Chapter VII.—An Exhortation to Repentance.

These things, beloved, we write unto you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves.  For we are struggling on the same arena, and the same conflict is assigned to both of us.  Wherefore let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling.^40374037    I. τῆς παραδόσεως ἡμῶν (of our tradition).  Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us.  Let us look stedfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God^40384038    I. τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ τῷ θεῷ (to His Father God). which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world.^40394039    I. ἐπήνεγκεν (conferred).  Let us turn to^40404040    I. διέλθωμεν (traverse, trace). every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted unto Him.  Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved.^40414041    Gen. vii; 1 Pet. iii. 20; 2 Pet. ii. 5.  Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites;^40424042    Jonah iii. but they, repenting of their sins, propitiated God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were aliens [to the covenant] of God.