The Bible and Holy Scriptures conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. Translated according to the Ebrue and Greke, and conferred with the best translations in diuers languges. VVith moste profitable annotations vpon all the hard places, and other things of great importance as may appeare in the epistle to the reader

CHAP. VII.

1 He compareth the Priesthode of Christ vnto Melchi∣sedec. 11 Also Christs Priesthode with the Leuites.

1 FOr this Melchi-sedec * (was) King of Sa∣lem, the Priest of the most hie God, who met Abraham, as he returned frō the slaugh∣ter of the Kings, and blessed him:

2 To whome also Abraham gaue the tithe of al things: who first is by interpretation King of righteousnes: after that, (he is) also King of Salem, that is, King of peace.

3 Withouta father, without mother without kinred, and hathe nether beginning of (his) dayes, nether end of life: but is likened vnto the Sonne of God, and continueth a Priest for euer.

4 Now consider how great this man (was,) vn to whome euen theb Patriarke Abraham gaue the tithe of the spoiles.

5 For verely they whiche are the children of Leui, which receiue the office of the Priest∣hode, haue a*c commandement to take ac∣cording to the Law, tithes of the people [that is, of their brethren] thogh theyd came out of the loynes of Abraham,

6 But he whose kinred is not counted among them, receiued tithes of Abraham, & bles∣sed him that had the promises.

7 And without all contradiction the lesse is blessed of the greater.

8 And here men that dye, receiue tithes: but there he (receiueth them,) of whome it is witnessed, that hef liueth.

9 And to say as the thing is, Leui also whiche receiueth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loines of his Father (Abraham,) when Melchi-sedec met him.

11 If therefore perfection had bene by the Priesthode of the Leuites [for vnder in the Law was established to the people] what ne∣ded it furthermore, that another Priest shuld rise after the order of Melchi-sedec, and not to be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For if the Priesthode be changed, then of necessitie must there be a change of theg Law.

13 For he of whome these things are spoken, perteineth vnto another tribe whereof no man serued at the altar.

14 For it is euident, that our Lord, sprong out of Iuda, concernyng the whiche tribe Moses spake nothyng, touchyng the Priest∣hode.

15 And it is yet a more euident thyng, because that after the similitude of Melchi-sedec, there is risen vp another Priest.

16 Which is not made (Priest) after the Lawh of the carnal commandement, but after the power of the endles life.

17 For he testifieth (thus,) * Thou art a Priest for euer, after the order of Melchi-sedec.

18 For the commandement that went afore is disanulled, becausei of the weakenes there∣of, and vnprofitablenes.

19 For the Law made nothing perfite, but“ the bringing in of a better hope (made perfite,) whereby we drawe nere vnto God.

20 And forasmuche as it is not wythout an o∣the [for these are made Priests wythout an othe.

21 But this, he (is made) with an othe by hym that said vnto him, * The Lord hath sworne ād will not repent, Thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchi-sedec.]

22 By so muche is Iesus made a suretie of a bet∣ter“ Testament.

23 And amonge them many were made Prists, because they were not suffred to endure, by the reason of death.

24 But this man, because he endureth euer, hathe ank euerlasting Priesthode.

25 Wherefore, he is able alsol perfitely to saue them that come vnto God by hym, seyng he euer liueth, to make intercession for them.

26 For suche an hye Priest it became vs to ha∣ue, (whiche is) holie, harmeles, vndefiled, se∣parate frome sinnes, and made hier then the heauen:

27 Which neded not daily as those hie Priests to offer vp sacrifice, * first for hys owne sin∣nes, and then for the peoples: for that did hem once, when he offred vp him self.

28 For the Law maketh men hie Priests, which haue infirmitie: but the worde of the othe that wasn since the Law, (maketh) the Son∣ne, who is consecrated for euermore.

Notes

• Chap VII.
• Gen. 14. 18.
• a

  So called be∣cause that Mo∣ses Maketh no mention of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or kins∣folkes, but as he had bene suddēly sent of God into the worlde to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 figure of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, & shortely taken out of the world againe so Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had no 〈◊〉〈◊〉, & cōcerning his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no mo∣ther.
• b

  That is, the chief of fathers.
• c

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 commandement to receiue that, which Abraham gaue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 y to Mel 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• d

  Was begotten of Abraham.
• Nom. 18. 19.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 18. 1.
• Ios. 14. 1.
• f

  Because there is no mention of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 death.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The Leuites re 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their brethren, but Melchi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Abraham, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: there∣fore his priest∣hode is more ex∣cellent then the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• g

  The Lawe and the Priesthode are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of one 〈◊〉〈◊〉: so that bothe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & Moses 〈◊〉〈◊〉 per∣teine to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whiche is Priest and Law maker
• h

  Whiche stode in outwarde & corporal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nies.
• Psal. 110. 4.
• Chap. 5. 6.
• i

  For the Lawe hathe no vertue nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a man become to 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• “

  Or, it was as in troduction of a better hope.
• Psal. 110. 4.
• “

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• k

  Therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 others are blas∣phemous, that ether make them selues his suces∣sors, or pretende any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sa 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• l

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his Priesthode is to saue and that fully & perfectly, not by supplying that thatwanteth but by taking a∣way the Lawe which is vnper∣fect by reason of our infirmities.
• m

  And can not without blasphe∣mie be said to be offered againe, or els by any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 re: for none colde offre him, but him self.
• Leu. 16. 3.
• n

  Not that it was first made after the Lawe was giuen: but becau∣se the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 othe was thē 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.