154 ABROGATION OF THE SABBATH. 



A ternpm-al '' rest" alone consistent with tlie writer's design. 



casional allupions to the life hereafter wliolly incidental, aud 

 with DO bearing whatever on the train of argument involved. 

 Thus the very allusion in cJiap. iv. 14 forms really no part of 

 the "context" of the Sabbatism previously discussed. A 

 careful analysis of the writer's train of thought will clearly 

 show that this verse is a resumption of the disquisition from 

 chaj). lu. 6: the iutermediate digression (iii. 7 — iv. 13) form- 

 ing an independent episode in this great arguraentative epic. 



This digression, on the supposition of its trea.ting soMi/ of an 

 earthly rest re ser ved for true believers (a cessation from legal 

 observance), becomes itself an interesting collateral allegation, 

 admirably corroborating the main seope of the diseourse — the 

 temporary authority of the law. On this construction it is 

 peculiarly adapted to its purpose of relieving the doubt or sus- 

 taining the faith. On this construction it is strikingly illus- 

 trated by the corresponding scriptural representations. {Isai. 

 xi. 10; 3Iaft. xi. 28; CoL ii. 17; Gal iv. &c.) On this 

 construction alone, the gramraatical exegesis is fully satisfied. 

 *'We do enter,"* ''he that is entered,'' ''he hath ceased,'' 

 ''let us lahor to enter/' "lest you should seem to come short.'* 



But this, says my friend, "lays unwarrantable stress upon 

 the tense of the verb. Tor we which believe, do enter into 

 rest.' Whereas, the meaning evidently is, hellevers {and tlioy 

 only) shall inherit it; not here, but hereafter." (p. 79.) Suroly 

 J. N. B. docs not call this biblical crkicism 1 There is no one 

 circumstance to support his hj^pothesis; there is every circum- 

 stance to contradict it. 



Not only do the literal construction, the correspondency of 

 Scripture, the xelevancy and efficiency of the iramediate argu- 

 ment, and the whole tenor of the dissertation, all concur in es- 

 tablishing a p7'esent application of the believer's repose, but 



* Not tliey which believe '■^ shall enter," nor yet, thcy "vvhich did 

 believe "■have entered;" but they "which have believed Jo [by that 

 very act] enter into rest.^' 



