dead works of the Law as a reason for his accept!lnce with God, so by this faith he enters into vital and savirw relation to the living God. 3. " The teaching of baptisms," or washings. There ar~ three, or more, interpretations of this clause. That the baptisms are (1) the baptism of John and the Christian baptism; (2) the baptism of water and that of the Holy ~pirit ~ (3) the v~rious washings of t~e _ceremo°;ial law of the Jews, ~nd probably rncludmg tho baptism of John and Christian baptism. 'l'he nature and significance of these washings in their relation to Christianity would certainly be taught to Jewish converts to the Christian faith. 'l'he chief point for us is this, that all these washinas and baptisms were symbols of spiritual cleansing. The one essential baptism, whi~h is also the fulfilment of all other baptisms, is that of the Holy Spirit. 4. " The twching of the laying on of hands." This may mean, as .Alford says, "the reference and import of all that imposition of hands, which was practised under the Law, and found in some cases its continuance under the gospel." 'l.'o us, however, it seems more probable that it indicates the impartation of spiritual gifts, and especially the gift of the Holy Ghost, of which the laying on of bands was the outward symbol, as in Acts viii. 15-17; xix. 6; 1 Tim. iv. 14; 2 Tim. i. 6. 5. " The teaching of resurrection of the dead." This doctrine was brought into clear light by the great Teacher. "The hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice," etc. (John v. 28, 29). The apostles also declared it: "There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." Our Lord's res1mection forcibly confirmed the doctrine. 6. " The teaching qf eternal iudgment." A future and general judgment is certain. Jesus Christ pictorially described it (Matt. xxv. 31-16). St. Paul asserted it: " God hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness," etc.; "W ti shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Ghrist.... Each one of us shall give account of himself to God." This judgment is characterized as "eternal," proba.bly because it is "pa.rt of the proceedings of eternity, and thus bearing the cha.racter and stamp of eternal." Its awa.rds, moreover, are eternal (Matt. xxv. 46). Now, these six things belong to tho beginning of Christian teaching and lifo; they are "first principles of the oracles of God." And they are to be left. How? Not in the sense of discarding them, but of advancing beyond them. Or, as in the figure employed in the text, they constitute a foundation, and are to be left behind as the foundation of a building is left as the superstructure rises towards completeness. "When we have once become settled in the first principles of our religion," says John Howe, "we n_eed not be always exposing them to a continua.I e:i:amination; for when shall that building be finished, the foundations of which must be every day torn up anew, upon pretence of further caution and more diligent search? Or ~vhen will he reach his journey's end, who is continuBlly vexed with causeless anxieties about his way, and whether he began a. right course, yea or no ? " II. 'l'HE GOAL YET TO BE ATTAINED IN CilRISTIANITY. "Let us go on unto per- fection," or full growth, or maturity. 'l.'his may be said to comprise: 1. Maturity of Christian knowledge. Advancement beyond the elementary principles unto the higher nnd deeper truths of the oracles of God. A clearer apprehension and a wider compre- hension of religious truth. 2. Maturity of Christian experience. The truth appre- hended by the intellect must be assimilated by the heart and soul. Mental perceptions must grow into spiritual convictions. From repentance and faith the Christian must press on into tho enjoyment of "the fulness of the blessing of Christ" (cf. Eph. iii. 16-19). 3. Maturity of Christian cond'UCt. 'l'ho truth apprehended by tho intellect and experienced in the heart, must be expressed in the lifo and prnctice. Growing religious fn.ith and feeling should be manifested by words and actions of ever-increasing conformity to the holy will of God. In this respect let us imitate the example of St. Paul: "Not as though I had already attained, either were olre!ldy perfect," etc. (Phil. iii. 12-14).-W. J. Ver. 3.-Deo volente. "And this will we do, if God permit." We hBve in these words- I. .AN EXCELLENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSED. 1. The thing resolt>ecl upon is oood. "This will we rlo;" i.e. leave tho first principks of the doctrine of Christ, and pross on 16$ 'l'HE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [oH, VI, 1-20.
nnto perfect.ion. Wishing and hoping are of little avail without resolution. 2. The form of the ,·esolution is good. "This will we do." The writer had himself long passed beyond the elementary principles of Christianity, and had made considerable progress towards perfection; but, placing himself by the side of his readers, he says, "This will we do." It is far more inspiring to say, "Let us do," ~han to say," Do ye." n. AN IMPORTANT CONDITION RECOGNIZED. " If God permit." This does not indicate any doubt on the part of the writer as to whether Christian progress was in harmony with the will of God or not. But it is a becoming aclmowledgment of: 1. The absolute sovereignty ef God. Our times are in his hand. " Man {lroposes, God disposes." The apostle~ frequently realized and expressed this. St. Paul: "I will return again unto you, if God will" (Acts xviii. 21; see also Rom. xv. 32; 1 Cor. iv. 19; Jas. iv. 15). 2. The uncertainty of human life and opportunities. "God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways." "'l'bou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust." "Ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this, or that." 3. Human dependence upon the Divine will and help. In the matter of Christian progress we depend upon him for many things; e.g. for the preservation of our reason, the continuance of the means of grace, the help of bis Holy Spirit, etc. "Apart from me," said Christ, " ye can do nothing." Let all our plans be formed in subordination to the will of God. It is not necessary that we should frequently express this sentiment in words, saying, "If God will," or "Please God," or "If God permit," or writing "D.V." Perhaps these expressions are most frequently used by those who but feebly realize their dependence upon him. It is to be feared that as used by many they are empty forms of speech, and that in the sight of Heaven their use is an insincerity, an irreverence, and a takia~ of the holy Name in vain. But in all things let us cultivate the spirit of humble an<l hearty dependence upon the holy will of God.-W. J.