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

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.

2. Having thus described Melchisedec, 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 Priviledges.

(1.) He received Tithes of Abraham. The Levitical Priests received Tithes of those who came out of the Loins of Abraham, which was an Evidence of their ¹Dignity by Gods Appointment. But he received them of Abraham himself, which Evidently declares his Superiority above them, as also herein above Abraham himself. And the Apostle by insisting on these things so particularly, shows, (1.) How difficult a matter it is to dispossess the minds of Men of those things which they have long trusted unto and boasted of. It is plain from the Gospel throughout, that all the Jews looked on this as their great Privilege and Advantage, that they were the Posterity of Abraham, whom they conceived on all accounts the greatest and most Honourable Person that ever was in the World. Now although there was much herein, yet when they began to abuse it, and trust unto it, it was Necessary that their Confidence should be abated and taken down. But so difficult a matter was this to effect, as that the Apostle applies every Argument unto it, that hath a real force and evidence in it, especially such things as they had not before considered, as it is plain they were utterly Ignorant in the Instructive part of this story of Melchizedek. And we see in like manner, when Men are possessed with an inveterate conceit of their being the Church, and having all the Privileges of it enclosed unto them, although they have long since forfeited openly all Right thereunto, how difficult a thing it is to dispossess their minds of that pleasing presumption. (2.) That every Particle of Divine Truth is Instructive and Argumentative when it is rightly used and improved. Hence the Apostle presseth all the Circumstances of this Story, from every one of them, giving light and evidence unto the great Truth which he sought to Confirm.