P R I E S T. .AnonAS) art a Prieftfor ever, after the Order of Mel- chizedec. Of this Melchizedec we find it written, #c That he was King of Salem and Prieft of the Molt High GOD ;'" * and the Apoftle, in the Seventh Chapter of the Epiftle to. the Hebrews, proves, that the Priefthood of Melchizedec was fuperior to that of fiaron, and that, therefore, 4aron's Priefthood was notperfelt in itfelf,but was intended to be changed, when the unchange- able Priefthoodof the Lord JefusChrift, after the Order of the Kingly Priefthood of Melchizedec, lhóuld once appear. If the Priefthood of . fiaron was inferior to that of Melchizedec; how much more does it fall Ihort of the tranfcendent Excellence of the eternal Prieft- hood of Chrift? The Inftitution of the Levitical Prieft- hood was but for a Time, and, in itfelf, was only cal- culated to point out a more perfeet and glorious Efta- blifhment, which lhould one day fucceed it. The Priefthood of Melchizedee, who for that purpofe wat made like unto the Son of GOD, abidetb continually : It was a kind of Priefthood, which did not confift im the Exhibition of carnal Types and Sacrifices like 14aron's, but in the offering up of fpiritual Services to GOD. Befides ; Melchizedec was King, as well as Prieft, The Apoftle notes his Name (for all the patriarchal Names among the Hebrews had a meaning in them, and in that refpe& were very unlike our modern arbitrary Appellations), which fignified King of Righteoufnefs; and the City, over which he prefided, was called Salem, or Peace; fo that he was alfo King of Peace; in both which refpeéts he was an eminent Figure of him, that was to come. For our bleffed Redeemer is the King and Prieft of his People ; and, in this Order or Manner, will continue fuch for ever. The ProphetZechariah foretold of the Mefab, under this conjoined Character. As Emblems of Cbr's he quotes T'beodoret upon the Paffage, who fays, that " GOD'r Re- " tenting is no other than the Changing of his Difpenfation." On ibe Style, &c. ofthe SS. Vol. ii. p. 53. Gen. xiv. ts: prieftly
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