adness, the Apostle has
at last come to the great conception of Christ in the sanctuary of
heaven. He has hesitated long to plunge into the wave; and even now he
will not at once lift the veil from the argument. The allegory of
Melchizedek must prepare us for it.

FOOTNOTES:

[106] Compare chap. vi. 4 and chap. vi. 18.

[107] Chap. x. 34.

[108] =spouden= (vi. 11).

[109] Chap. vi. 13.

[110] Chap. xi. 1.

[111] Chap. xi. 40.

[112] _SS. Legg. Alleg._, iii., p. 98 (vol. i., p. 127. Mang.). With
Philo's =te spoudaia psyche= compare the Apostle's =spouden= (chap. v.
11).

[113] Rom. iii. 3.

[114] Chap. vi. 16.

[115] =perissoteron=.

[116] Ps. xxiv. 14.

CHAPTER VII.

_THE ALLEGORY OF MELCHIZEDEK._

HEBREWS vii. 1-28 (R.V.).

"For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of God Most High, who
met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed
him, to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first,
by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of
Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother,
without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life,
but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the
patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. And they indeed of
the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment
to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their
brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: but he
whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of
Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises. But without
any dispute the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die
receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he
liveth. And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth
tithes, hath paid tithes; for he was yet in the loins of his father,
when Melchizedek met him. Now if there was perfection through the
Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the
Law), what further need was there that another Priest should arise
after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order
of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of
necessity a change also of the law. For He of Whom these things are
said be