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

The manner of the Introduction of his Assertion is in these words, as I may so ¹say. This Qualification of the Assertion makes an abatement of it one way or other. Now this is not, as to the Truth of the Proposition, but as to the Propriety of the Expression. The words are, as if that which is expressed was actually so; namely, that Levi himself paid Tithes, whereas it was so only virtually. The thing it self intended was with respect unto the Apostles purpose as if it had been so indeed; though Levi not being then actually existent, he could not be Tithed in his own Person. Nor is the Apostle dubious of the Truth of the Consequent which he urgeth from this Observation, as if he had said prope dixerim, which is supposed as one signification of this Phrase. Only the Instance being new, and he Arguing from what was virtual only, as if it had been actual, he gave his Assertion this Qualification. This is spoken upon an allowance of the common acceptation of the sense of these words among Interpreters. For my part, I rather incline to judge that he useth this Phrase for as much as ut verbo dicam, to sum up the whole in a word. To put an Issue unto this Dispute between the Levitical Priesthood and that of Melchizedek: I say, that not only Abraham, but even Levi himself was Tithed by him.

The manner of the Introduction of his Assertion is in these words, as I may so ¹say. This Qualification of the Assertion makes an abatement of it one way or other. Now this is not, as to the Truth of the Proposition, but as to the Propriety of the Expression. The words are, as if that which is expressed was actually so; namely, that Levi himself paid Tithes, whereas it was so only virtually. The thing it self intended was with respect unto the Apostles purpose as if it had been so indeed; though Levi not being then actually existent, he could not be Tithed in his own Person. Nor is the Apostle dubious of the Truth of the Consequent which he urgeth from this Observation, as if he had said prope dixerim, which is supposed as one signification of this Phrase. Only the Instance being new, and he Arguing from what was virtual only, as if it had been actual, he gave his Assertion this Qualification. This is spoken upon an allowance of the common acceptation of the sence of these words among Interpreters. For my part, I rather incline to judge that he useth this Phrase for as much as ut verbo dicam, to sum up the whole in a word. To put an Issue unto this Dispute between the Levitical Priesthood and that of Melchisedec: I say, that not only Abraham, but even Levi himself was Tithed by him.