Salvation Confirmed

1Therefore we ought to give the greater attention to the things we have heard, for fear we should abandon the gospel. 2for if the law deliver'd by angels was put in execution, and every transgression and disobedience was justly punish'd as it deserv'd; 3how shall we escape, if we neglect that salutary doctrine? which was first published by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those that heard him; 4God also giving an additional testimony both by signs, by prodigies, by divers miracles, and gifts of the holy spirit, which he distributes as he pleases.

Jesus like His Brothers

5'Tis not therefore to the angels that he has subjected the gospel state of which we are treating.

6and this is attested by a certain writer, who says, "what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him?

7thou hast made him for a while lower than the angels; thou hast crown'd him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands:

8thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." now since he has put all in subjection to him, he left nothing that is not subjected to him, however we do not see as yet that all things are put under him.

9but Jesus, who was for a while inferior to the angels by his sufferings and death, we see was crown'd with glory and honour; when by the divine goodness, he had pass'd thro' death for every man.

10For it was agreeable to his wisdom, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to consecrate the author of their salvation by his sufferings. 11for both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all deriv'd from one: for which cause he is not asham'd to call them brethren, saying,

12"I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee."

13and again, "I will put my trust in him." and again, "behold, I, and the children which God hath given me.

14Since then the children were made subject to a state of mortality, so he himself likewise was subject to the same condition: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15and deliver them who thro' fear of death were all their life-time in a state of slavery. 16for he is not the deliverer of angels; but the deliverer of Abraham's posterity. 17whence it was necessary he should be in all things like his brethren; that he might be a merciful high priest, and faithfully discharge the divine office of expiating the sins of the people. 18for having himself stood the test of sufferings, he is capable of being moved to relieve those who undergo such tryals.