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 ... | Early English Books Online | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections

§. 56. Of Levi paying tithes in Abraham.

LEvi is here a 1.1 metonymically put for his sons, who are so set down, v. 5. §. 37. For Levi himself was no Priest, nor did he receive tithes: but he was their great Grand-father.

Two things are here spoken of Levi, one taken for granted, which was that he re∣ceived

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tithes. The other expressed and proved, which was, that he payed tithes.

The former was a prerogative, and a signe of superiority. Of it, see v. 2. •…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and v. 4. §. 33.

The latter is a sign of inferiority. See v. 4. §. 33.

Against this latter it might be objected that Levi was not then born when 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 were paid to Melchisedec. For Abraham met Melchisedec before Ishmael was born Now he was born in the 86. year of Abraham (Gen. 16. 16.) Isaack was born 〈◊〉〈◊〉 years after, In the 100. year of Abraham, Gen. 21. 5. Iacob was born in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 year of Isaac, (Gen. 25. 26.) which was 74. years after Ishmaels birth. Jacob 〈◊〉〈◊〉 above 40. years old when he went to his uncle Laban, Gen. 26. 34. Thus there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 114. years betwixt Ishmaels birth and Iacobs going to Laban. How many year•…•… more there were betwixt Abrahams meeting Melchisedec, and Ishmaels birth: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 again betwixt Iacobs going to his uncle, and the birth of Levi, is not expresly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 down. This is certain, that Levi was born many more then an 100 years before Abrahams paying tenths to Melchisedec, and Levies being in this world. So as it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seem strange that Levi should pay tithes to Melchisedec.

To resolve this doubt the Apostle here expresly saith, that Levi payed tithes in A∣braham.

From this answer ariseth another scruple: namely, that Christ was in Abraham* 1.3 as well as Levi: So as Christ himself should pay tithes by this reason, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be inferiour to Melchisedec.

Answ.

1. In generall it may be replied that Melchisedec was a type of Christ•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that that which is said of Melchisedec and his Priest-hood, is spoken of him as of a type: and that purposly to set forth the greatnesse and excellency of Christ and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Priesthood. Wherefore to put Christ into the ranck of those who are inferiour to Melchisedec, is directly to crosse the main scope of the Apostle.
2. Christ consisted of two natures, divine and humane. Though therefore be might be reckoned among the sons of Abraham in regard of his humane nature: yet in regard of his person which consisted of both natures, he was superiour to Abra∣ham, and greater then he. Thus David, whose son according to the flesh Christ was, calleth him Lord, in reference to his person, Matth. 22. 44.
3. Though Christ took flesh by ordinary descent from Abraham: yet came he not from Abraham, by ordinary and naturall generation. From his Mother the Virgin Mary he received the substance and matter of his flesh, out of which it was raised and formed: Yet, having no Father, he came not by any naturall act of ge∣neration. Though a Mother afford matter for generation, yet the active force and vertue of generation commeth from the Father. Hence is it that Christ was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the common contagion of originall sin. For though he were of Adam, and so of Abraham by reason of the substance of his flesh: yet he was not by Adam, or by Abraham. No son of their posterity was the procreant cause or begetter of him. Christ therefore cannot be said to do in Abraham those things which others of his posterity did.