14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of a full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

CHAPTER VI.

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of CHRIST, let us go on unto perfection;

The Apostle's meaning is, "Ye have been as infants quite long enough; ye have already learned what I may call the catechism, therefore let us now go on beyond the principles." By "perfection" he means, the comprehending with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and knowing the love of CHRIST, which passeth knowledge.

not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward GOD,

By repentance and faith, S. Paul seems to refer to what went before Baptism, they being "required of persons to be baptized."

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms,

The Hebrews had many washings, or baptisms. The Apostle seems here to say, "I need not explain-ye have often heard itthe wide difference between all other washings and the one washing for the remission of sins."

and of laying on of hands,

That is, "of confirmation."

and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judg

ment.

That is, the judgment, the effect of which will be everlasting. 3 And this will we do, if GoD permit.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,

That is, baptized, brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light, into Him Who is the True Light.

and have tasted of the heavenly gift,

This may mean, the being made inheritors of the kingdom of heaven; or the Apostle may be alluding to those who, by experience, had known the spiritual sweetness of God's love. and were made partakers of the HOLY GHOST, Alluding, perhaps, to Confirmation in particular.

5 And have tasted the good word of God,

This may allude to the Holy Eucharist, He Who is given in that Sacrament being "the Word of GOD;" or it may be the written Word of which the SPIRIT speaks, "more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."

and the powers of the world to come,

This may be the powers of the Catholic Church, the mighty and blessed gifts and graces, which GOD has lodged in her for His children's use and comfort; but the expression includes also the "terrors of the LORD," the discipline and excommunication of the Church.

Of those who have thus for themselves proved God's truth and sweetness, yea, and His fear also, it is impossible, the Apostle goes on,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;

If they wilfully apostatise and renounce the Christian Faith. seeing

That is, seeing that by such falling away

they crucify to themselves the SON of GOD afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

When in verse 4 the Apostle says "It is impossible," he may

D

mean, impossible for men, impossible so far as ordinary means are concerned. If this be his meaning, then we may understand the two verses thus: "We, the Apostles, can bring men into CHRIST; we can set before them GOD's love and graciousness, and by the Sacraments and means of grace we can give them to taste the sweetnesses of the Most Holy. Moreover, if they sin a sin not unto death, we can, GOD working with us and speaking by us to their hearts, win them to repentance, and restore them by absolution. Thus much it is possible for us to do. But if men who have known GOD, and proved His love and terror, will wilfully fall again, and again, and again, and renounce CHRIST, there is then nothing more that we can do. We have no further means whereby we may act so as to renew them again unto repentance."

Or the words may have this meaning: "When they in whom the SPIRIT dwells, and manifests His sweetness and His awfulness, so fall away as to compel Him to leave them, then even the ALMIGHTY can do no more: such must perish everlastingly."

Or, once again, the meaning may be briefly this: "It is impossible to restore to what they were after their Baptism those who, having known GOD, have wilfully fallen from Him; for they cannot be buried with CHRIST a second time."

But, however we may understand these fearful words of the living and true GOD, one point is quite clear. Men may be converted, may know and be known of GOD, and yet fall away, and, it may be, hopelessly. Most loving was the charge of the Allloving One," Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." 'My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

The Apostle now proceeds to show the same truth by analogy.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from GOD:

That is, it receives continuous and increased fertility. "They shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be fat and wellliking."

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Christian hearts are like this piece of ground: if now, in answer to the shining upon them of the Sun of Righteousness, and the outpouring of the dew of God's grace, they bring forth good fruit, more abundant blessings will be showered on them; for "he that hath, to him shall be given," and "the end, everlasting life." But if there be no response to the precious gifts bestowed upon them, then will GoD's curse light upon them: even now it is very nigh, and the end, "everlasting burnings." "Even that which he hath shall be taken away."

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

The Apostle goes on to state the grounds of his persuasion coucerning them.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.'

The word "saints" here, as generally in the Epistles, means all Christians, "the holy brethren," "partakers of the heavenly calling."

11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end :2

This may mean, "Show the same diligence as regards your own salvation as ye have shown in ministering to others; or, continue your work and labour of love until what now ye hope for be given you."

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of th who through faith and patience inherit the promises 13 For when GOD made promise to Abraham, L cause He could swear by no greater, He

Himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

GOD is said to swear, when He asserts anything in that way in which men assert when they take an oath; that is, with unusual solemnity or earnestness.

For this promise see Gen. xxii. 16, 17.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

GOD permitted twenty-five years to elapse between the giving His promise of a son to Abraham and the birth of that son: during those years he patiently endured. "He staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." So surely will it be, the Apostle means, with all those who believe and trust, they will find that the LORD is true. Whate'er my GOD ordains is right,

He never can deceive :

He leads me by the proper path,
And so to Him I cleave,

And take, content,

What He hath sent :

His hand can turn my griefs away,

So patiently I'll wait His day.

16 For men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein

That is, on which principle to put an end for ever to all questionings and doubts.

GOD, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise

That is, to the true Israelites; the children of Abraham by faith, those circumcised with the circumcision of the SPIRIT.

the immutability

That is, the unchangeableness: "I am the LORD, I change not." of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things,

By God's promise, and by His oath.