in the work of the Lord," et<,. (1 Cor. xv. 68). Are any of you imitators of those who inherit th~1 threatenings? Change your course; for your way is evil and the end terrible. Come thou with us, and we will do thee good," otc.-W. J. Vers. 1!1, 20.-The anchor of the soul. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the ~cu~," e~. C_hristians h~ve been exhorted to imitate "them who through faith an<i i:iat1en~ mher1t the prom1~." There are most excellent roa.so~s for their doing so; tor Gods purposes and promises are most sure. They were not lightly or hastily made ; they are most l!Olemnly confirmed; they are "immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie;" and they supply the strongest encouragement to the Christian's hopes (vere. 13-18). Notice- I. THE OBJE~ OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE. This is not explicitly stated in the text; but it is implied in it, and it may be gathered from the argument of the writer. We may define it Ill! the attainment of his destiny, or the perfection of his being. But to mention some particulars: 1. Freedom from sin and suffering. The rest which remaineth for the people of God certainly includes deliverance from sin, and from pain of body, and distress of mind, and darkness and sorrow of spirit. We must become free from sin, or our salvation will be neil.her complete nor true; for sin would mar the fairest realms, and fill them with discord and misery. 2. .&ttainment of spiritual perfection. "Let us press on unto perfection" (ver. 1). We hope for more clear, more correct, more comprehensive knowledge; for purity of heart which will be perfect in its kind, though not in its degree; for love which shall be perfect in like manner; and for harmony between our purposes and performanCl's, our willing and doing. We are inspired by the sublime hope of becoming like unto our Lord and Saviour (1 John iii. ~, 3). 3. Enjoyment of heavenly blessedness. 'l'hrough Christ God will bring " many Rons unto glory." Jesus'. has entered heaven as our Forerunner, and we hope to follow him thither. We are "looking for the blessed hope," etc. (Titus ii 13). "God bath begotten us again unto a Ii ving hope," etc. (1 Pet. i 3-5). This glorious hope is "set before us" as a prize to be won ; it is "set before us" :to animate our spirits, to strengthen our bands in Christian work, and to quicken our feet in the Christian race, Contrast this with any inferior object of hope; e.g. worldly possessions, worldly pleasures, worldly honours. These do not satisfy; that does. These degrade the soul; that exalt.s it. These will fail those who have attained and cherished them; that will lead to splendid and perpetual fulfilment. II. THE INFLuEKCE OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE. "Which hope we have as au anchor of the soul, both sure and stead.fast, and entering into that which is within the veil." This hope is the stay of the soul amid a tumultuous world. It is clearl.v implied: 1. That the 'IJO'!fage of life is marked by storms. These storms are occasioned by bodily afflictions, temporal anxieties and losses, family trials, domestic and social bereavements, and spiritual conflicts. 2. That these storms try and imperil the soul. 'l'here is danger of striking upon the hidden rock of some subtle and insidious sin, of being driven by the wild winds of passion against stern and stony cliffs, or of being hurried helplessly onward by fierce storms of sorrow. 'l'he dangers in navigating the sea of life are numerous and various. Many a noble soul has reached the desired haven sore damaged in life's storms, while some, alas! have "made shipwreck concerning the faith." 3. That the Christian's hope, as an anchor, will enable him safely to outride the storms. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast," etc. Ebrard's note seems to us both true and beautiful: "Two figures are here, not so much mixed as, in a very elegant manner, combined. The author might compare the world to a sea, the soul to a ship, the future still concealed glory to the covered bottom of the sea, the remote firm land stretching beneath the water and covered by the water. Or he might compare the present life upon earth to the forecourt, and the future blessedness to the heavenly sanctuary, which is still, as it were, concealed from us by a veil. He has, however, combined the two figures. The soul, like a ship- wrecked mariner, clings to an anchor, and seea not where the cable of the anchor runs to, where it is made fast; it knows, however, that it is firmly fixed behind the veil wh.ieh conceals from it the future glory, and that if it only keeps fast hold of the anchor, it will, in due time, be drawu in with the anchor by a rescuing hand into tho Lu1iest of all" This hope enables the Christian in deep distress to say, "Why D.It CJB, VJ, 1-20.] 'l'HE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 173
thou cnst down, 0 my soul?" (Ps. xlii. 11). And in wildest storms it inRpires him tQ sing," God is our Rofugo and Strength, a vP.ry present Help in trouble," etc. (Pd. xlvi. 1-3, 7). "Hope, ns nn .1nchor firm and sure, holds fuet The Chrietio.n's vessel, and defies the blast." (Cowper.) And thus " we are saved by hope." III. THE ASSURED DEALIZATION OF TITE CHRISTIAN'B HOPE, Two thin~s asRure us of the fulfilment of our hope, I. The character of the anchor and, the andwrage. The anchor is" both sure and steadfast, and entering into that which is wilhin the veil" (cf. Rom. v. 1-5; 2 Thess. ii. 16; 1 'l'im. i. 1). 2. The pre.sence of Jesus as ow· llorerunner in l,eaven. "Within the veil, whither as Forerunner on our behalf Jesus entered." The veil spoken of is that which divided the holy of holies from the holy place. "Within the veil" is a :figurative expression for heaven. The presence of the Son of man in heaven is a guarantee of the realization of the hope of every believer in him. He entered heaven as our Representative, and " as a Forerunner on our behalf." "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you," etc. (John xiv. 2, 3). Mark, then, the absolute necessity of vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ. One with him by faith here, we shall be one with him in blessedness hereafter. "Christ in you, the Hope of glory. . . . Your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our Life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory."-W. J.