§. 55. Of qualifying strange phrases.
And, as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abra∣ham.
For he was yet in the loynes of his Father, when Melchisedec met him.
IN these two verses the Apostle maketh a particular application of that which he had delivered about Abrahams in•…•…eriority to Levi: this he doth by shewing, that what Abraham the Father did, Levi also the son did. Thus he doth manifest, that what he had said of Abraham, was not to vilifie his person, but to draw the •…•…ind of the Hebrewes from the Priest-hood of Levi, to Christs Priest-hood.
The foresaid point is brought in with a phrase of qualification, thus, a 1.1 As I •…•…ay so say. In this mollifying clause there are two Greek words, that are of the same stem. One expressed under b 1.2 this verb, say. The other implied under this particle, c 1.3 so. This clause may thus be translated verbatim, as to say the word. that i•…•…, to use the phrase. Thus we see that a phrase or sentence which may seem strange is to be mollifi•…•…d. To this purpose tend these qualifications, I speak as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (Rom. 3. 5.) I speak after the manner of men (Rom. 6. 19.) I speak this by per∣•…•…, 1 Cor. 7. 6.
This is a meanes to prevent misinterpretations: and to make that which is spoken to be more fairly and candidly taken.