provided. or, foreseen. better.

Hebrews 7:19,22 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw near to God...

Hebrews 8:6 But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant...

Hebrews 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these...

Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things that that of Abel.

they without.

Hebrews 9:8-15 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest...

Hebrews 10:11-14 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins...

Romans 3:25,26 Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood...

made.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him;

Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all...

Revelation 6:11 And white robes were given to every one of them; and it was said to them, that they should rest yet for a little season...

The apostle in the early part of the chapter having given us a general account of the grace of faith, proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in Old Testament times. The leading instance and example of faith recorded, is that of righteous Abel: one of the first saints and the first martyr for religion--one who lived by faith and died for it, and therefore a fit pattern for the Hebrews to imitate. It is observable that the Holy Spirit has not thought fit to say any thing here of the faith of our first parents; and yet the church of God has generally, by a pious charity, taken it for granted that God gave them repentance and faith in the promised seed; that he instructed them in the mystery of sacrificing, that they instructed their children in it, and that they found mercy with God, after they had ruined themselves and all their posterity. But God has left the matter still under some doubt, as a warning to all who have great talents given to them, and a great trust reposed in them, that they do not prove unfaithful, since God would not enrol our first parents among the number of believers in this blessed calendar.--Henry.