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

But there is an Objection that this Assertion of the Apostle seems liable unto, which we must take Notice of in our passage. For whereas he affirms that the Levites who received the Office of the Priesthood took Tithes of their Brethren, it is evident from the first Grant and Institution of Tithing, that the Levites who were not Priests, were the first who immediately received them of the People. See Numb. 18. 21, 22, 23, 24.

Answ. 1. By Tithes the whole Consecrated portion according unto the Law is intended, as we said before. Hereof the Portion allotted unto the Priests out of various Offerings or Sacrifices was no small part, wherein the Levites had no Interest, but they belonged and were delivered immediately unto the Priests. (2.) The Levites themselves were given unto the Priests for their Service in and about Holy things, Numb. 3. 9. Whatever afterwards was given unto the Levites, it was so with reference unto the Supportment of the Priesthood in due Order. The Tithes therefore that were paid to the Levites were in the Original Grant of all to the Priests. (3.) The Priests Tithed the whole People in that Tenth of all which they received of the Levites; and that being given unto them, what remained in the possession of the Levites themselves, became as all other clean things, to be used promiscuously, Num. 18. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32.

Fourthly, The Privilege of the Priests in taking the Tenth of all is amplified ¹by the consideration of the Persons of whom they took them: Now these were not Strangers or Foreigners, but their own Brethren. And these also were so their Brethren as that they had a right unto, and were partakers of the same Original Privilege with themselves, which did not exempt them from the Duty of paying Tithes of all unto them, took Tithes of their Brethren, though they came out of the Loins of Abraham. Abraham first received the Promises, and was an equal common Spring of Privileges to his whole Posterity. The Priests were not more Children of Abraham than the People were. The whole People therefore being so, and thereby equally interested in all the Privileges of Abraham or the Church of Believers, it is manifest how great the Honour and preeminence of the Priests were in that they took Tithes of them all. And this the Apostle declares to strengthen his Argument for the Greatness and Excellency of Melchizedek in that he received Tithes of Abraham himself. And we may learn, (1.) That it is Gods Prerogative to give Dignity and Preeminence in the Church among them which are otherwise equal, which is to be acquiesced in. Our common Vocation by the word, states us all equally in the same Privilege, as all the Children of Abraham were in that respect in the same Condition. But in this common state, God makes by his Prerogative a three-fold difference among Believers; as to Grace, as to Gifts, as to Office. For, (1.) Although all true Believers have the same Grace in the kind thereof, yet some much excel others in the degrees and exercise of it. As one Star differeth from another, that is, excelleth another in Glory, so here one Saint excelleth another in Grace. This both the Examples of the Scripture, and the Experience of all Ages of the Church doth testify. And this dependeth on the Sovereign Pleasure of God. As he is Gracious unto whom he will be Gracious, so when, and how, and in what measure he pleaseth. Some shall have Grace sooner than others, and some that which is more eminent than others have. Only he that hath least, shall have no lack, as to making of him meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light; and he that hath most, hath no more than he shall find need of and exercise for.