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

But yet it is not a mere transferring of the Priesthood from one Tribe unto another, that is here intended by the Apostle. For there is such a change of the Priesthood as there is of the Law. But the change of the Law was an [Greek or Hebrew], a disannulling or abolishing, as is affirmed, ver. 18. Such therefore must the change of the Priesthood be, and so it was. The Priesthood was changed, in that one kind of it was utterly abolished, and another introduced. So was the Levitical Priesthood changed, as that the other Priest which came with his Office in the room thereof, could not be called or said to be after the Order of Aaron, but was of another kind Typed out by Melchizedek.

But yet it is not a meer transferring of the Priesthood from one Tribe unto another, that is here intended by the Apostle. For there is such a change of the Priesthood as there is of the Law. But the change of the Law was an 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a disanulling or abolishing, as is affirmed, ver. 18. Such therefore must the change of the Priesthood be, and so it was. The Priesthood was changed, in that one kind of it was utterly abolished, and another introduced. So was the Levitical Priesthood changed, as that the other Priest which came with his Office in the room thereof, could not be called or said to be after the Order of Aaron, but was of another kind Typed out by Melchisedec.

It may therefore be enquired on what Grounds this Priesthood was to be so abolished, or how it appears that so it is, and by what means it was actually taken away.

That it was so to be abolished the Apostle proves, (1.) Because before the Institution of that Priesthood, there was another far more Excellent, namely, that of Melchizedek. (2.) That the Holy Ghost had declared that the Introduction of that more Excellent Priesthood for a Season, was to prefigure and represent another Priesthood that was afterwards to be established. And this could not be that of Levi, seeing God doth not make use of that which is more Excellent, to figure or represent that which is Inferior thereunto. Another Priesthood therefore must arise and be granted unto the Church in answer unto that Type. (3.) That it was impossible that this new Priest after the Order of Melchizedek, should be consistent with that of Levi, or that it shoudl be continued after that was brought in. For (1.) He was to be of another Tribe, as he immediately proves. (2.) Because his Priesthood and Sacrifice were to be of another kind than that of Levi, which he demonstrates at large in the ensuing Chapters. (3.) Because on the other hand the Priesthood of Aaron, (1.) Could never Accomplish and Effect the true and proper Ends of the Priesthood, which the Church stood in need of, and without which it could not be Consummate: And (2.) Was in its own Nature, Offices, Works, and Duties, inconsistent with any Priesthood, that was not of its own Order. It must therefore be abolished.