of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.
wherein is showed that he was a figure that Jesus Christ should be
both an everlasting King and Priest.
Gen. Cap. 14.
1. And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine: and he was a Priest of the Most High God. 2. Therefore he blessed him, saying: Blessed art thou, Abram, of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth. 3. And blessed be the Most High God, who hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand.
And Abram gave him a tithe of all the spoil.
WE have already begun to declare that Melchizedek, of whom mention is here made, was a figure of our Lord Jesus Christ. And to the end we might the more attentively hearken unto this doctrine, we are to remember that which yesterday was delivered unto us, that is, that God swore by a solemn oath, That he who should be king over the people should also be a Priest. Now it is certain that God is very sparing and careful of his name; and casteth it not out at all adventures: for his meaning is that we should have it in all reverend regard, & not take it but upon necessity, & to such a use as is worthy the holiness thereof: and for his part also giveth us an example. And therefore we are to conclude that this is a point of great importance and marvelous profitable for us to know, that he who should be the redeemer of the people should also have the title both of a king and a priest. And indeed, if we should separate the one from the other, the faith that we have in our Savior Jesus Christ should be very weak, and should have no certain nor firm foundation.
For, there are two things requisite to our salvation: the one is that God accepts us as righteous and vows us for his children; the other is