The words " life," "living"in this epistle everywhere contrast with the ceremonies and dead forms of Judaism.

First:We are ushered into the presence of the living God, from whom we are exhorted not to depart (chap. 3:12), and whom, with consciences purged from dead works, we serve (9:14). Into His hands the wicked fall (10:31). " It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Let sinners beware. But the men of faith "come to God, believing that He is" the living One (11:6), valuing the reward at the end. Comp. ver. 26.

Second:To maintain us before His Majesty, we have a "great High Priest " at His right hand, even "Jesus the Son of God," "who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." "He ever liveth to make intercession for us" (7:16, 25). With His glories and heavenly ministry the epistle is filled (8:1, 2).

Third:We enter into the sanctuary "by a new and living way" (10:20).

Fourth:"The word of God is living and powerful," marking out our pilgrim course, and searching our inmost heart, laying bare all its secrets. It is like "the eyes of Him with whom we have to do," from whom nothing can be hid (4:12, 13). Comp. Ps. 139.

Fifth:The discipline of our Father's hand invigorates the whole man, exercising the conscience and profiting the soul, " that we may be partakers of His holiness"-strengthening hands and feeble knees. " Shall we not," then, " be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (12:9.) Comp. 2 Cor. 4:16. "Now the just shall live by faith:but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him " (10:38). Of this life of faith, lived in the power arid joy of communion with the living God, we have "a great cloud of witnesses" in chapter 11. Let us therefore "make straight paths for our feet," that the lame be not turned aside. "Let us (deliberately) lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," with our eyes upon Jesus at the right hand of God (12:1, 2). Yea, let us "live no longer unto ourselves, but unto Him who died for us, and rose again " (2 Cor. 5:15). C. E. B.