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 ...

§. 33. Of Melchisedecs receiving tythes as a Superior.

THe particular act whereby Abrahams inferiority to Melchisedec is demonstrated, is thus expressed, a 1.1 Gave the tenth; This was before set down, v. 2. §. 16, 17. Our English useth the same words in both places: but the Greek hath two di∣stinct verbs. The former properly signifyeth b 1.2 to distribute (as was shewed, v. 2. §. 16.) which is a part of prudence. This other word signifieth c 1.3 to give, and that freely, cheerfully, which is a sign of love.

Both of them are applyed to the same person, in the same act: and set out the* 1.4 prudence of his mind, and cheerfulnesse of his spirit, in what he did. Thus was his act the more commendable, and acceptable.

Commendable thorow his prudence. Acceptable thorow his cheerfulnesse: for God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a cheerfull giver, 2 Cor. 9. 7. Herein David shewed himself a son of A∣braham, 1 Chro. 29. 17.

Let us all so do.

Of giving Tenths, see v. 2. §. 16, 17.

This Act of Abrahams giving a tenth to Melchisedec implyeth an inferiority in Abraham that gave the tenth, and a superiority in Melchisedec who received it, be∣cause the tenth was an holy tribute, due to God: and so it was paid by Abraham. His paying it to Melchisedec, sheweth, that he gave it unto him as Gods Priest, stand∣ing in Gods roome, and in that respect greater then himself. A Kings Deputy is in that respect greater then those who are under the King.

1. Quest. Was this the only end of tythes to imply superiority in them that re∣ceived them?

Answ. No, There were other reasons why Levites under the Law received them: for, The tribe of Levi, which had as great a right to a part of the Land of Caa∣nan,* 1.5 as any other tribe, had none alotted them, upon this very ground, because they were to receive tenths of the people. Besides, they spent all their time and paines in and about those publick services which by the people were due to God. As a recompence thereof, they received the tenth of the people. But these and o∣ther like reasons, tended not in this place to the scope of the Apostle, therefore he passeth them over: and insisteth only on this point of inferiority, in giving, and su∣periority in taking tenths.

By the way we may hereby learn to have an especiall eye to what we have in* 1.6 hand: and to passe by other matters which might otherwise hinder us therein.

2. Quest. Are all that receive tenths greater then they who give them?

Answ. 1. In this particular as they who receive tithes, receive them in Gods stead, and as an homage due to God, they are greater then they of whom they re∣ceive

them; yet not in outward estate and condition. Kings were not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from paying tenths: yet in their outward and civill state, they were superiour to Priests; for Solomon a King put one high Priest out of his place for misdemeanor, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 set another in his room, 1 King. 2. 35. and Hezekiah calleth Priests and Levites 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sons, which is a title of inferiority in them that are so stiled.

It was an undue consequence of Pope Boniface, to infer that Popes are 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.7 then Kings, because Kings pay tenths unto them.

This Boniface was the eight of that name, who was that Pope of Rome, of whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was said, He entred as a Fox, ruled as a woolf, and died as a dog.

The non-consequence grounded upon the Text we have in hand, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these particulars.

• 1. The Pope of Rome, hath no right to take tenths of Kings of other Nations 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is a proud usurpation of the Pope to demand it, and a slavish subjection in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that yeeld it.
• 2. Receiving of tenths implieth no superiority in civill and secular affaires.
• 3. There is a vast difference betwixt Melchisedec and other Ministers of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 receiving tithes. Abraham paid tenths to Melchisedec, as he was an extraordinary Priest and type of Christ: and as a publick testimony of that homage he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Christ, the great high Priest. But tenths are payed to other Ministers for their •…•…∣tenance.
• 4. The foresaid argument makes no more for the Pope, then for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Parson, or Vicar of a Parochiall Church.
• 5. By that argument an ordinary Parson or Vicar, might be greater then the Pope: for if the Pope had •…•…and within the Parsonage of the meanest Parson, •…•…e must pay him tithes.

But to leave this point, the main scope of the Apostle in setting forth the great∣nesse of Melchisedec, is to commend unto us, the greatnesse of him, and his Priest∣hood, that was typified by Melchisedec and his Priest-hood: that is the greatnesse of our Lord Jesus, who without comparison, is the greatest Priest that ever was. Here∣of, see Chap. 2. v. 17. §. 173.

Notes

• a 1.1

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Abraham free∣ly and wil∣lingly paid tithes.
• * 1.5

  Why Levites received tithes.
• * 1.6

  An eye to be had to the point in hand. How receivers of tithes grea∣ter then givers.
• * 1.7

  Tit•…•…es make not •…•…opes greater then 〈◊〉〈◊〉.