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

Yea, when there is any great and Signal Work to be done in the Church, it may be such as the Church cannot or will not call any unto, even such a Reformation of Persons as may prove a dissolution of its Constitution, if God raise, Gift and Providentially call any unto that work, assisting them in it, I should not doubt of the Lawfulness of their Ministry, as granted unto them by especial Privilege, though not Communicated by external Rule and Order. It is good ordinarily to be Genealogised into the Ministry by established Rule; but God can by virtue of his own Sovereignty grant this Privilege unto whom he pleaseth. And let not any imagine that such a Supposition must needs immediately open a Door unto Confusion; for there are unvariable Rules to try Men and their Ministry at all times whether they are sent of God or no. The Doctrine which they teach, the Ends which they promote, the Lives which they lead, the Circumstances of the seasons wherein they appear, will sufficiently manifest whence such Teachers are.

Yea, when there is any great and Signal Work to be done in the Church, it may be such as the Church cannot or will not call any unto, even such a Reformation of Persons as may prove a dissolution of its Constitution, if God raise, Gift and Providentially call any unto that work, assisting them in it, I should not doubt of the Lawfulness of their Ministry, as granted unto them by especial Priviledge, though not Communicated by external Rule and Order. It is good ordinarily to be Genealogised into the Ministry by established Rule; but God can by virtue of his own Soveraignty grant this Priviledge unto whom he pleaseth. And let not any imagine that such a Supposition must needs immediately open a Door unto Confusion; for there are unvariable Rules to try Men and their Ministry at all times whether they are sent of God or no. The Doctrine which they teach, the Ends which they promote, the Lives which they lead, the Circumstances of the seasons wherein they appear, will sufficiently manifest whence such Teachers are.

2. Having thus described Melchizedek, and manifested on what Account the things mentioned were ascribed or did belong unto him, he mentions the things themselves, which were two. (1.) That he received Tithes of Abraham. (2.) That he Blessed him. In both which he demonstrates his Greatness and Dignity. (1.) By the Consideration of the Person of whom he received Tithes, it was Abraham himself. (2.) By an especial Circumstance of Abraham; it was he who received the Promises, from whence the whole Church of Israel claimed their Privileges.