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For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron"s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.