4. It is found then, that besides vindicating for the Scriptures of the Old Testament this unsuspected depth and fulness of prophetic and typical meaning, the very Narrative itself teems to overflowing with mysterious purpose. You have but to weigh well what the HOLY SPIRIT hath delivered concerning Abraham and Melchizedek, Hagar and Sarah,--to perceive that the texture of the Historical Narrative itself is of supernatural fabric. All are familiar with what I allude to; but I _must_ remind you of it, in detail. The Apostle is bent on shewing the superiority of our SAVIOUR'S Priesthood to that of Aaron. How does he proceed? He lays his finger, unhesitatingly, on a verse in the cxth Psalm, ("Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek;")--declares with authority that it is CHRIST whom the prophet there alludes to,--or rather, whom GOD apostrophizes,--(for _that_ is what St. Paul actually _says_; προσαγορευθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ[474]: although David undeniably wrote the Psalm;)--and proceeds, without more ado, to draw out minutely the characteristics of our SAVIOUR'S Priesthood, from the very brief narrative contained in the xivth Chapter of Genesis. Do but hear him! The compound name "Melchi-zedek," being interpreted, denotes "King of Righteousness:" while "King of Salem" denotes "King of Peace." These titles, (it is implied,) are emphatically appropriate to CHRIST our King; to Him who "is our Righteousness," and the very "Prince of Peace." It happens that nothing is said in Genesis about the parentage of Melchizedek, nor about the family from which he sprang: not a word as to when he was born, or when he died. From this _silence_ of Scripture, St. Paul collects the typical adumbration of One who, as very GOD, was _without_ human parentage,--had _no_ earthly lineage;--"was before all things," GOD from all eternity,--having _indeed_ "neither beginning of days nor end of life."--Did not Abraham give to Melchizedek a tithe of the spoils? Consider then, (St. Paul says,) how great an one Melchizedek must have been! Nay, consider that the descendants of Levi are commanded to take tithe of their brethren, although all are sprung from Abraham alike; but here is one, altogether of a different family, taking tithes of _Abraham_,--aye and _blessing_ Abraham too;--(δεδεκάτωκε, εὐλόγηκε, "_hath_ tithed," "_hath_ blessed,"--the effect of the act _remaining_ for ever in CHRIST typified by Melchizedek.)--This mysterious King of Salem and Priest of the Most High GOD not only tithes but blesses Abraham, who had received from ALMIGHTY GOD the promises, which included all blessedness, earthly and heavenly. Now, this implies Melchizedek's superiority,--for, of course, the less is blessed of the greater.--Men who receive tithe here below are mortal; but the very silence of Scripture respecting Melchizedek's death, symbolically teaches that HE whom Melchizedek typified, yet liveth.--And indeed, (so