November 21

Hebrews iv. — 1. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left as of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3. For we which have believed do enter into rest; as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

5. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

6. Seeing, therefore, it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief;

7. (Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time; as it is said, To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

This exhortation, which opens with fear, ends with confidence, and the very fear which is wholesome in view of our sins and perils should drive us for refuge to that faith which will lead us boldly to the throne of grace. The warning is against self-confidence; against resting in our privileges or attainments; against the temptations of the world to unbelief, to spiritual apathy and apostasy. The "Jesus" spoken of in verse 8 was undoubtedly Jodior, the deliverer and leader, who conducted Israel to their promised rest in Canaan after the toits and perils of the desert. That rest was not satisfying nor permanent: no rest on earth can be. Temptations and conflicts arose in the promised land, and

9. There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God.

10. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his;)

11. Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a dis-cerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14. Seeing, then, that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

betrayed the people to forsake God. But still there remained a Canaan, a rest, a keeping of the sabbath that should bring the soul of man into harmony with the blessed and everlasting rest of the Creator of the world. For that rest in the hereafter we must now labor, watch, pray, quickening ourselves by that Word of God, which is full of promise and of warning; which searches us at once to condemn and to save us. Forewarned is forewarned. To realize our danger is to provide an escape; and here, in every temptation, conflict, trial, the help is at hand in Him who knows our infirmities, and has borne them; who has felt our temptations, and vanquished them.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 24, 117, 151.

O Lord Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith! we give thee thanks for all thy servants, who, having witnessed a good confession, have entered into rest. Grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be faithful unto death, that we also may receive a crown of life. May we have such a sense of thy presence and glory as shall lift us above the love or the fear of this world!

Assist us by thy grace to do this day such things as are pleasing to thee. Strengthen us to resist and overcome any temptations to which we may be exposed. Deliver us from anxiety about earthly things, from a discontented and unthankful spirit.

Strengthen, O Lord! our faith in the promises of thy Word. Thou knowest our exceeding weakness, and the numberless dangers which every day surround us. Supply all our need. Let thy Word

be our guide, and thy Holy Spirit our Sanctifier and Comforter. Be thou our defender through all the trials of life, our hope in death, and our portion forever.

We thank thee for thy loving-kindness in the night-season. Be pleased, O Lord! to bless all who are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless our neighbors; assist all who are laboring for the good of souls; and grant that true godliness may increase and abound among us. Help us to shine as lights in the world, and to commend the religion which we profess by the meekness and gentleness of our conduct, and by the holiness of our lives. Make us happy in our own souls, and useful to all around us. These mercies we ask for ourselves and others in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.