October 16

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having a high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised;

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works;

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses;

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith

he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance & length unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great light of afflictions;

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spotting of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Can not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not carry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

"The Christian's safety lies in resisting. All the armor here provided is to defend the Christian fighting, none to secure him flying. Stand, and the day is ours; fly or yield, and all is lost. Great captains, to make their soldiers more resolute, do sometimes cut off all hope of a safe retreat to them that run away. Thus the Norman Conqueror, as soon as his men were set on English shore, sent away his ships in their sight, that they might resolve to fight or die. God takes away all thought of safety to the coward. Not a piece to be found for the back in all God's armory. Stand, and the bullets light all on your armor; fly, and they enter into your hearts. 'Tis a terrible place (Heb. x. 38): 'The just shall live by faith, but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.'"—Gurnall.

Oh, do not cast away your confidence. You are not a saint, very likely; but you may be a Christian, nevertheless. Do not be discouraged because you are not perfect. It does not follow that you are not going on to know the Lord.

Closet Promise.—He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.—Matt. xxiv. 13.

"Hold on, my heart, in thy believing! The steadfast only wear the crown; He, who when a rainy waves are heaving Parts with his anchor, shall go down; But he whom Jesus holds through all Shall stand though earth and heavens should fall.

"Hold thy murmurs, heaven arraigning, The patient see God's loving face; Who bear their burdens uncomplaining.

'Tis they who win the Father's grace. He wounds himself who braves the rod, And sets himself to fight with God.

"Hold out! there comes an end to sorrow; Hope, from the dust, shall conquering rise; The storm proclaims a sunnier morrow, The cross points on to Paradise. The Father reigneth, cease all doubt; Hold on, my heart, hold on, hold out!"