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

But how came Melchizedek to be thus Great? Is it because he was Originally in himself, more Wise and Honourable than any of the Sons of Men? We Read no such thing concerning him, which the Apostle declares to be the Rule and Measure of all our Conceptions in this matter. Is it that he attained this Dignity and Greatness, by his own Industry and Endeavours? as the Prophet says of some, that their Judgment and their Dignity proceeds from themselves, Hab. 1. 7. Neither do we find any thing of that Nature ascribed unto him. The sole Reason and Cause hereof, is, that God raised him up and disposed of him into that Condition of his own good pleasure. And we may see in him, that

But how came Melchisedec to be thus Great? Is it because he was Originally in himself, more Wise and Honourable than any of the Sons of Men? We Read no such thing concerning him, which the Apostle declares to be the Rule and Measure of all our Conceptions in this matter. Is it that he attained this Dignity and Greatness, by his own Industry and Endeavours? as the Prophet says of some, that their Judgment and their Dignity proceeds from themselves, Hab. 1. 7. Neither do we find any thing of that Nature ascribed unto him. The sole Reason and Cause hereof, is, that God raised him up and disposed of him into that Condition of his own good pleasure. And we may see in him, that

The Sovereign Will, Pleasure, and Grace of God is that alone which puts a difference among Men, especially in the Church. He makes Men Great or Small, High or Low, Eminent or Obscure, as it seemeth Good unto him. He raiseth up the Poor from the Dust, and lifteth up the Beggar from the Dunghill, to set them among Princes, and to make them Inherit the Throne of Glory, for the Pillars of the Earth are the Lords, and he hath set the World upon them, 1 Sam. 2. 8. which is plentifully elsewhere Testified unto. Whence was it that the Twelve Poor Fishermen were made Apostles to sit on Twelve Thrones Judging the Tribes of Israel, and becoming Princes in all Nations? Who made the most Glorious Apostle of the first and fiercest Persecutor? Was it not he who hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy, and is Gracious unto whom he will be Gracious? And it is laid down as an Universal Rule, That no Man hath any thing in this kind but what he hath freely Received, nor doth any Man make himself to differ from others,