The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 380

let us ench take heed that we are not hindered in the race by reason of it. There i~ some weak point in the moral defences of our nature where the tempter most easily obtains acoess; to this point, wherever it may be, ~pecial attention must be directer!. "':ith somo it is an ungovernable tempe_r; with others, _a s~rong propensity to avarice; w_1th others, et?. J~et every man, by fa1_thful eelf-exa_mrna.t1on and by prayer, ascertain his own besetting srn, nnd seek to be quite free from 1t. 3. We must r-un r,ur race with.. patience. Not simply with patient endurance of the trials which may befall the runner but with perseverance until the goal is reached. "The race is not to the swift, nor th; battle to the strong," but "he that endureth to the end the same shall be saved." "Bo thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a. crown of life." It is only "by patient continuance in well-doing" that "glory and honour and immortality" are won. IIJ. IN THE PROSEOUTION OF TnIS RACE WE ARE SURROUNDED BY A GP.EAT HORT OF WITNESSES, OR TESTIFIERS. "We are compassed about with BO great a cloud of witnesses." Those who have preceded us in the life of faith in immense numben surround us as witnesses to the power of faith, as testifiers by their example to the might of that principle by which we are called to run our course successfully, and wat· our warfare nobly, and do our life-work faithfully. 'fhe writer would teach us to think often of this great cloud of witnesses, to meditate upon the noble lives and glorious deeds of the true men who have gone before us, that by the remembrance of their trials and triumphs we may arouse ourselves to greater diligence in running the race that is set before us. In them we see what trials can be borne, what victories won, what work accomplished, what characters built up, by faith. If by faith they over- came every difficulty, why should we be discouraged by the difficulties of our course? If by faith they conquered their many and mighty enemies, why should we dread to encounter our foes? If hy faith, despite outward opposition and inner weakness, they came off victors in the fight and winners in the race, why should we despond. and shrink from the contest? "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses," etc. JV. JN THE PBOSEOUTION 01' THIS RACE WE ARE SUSTAINED AND ANIMATED BY THE HIGHEST ExAMPLE--'l'HE PERFEOT EXAMPLE. "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,'' etc. The idea. of the writer is not that Jesus Christ is the Pro- ducer of faith in us and the Completer of the faith which he bas organized. If we trans- late," Looking unto the Leader and Perfecter of the faith, even Jesus," we shall perhaps the more readily apprehend the meaning of the text. In the long procession of heroes celebrated for their faith our Lord stands at the head; be is the Leader, and in him faith appears in full and perfected glory. And the text exhorts us to look to him as our great Exemplar, and to draw from him support and encouragement. The example of our Saviour is especially sustaining and cheering, for the course be had to run was one of extreme difficulty and danger and suffering; yet he overcame, and tinished hi:! course with joy, and gained the highest honours. " Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross," etc. (cf. eh. i. 3; ii. 9, 10). In time of suffering, then, pursue your course "looking unto Jesus," the perfect Example of patience; and in the presence of Gethsemane and Calvary your sufferings will appear slight, and the calm face of the supreme Sufferer will impart patience and power unto you. In seasons of despondency, when faith is weak and yom spirit sinks within you, look unto Jesus, and the trust which he exercised and the destiny he attained, and let the bright example brace your heart with courage. In times of exhaustion and weariness, when you faint because of the duties and difficulties of the way, look up to Jesus, and bis example will raise and strengthen your powerless hands, and nerve your whole frame with new energy. And in seasons of temptation look unto him who" resisted unto blood, striving against sin,'' and yield not in the conflict, give no place to the tempter. Let this be our attitude, "looking unto Jesus." Let tho eye of the soul be fixed upon him as our Pattern and Helper; so shall we finish our course with joy, aud "receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away."-W. J. Ver. 3.-The Christian's danger of u,earines.~ and his d,fence. "For consider him that endured such contradiction," etc. Our subject naturally divides itself intCl two brauchcs.  374 THE EPISTLE TO THE HEDREWS. [on:. XII, 1-29,