Their renewal is impossible (1) because the doctrine of Christianity is practical, and (2) because God’s punishment of cynicism is the destruction of the spiritual faculty. VI. (CONTINUATION OF THE DIGRESSION.) THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF FAILURE: vi. 9–20. VII. THE ALLEGORY OF MELCHIZEDEK: vii. 1–28. 1. Melchizedek foreshadows the kingship of Christ. 2. Melchizedek foreshadows the personal greatness of Christ. 3. The allegory teaches the existence of a priesthood other than that of Aaron, viz., the priesthood founded on an oath. 4. The allegory sets forth the eternal duration of Christ’s priesthood. VIII. THE NEW COVENANT: viii. 1. 1. A new covenant promised through Jeremiah: viii. 1–13. The new covenant would excel (1) in respect of the moral law; (2) in respect of knowledge of God; (3) in respect of forgiveness of sins. 2. A new covenant symbolized in the tabernacle: ix. 1–14. 3. A new covenant ratified in the death of Christ: ix. 15–x. 18. IX. AN ADVANCE IN THE EXHORTATION: x. 19–39. X. FAITH AN ASSURANCE AND A PROOF: xi. 1–3. XI. THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM: xi. 8–19. 1. His faith compared with the faith of Noah. 2. His faith compared with the faith of Enoch. 3. His faith compared with the faith of Abel. XII. THE FAITH OF MOSES: xi. 23–28. 1. Faith groping for the work of life. 2. Faith chooses the work of life. 3. Faith a discipline for the work of life. 4. Faith renders the man’s life and work sacramental. XIII. A CLOUD OF WITNESSES: xi. 20–xii. 1. XIV. CONFLICT: xii. 2–17. Faith as a hope of the future endures the present conflict against men. 1. The preparatory training for the conflict consists in putting away (1) our own grossness; (2) the sin that besets us. 2. The contest is successfully maintained if we look unto Jesus (1) as Leader and Perfecter of our faith; (2) as an example of faith. 3. The contest is necessary as a discipline in dealing with (1) the weaker brethren, (2) the enemy at the gate, and (3) the secular spirit. XV. MOUNT ZION: xii. 18–29. The revelation on Sinai preceded the sacrifices of the tabernacle; the revelation on Zion follows the sacrifice of the Cross. Hence— 1. Sinai revealed the terrible side of God’s character, Zion the peaceful tenderness of His love. 2. The revelation on Sinai was earthly; that on Zion is spiritual. XVI. SUNDRY EXHORTATIONS: xiii. 1–25. CHAPTER I. _THE REVELATION IN A SON._ “God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all things, through Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the effulgence of His glory, and the very image of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”—HEB. i. 1–3 (R.V.).