We connect the words “as things that have been made” with the next clause: “that those things which are not shaken may remain.” It is not because they have been made that the earth and the heaven are removed; and their place will not be occupied by uncreated things only, but also by things made. The meaning is that nature will be dissolved when it has answered its purpose, and not till then. Earth and heaven have been made, not for their own sakes, but in order that out of them a new world may be created, which will never be removed or shaken. This new world is the kingdom of which the King-Priest is eternal Monarch.[382] As we partake in His priesthood, we share also in His kingship. We enter into the holiest place and stand before the mercy-seat, but our absolution is announced and confirmed to us by the Divine summons to sit down with Christ in His throne, as He has sat down with His Father in His throne.[383] Let us therefore accept the kingdom. But beware of your peculiar danger, which is self-righteous pride, worldliness, and the evil heart of unbelief. Rather let us seek and get that grace from God which will make our royal state a humble service of worshipping priests.[384] The grace which the Apostle exhorts his reader to possess is much more than thankfulness. It includes all that Christianity bestows to counteract and vanquish the special dangers of self-righteousness. Such priestly service will be well-pleasing to God. Offer it with pious resignation to His sovereign will, with awe in the presence of His holiness. For, whilst our God proclaims forgiveness from the mercy-seat as the worshippers stand before it, He is _also_ a consuming fire. Upon the mercy-seat itself rests the Shechinah. FOOTNOTES: [361] Chap. iv. 16. [362] Chap. vi. 20. [363] Chap. x. 19. [364] Phil. i. 23. [365] Rev. xxi. 10. [366] John xiv. 3. [367] Gen. vi. 7. [368] Gen. ix. 9, 10. [369] Deut. ix. 16, 19. [370] Reading καὶ μυριάσιν, ἀγγέλων πανηγύρει, καὶ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρωτοτόκων (xii. 22, 23). This disconnected use of μυριάς is amply justified by Deut. xxxiii. 2, Dan. vii. 10, and Jude 14. Besides, πανήγυρις is precisely the word to describe the assemblage of angels and distinguish them from the Church. [371] κριτῇ θεῷ πάντων. [372] Chap. viii. 10. [373] τετελειωμένων. [374] Chap. xi. 40. [375] Deut. v. 27, 28. [376] παραιτησάμενοι (xii. 25). [377] Chap. ii. 3. [378] “The Bible finds me,” said Coleridge. [379] Exod. xix. 18. In his citation of this passage our author forsakes the Septuagint, which has “And all the people were greatly amazed.” [380] Haggai ii. 6, 7. [381] 2 Pet. iii. 10. [382] Chap. xii. 28. [383] Rev. iii. 21. [384] λατρεύωμεν (xii. 28). CHAPTER XVI. _SUNDRY EXHORTATIONS._ HEBREWS xiii.