Is it therefore to be wondered at that our Tuath-de-danaans, who were their brethren, should equally anticipate it? Yes, from the commencement of time, and through all the changes of humanity, God had always witnesses to the _truth_ in this nether world. “And Melchizedec, King of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, and he was the priest of the most high God. “And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”[583] “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. “For this Melchizedec, King of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all: first being, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and after that also king of Salem, which is king of _peace_. “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God--abideth a _priest_ continually.”[584] Thus does the apostle proceed, in a strain of the closest argumentation, to point out the superiority of this king of _peace_, over Abraham and his lineage: after which Mr. Brown, in his _Commentary_ upon the Bible, expresses himself as follows, viz.:--“Who this Melchizedec was, this priest of God among the Canaanites, greater than Abraham, the friend of God, who were his parents or his successors, is on purpose concealed by the Holy Ghost. And hence he is without father or mother, predecessor or successor, in his historical account, in order that he might typify the incomprehensible dignity, the amazing pedigree and unchangeable duration of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest.” Nobody can quarrel with the _piety_ of this commentator: but _piety_ is not the only requisite for a commentator upon the Scriptures: the _absence of stupidity_ is an essential condition. It is not, however, as applied to _this particular passage_ that I thus express myself: were this the only instance of _accommodating oversight_ it should draw forth no critique from me. But the instances are _innumerable_, to verify the expression that “some persons _see_, but _perceive_ not.” Mr. Brown had no idea of an _emanation_! Mr. Brown did not comprehend the _sons of God_! Mr. Brown did not know the connection which existed between the _peace_ of Christ and that which was represented by Melchizedec.[585] “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth _good tidings_, that publisheth _peace_; that bringeth _good tidings_ of good, that publisheth _salvation_; that saith unto Zion, Thy _God_ reigneth.”[586] “These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have _peace_. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”[587]