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¹ For this Melchisedec was both king of Salem, and a priest of the most high God; 'twas he who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: ² to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of the whole booty: first, being by the signification of his name king of justice, and in fact king of Salem, which is, king of peace; ³ without father, without mother, without genealogy; his days have no beginning, and his life no end; but like the son of God, he was a perpetual priest. ⁴ Now consider the dignity of this person, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. ⁵ 'tis true they of the race of Levi, who assume the office of the priesthood, have a right by law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they all issued from Abraham: ⁶ but he who was not of their pedigree, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him to whom the promises were made. ⁷ now 'tis past dispute, he that is blessed is inferior to him that blesses: ⁸ besides here they that receive tithes are men who die: but there 'twas he of whom it is testified that he liveth. ⁹ and even Levi who received tithes, pay'd tithes, if I may so say, in the person of Abraham. ¹⁰ for he was even then in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

¹¹ If therefore the Levitical priesthood, concerning which the people received a law, could have given perfection, what further need was there that another priest should rise, to be named after the order of Melchisedec, and not after the order of Aaron? ¹² now the priesthood being changed, the law must necessarily be changed too. ¹³ for he who was there mention'd was of another tribe, none of whom ever gave attendance at the altar. ¹⁴ since it is evident that our Lord sprang out of the tribe of Juda, to which Moses never ascribed the priesthood. ¹⁵ This appears still more clear from another priest's arising like Melchisedec, ¹⁶ who was not establish'd by virtue of a temporary law, but with the power of being a perpetual priest. ¹⁷ for it is said, "thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." ¹⁸ wherefore the preceeding law is abolished for its being weak and useless. ¹⁹ for the law made no man perfect, but this was effected by introducing a better hope, which brings us nearer to the divine presence. ²⁰ Besides those priests were establish'd without any oath: but this with an oath, ²¹ by him that said to him, "the Lord has swore, and will not repent, thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." ²² so that Jesus was made guarantee of an alliance so much the more excellent, as it was not without the solemnity of an oath. ²³ besides, the priesthood then devolv'd to many, death depriving them of a lasting possession. ²⁴ but he, by virtue of his immortal state, hath a priesthood that does not pass by succession. ²⁵ so that he has an uninterrupted power to save those, that come to God by him, because he ever lives to make intercession for them. ²⁶ and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity, ²⁷ as those high priests of the law were, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: having done this once for all, by offering up himself. ²⁸ for the law appointed frail mortals to be high priests, but the oracle pronounc'd with an oath, which was since the law, established the son, who is crown'd with immortal perfections.