Jerusalem, described in the vision of St. John, the real Salem, of which Melchizedek was Priest and king, was probably a city of very humble pretension. Nevertheless, it was the site destined to become the metropolitan sanctuary, as it were, of the invisible as well as the visible church of God :—of the gospel as well as of the law;-of those who should worship Him, not only in the ceremonial courts of his temple, but in "spirit and in truth." Hence, even in the days of Abram, this obscure town or fort, bore that emphatic name which signified its future prerogatives of divine grace and mercy." Salem "-" Peace ❞— "complete"-" perfect." This prophetic name, or title, would indeed have been of all others the least appropriate, had it been intended to signify only the temporal history hitherto, of the future city. In a sense of worldly peace and tranquillity, from the time that it constituted the capital of the kingdom of Judah, almost to the final period of its destruction, it was the scene of constantly recurring attacks, sieges, and hostile devastation. In a spiritual sense, or, in its future millennial state only, shall we find, "peace within her walls, and plenteousness within her palaces." Of the temporal Salem, however, as it existed in Abram's days, Melchizedek was both king and priest, of the most High God. We know nothing of any worldly power, or greatness, for which he was remarkable. Like the seat of his dominion, the spiritual and prophetic name, which he bore, alone marked the sacred

character of his destiny. He was called "Melchizedek," " King of Righteousness."-This was his high distinction-the King of righteousness ruling over the city of Peace. With the exception of the blessing, which he pronounced on Abram, as a fellow worshipper with himself of the most High God, possessor of heaven and earth ;-with that exception, and one other of great significance, to which we shall shortly refer, we hear nothing further of this King of Salem. We are told nothing of his earthly genealogy;-of his father, his mother, or his ancestry,—of his early life or his subsequent destiny. We know, only, that he was King, and a Priest of God, without the intermediate consecration of any previously established order of priesthood. His consecration, therefore, was perfectly different to that of the Hebrew priesthood, to which, in after years, the tribe of Levi was appointed by an hereditary succession. This King and Priest, consecrated by the most High God alone, blessed Abram; and he also ministered to him in another remarkable manner. He brought forth to him Bread and Wine. This act was clearly designed to bear some other signification than the mere refreshment of Abram after the fatigues of his expedition. The particulars, which are stated, shew that no provision for this purpose was required. Abram had

brought back all the goods:" and, that he stood in need of no sustenance seems almost intentionally expressed in the account, which has been recorded.

He said to the king of Sodom-"I will not take from a thread to a shoe-latchet, save only that which the young men have eaten." We shall find, therefore, that this, as well as all the other circumstances, which have been handed down to us, relating to the interview of Abram with Melchizedek, had a future spiritual and typical meaning.

SECTION XXX.

The priesthood of Melchizedek and of Christ superior to the Lebitical priesthood of the Law.

We will now proceed to contemplate the wonderful parallel, which exists between Melchizedek as the type, and Christ, as the antitype in these prophetic incidents.

Melchizedek was priest of the most high God.

Melchizedek was conse

Jesus, the Son of God, is the "great high priest that is passed into the heavens." (Heb. iv. 14.) He was "the Apostle and high priest of our profession." (Heb. iii. 1.)

"Christ glorified not him

crated not by man, nor by self to be made an highhimself, but by God's appoint-priest; but He that said unto him-Thou art my Son-this day have I begotten thee." (Heb. v. 5.)

ment.

He stood, as it were, alone in the priesthood.

The priesthood of Melchizedek proceeded from no human order of hierarchy.

The priesthood of Christ was identical with that of its type, He was "a priest