There are other things in which Christ’s priesthood differs from that of the priests under the law, in that _they entered into the holy places made with hands, but Christ into heaven it self_, chap. ix. 7. compared with ver. 24. and then it was only the high priest that was to enter into the holy of holies: But, as the apostle observes, that under the gospel, in the virtue of Christ’s sacrifice, all believer’s are admitted into the holiest of all, that is, they have access through faith, into the presence of God, by the blood of Jesus. And lastly, under the law, there was a certain order of men that were priests, and yet all the people were not so; but, under the gospel-dispensation, believers are styled, an _holy_ and _a royal priesthood_, and _the sacrifices they offer up, are spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ_, 1 Pet. ii. 5, 9. And this leads us, 2. To consider Christ’s priesthood, as typified by Melchizedek, concerning whom it is said, in Gen. xiv. 18, 19, 20. that Melchizedek, _king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine to Abraham, returning from the slaughter of the kings; and he was priest of the most high God, and he blessed him_, &c. And this is referred to, as tending to set forth Christ’s priesthood, in Psal. cx. 4. _The Lord hath sworn and will not repent; thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek_; and the apostle, in Heb. vii. refers to these scriptures, which are the only places of the Old Testament where this is mentioned, and applies them to Christ’s priesthood as containing many things which were not typified by the Aaronical priesthood. And it may be observed, that when the apostle enters on this subject, he premises this concerning it, that it contained a very great difficulty, as he says, _Of whom_ [i. e. _Melchizedek_] _we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered_, Heb. v. 11. that is, hard to be explained, so as to be fully understood; it will be no strange thing therefore if we cannot fully explain it, or assert some things concerning it, which are only probable; and certainly this observation of the apostle should induce us to treat on this subject with the greatest humility and modesty. As to what we have to say concerning it, I hope we shall advance nothing contrary to the analogy of faith, how difficult soever some phrases, used in scripture, relating thereunto, may seem to be: And the method in which we shall proceed, shall be; _first_, to enquire who this Melchizedek was; and, _secondly_, how we have herein an eminent type of Christ’s priesthood in some things, in which it was not shadowed forth by the Aaronical priesthood.