The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-02-07
For THE CENTRAL PREsBYTERIAE.
EXPOSITION OF HEBREWS vi: 4-6.
BY REV. H. II. HALVES.
CONCLUDED J

Apostle says 10, ~ 4A6E5lOAS AVS'iA455 VIZ
principles of the doctrine Of Christ, let US go
on unto perfection; not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works,
and of faish toward God, Of the doctrine Of
bapasms, and of laying on of hands, and Of
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judg,
ment. And this will We do, if God permit. "
In this last verse he expresses his entire de-
pendence upon Divine help for success in
doing what he proposes. And what vas that!
To urge and carry those to whom he was
speaking beyond the point Of being merely
wsH Instructed end convinced an the iatrOdac
tory truths of Christianity-to urge and car
~ them forward to perfection '-complets-
ness in Christian ssanding,-tbe acceptance
and practice Of the more advanced doctrines
pertaining to the actual confession and SER
vice of Christ. ''T6erefore, be says, "loav-
ing" Comitting, not dwelling UPON "the prin-
oples of the doctrine Of CHRIS, literally,
the beginning of Christ's word let US 60
on unto perfection to the abatement Of
new knowledge, the confession and practice
Of the faith. Following this is the outline
or enumeration Of certain elementary doc
trines in which they had been instructed, and
With which they were therefore sufficiently
familiar. There was no need to 60, 50 to
speak, down to the bottom Of the foundations
thus already laid, and lay them over again.
This would be loss of time to those who
ought to be advancing to higher attainments
in spiritual education. "Therefore," says
the Apostle, "let us not dwell longer or
more upon these points, but 60 forward"
The necessity of doing this, and the peril of
not doing it, is a matter for serious attention
on the part of those who have long had abun-
dant instruction and training under the Cos
pei, yet have made no practical use Of their
advantages. They know all that the gospel
can say to them up to this point. No new
truths nor doctrines remain to be preached
unto them. They mast aosO put an practice
soEat they knOw, or perish The time comes
to each one when the matter can be no long
err deferred; when he will, does and must
decide for Christ or against Him. When
that time comes, that which the Apostle here
says, finds its application.
a. They "wero once enlightened -
instructed, trained, and bad all needful
knowledge Of the Gospel truths.
| o. They have tasted of the heavenly
gift" One can taste, yet not actually eat
food. Ia Matt. xvii: 81, Christ did MOI
drink the vinegar mingled With gall, though
He tasted it. See also John Ii: 9. So one car
appreciate sha salvation sent from heaven in
such degree, yet never accept it.
| e. They "were made partakerg of the
Holy Ghost" Had felt His presence and
striyipgg, 50 as to be coapiacsd of duty; had
their couacienoa8 qUickened; were awakened,
concerned, perhaps alarmed, yet got no fur
Their than Felix, who "trembed, but waited
more convenient season ;" or Agrippa,
who was only "almoss persuaded " to be a
Christian.
a. They have tasted the good word Of
God, and the powers Of the world to come" ;
the coming age-the age of the Christian
dispensation. They had to some extent been
impressed by the word of God-recognizod
its blessedness, and had been much iniu-
enoed and drawn towards the Christian dis,
pensation.
And now what follows Thair "day of
grace ends, and all opportunities have been
thrown away! They have rejected all that
God had TO offer them; have done it steadi-
", deliberately, wilfully, and without excuse.
So, "falliDg away" from this blessed oondi
ton, they are hopslessly lost It is not
merely the sin of unbelef. Il is not sin
of ignorance. Ii is committed with intelli-
gent minds, quickenel consciencesS AID con-
victed judgment; and against all these, after
full knowledge aud examination of the
claims Of Christ. Thus it becomes equiva-
lent to a second cruoifxion "so themselves |"
of Christ, for which this prayer, Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they
DC, " cannot be offered. Having such knoBl-
edge and protesting such belief in the doc.
trines Of Christ, their foal rejection par.
takes of tae nature Of contempt, presump-
ton, and scorn before heaven and earth
So 'stsev put him 70 On open shame" No
new light nor Influences remain. Taey have
rejected all, all! Therefore no means re.
main Of ever bringing them again into any
thing Ike hopeful condition. It is impos-
sible; and tley haze made 1t so r.!
So much fog sha hopelessly unregonerata.
Taen ". 81, turning TO believers, the Apostle
changes bis address, saying, "But, beloved,
We are persuaded better things of you. -
Yea. how much better God Is faithful,
and Hsy shall nsysr perish, as the apo8tate8
do.
Prosperity and Prayer.
Two Items which we have lately read in