VER. 8.
The Eighth Verse carrieth on the same Argument, by a particular Application unto the Matter in hand, of the things which he had in general observed before in Melchisedec. For whereas the Apostle had before declared, that he was without Fa∣ther, without Mother, without Beginning of Days or End of Life, he now shews how all this conduced unto his purpose.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Syr. by an usual Idiotisme of that Language, the Sons of Man. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, qui moriuntur, who dye. Vul. Lat. Homines morientes, dying men; of which difference we must speak afterwards; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, generally, de quo testatum est, quod vivat. Vul. Lat. Ibi autem con∣testatur quia vivit; which the Rhemists render, but there he hath witness, that he Liveth; both obscurely. Arius, Testatione dictus quia vivit, to no Advantage. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is properly, is de quo testatur, as Erasmus, Beza, Castalia, Smidle, render it. The Arabick concurs with the Vulgar. The Syriack by way of Pa∣raphrase; He of whom the Scripture witnesseth that he Liveth.
And here men verily that dye receive Tithes, but there he of whom it is wit∣nessed that he Liveth.
There is in the words a Comparison and Opposition between the Levitical Priests and Melchisedec in this matter of receiving Tithes, which in general was common to them both. And we may consider in them, (1.) The Circumstances of the Com∣parison. (2.) The general Agreement of both sorts, which is the ground of the Comparison. (3.) The parts of the Antithesis or Opposition, or dissimilitude be∣tween them.
The Circumstances of the Comparison are two. (1.) The manner of its In∣troduction, in the earnestness of the Assertion, in the Particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it is as much as * 1.1 quidem or equidem, truly, verily, which is omitted in our Translation, though else∣where the same Particle is so rendred. This moreover is the state of the Case in this matter. And the Insertion of it is proper unto an Affirmation upon a Concession, as this here is.
Secondly, The Determination of the Time or Place, or Manner of the Opposition in those Adverbs 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, here and there; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 usually refers unto place. And some think that the Apostle hath respect unto Hierusalem the Seat of the Levitical * 1.2 Priesthood, and the Land of Canaan which alone was Tithable according to the Law. For the Jews do Judge, and that rightly, that the Law of Legal Tithing extended not it self beyond the Bounds of the Land of Canaan; a sufficient Evidence that it was Positive and Ceremonial. In Opposition hereunto, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 there, must signifie some other places or any place where the Priesthood of Melchisedec hath its signi∣fication; that is, in Christian Religion. But the Truth is, if 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here signifies a certain and determinate place, that opposed in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 there, must be Salem, where Melchisedec dwelt, which was not only afterwards Tithable as within the Bounds of Canaan, but most probably was Hierusalem it self, as we have declared. This Conjecture therefore is too Curious; nor do we need to tye up our selves unto the precise signification of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, although that also be sometimes used with respect unto time as well as place. VVherefore these words here and there, do