I he gr<'at sacrifice of himself which lie offered. Ebrard : "Christ is the great true chief, and superior She12herd, inasmuch as he has made an everlasting covenant by hi; Mood (cf. eh. x. 11, etc.). The best commentary on these words is found in John x. He is the good Shepherd because he has given his life for the sheep." Thie great Shepherd of the sheep was brought again from the dead by the God of peace. In tho New Testament the resurrection of our Saviour is almost invariably attributed to Go1l the Father. "God raised him from the dead, and gave him glory" (1 Pet. i. 21). 'l'hus his resurrection was an evidence that the work which was given him to do upon earth was perfectly completed, and was accepted by the Divine Father. III. THE DLEssrno SOLICITED FROM HIM. " Make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in yon that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ." Perfection is the blessing prayed for. 1. The nature of this perfection. "]',fake ~·ou perfect in every good thing to do his will." Absolute perfection is not solicited here; but that they may be enabled fully and heartily to accompli~h the holy will of God. Cf. eh. x. 36, "That havin.~ done the will of God, ye may receive the promise." 2. The means of tMs pe,fection. "\Vorking in you that which is well- pleasing in his sight." To the same effect St. Panl ,vrites, "Work out your own salvation with fear and tremblin~; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to work, for bis good pleasure." The inspiration and strength for our out-working of his will must come from bis in-working with us. 3. The medium of tliis perfection. "Through Jesus Christ." God works within us through the Saviour, throu"h his mediation. and by his Spirit. Through him alone can man attain unto perfection of being. IV. THE HONOUR ASCRIBED TO HIM. "To whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1. Glory is ascrihed to God the Father. Some hold that the glory is attri~ buted to Jesus Christ. But it seems to us that it is ascribed to God the Father," the chief Subject of the whole sentence," as Alford says; " God, who is the God of peace, who brought up the Lord Jesus from the dead, who can perfect us in every good work, to accomplish his will, and works in us that which is well-pleasing to him through Jesus Christ. The whole majesty of the sentence requires this reverting to its ma.in Agent, and speaks against the referring ' to whom be the glory' to our blessed Lord, who is only incidentally mentioned." To the God of all grace the highest, fullest, di,.inest honours are due. 2. Glory is ascribed to God perpetually. "For ever and ever." "Unto the ages of the ages. .A.men." His own essential glory is eternal, and the hononrs attributed to him will not only continue, but increase throughout endless ages.-W. J. Ver. 1.-Brotherly loue. L ESPECIALLY NECESSARY AT THE PRESENT BEASON, It was a time of trial from outside. Brothers needed to be brotherly, helping one another. We cannot expect anything from strangers, and must be ready even for their hostility. But we must do everything to guard against alienation amongst friends at a. time when the closest union will be serviceable. IL THE COUNSEL NECESSARY BECAUSE SELF-REGARD 1B BUCH A SUBTLE BIN. Carnal views of the kingdom of heaven, such as seem to have been prevalent among these Hebrew Christians, inevitably led to each one of them thinking what in the expected glorious state of things he would get for himself. So it was among the disciples of Jesus. They disputed who should be greatest. There was even intrigue to get a promise of the principal places. Christians need to be ever on their guard lest any feeling get dominion in their hearts hostile to the good of the whole body. III. \VE ARE REMINDED OF ABIDING TllINGS 'l'HAT DEPEND ON OUB OWN DISPO- SITION, The writer has jnst been referring to things that caJ+ be shaken and removed, and things that cannot be shaken. These are things that God deals with by his power. But the continuance_ of some things depends on ~~ether _we will have them continue. Whether brotherliness i;;hall be a deep and abiding thmg depends on the state of our hearts. IV. CoNTINUAL REMEMBRANCE OF THE REAL RELATION OF EVERY CHRISTIAN TO EVERY OTHER CHRISTIAN. By the same Spirit we are all born again, and therefore members of the same Divine family. Each of us, therefore, is under certain obligations; each of us may prefer certain claims. Ilut there can be no propa• treatment eithrr or on. xm. 1-26,) THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 415
the obligations or the claims unless there be real affection underneath. It is in tho epirHual sphere as in the natural; the mere relation may only irritate unless there btJ the feelings that properly belong to the relation,-Y,