§. 15. Of Christs blessing the faithfull.
AS in other things, so in this act of blessing, Melchisedec was an especiall type of Christ: and Abraham was there blessed, as the father of the faithfull: so as there∣in was prefigured an act of Christ, towards the promised seed: which was, that Christ blesseth the faithfull: such as are of the spirituall seed and faith of Abraham. A particular instance hereof is thus given, Christ lift up his hands, and blessed them. Luk. 14. 50. And as a further evidence hereof, when Christ ascended he gave gifts unto men, Eph. 4. 8.
Christ doth thus blesse partly as God. Thus he blessed Iacob, Gen. 32. 29. and partly as Mediator, betwixt God and man. Thus God hath blessed us with all spiri∣tuall blessings in Christ, Eph. 1. 3.
- 1. No doubt but that this blessing wherewith Melchisedec blessed Abraham was a singular comfort unto him. Much more comfortable may the true blessing, which Christ conferreth on his Church, be to the members thereof. They whom C•…•…st blesseth are and ever shall be truly blessed.
- 2. This may be a great encouragement against the curses of Idolaters and pro•…•…ane persons. They use to curse us, and to imprecate all evill against us, for Christs sake, and for our professions sake. We may in this case say, surely there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in∣chantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel, Numb. 23. •…•…3. As God turned Balacks endeavour to curse into a blessing, so he will requ•…•…e good for wicked mens cursing, 2 Sam. 16. 12. It is further added in the History 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon Abrahams victory, Melchisedec did not only blesse Abraham himself, but also blessed the most high God, which delivered his enemies into his hands. Gen. 1•…•…. •…•….* 1.1 Hereby he evidently sheweth that the praise of victory is to be given to God. See more hereof in the Churches Conquest, on Exod. 17. 16. §. 77.