A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Secondly, There was an especial Institution of a Sacerdotal Benediction under the Old Testament, Recorded, Numb. 6. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto Aaron and his Sons, saying, On this wise shall ye Bless the Children of Israel, saying; The Lord Bless thee and keep thee, the Lord make his Face to shine upon thee, and be Gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up the light of his Countenance upon thee and give thee Peace; and they shall put my Name on the Children of Israel, and I will Bless them. Their putting the Name of God upon the People, was their praying for and pronouncing Blessings on them in his Name, by virtue of this Institution. For it is an Institution whereby the Name of God is put on any thing or Person. Hereon God would effectually bless them. This especial Institution I acknowledge was after the Days of Melchizedek, and the cessation of his Office as to actual Administration. But it is apparent, and may be proved, that many if not the most of those Sacred Institutions, which were given in one System unto Moses, were singly and gradually given out by Inspiration and Prophecy unto the Church before the giving of the Law; only at Sinai their Number was increased, and the Severity of their Sanction heightened. Thus this Sacerdotal Benediction was but a Transcript from, and expressive of that Power and Form of Blessing, which Melchizedek as a Priest enjoyed and used before. And from what hath been spoken we may gather the Nature of this Blessing of Melchizedek wherewith he Blessed Abraham. For, (1.) It had the Nature of a Blessing in general, whereby any one Man may bless another, in that it was Euctical and Eucharistical, It included both Prayer for him, and Thanksgiving on his Account unto God. And (2.) It was Authoritative and Sacerdotal; He was the Priest of the High God, and he blessed Abraham, that is, by virtue of his Office. For so the Nature of the Office requireth, and so God had in particular appointed, that the Priests should bless in his Name. (3.) It was Prophetical, proceeding from an immediate Inspiration, whereby he declares the confirmation of the great Blessing Promised unto Abraham; Blessed be Abraham. And we may see,

Secondly, There was an especial Institution of a Sacerdotal Benediction under the Old Testament, Recorded, Numb. 6. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto Aaron and his Sons, saying, On this wise shall ye Bless the Children of Israel, saying; The Lord Bless thee and keep thee, the Lord make his Face to shine upon thee, and be Gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up the light of his Countenance upon thee and give thee Peace; and they shall put my Name on the Children of Israel, and I will Bless them. Their putting the Name of God upon the People, was their praying for and pronouncing Blessings on them in his Name, by virtue of this Institution. For it is an Institution whereby the Name of God is put on any thing or Person. Hereon God would effectually bless them. This especial Institution I acknowledge was after the Days of Melchisedec, and the cessation of his Office as to actual Administration. But it is apparent, and may be proved, that many if not the most of those Sacred Institutions, which were given in one Systeme unto Moses, were singly and gradually given out by Inspiration and Prophecy unto the Church before the giving of the Law; onely at Sinai their Number was increased, and the Severity of their Sanction heightned. Thus this Sacerdotal Benediction was but a Transcript from, and expressive of that Power and Form of Blessing, which Melchisedec as a Priest enjoyed and used before. And from what hath been spoken we may gather the Nature of this Blessing of Melchisedec wherewith he Blessed Abraham. For, (1.) It had the Nature of a Blessing in general, whereby any one Man may bless another, in that it was Euctical and Eucharistical, It included both Prayer for him, and Thanksgiving on his Account unto God. And (2.) It was Authoritative and Sacerdotal; He was the Priest of the High God, and he blessed Abraham, that is, by virtue of his Office. For so the Nature of the Office requireth, and so God had in particular appointed, that the Priests should bless in his Name. (3.) It was Prophetical, proceeding from an immediate Inspiration, whereby he declares the confirmation of the great Blessing Promised unto Abraham; Blessed be Abraham. And we may see,