A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 30. Of the Order of Melchisedec.

THe word translated a 1.1 Order, signifieth a due and seemly disposition. It is de∣rived from a b 1.2 Verb that signifieth to appoint or set in order. It is applied to the setting of Commanders or Officers of Warre in their places, (Luk. 7. 8.) yea and to Gods ordaining unto eternall life, Act. 13. 48. The Noun in my Text is used to set out a decent ordering of Church affairs, (1 Cor. 14. 40.) and a comely car∣riage of Christians, Col. 2. 5. It here implieth that the Priesthood is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kinde of Office ordained and Ordered by him that hath power to do it. It is in a like sense 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Aarons Priesthood, Heb. 7. 11.

Hereby we are given to understand that the Priesthood here mentioned, and the* 1.3 Priesthood of Aaron are two distinct kindes.

The Apostle doth here bring in this Priesthood as distinct from Aarons, be∣cause there were many things in Christ which were not agreeable to the Order of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: as

• 1. Christ was a King: But a King might not be of Aarons Order.
• 2. He was of the Tribe of Iudah, of which Tribe no man gave attendance at the Altar, Heb. 7. 13.
• 3. He neither had predecessor nor successor, (Heb. 7. 24.) but Priests after Aarons Order had both.

Other differences are observed by this Apostle, Chap. 7.

If therefore from such differences any should inferre, that Christ could not be a

Priest, the Apostle sheweth that there was another Order of Priesthood.

Besides, there were such infirmities and delects in the Order of Aaron, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 not agreeable to Christs excellency: so as there must of necessity be another 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Priesthood.

The infirmities and defects of Aarons Priesthood were these.

• 1. That the Priest should offer for their own sinnes, v. 3.
• 2. That they should offer beasts and birds, Lev. 1. 2, 14.
• 3. That they should oft offer the same kinde of sacrifices.
• 4. That they should offer such sacrifices as could not make perfect, Heb. 10. 1.

There are but two kindes of typicall Priesthoods mentioned in Scripture, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are these: One after the Order of Melchisedec. The other after the Order of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Of these two the former was many waies the more excellent, Herein therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ said to be after the order of Melchisedec.

Whatsoever was essentially belonging to a Priest in Aaron, that was in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 truth accomplished by Christ: and wherein there was any preeminent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Melchisedec's Priesthood above Aaron's, therein was Christ after the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Melchisedec. All these excellencies were really and properly accomplished 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ.

The history of Melchisedec is set down, Gen. 14. 18, 19, 20.

This Apostle hath so distinctly and fully observed, and applied to Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thing that is expressed, or by just consequence may be inferred from that Priesthood in the seventh Chapter of this Epistle, as I suppose it meet to refer the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this mystery to that place.

In generall this may be observed, that Christ was the most excellent Priest 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.5 ever was. Melchisedec was more excellent then Aaron, Heb. 7. 4. yet was Mel∣chisedec but a type of Christ. Therefore Christ the true Priest must needs be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 excellent then Melchisedec himself.

Sundry excellencies of Christs Priesthood (as the Dignity of his person, his •…•…∣ny great undertakings, and the glorious fruits and benefits flowing from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have been expresly noted, Chap. 2. v. 17. 1. 173, 174.

If the Jews had Aarons Priesthood in high account, and Abraham the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Jews gave tithes of all to Melchisedec, and accounted himself blessed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blessed of Melchisedec, how should we esteem Jesus Christ and his Priesthood, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rest in his blessing?

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.3

  Christs Priest∣hood & Aaron•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉. See Chap. 7. v. 11. §. 66.
• * 1.4

  Defects of Aarons Priest∣hood.
• * 1.5

  Christ the ex∣cellentest of Priests.