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

For in the Authoritative Collation of an Office there is a Blessing, and without Controversy he who Blesseth is greater than he who is Blessed by him, as we shall see immediately. And therefore would not God make Use of any outward means in the Call or the Separation of the Lord Christ unto his Offices or any of them, because there was none in Heaven or Earth Greater than he, or nearer unto God to be employed therein. Angels and Men might bear Witness as they did unto what was done by the Lord God and his Spirit, Isa. 61. 1. but they could confer nothing upon him. And therefore in the Collation of the Ministerial Office under the Gospel, the Authority of it resides only in Jesus Christ. Men can do no more but design the Person according to his Rules and Laws, which may be done among Equals. Wherefore the Call of Melchizedek unto his Office was extraordinary, and consisted in an extraordinary Unction of the Spirit. And this had two things attending of it. (1.) That it gave unto himself sufficient Security and Warranty to undertake and execute the Office whereunto he was Called. So did every extraordinary Call accompanied with a Divine Afflatus and Inspiration, Amos 7. 14, 15. (2.) That it evidenced it self unto all that feared God, who thereon willingly submitted unto his Administrations in the discharge of his Office. And this is all that we can know, as to the way and manner of his becoming a Priest: That he was not so by Succession unto any other, by the Right of Primogeniture, nor made so by men, are certain from the Apostle's Discourse. The Time, Place, Season and Occasion of his Call are all hidden from us; but he was made a Priest by God himself. For,

For in the Authoritative Collation of an Office there is a Blessing, and without Controversie he who Blesseth is greater than he who is Blessed by him, as we shall see immediately. And therefore would not God make Use of any outward means in the Call or the Separation of the Lord Christ unto his Offices or any of them, because there was none in Heaven or Earth Greater than he, or nearer unto God to be employed therein. Angels and Men might bear Witness as they did unto what was done by the Lord God and his Spirit, Isa. 61. 1. but they could confer nothing upon him. And therefore in the Collation of the Ministerial Office under the Gospel, the Authority of it resides only in Jesus Christ. Men can do no more but design the Person according to his Rules and Laws, which may be done among Equals. Wherefore the Call of Melchisedec unto his Office was extraordinary, and consisted in an extraordinary Unction of the Spirit. And this had two things attending of it. (1.) That it gave unto himself sufficient Security and Warranty to undertake and execute the Office whereunto he was Called. So did every extraordinary Call accompanied with a Divine Afflatus and Inspiration,