II. THE WRITF;R AFFIRMS THAT nm GROUND OF CnnrsTtAN HOPE IS THE DIFAT,T,I- BILITY OF Gon's Wonn ADOUT CrrnIST. In showing the ground on which hope is possible, the c11se of Abraham is introduced as an illustration. He was a conspic110ns example of hope (Rom. iv. 18; eh. xi. 10), ar,d his hopo is here sai,l to have hcP-n founded on tho Divine promise, Thus: I. Christian hope is based on the D-iuine Worrl. Not on experience, feelings, attainments-these are sand; but on the infallible truth of God's utterance-that is rock. 2. This Divine Word is c(YTlfirmed by an oath. God's oath is not more true than his simple declnration, but he condescen,18 to it in pity for our infirm faith. God swears by himself, i.e. he appeals to the perfections of his own nature. Is not as much as that implied in every" Verily, verily, I say unto you"? Think of a soul refming to trnst God when-I say it reverently-he is on his oath! 3, The particular Word on which hope is based is the Word about Chrisfs high priest- hood. Our hope is fixed on that which is within the veil, that is, Jesus. (Note: nefore this parenthesis begins, the apostle was resting his argument on Ps. ex., "The Lord bath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a pri~st for ever," etc. The perpetual high priesthood of Jesus was secured by the Di vine oath. In this pasgage, therefore, the writer is, no doubt, referring to the same oath about Christ, with which the reference to Jesus within the veil corresponds.) In what capacity is Jesus within tha veil? He is there as Redeemer, presenting his atoning blood which cries for mercy. He is there as Intercessor, the High Priest with the graven breastplate, and the incense of prevailing prayer for his people. Be is there as Forerunner, pledge of his people's exaltation: "Where I am, there shall also," etc. God bas said, promised, sworn all this. What an infallible ground of hope for those who simply flee for refuge to lay bol,l thereof I III. THE WRITER POINTS OUT THE POWER OF THIS CHRISTIAN' HOPE TO PRODUCE CHRISTIAN STEADFASTNESS. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul." They are vacillating, in danger of falling away. Hope can hold them fast. 1. Hope prevents our drifting away with the current. In Chri8t we have reached the soul's haven, but even there-idly rocking on a peaceful sea-we are in peril. Life's calm may lull us to slumber, and noiseless currents carry us away to where be is not-where the soul makes shipwreok, and is saved only "on boards." The antidote to this evil is in the soul's hope fixed on Christ within the veil, the affections set on things above, "where Christ," etc. 2. Hope holds us safe in the storms. When a storm is gathering, ships enter the bay and anchor there in safety. Storms of temptation, and sorrow sweeping down on us with a cruel blast, are the time to fix our hope-our longing desire, calm confidence, eager anticipation-on Christ within the veil. To cast out ancbor then, and wish for the day, is to ride ont the storm unhurt. 3. Hope keeps us within cheering sight of the shore. You are come to the harbour, but not permitted to enter ; but th~ anchor of hope holds you fast there, and the sweet sounds and gracious influences of the fair land, to be yours presently, are yours now.-C. N.
Vers. 1-3.-First principles. I. NOTICE THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE TEaCBING wmoH THESE BELIEVERS BAD ENJOYED. The foundations had been laid in those essential truths which embraced" faith toward God," whose constant presence, glorious character, and matchless love in Christ Jesus shone upon their souls, and displaced the chill and darkness of unbelief. This led to the rejection of" dead works," which were works that had no life of God in them. Then followed the doctrine of baptisms; and they were taught the difference between proselyte baptism, the baptism of John, and that which was administered in "the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." The "layin~ on of hands" was the solemn consecration of the candidate to God ; and in the apostolic times was the ceremony connected with the gift of the Holy Ghost and the com- munication of supernatural powers (Acts viii. 17). "The resurrection of the dead" was declared with explicitness, and the solemn event of the final judgment enforc_ed, in which our Lord would review the life and determine the future condition of mankmd. 'Ihese truths involved many others which were needful to complete the course, and doubtless embraced the atonement of our Lord, the work of the Holy Spirit, personal and social means of grace, which consist of prayer, worship, and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. From suoh a foundation there should arise the stable fabric of a noble life. lL THE EXB0RT.A.TION TO ADVANCE DEl'ENDEN1' Cl'ON THE DIVINE l'ERMISSION. The 176 THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [oil, VI, 1-20,
inspired writer places himself among other believers, and associates his purpose and hope to ad~ance with them in the career of that spiritual improvement which shall be crowned Wlth final success. He avows that opportunity and disposition depend upon God alone. It might be that some to whom he wrote had gone so far back and had relapsed into such conditions of neglect and apostasy that he could not positively affirm that they would be awakened to a nobler life and an ardent pursuit of salvation, 'l'he bodily life of himself and others was totally dependent upon the will of God, and even at the longP.st it wa.q as a vapour, that appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away. Since there are signs in the Epistle that Jewish Christians bad" no continuing city," and the predicted overthrow and destruction of Jerusalem might come suddenly, and the opportunities of teaching and worship might be rudely and finally ended, it behov<>d him to refer to the pennission of God that ho and others might press on to completer knowledge, larger faith, and nobler service.-B.