for he is not the deliverer of angels; but the deliverer of Abraham's posterity.

For when God gave his promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying,

For this Melchisedec was both king of Salem, and a priest of the most high God; 'twas he who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:

to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of the whole booty: first, being by the signification of his name king of justice, and in fact king of Salem, which is, king of peace;

Now consider the dignity of this person, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

'tis true they of the race of Levi, who assume the office of the priesthood, have a right by law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they all issued from Abraham:

but he who was not of their pedigree, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him to whom the promises were made.

and even Levi who received tithes, pay'd tithes, if I may so say, in the person of Abraham.

'Twas by faith that he who was named Abraham, showed his obedience in travelling to a foreign country, which he was afterwards to inherit; and began his journey without knowing where he was going.

'Twas by faith that Abraham, when put to the trial, offered up Isaac: HE offered up his darling son, to whose posterity the promises were to be made good: