fore that of Levi. He being a Priest after the Order of Melchizedec, v. 17. Who was a Prieft of the most High God. And therefore to blefs the People in his Name, and therefore to receive the Tithes for Him. It being here to be noted, That the Priests of the Lord, are the proper Receivers of Tithes and Offerings; or, the First fruits which are God's Portion, both before the Law, and alfo under it, as well as fince in the Times of the Gofpel. It is their Inheritance, as it is called, Numb. 18. 21. Behold, I have given the Children of Levi, all the Tenth in Ifrael for an Inheritance, for· their Service which they ferve, even the Service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

And yet this Priesthood of Levi was not fo great as that of Melchizedec, which was the Type of Chrift's Priefbood, from whence the Priests of the Gospel derive their Title, and confequently their Right to God's due. Dr. Com- Wherein Abraham (fays St. Chryfoof Tithes, ftam) is a Tutor to all to express much Page 68. gratitude, and to bring in the Firstfruits of what God gives.

Now

Now fays the Apostle, Heb. 7.4. In Heb. 7. 4. his magnifying the Priesthood of Melchizedec, beyond that of Levi. Confider how great this Man was, unto whom even the Patriarch Abraham gave the Tenth of the Spoils,

It seems therefore that Melchizedec was greater than Abraham, and his Priesthood better than the Aaronical, which was to fpring from Abraham, out of whofe Loins Levi was to come, and who in Abraham paid Tithes.

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..

For which the Apostle in the following Verses is very Particular and Exprefs. And verily, they that are of the Verte 5 Sons of Levi, who receive the Office of the Priesthood, have a Commandment to take Tithes of the People according to the Law, that is of their Brethren, tho they come out of the Loins of Abra

ham.

But He whofe defcent is not counted Verte 6. from them received Tithes of Abra-i ham, and bleed Him that had the

Verse 7.

Verse 8.

Verse 9.

Verse 10.

And without all Contradiction the less is bleffed of the better.

And here Men that die, receive Tithes: But there he receiveth them, of whom it witneffed, that he liveth.

And as I may fo Say, Levi alfo who receiveth Tithes paid Tithes in Abra ham.

For he was yet in the Loins of bis Father, when Melchizedec met him.

This is a main Proof of the Payd ments of Tithes before the Law. And A of all the Increase, and of the choi cest and best too, because fuch ought to be picked out for the Offerings to "Agung im God. As the Greek Words fignifie, Aina by which they are expreffed.

πάντων.

And if of all the Increase of the Spoils taken in War, which is the A Soldier's Harvest, certainly much more In loc. 4. likely of all the Increase out of the Earth, that were poffeffed by Him. And that (fays Dr. Hammond) will be a sufficient Example and Testimony of

the

the Cuftom in Abraham's Time of paying Tithes to the Priest of all our Increafe, of what kind foever it is.

For doubtless, this was not the only Time that Abraham paid Tithes to Melchizedec, but that he was wont to do fo yearly being his High Priest tho' this be the fingle Record of his paying Tithe of Spoils upon that extraordinary Occafion for it, when he returned thro' his Country from the Victory that he had obtained; and he fo readily came out to meet him, and to rejoice with him, and to refresh him and his Men with Bread and Wine. And to receive from him the Sacrifice of Praife, or or his Offering the Tenth unto God, who gave him the Victory.

Another Instance of this. Practice before the Law, and what much confirms the frequency of it at that Time, we have in Jacob, (who was Abraham's Grandfon, bred up according to the religious Customs of that Family, made Heir of his Bleffings, and. being the Father of the Twelve Patriarchs, and no doubt but well informed of fuch Pious Dedications, as were ac

ceptable

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ceptable unto God, and at first of Divine Revelation) He made a 'folemn Vow of giving to God the Tenth of all that he should give him, Gen. 28. 20, It is mentioned by way of Verfe 20. Gratitude, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way which I 80, and will give me Bread to eat and Rayment to put on.

Verse 21.

Verse 22.

21, 22:

So that I come again to my Father's Houfe in Peace, then fall the Lord be my God.

And this Stone which I have fet for 4 Pillar ball be God's Houfe: And of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the Tenth unto Thee. Unless God had bleffed, him with Profperity, he could not pay him that folemn Part of his Worship, which he vowed to do: But not doubting of his moft gracious Promife juft made unto him, ver. 13, 14. He made a folemn Declaration of his Faith, That the Lord Should he his God. And fo being the fole Object of his Worship, as a natural Confequent thereof, he knew that Tithes were his due, and therefore as a Testimony, that all which he had

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